Neil Gaiman responds to report alleging sexual abuse

Best-selling author Neil Gaiman has strongly denied allegations of sexual abuse and assault made by multiple women, following a New York Magazine article published on Monday. In a statement posted to his website on Tuesday, Gaiman emphatically rejected claims of engaging in "nonconsensual sexual activity with anyone," and maintained that his relationships with the women involved were "entirely consensual." He also explained that he had refrained from commenting on the accusations to avoid contributing to "a lot of misinformation."

The allegations against Gaiman first surfaced last summer on a podcast produced by Tortoise Media, when several women accused the author of sexually assaulting them. However, the detailed and disturbing accounts presented in the New York Magazine article on Monday painted a far graver picture, with women accusing Gaiman of rape, manipulation, and coercion. The article describes incidents where Gaiman allegedly pressured women into performing degrading acts, including licking vomit off his lap, and in some cases, coerced them into sexual situations with his young son present in the room.

The revelations have sparked outrage among several writers, including JK Rowling, Jeff VanderMeer, Maureen Johnson, and Naomi Alderman, who publicly condemned Gaiman's behaviour, reported The New York Times. Many have criticised the literary community's slow response to the allegations, while others have called for prize committees to revoke some of Gaiman's literary honours. There have even been discussions among booksellers about whether to continue carrying his works, which have sold millions of copies globally across various genres, including children's books, comics, and fantasy novels like American Gods and The Graveyard Book. Some fans, appalled by the accusations, have pledged to stop purchasing or reading Gaiman's books altogether.

Major publishers have also remained relatively quiet. HarperCollins, which has published many of Gaiman's most prominent works, and Marvel, home to some of his most beloved comic creations, have no new releases planned with the author, according to their representatives.

Since July 2024, nine women have accused Gaiman of assault, with the allegations spanning a range of incidents, including claims of nonconsensual BDSM. Multiple projects tied to the writer have been halted or scrapped with many speculating impact of the fallout.

Prime Video's Good Omens, which was originally renewed for a third season in December 2023, is now set to conclude with a 90-minute episode. Though Gaiman reportedly contributed to the writing, he will not be involved in production, and a new writer is expected to take over. Filming for the final episode will begin in early 2025 in Scotland.