Coelho announced the news via Twitter on Sunday, saying the project has lost its reason without Bryants involvement.
You were more than a great player, dear Kobe Bryant.
I learned a lot by interacting with you.
Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images; Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images
Will delete the draft right now, this book has lost its reason, Coelho tweeted.
Coelho responded, Anytime.
Coelho later toldthe Huffington Postthat it didnt make any sense to publish without him.
It wouldnt add anything relevant to him or his family.
Still, the 72-year-old doesnt rule out future projects involving Bryant.
But the childrens book did not make sense anymore.
Coelho said the two hadnt communicated for months before Bryant sent him the message in August.
He did not disclose how much of the book had been written or whether it had a title.
The books goal was to inspire underprivileged children to overcome adversity through sports, Coelho told the outlet.
The Alchemist,first published in Portuguese in 1988, has sold over65 million copies.
Coelhos latest book,Hippie,debuted in 2018.
Coelho spoke to Bryants impact and how the stars interests went far beyond athletics.
We will discuss his legacy for many years, much beyond sport.
EW has reached out to representatives for Coelho.
