Éditions du Boréal has confirmed that Quebec author Thélyson Orélien has ended an attempt to compile a detailed record to support his denial that artificial intelligence was used to produce his novel C’était ça ou mourir (“It was either that or dying”), leaving the dispute over the book’s authorship unresolved.
Publisher backs author's decision but says questions remain
In an email to The Canadian Press, Boréal co-director Renaud Roussel said the initiative to gather documentation came from Orélien and that the publishing house supported him in the effort. Roussel added that while the decision to stop was the author’s, the publisher would have preferred to be able to provide definitive answers to the allegations.
“The publishing house supported him in this process, which he chose to end,” Roussel said. “That decision is his to make, and we accept it, although we certainly would have preferred to be able to provide definitive answers to the allegations of AI use against him.”
Boréal’s confirmation ends a publicised effort first disclosed in September, when the publisher said it was collaborating with Orélien to document how the manuscript was prepared prior to submission. Orélien had also told French media outlet Libération that he was collecting evidence with publishers in France and Quebec to support his account of the novel’s composition.
Sales, availability and library interest
The publisher acknowledged that sales of C’était ça ou mourir have slowed since the controversy began but declined to provide exact figures. The book remains available in bookstores, though Boréal said it is presently out of stock at the publishing house and that a new printing is expected next week.
There are mixed signals from booksellers. Earlier this week, Floriane Claveau, spokesperson for major Quebec chain Renaud-Bray, told reporters the retailer had not observed any significant change in sales over the preceding weeks.
What remains unsettled
With Orélien’s decision to end the documentation process, the central question—whether artificial intelligence contributed materially to the writing of the novel—remains publicly unanswered. The publisher has said its position has not changed, but without the promised record, external observers and readers will have fewer verifiable facts to assess the claims.
The situation sits at the intersection of literary culture and emerging concerns about the role of AI in creative work. In Quebec, where language and authorship are closely guarded aspects of cultural life, allegations of computer-assisted writing feed both public curiosity and professional concern within the literary community.
Implications for authors, publishers and readers
The episode raises questions about how the publishing sector might handle similar disputes in future, including:
- How publishers will document the provenance of manuscripts when authors or third parties raise concerns;
- What standards — if any — will be expected for proving a work’s authorship in an era of generative AI;
- How readers, reviewers and cultural institutions will respond when doubts about authorship surface.
Boréal’s choice to continue selling the title while acknowledging reduced sales highlights the commercial and reputational balancing act publishers face when controversies erupt.
Next steps and public record
Orélien did not immediately respond to requests for comment about his decision to end the evidence-gathering process. For now, the record available to the public comprises the publisher’s statements and the earlier disclosures in September and in French media.
| Event | Public detail |
|---|---|
| September disclosure | Boréal said it was collaborating with the author to compile a record of manuscript origins |
| Oct. 17 confirmation | Publisher says Orélien has ended the documentation effort; book remains in print but out of stock at the publisher |
As the debate continues, readers and cultural observers will be watching whether other evidence emerges, how bookstores and libraries handle the title, and whether the publishing industry in Quebec develops new practices for documenting authorship in the age of AI.
This developing story touches on artistic integrity and the practical challenges facing publishers and writers. For now, the question at the heart of the controversy—was AI used in the creation of C’était ça ou mourir—remains publicly unanswered.
