Officials at a North Carolina prison are looking to throw the book at inmate, Victor Martin for writing novels while doing time.

While it’s not illegal to write in prison, publishing seems to be another matter.

Prison officials are shutting [Martin] down, saying his novels violate a policy that bars inmates from conducting business behind bars. Prison officials say the policy is in place to protect prison safety.

Martin, a 32-year-old habitual felon with several theft-related convictions, says the policy violates his right to free speech.

Martin’s attorneys are challenging the policy, which they say prison officials have used to claim Martin’s manuscripts and discipline him for writing.

Martin’s novels about a high-rolling criminal named Unique have picked up a small fan base among online buyers including his most recently released Unique’s Ending