Book of the Month Responds to AI Backlash Surrounding James Frey’s Latest Novel
As generative AI continues to reshape creative industries, the publishing world finds itself at the heart of a heated debate—this time involving controversial author James Frey and his upcoming novel, Next to Heaven, set to release June 17.
The backlash began when readers resurfaced a 2023 interview in which Frey openly discussed his use of AI tools while writing a different manuscript, reportedly titled Fourseventysix. In that interview, Frey stated, “Yes, I use [AI] to write my book and I’m absolutely open about that.” He added that the AI had been instructed to mimic his writing style so closely that readers wouldn’t be able to distinguish human-authored content from machine-generated text.
“I still consider every word of this book to be mine,” Frey declared at the time, “and I don’t care if you don’t.”
This candid admission has reignited debate about authorship, authenticity, and reader transparency—especially after Book of the Month (BOTM) selected Frey’s Next to Heaven as one of its June picks. While it remains unclear whether this particular novel was influenced by the AI-assisted project Frey previously referenced, the timing has prompted questions from both readers and publishing professionals.
In a public statement addressing the controversy, Book of the Month clarified: “While we understand that James Frey has made various previous comments regarding the use of AI, the publisher has told us that Frey wrote every word of Next to Heaven.”
Still, BOTM acknowledged the complexity of AI’s role in modern publishing, noting: “In today’s technology environment, there is always a chance that sentences or grammar were edited or revised with the use of an AI tool somewhere in the creation process. This risk likely extends well beyond this particular book.”
The statement also reflected a broader view on controversial figures in literature: “We do not impose blanket bans on authors based on their previous work or statements. In this particular case, we decided that it is a better service for us to leave it to you, our members, to make your own independent, informed decisions about whether to read this particular book.”
So far, Frey’s publisher, Authors Equity, has not responded to media requests for clarification about the origin of Next to Heaven or its potential relationship to Fourseventysix.
This isn’t the first time Frey has stirred literary controversy—his embellished memoir A Million Little Pieces infamously ignited public outcry and an on-air confrontation with Oprah Winfrey. But now, Frey’s unapologetic approach to AI use has launched him into the center of an evolving debate: what does authorship mean in an era when machines can mimic human voice? And where do readers draw the line between innovation and deception?
As AI tools become more accessible and sophisticated, the publishing world will continue grappling with these questions. For now, Book of the Month’s stance suggests that transparency and reader agency may be the best way forward—controversies and all.