Neil Gaiman denies sexual assault claims as he plans writing comeback

Neil Gaiman has announced he plans to return to writing after accusations of sexual assault. Photo / Getty Images

After removing himself from the public eye, disgraced fantasy author Neil Gaiman has again denied allegations of sexual misconduct amid his plans to return to writing.

The prolific English writer was accused of sexual assault by several women last year, including a New Zealand woman, who told Vulture the then 61-year-old-had repeatedly raped her after she babysat his son.

Kiwi Scarlett Pavlovich accused Gaiman of grooming and sexually assaulting her after they first met on Waiheke Island in 2022.

Variety reported that in a statement shared on his blog, Gaiman reasserted his innocence as he detailed the impact of what he deemed an ongoing “smear campaign”.

“These allegations, especially the really salacious ones, have been spread and amplified by people who seemed a lot more interested in outrage and getting clicks on headlines rather than whether things had actually happened or not.”

The Sandman author has maintained that his encounters with Pavlovich were consensual, admitting in a January 2025 statement he had not always been considerate of the women he was involved with.

“I was emotionally unavailable while being sexually available, self-focused and not as thoughtful as I could or should have been. I was obviously careless with people’s hearts and feelings, and that’s something that I really, deeply regret.”

Several successful screen adaptations of his bestselling works have been developed, including Coraline and American Gods, with multiple other projects being reduced or halted after the scandal.

“It’s been a strange, turbulent and occasionally nightmarish year and a half, but I took my own advice (when things get tough, make good art),” he said, announcing he had begun working on a new book.

Pavlovich was introduced to Gaiman by his estranged wife and former Dresden Dolls member Amanda Palmer when she was a drama student.

The 22-year-old alleged she was repeatedly assaulted by Gaiman over the course of several months, bringing a lawsuit against him that was dismissed by a Wisconsin court judge in October last year.

Judge James D Peterson cited a lack of jurisdiction as Gaiman is British and the alleged offending occurred in New Zealand but left the door open for further legal action in the United States.

“Under these circumstances, it is clear that New Zealand is the more appropriate forum for resolving this dispute, so the court will dismiss the case without prejudice.”