Jerry Falade, a graduate student at Southern Methodist University, has publicly denied allegations that he used artificial intelligence to write his debut crime novel, “Call Me, I’ll Hide the Body.” The controversy arose after his literary representatives withdrew support for the book, leading to the cancellation of a $2 million deal for US publishing rights.

Falade, who secured a reported $2 million contract with Minotaur, an imprint of Macmillan US, had also sold UK rights to HarperCollins Publishers. The initial enthusiasm for his first novel came from at least fourteen publishers interested in the US rights. However, following the deal’s closure, Europa Content, Falade’s agent, sent a letter to the publishers indicating they could no longer endorse the book due to concerns that AI might have been used in its creation.

Falade has rejected these claims, stating that he employed AI solely as a research tool and not for writing the novel itself. He addressed the issue via social media on Tuesday, describing the situation as racially motivated. In a series of posts, he asserted that the accusations reflect a broader pattern of undermining the intellectual achievements of people of color. “Definitely innocent!!!” he wrote in an Instagram story, adding, “They CAN’T and WON’T stop this Black boy’s light from shining!!”

While the suspicions around AI use have yet to be conclusively substantiated, the agent’s decision to pull back on the book deal signals significant industry concern. Falade’s remarks emphasize his belief that racial bias played a role in the questioning of his work’s originality, a perspective highlighting ongoing tensions around race and technology in the publishing world.

No further official statements have been released by the publishers or Falade’s representatives regarding the status of the book or future publishing plans. The incident adds to broader discussions about the use of AI in creative industries and the complexities it presents for authors, agents, and publishers alike.