$2M Book Deal for Black Author Falls Apart Over AI Use Allegations

A book deal from a Black author has collapsed after concerns that the writer used artificial intelligence. The manuscript Call Me, I’ll Hide the Body, by Jerry Falade, was retracted from sale by its agent after receiving an offer for more than $2 million from Minotaur, owned by Macmillan US, according to The Guardian. The book, which was part of a 14-way auction, was set to publish in 2028.

Jerry Falade’s book deal collapsing

In an email sent to publishers viewed by the Guardian, Falade’s agents said, “Jerry Falade produced an incredible manuscript that dazzled the top publishing professionals around the world and us. Unfortunately, we are no longer able to authenticate how the manuscript fully evolved from origin to completion.”

They added that the manuscript was vetted during the submission with Jerry for AI and “felt trusting in his reassurance that it was written without utilising AI as a resource in the writing or editorial process. We can no longer substantiate that, and we are withdrawing the book.”

Black writers being suspected of using AI

In a statement to the Guardian, Falade rejected claims that AI was used to write his manuscript, highlighting the racial bias in publishing.

“Three Black authors received major publishing deals this year, and all three later had deals cancelled or disrupted following suspicions about AI. There seems to be a troubling assumption that when a Black writer produces work that attracts significant attention, the work could not possibly be their own. Meanwhile, there are popular white writers who have publicly mentioned using AI for their writing processes, and they’re still doing fine.”

Whilst Falade didn’t share the names of the other authors, Hachette Book Group pulled the US release of Mia Ballard’s horror novel, “Shy Girl,” after online claims that the author used AI, as per The New York Times.

Ballard denied using AI but told The New York Times that an acquaintance she had hired to work on an earlier self-published version incorporated AI tools.

H.M. Wolfe’s “Daggermouth was also found to contain “substantial AI text” as per The Atlantic. Wolfe also denied using AI in her work. In a statement her lawyer sent to The Atlantic, she said, “I have been outspoken about my opposition to generative AI and what it’s doing to writers, artists, and the creative community. I don’t believe it belongs in the writing process.”

Image: Nubelson Fernandes

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