Author Neil Gaiman Under Scrutiny Amid Sexual Misconduct

Renowned British author Neil Gaiman, best known for works like Good Omens, American Gods, and The Sandman, is facing renewed scrutiny. Eight women came forward with detailed accusations of sexual misconduct and assault against him. An article titled ‘There Is No Safe Word’ surfaced, raising allegations months after similar accusations had already been made against him.

Allegations of Sexual Assault and Abuse

Musician Amanda Palmer, a former nanny for Gaiman and his second wife, shared her harrowing account of sexual assault. She claimed the abuse took place in February 2022, during a visit to New Zealand. According to her testimony, the assault occurred both in a backyard bathtub and later in a hotel room, while Gaiman’s son was nearby. Quoting her experience, the article details Gaiman allegedly saying, “Call me master, and I’ll come” and “Be a good girl. You’re a good little girl.”

The women who have come forward with their stories were mostly in their 20s at the time of the alleged incidents, with the youngest being 18. Gaiman, who was in his 40s or older during these events, now faces intense public backlash as a result of the ongoing accusations.

JK Rowling Calls Out Silence in Literary Community

In response to the latest allegations, author JK Rowling voiced her concerns on Monday. She criticized the literary community for its apparent silence. She is drawing a comparison between the Gaiman accusations and the infamous Harvey Weinstein cases. Rowling expressed frustration with how the literary world has been largely muted in its response to Gaiman’s alleged actions. On X (formerly Twitter), she wrote, “The literary crowd that had a hell of a lot to say about Harvey Weinstein before he was convicted has been strangely muted in its response to multiple accusations against Neil Gaiman.”

A Pattern of Alleged Misconduct on Neil Gaiman

People have accused the author of such behavior before. In July 2024, five women accused him of similar misconduct in a six-part podcast series titled Master. These repeated allegations have sparked widespread outrage and have led to further calls for accountability.