Nigerian author Jerry Falade has lost a publishing deal worth more than $2 million (about N2.7 billion) after concerns emerged that artificial intelligence (AI) may have been used in writing or editing his debut crime novel, Call Me, I’ll Hide the Body, leading his literary agency to withdraw the manuscript.

The novel, which was scheduled for release in 2028, had attracted strong interest from publishers and sparked a bidding war involving 14 publishing houses.

Macmillan U.S.’s Minotaur Books imprint secured a two-book deal reportedly worth more than $2 million, while HarperCollins acquired the United Kingdom publishing rights.

The deal later collapsed after Falade’s literary agency, Europa Content, withdrew the manuscript, saying it could no longer confirm that AI had not been involved in creating the book.

In a letter sent to publishers, the agency said it had initially accepted Falade’s assurance that the manuscript was written and edited without AI. However, it later said it could no longer verify how the novel developed from its original draft to the final version.

Marc Gerald of Europa Content, who handled the U.S. auction, said concerns were first raised by an editor.

Although the agency initially accepted Falade’s explanation without using AI detection software, it ended its relationship with the author on July 29 after concluding that parts of his account had changed.

Falade has denied using AI to write the novel.

“I only used AI for research, and not for writing the book itself,” he said.

According to the author, he used an open-source AI model stored on his own device to research technical details, including chemicals that could dissolve a human body for his crime story and to confirm American English vocabulary.

He said he chose the local AI tool because it does not store or share his search history, especially given the sensitive nature of some of his research.

Falade also said no publisher or editor questioned him about AI use during the acquisition process and added that he never gave permission for his manuscript to be analysed with AI detection software.

He described the attention on AI detection as “very suspicious” and disclosed that he has hired legal counsel.

The author also argued that Black writers are unfairly targeted when they achieve major publishing success.

In a series of Instagram posts, he wrote that accusations that once focused on plagiarism have now shifted to AI.

“If you’re a Person of Color and you secure a lucrative deal in history, someone, somewhere, will accuse you of using AI,” he wrote.

He added that some white authors openly acknowledge using AI without facing similar consequences.

Falade also referred to Black American authors Mia Ballard and HM Wolfe, who lost publishing deals earlier this year over similar allegations.

Reacting further, he maintained his innocence.

“Definitely innocent!!! They CAN’T and WON’T stop this Black boy’s light from shining!!” he wrote on Instagram.

Macmillan confirmed that it participated in the auction for Call Me, I’ll Hide the Body but said Falade’s agent later withdrew the manuscript.

HarperCollins has not commented on the status of its agreement.

Despite the setback, Falade said he remains focused on his writing career and is already working on another novel.

“Trust me, when this book is finally released, the bidding war we saw on Call Me, I’ll Hide the Body will be child’s play compared to this,” he said. (Nigerian Tribune)

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