Channing Tatum and Roxane Gay Announce Exciting Literary Collaboration
Channing Tatum, the celebrated actor renowned for his charismatic performances in films like Magic Mike, is embarking on a thrilling new venture. He is joining forces with the distinguished author Roxane Gay to co-write a romance novel, scheduled for publication in late 2026. This partnership marks a significant departure from Tatum's previous work in children's literature and Gay's often weightier thematic explorations.
The Origins of an Unlikely Creative Partnership
The seeds of this collaboration were planted in a rather amusing manner back in 2017. During an interview, a journalist inquired if Tatum was aware of Roxane Gay, who had openly expressed a crush on him and authored the influential book Bad Feminist. "A journalist inquired if he was aware of a writer who had a crush on him and authored a book titled 'Bad Feminist,'" Gay recounted on the Lip on the 95 podcast. "He responded, 'Oh, I haven’t come across it, but I’ll check it out.' And he did just that."
Shortly thereafter, when a book concept was proposed to Tatum, he enthusiastically seized the opportunity to co-author it with Gay. Their creative synergy developed rapidly, culminating in the announcement of this highly anticipated project.
A Plot That Blends Reality with Passion
The novel's narrative is inspired by real-life pacts that friends sometimes make. It centers on two individuals who agree to marry each other if they remain single by the age of forty. They honor this agreement and subsequently discover love in the aftermath of their union. "You know how people often make those pacts like, 'If we hit 40 and are still single, let's get married.' So they go through with the marriage and then discover love afterward," Gay explained during an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert last year. "A voluntary arranged marriage. With plenty of sex happening in a bakery."
Roxane Gay has described the book as "incredibly steamy" and filled with fun, adding in a recent interview that it is "very, very s***y." This promises a blend of heartfelt emotion and intense romantic scenes.
Channing Tatum's Literary Credentials and Approach
Channing Tatum is no stranger to the world of writing. He is the author of the Sparkella children's book series, which was inspired by his daughter, Everly, 12, from his previous marriage to Jenna Dewan. Throughout their collaboration, Gay has consistently praised Tatum's thoughtful and self-aware approach. "For some reason, he has a profound understanding of his privilege. He doesn't shy away from it, which is quite refreshing. He's an extraordinarily attractive, famous, wealthy white man. There's no need for him to pretend that it isn't advantageous. Yet, he treats people kindly," she told Vanity Fair in 2023.
Tatum himself has expressed enthusiasm for the project, noting, "She has almost a roughed-out outline of a story that we both love. We just got to find time to do it. She's the busiest, she's way busier than I am."
Anticipation Builds Among Eager Fans
This novel represents Channing Tatum's first foray into adult romance fiction, following his success in children's literature. For Roxane Gay, the project offers a welcome balance to her usual subjects, which often delve into challenging themes like physical violence and racial injustice. "So much of what I write about is incredibly depressing and incredibly difficult... So I always try to balance the darkness with hopefully some light and joy," she remarked.
The book is set to arrive in late 2026, promising to deliver both heat and heart. Fans of Tatum's on-screen charm are eagerly awaiting the chance to experience his literary talents bringing a romantic story to life.
