Publisher Has Declined To Distribute Book By Officer Involved in Breonna Taylor’s Death

After being shot at during the deadly raid in Breonna Taylor’s apartment, the Louisville police officer who fired at her is writing a memoir, but it won’t be published by publishing giant Simon & Schuster as expected.

The Courier-Journal announced that Sgt. Tennessee-based Post Hill Press would publish Jonathan Mattingly’s book. On its website, the company claims to publish “current events, Christian and conservative political books,” among other things. It has a contract with Simon & Schuster to sell its books, which said earlier this week that it couldn’t say no to Post Hill titles.

However, Simon & Schuster announced late Thursday that it would not be involved in Mattingly’s novel.

“Like much of the American public, earlier today Simon & Schuster learned of plans by distribution client Post Hill Press to publish a book by Jonathan Mattingly,” the publishing house said in a statement. “We have subsequently decided not to be involved in the distribution of this book.”

The news of Mattingly’s book sparked outrage online yesterday, with Kentucky state Rep. Attica Scott writing on Twitter that “people love to profit off of Black pain and tragedy.” It sells.”

A publicist for Post Hill Press told The Associated Press that the organization respects its writers’ right to free expression and that Mattingly “deserves to have his account of the tragic events heard publicly.”

“The Fight For Truth: The Inside Story Behind the Breonna Taylor Tragedy” will be the title of Mattingly’s book.