# Novelist accused of using AI to write book removed from French prize list

https://mins.news/en/item/74273

- The Guardian, 2026-09-25 16:14 UTC
- Culture
- Original: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2026/sep/25/thelyson-orelien-goncourt-prize-france

> The Académie Goncourt has withdrawn Thélyson Orélien’s novel C’était ça ou mourir from its longlist after an anonymous online account alleged it was almost entirely AI-written. Orélien denies the claim and calls it racially motivated. The academy also cited newly reported plagiarism allegations and analyses suggesting extensive AI involvement.

## Related coverage

- [Canadian-Haitian writer Thélyson Orélien dropped from Prix Goncourt longlist amid AI claims](https://mins.news/en/item/73870) — France 24, 2026-09-25
- [Canadian and French publishers stand by author accused of using AI for prize-winning novel](https://mins.news/en/item/71057) — Reuters, 2026-09-23