Accusations of rape, horrific sexual violence, and abuse of power, such as the use of forced non-disclosure agreements (NDA), have mounted against bestselling author Neil Gaiman following the publication of allegations by four more women in The New York Magazine. So far, a total of 13 women have accused the science-fiction and fantasy giant of rape. The survivors include a fan who was 18 years old at the time of the alleged assault.
The allegation of Gaiman’s sexual misconduct over the years first became public in July 2024, through Master: The Allegations Against Neil Gaiman, a six-episode documentary podcast series produced by Tortoise Media. More allegations followed on the Am I Broken: Survivor Stories podcast.
The survivors, who were predominantly in their 20s at the time of the alleged assaults, were either fans or nannies working for Gaiman and his ex-wife, the well-known feminist figure Amanda Palmer, who appears to have been complicit in some of the abuse. Palmer is also accused of failing to cooperate with a police investigation in 2023, after one of the women filed a formal complaint, according to The New York Magazine report.
A repeated pattern that emerges in the article—“Call me Master”—and the other allegations is that Gaiman coerced women into participating in Bondage, Dominance, Submission, and Masochism (BDSM) acts. The women have accused Gaiman of subjecting them to ritual humiliation, rape, and sexual violence, while attempting to convince them that the incidents were consensual.
Gaiman is the author of The Sandman graphic novels, published by DC Comics, as well as The Ocean at the End of the Lane, Anansi Boys, and American Gods, among others—each of which has a near cult-following. He also co-authored Good Omens with the late and hugely popular fantasy writer Terry Pratchett.
Both Good Omens and The Sandman have been adapted into critically acclaimed shows by Amazon Prime and Netflix. An adaptation of American Gods is also set to release soon on Prime, and the author is creatively involved in all of these adaptations. Following the July 2024 allegations, it was announced that what was supposed to be a third season of Good Omens has been modified into a single 90-minute episode, with Gaiman being replaced as a writer. Meanwhile, Netflix has yet to make any announcements regarding season 2 of The Sandman, which is also scheduled for release this year.
The author has a massive fan following, with many seeing him as an outspoken progressive—particularly a feminist and LGBTQIA+ ally—celebrity who amplified multiple social justice issues. He is also known as a ‘modest’ author, popular for his personalised interactions with fans on social media platforms like BlueSky, X and Tumblr.
In a statement on January 14, released on his personal website, Gaiman denied the allegations. “… as I reflect on my past – and as I re-review everything that actually happened as opposed to what is being alleged – I don’t accept there was any abuse. To repeat, I have never engaged in non-consensual sexual activity with anyone.”
Gaiman also claimed that some of the “horrible stories now being told” simply never happened, while others have been “so distorted from what actually took place” that they bear no relationship to reality. “I am prepared to take responsibility for any missteps I made. I’m not willing to turn my back on the truth, and I can’t accept being described as someone I am not, and cannot and will not admit to doing things I didn’t,” he said.
He added that in the past, he had been “obviously careless with people’s hearts and feelings,” adding that that had been “selfish” of him.