U.S.CULTURE WATCH

Acclaimed Author Denies Using A.I. but Admits Plagiarism

Thélyson Orélien broke a weekslong silence over his new novel, It Was Either That or Die; he rejects the A.I. claim, not the plagiarism one.

On air: Hank Ledger, Vera Bullock and Dale Bearman on BBN Newsroom
Published 1:54 PM ET, Tuesday, October 13, 2026

▶ Short · U.S.

The Short: the best minute of this segment, cut vertical for your thumb. More about this Short

At a glance

First reported by The New York Times: “Acclaimed Author Denies Using A.I. but Admits Plagiarism”.
Covered on BBN on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at 1:54 PM ET on BBN Newsroom, by Hank Ledger, Vera Bullock and Dale Bearman.
Topics: AI.

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorAs promised: Thélyson Orélien, the Haitian-Canadian author behind the new novel It Was Either That or Die, broke a weekslong silence today.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThe New York Times reports he still rejects the accusation that he used A.I., but he admits to plagiarism.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorSo the machine is innocent, and the human did the copying himself. There's something almost old-fashioned about that.
Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorHe chose the lesser charge, Vera. Nobody confesses to the big one until the lawyers say so.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorWeeks of silence, and that's the statement.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorHe's offering a human error. In publishing, that's practically a gift.
Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorHank, he has proven the books were written by a person. The person just wasn't him.

▶ Short · U.S.Ohio Rally: "To Put It Simply, Win More Votes. That's $8,000."More about this Short
Photo: ArildV · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
▶ As it aired · U.S.'Tulsa King' Season 4 Release Date Set on Paramount+Read the story
▶ Hot Take or Not · U.S.Georgia Takes No. 1 in AP Poll: Texas Fans Want Emotional RefundsAbout this segment
▶ As it aired · U.S.Trump rallies in Youngstown for Husted and RamaswamyRead the story
Photo: Takeaway · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
▶ As it aired · U.S.Cold-smoked salmon, seafood trio and Amazon-brand drug recalledRead the story
▶ Hot Take or Not · U.S.A'ja Wilson WNBA MVP: Predicting It Is Like a Toaster Making ToastAbout this segment
Photo: Beethoven · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
▶ As it aired · U.S.Most voters see Congress as out of touch on spendingRead the story
Photo: Norman Wong · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
▶ Short · U.S.Pamela Anderson Just Revealed Her Ultimate Makeup-Free Beauty SecretRead the story
▶ Hot Take or Not · U.S.NFL Report Cards: Winless Teams Get an A for AttendanceAbout this segment
Photo: Daniel Torok · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
▶ As it aired · U.S.Trump to fly 3,400 miles to Alaska in hopes of saving a Senate seatRead the story