Whispers about English author Neil Gaiman‘s behavior with women have circulated in the publishing world for some time, but a bombshell article published in New York magazine this week laid out a horrifying series of allegations that left readers sickened and stunned.

In the post, Gaiman says he “went back to read the messages” with his accusers and believes that his correspondence read “of two people enjoying entirely consensual sexual relationship and wanting to see one another again.

The 'Sandman' and 'American Gods' author is the subject of a New York Magazine cover story, which features accusations from eight women, including four who previously spoke out.