Publisher Parts Ways With ‘Maze Runner’ Author James Dashner Over Sexual Misconduct Allegations

By Manthan Chheda

Best-selling author James Dashner's publisher Three Penguin Random House has severed ties with the author after he was accused of sexual misconduct.

James Dashner Dropped By Publisher

The publishing house released a statement on Thursday, Feb. 15, saying that it would no longer publish any books written by Dashner.nIt remains to be known whether or not Three Penguin Random House will release Dashner's upcoming novel The Waking, which marks the author's debut in the adult genre. The company already announced the book in September last year.

Dashner is a popular writer among young adults and authored the dystopian sci-fi series Maze Runner, which was later adapted into a multi-million dollar film franchise. The third and final film in the series Maze Runner: The Death Cure released in theatres last month.

Apart from Maze Runner, Dashner has also authored book series including The Mortality Doctrine and The 13th Reality.

Sexual Misconduct Allegations

Dashner joins 13 Reasons Why writer Jay Asher as one of the authors who is also accused by several users in the article's comments section of sexual harassment in the children's books world published by the trade magazine in the United States, School Library Journal.

Shortly after the allegations emerged, Dashner's agent Michael Bourret also announced his decision to drop the author because he could no longer continue working with the author "in good conscience."

Also, Asher's representative also ended ties with the author in the wake of the controversy, which also got him expelled from the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators following an investigation.

However, a spokesperson for the author has denied the sexual misconduct claims, stating that the women accusing him of sexual misconduct were romantically involved with Asher. Thus, they were consensual relationships while pointing out that the author was married at the time.

Maze Runner Author Issues Statement On Twitter

Initially, Dashner did not respond to the allegations but after Bourret's announcement, he released a statement via Twitter Thursday afternoon. He said that he spent the last few days in introspection and realized that he is part of the problem that has given birth to movements like #MeToo and #TimesUp.

"I didn't honor or fully understand boundaries and power dynamic," he said in his statement. "I can sincerely say that I have never intentionally hurt another person. But to those affected, I am deeply sorry. I am taking any and all criticisms and accusations very seriously, and I will seek counseling and guidance to address them."

Read his full statement below.