A reported $2 million publishing agreement secured by Nigerian author Jerry Falade for his debut crime novel has collapsed after his literary agents raised concerns over the possible use of artificial intelligence in the book’s creation.
The novel, Call Me, I’ll Hide the Body, had generated significant interest in the publishing industry, winning a 14-way bidding contest in the United States. Minotaur, an imprint of Macmillan US, reportedly acquired the rights for more than $2 million, with publication planned for 2028. The manuscript also attracted several six-figure offers from UK publishers.
Despite the strong commercial interest, Falade’s agents have now withdrawn the manuscript from sale, saying they can no longer verify the process through which the novel was developed.
In a statement sent to publishers, the agency praised the quality of the manuscript but said unanswered questions surrounding its evolution made it impossible to continue representing the work.
“Jerry Falade produced an incredible manuscript that dazzled us and the top publishing professionals around the world. Unfortunately, we are no longer able to authenticate how the manuscript fully evolved from origin to completion,” the agents said.
The agency disclosed that concerns about AI had been discussed with Falade before the manuscript was submitted to publishers. At the time, they accepted his assurance that no artificial intelligence tools had been used to write or edit the novel.
However, the agents said they could no longer stand by that position.
“During the submission process we vetted the manuscript 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,” the statement added.
Marc Gerald of Europa Content, Falade’s US agent, said he was immediately captivated by the manuscript after reading it in June, describing it as an exceptional work with broad commercial appeal.
According to Gerald, doubts emerged after an editor questioned whether AI had played a role in the manuscript’s production during the submission process. Although the agency decided against using AI-detection software because it initially believed Falade’s explanation, the situation changed after a meeting with the author on July 29.
Gerald said inconsistencies in Falade’s account during that meeting led the agency to sever ties with the writer and withdraw the novel from publication.