A high-profile publishing deal for debut crime novel Call Me, I’ll Hide the Body by Jerry Falade has collapsed after doubts emerged over whether artificial intelligence played a role in writing it. The manuscript had reportedly received an offer of more than $2m (£1.5m) from Minotaur, owned by Macmillan US, as part of a 14-way auction, with publication planned for 2028.
Why was the book withdrawn?
The book was withdrawn from sale after Falade’s agents said they could no longer authenticate how the manuscript evolved. An email sent to publishers and seen by said the manuscript had impressed agents and top publishing professionals, but that they were unable to verify its full development from start to finish.
“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 email also said the team had checked with Falade during submission over whether AI was used and had accepted his assurance that it was not. It then said that assurance could no longer be substantiated and that the book was being withdrawn.
“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.”
Who handled the auction?
The US auction was run by the author’s agent Marc Gerald of Europa Content, according to the report. In the UK, Sandy Hodgman of Hodgman Literary is said to have secured several six-figure bids through a similarly competitive process. has approached both agents for comment.
Gerald told the Bookseller he first read the book in June and said it was exceptionally strong.
“stunningly good, everyone fell in love with it. It’s a book that appeals to absolutely everyone.”
He said that halfway through the submissions process, an editor raised concerns that the book had signs of potential AI use. Gerald said Europa chose not to use AI-detection software to check the manuscript, saying Falade was “clear and credible” in his explanation.
However, after a meeting on 29 July, when “aspects of [Falade’s] story changed”, the agency decided to cut ties, citing the “need to have total faith”.
“We feel terrible for putting this into the universe and the firestorm it has caused,” Gerald added. “The book itself is genius – however it came to be drafted, it’s amazing.”
How does this fit into a wider publishing debate?
Falade’s case is the latest in a broader dispute as authors, agents and publishers grapple with how to handle suspected AI use in manuscripts. Earlier this year, Hachette pulled the US release of Mia Ballard’s horror novel Shy Girl after rumours online that the author had relied on AI, something she denies.
In a statement to , Falade rejected claims that he had used AI and said the response reflected 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.”
Falade did not name other authors, but two Black authors in the US – Ballard and HM Wolfe, author of the viral romance Daggermouth – faced allegations of AI use this year. Wolfe also denies she used AI.
Falade said rumours circulated quickly and that he lost representation and deals within hours.
“In my case, rumours began circulating and, within six hours, I had been dropped by my agency, deals were paused, and press releases were being issued.”
He added that AI-detection tools are known to produce false positives and argued that the manuscript had already been reviewed by multiple industry professionals.
“AI-detection tools “are widely known to produce false positives”.
“The novel had “passed through first readers, second readers, editors, and acquisitions teams at numerous publishing houses … If the manuscript had shown genuine signs of being generated by AI, it is difficult to believe that every one of those experienced professionals would have failed to notice.”
The dispute comes as publishing continues to confront how to assess authorship when manuscripts draw suspicions of AI involvement, even when writers deny using the technology.
Key Facts
- Call Me, I’ll Hide the Body by Jerry Falade reportedly drew an offer of more than $2m (£1.5m) from Minotaur, owned by Macmillan US.
- The manuscript was withdrawn by Falade’s agents after they said they could no longer authenticate how it evolved.
- The US auction was run by Marc Gerald of Europa Content, and Sandy Hodgman of Hodgman Literary is said to have secured several six-figure bids in the UK.
- Falade denied using AI and said the controversy reflected racial bias in publishing.
- Hachette earlier pulled the US release of Mia Ballard’s Shy Girl after online rumours about AI use, which Ballard denies.
