Tomi Adeyemi Cancels NYCC Panel for 'The Siren' Without Notice

Author Tomi Adeyemi canceled her New York Comic Con panel for Saturday, Oct. 10 at the New York Javits Center without notifying fans or the convention's organizer ReedPop, Variety reports.

The panel had been scheduled for 1:30 p.m. ET. A source told Variety the cancellation came from Adeyemi herself last month and was quietly removed from the schedule at that time.

What happened at the convention?

No public statement was issued by Adeyemi, by her agency CAA, or by "The Siren" publisher Macmillan Children's Publishing Group before the Saturday slot. None of the three responded to Variety's request for comment on the day either.

The silence leaves a practical question for booksellers and YA readers: with no NYCC appearance and no obvious promotional substitute, how does a young-adult fantasy launch break through the crowded fall release calendar?

What has the author said publicly?

Adeyemi has been openly critical of the film adaptation of her 2018 debut, "Children of Blood and Bone." In an interview with The Guardian this year, she described the experience as "the worst thing I have ever had to live through" and said it left her "hyperventilating and sobbing."

She added that she was "still being antagonized behind the scenes" and had "suffered such severe somatic pain and so many panic attacks" after filming wrapped. She declined to specify what turned the process sour.

What set off the falling-out?

Earlier this year, Adeyemi posted a since-deleted TikTok video showing what appeared to be a group chat that included the film's lead, Amandla Stenberg. In the chat, Adeyemi wrote: "Do not ever use my name in an interview or video again. Do not text me. Do not call me." She then appeared to block Stenberg, according to the L.A. Times.

Stenberg's casting had earlier drawn criticism from readers who noted that Adeyemi's book describes the character as having "dark copper skin." Adeyemi has not publicly stated whether the casting dispute is the direct cause of her withdrawal from promotional duties tied to her publisher's wider slate.

Where does the film stand?

"Children of Blood and Bone" is directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood and stars Stenberg alongside Thuso Mbedu, Damson Idris, Cynthia Erivo, Lashana Lynch, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Regina King, Idris Elba and Viola Davis. The film is scheduled for theatrical release on Jan. 15.

What does the cancellation change for the book launch?

"The Siren" now reaches readers without the convention megaphone YA debuts usually rely on. Adeyemi's NYCC pullout, paired with her ongoing grievance against the film's producers, strips two reliable publicity levers from the rollout. Booksellers should expect a press cycle heavy on social media and thin on stage appearances — at least until Adeyemi, CAA or Macmillan choose to fill in the gap the Javits Center schedule left behind.