Hi everyone! I hope you’re having a good week so far! I’m blogging about something more serious today, but I won’t go into any awful details.
This week, Vulture ran a long story about the author Neil Gaiman’s abuse of women.
If I’m understanding things clearly, it adds to information already shared in a podcast last summer.
I’m not going to link to the story, because as I said on Instagram, I don’t recommend reading it. I wish I hadn’t. According to his portrayal in the article, the way he uses his wealth and fame to prey on women is disturbing; his sexual behavior is disgusting, and nothing that I ever wanted in my head. Gaiman has maintained that his relationships were always consensual, but several women have accused him of sexual assault. The article says that when one victim told Gaiman’s ex-wife Amanda Palmer about Gaiman assaulting her, Palmer responded, “Fourteen women have come to me about this.”
Needless to say, I believe Gaiman is guilty as sin, and I wish his victims peace and every good thing in the world.
I know this author meant so much to so many people. His fans are grieving, and I feel for them. Personally, I’ve never been a Neil Gaiman fan. I read about half of The Sandman and didn’t like it; I walked out of the movie Coraline because I didn’t like it, either; I didn’t read or watch anything else.
On Twitter, this guy always gave me the ick, as the kids say. I felt like he needed a lot of admiration. I’d also been annoyed with him for saying that pirating books was fine—an opinion that was shared far and wide. This was damaging to indie authors, although it was easy for a man with giant entertainment deals to say. No doubt from his point of view, he was also getting paid in easy access to young female admirers.
Why couldn’t I stop reading comments about this scandal?
Yesterday, I could hardly read enough comments excoriating Gaiman and wishing the victims well. I think as a CSA survivor, it just made me feel good to see that the fantasy reading community wouldn’t support a powerful and popular man over the vulnerable women he abused. It had nothing to do with me, personally, yet it made me feel supported.
Gaiman’s ex-wife Amanda Palmer is facing scrutiny, too.
The Vulture article depicts Palmer as someone who knew her husband was a monster, did nothing about it, and even sent a young woman his way.
I always recoiled from Palmer, too. She raised tons of money through fan donations, then wanted musicians to play at her shows for free. She sang offensive songs. I felt like she was always demanding adoration.
With both Gaiman and Palmer, I think having my instincts vindicated made me feel safe, too…but it shouldn’t have. The truth is, smart and perceptive people get drawn in by master manipulators all the time.
Nobody should feel bad for having loved Neil Gaiman’s stories…or his public persona.
Sometimes horrible people make great art. Being a good human has nothing to do with being a good artist, which is always important for both fans and creators to remember.
Gaiman was clearly a charismatic figure. Maybe the most successful character he ever created was his public persona; a wise, kind figure that almost everyone loved and admired.
People who loved Gaiman’s stories brought something important in themselves to the work. And whatever readers brought to the stories—their hopes, their imagination, their inspiration—cannot be tainted.
Different people feel differently about enjoying work created by horrible people. I did hear that Amazon was accepting returns of Gaiman’s work, even if it was purchased long ago—including ebooks and audiobooks. What other people read or have on their shelves is none of my business, but I doubt many people will want to recommend his books, take part in fan events, or spend money on them if they’re available at the library.
As an aside: reading about all this yesterday led me to posts from the Golden Age of Blogging.
When I started this blog in 2014, a lot of people laughed in my face: “Nobody reads blogs any more!” That was understandable, even if it turned out that it wasn’t quite true. But yesterday I came across a few posts about Gaiman and Palmer from 2010 and 2011, and I was reminded that the internet was a whole different place then.
There weren’t a lot of pictures in a blog post. The writing style was distinctive and assumed a long attention span. It might link to posts on six other people’s blogs.
In a few days, TikTok is getting banned in the United States. Many people have already left Twitter. I was one of them, after being there since 2008, because it’s turned into a place for fighting and not much else. Meta is understandably facing a lot of backlash for deciding hate speech is fine, after all.
It makes me wonder if the Internet could become more decentralized again…with more people getting into blogging and reading blogs again. I think it would be a great thing for attention spans and individuality.
How is your week going?
Do you have thoughts about author scandals, or about social media? I’d love to hear. I hope you have a great rest of your week!
I’ve been delaying my blog post for what seems an eternity: planned it on paper late last year and have bailed on several attempts to kick start it again.
Perhaps today or this weekend I’ll find my writing rhythm again, though it’s been lost for some time.
On the Neil Gaiman thing, I started reading that article which was linked from a newsletter email I got and I got to a point where I said, “I don’t like where this is going” and closed the browser. I enjoyed Coraline (the film) actually, but I’m not going back to this guy’s content ever again.
Maybe it’s just me, but with Weinstein and Epstein and all…it’s like there was a subset of men within a generation that felt far too comfortable blatently crossing the boundary of someone else and having the confidence to get away with it.
And there seems a larger subset of people who will look the other way and not bother reporting such people.
I think it’s due to the current environment we all live in today that the idea that there is a caste of people with the connections and power to get away with anything, really, really, really, angers me.
One really wishes the world were a better place.
Chris, hi! It’s great to see you. You were so smart to not finish that article. I totally agree…with Weinstein, Epstein, and this guy, there was this pattern of just feeling like they could do whatever they wanted, and in every case, you see other people overlooking it or even enabling it. It really is very sad. At least there are way more good men than there are guys like these.
Oh! And I hope you get back into the blogging and into your writing rhythm again. 💙
Hi Bryn!
I am a fan of your books. As a writer, you’ve given me a treasure trove of ideas to work with. ❤️
I also started and stopped reading the Neil Gaiman article. It was horrific.
It made me think about an article I read in the New York Times about the author, Alice Munro. Also horrific with many layers.
As a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, it saddens me to think how any parent/adult could be complicit or blame the victim (this happened with Alice Munro’s daughter).
If you’re up for it, here’s a link to the NYT article:
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/08/magazine/alice-munro-andrea-skinner-abuse.html
There’s also an audio version introduced by the Tines author and read by another (an actor?):
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/12/podcasts/the-daily/alice-munro-andrea-skinner-abuse.html
Many thanks,
Kathleen Lang (author name: Kate McBrien)
Hi, Kathleen/Kate! Oh, thank you for the kind words about my books. I appreciate it!
I almost talked about the Alice Munro situation, too. It had been forever since I had read her work, but it was a nasty shock, and yes, my heart goes out to her poor daughter! It’s terrible that Munro wouldn’t protect her, and even blamed her. I truly don’t understand it!
A friend shared the post of a friend of theirs on Facebook this morning that was extensive. I don’t know the OP, so I don’t feel right sharing what they wrote verbatim, but the largest part of it was about writing. The OP claims Neil Gaiman has always been an abuser of women and that extended to his writing too. The OP says Gaiman ripped off the works of Tanith Lee written 20 some odd years before he ever published a thing and never gave her an ounce of credit the OP could find.
I too have tried to read a couple of his books. American Gods was highly recommended to me. I slogged through maybe a quarter of it and couldn’t read anymore. It’s rare I don’t finish a book, but I had no qualms about tossing that one aside.
As writers, we’re influenced by everything we’ve ever read or seen. It’s only fair to give credit where it’s due. In my own books, I often do and afterwards and tell my readers exactly where I got the idea or ideas for my story, even the one that was a riff on a Hallmark movie, but move it to a bakery, and make it more racially diverse and also include LGBTQ leads and other characters.
Anne, I hadn’t heard that about Tanith Lee. I do know that sometimes, different writers can independently come up with stories that have shocking similarities. On the other hand, it’s certainly hard to give Gaiman the benefit of doubt. At the very least, it sounds like Tanith Lee is a great alternative for anyone who wants something similar without feeling conflicted.
I do think it raises a great issue of giving credit. I’ve told lots of people that besides the obvious inspiration for Her Knight at the Museum—the Pygmalion myth—I basically stole one plot point from an obscure King Arthur legend, too. 🙂
Is this the one you’re talking about, with the Hallmark vibes? It looks like so much fun! https://amzn.to/4gXGbVe
That’s the book, Bryn and the Hallmark movie was ‘Christmas at the Golden Dragon.’ It came out in 2022.
This is the first I’m hearing of this scandal. I also did not enjoy the one book of his that I read, do not great loss to me personally. However, I felt the same way when Alice Munro got outed for staying quiet about her husband’s abuse of her daughter.
Naomi, yes, that was such a terrible revelation about Alice Munro and her daughter. That came as such a shock to me!
You raise an interesting moral dilemma about whether we should still support someone financially by buying their art after we learn they are a despicable person. I have a difficult time doing so. While I can still appreciate the creative work, supporting the artist financially makes me feel like I’m condoning the behavior. Michael Jackson comes to mind. I still liked his music, but I could never buy his music after I learned he was abusing children.
Hi Pete! Yeah, I know different people feel differently about this. I can enjoy work by someone whose speech or views I disagree with, but I have a limit. I used to love Marion Zimmer Bradley, and we tossed all her books after we learned that she and her husband were child molesters. So disgusting.
Excellent essay, Bryn. I read the article in Vulture on Monday and I was appalled by NG’s attitude and actions. I have never read anything he’s written but, based on his public reputation as a writer, I have had two of his books in my TBR pile for years that – as I am unable to get certain graphic images out of my head – will remain there ad infinitum. It seems many things come to light after a writer has passed – both good and bad (e.g., Alice Munro) without the author having a chance to speak on their own behalf – but NG is alive and there are no more words for him.
Thank you, PJ. It really is so appalling. And it’s so true—there are no words.
I was thinking about blogging this morning as well, not because I’ve seen anything on Gaiman, I tried one book and I’m not sure I made it past the first chapter, but because of the Trump administration’s supposed plans to go after reporters who say things he doesn’t like. I’m sure there is a very wide span of opinions on this…but we might need to go back to blogs for any sort of substantive news.
That’s such a good point about blogs, Wendy. I can imagine citizen journalism becoming more important!
I like blogs, but don’t have a lot of time to read them, so I pick the ones that I will get something from it that I can use. As to Neil Gaiman, as a person, he gave me the creeps right from the get go, so your revelation was no surprise. I never read one of this books because I didn’t want to have any part in his success, and I was right about him. As a female who was abused, I developed this 6th sense of men who weren’t what the wanted you to think they were– and he was one. I was going to take his master class, but listening to him talk and watching him made me change my mind. That x factor that I can’t explain but could see and feel put me off that class no matter how good a teacher or writer he is.
I avoid social media because I hate being censored and then the trolls–yep, they are not my favorite thing. I like discussions of differing point of view, but I like keeping it civil and to facts. I refuse to use TicTok. Our government has enough on us without adding to China. I have an FBI file because I was researching poisons, how to build a bomb, and blood spatters, etc. They quickly discovered I was a writer and one of my friends who is an FBI agent keeps track of my searches for fun. He warned me of a couple of sites to not go to when I was doing research on a couple of gangs/syndicates so I stayed off their radar. I just joined Substack since it is an easy platform to use and I can write on various subjects without being thought odd or off the wall. I’ll see how it goes.
Great post and one where you don’t vilify Gaiman even though he probably deserves it. Just shows that some public personas cover up what the person is really like.
Hi Barbara! Yeah, no one wants to hear from people like us who were always creeped out by him, and I get it, but in my experience, if you said anything about him before, people acted like you were attacking a saint. Oh well! As far as the master class goes, I’m sure he’s a good teacher, but he’s not the only one.
I do really hate the lack of civility on social media and I avoid arguments whenever I can. I used TikTok because I felt obligated as an author, but I think you’re probably right about it. I always worry about the FBI starting a file on me because of some of my crazy Google searches as a writer!
I will have to say I wasn’t a Gaiman fan. I did buy one book on Audible that he read himself, and immediately stopped listening to it. It was bout the the Norse Gods, and while I would have liked to know about Norse Mythology, his voice creeped me out, which resulted in me buying an actual Norse Mythology book.
Now, I know why I found his voice so offputting, I must have sensed the predator in it.
I am a big proponent of not supporting the art of abusers in any fashion.
As for blogs, it would be nice to see a resurgence.
I mean, he seemed creepy to me, but I’m sure I wouldn’t always get that vibe from truly creepy people. It really would be nice to see more blogging again!
With regards to Neil, I’ve read a few of his books, which were so-so, but I did find his Masterclass, on writing, through the library DVD section to be very informative, several years ago. It is a shame when people use their power for evil.
I’m not surprised that his Masterclass was good. I think they’ve done some with other authors, and I should see if my library has those. I don’t know why I never check out my library’s DVD section! I’m literally at the library all the time. So I’m glad you said that! It really is awful that he used his power and wealth the way he did.
I didn’t read the article–I read enough previously.
I still read blogs, especially book blogs.
I really didn’t know much before this article…but of course, it wasn’t like I was recommending his work or shows to anyone, anyway. I want to read more blogs, and book blogs especially!
I’ve loved Amanda Palmers music, but never got around to reading Gaiman. I appreciate that you make room for different opinions and responses, even as he’s probably guilty.
Maybe you’re right, blogging will make a comeback. I’ve never quit, though I don’t post very often anymore. I’ll keep reading as long as I see posts that, like yours, get me thinking.
Hi Rachel! I actually have no opinion on Palmer’s music—I never heard it. It’s possible I would’ve liked it, too.
I just saw your latest post: https://veronicasgarden.wordpress.com/2025/01/14/surreal-reminder/
I’m looking forward to the poetry book!
I think you’re right about one of the major characters he created being himself. I’ve read only part of one of his books, but I knew his face by sight and, like many, had a positive impression of him. I made it all the way through the Vulture piece, and though it was hard to read, I’m glad they included the horrible graphic details. Those details make it much, much harder to hand wave away the terrible things he’s done.
I hope you’re right about a resurgence of blogging as so many social media sites deteriorate. I loved the early-oughts stage of the Internet and would gladly return to something like it.
Janet, you make a good point about the value of knowing those awful graphic details in the Vulture piece. It does make it harder to dismiss. I wished I hadn’t read it, but I don’t think the story would’ve had the impact that it did if it hadn’t included all that.
I think I am nostalgic for the early-aughts Internet. I’ve heard a few bloggers say they’re seeing an uptick in subscribers in 2025, so that’s interesting!
I know nothing about Neil Gaiman aside from his name, but thanks for the heads-up. Now I don’t have to know anything or try to be hip and read his books!
Regarding social media, I have a Twitter account I barely used when it was a choice and now don’t use at all. I need to just go ahead and delete it. However, I DO use TikTok, and have done for a little over a year. I’ve learned a lot about how to use it, enjoy doing so, and have had some success in garnering followers. I have no idea what I’m going to do when it’s banned. I have an Instagram account which I suppose I’ll have toget more comfortable with. But really, to your last point, Bryn, I wish we could go back to the days of blog popularity. I had a few blogs and used some of them to share my writing. I just don’t know how I would attract more of a following to them now than I already have. sigh A writer’s challenges are never-ending, aren’t they?
I really do feel for people who have liked TikTok and built a following there, and even more for people whose livelihoods are going to be affected. I actually have more of a following on TikTok than on Instagram, despite having been on Instagram for much longer, because TikTok is better at helping a creator find an audience.
I guess I’m going to be doing more reels on there. I can also upload to YouTube shorts—I’m always forgetting to do that!
And whew, you are right—a writer’s challenges truly are never-ending! 💙
In re: the Neil Gaiman scandal. I have not read any of Gaiman’s works, but I watched the Lucifer series, which I believe is based on his work, and liked the movie, Stardust. At one point I purchased the Masterworks access to see his series there and made it about halfway through before my life got “interesting” and I wasn’t able to finish it.
I will not be purchasing any of his work from this point on as I cannot support his actions. However, I will give him credit for this: one of the most valuable and freeing pieces of advice I have ever come across was from him. It is this: “Write down everything that happens in your story. Then in your second draft, make it look like you knew what you were doing all along.” In my own writing I have struggled trying to decide what to put in and what would lead me down the garden path. Until coming across this quote it never occurred to me that I could always edit things out later.
My point is this: even a bad person can have a good point to share. If you find something of value in it, take what is good and leave the rest behind.
Life does have a way of getting “interesting,” doesn’t it? Anyway, I absolutely agree: we should take what we can use. And fortunately, Masterclass has offerings from other authors, too, which look really good!
Greetings from Australia. Many thanks for your books (I often use ‘Master Lists for Writers’), and congratulations developing your community. My first book was published in 1987 and others have followed: calligraphy and paper crafts books for adults and children 10+, science for Middle Grade, an award shortlisted picture book… Historical non-fiction and a Middle Grade novel in progress. I started a blog in 2005, spending days writing tips and articles I hoped were interesting or useful…and gave up in 2019 with very little feedback, often none at all. Yes, some posts were long. Now, when there are so many blogs, podcasts and other social media time sucks for creators and readers, I really wonder what I can provide that people actually want to read, and how I can attract them…yet I do feel I maybe should start a new one. Sigh! My time is precious – I had a heart attack and double bypass a while ago. I’ve recovered well, but how much longer do I have? I’m not sure how that time best spent. Hmm, my agent for 10 years has retired before me.
I did enjoy Neil Gaiman’s Norse tales, I have no desire to read more, but I won’t forget his advice that what publishers want is amazing writing, delivery on time, and that you are a nice person to work with…any two out of the three will do.
Peter, hello! It’s so good to hear from you from the other side of the world. 😊 Thank you so much for the kind words about Master Lists! I guess it’s hit and miss with blogs. I had a couple that nobody read before this one. So sorry to hear about the heart attack and double bypass…I’m so glad you’ve recovered well! Who knows? Maybe you have a long while yet. 💙 I always think about finding pleasure in the day I’m in, since nothing is guaranteed! That is good advice from Gaiman, I agree.