Sherman Alexie, the National Book Award-winning author who is the latest literary figure to be accused of improper conduct, has issued a statement addressing the allegations.
"Over the years, I have done things that have harmed other people, including those I love most deeply," Alexie wrote in the statement. "To those whom I have hurt, I genuinely apologize. I am so sorry."
Despite the statement, Alexie vehemently denied what he called "the accusations, insinuations, and outright falsehoods made by Litsa Dremousis," an author who publicly severed ties with Alexie last week, and with whom Alexie conducted a sexual relationship that ended in 2015.
In his public apology, Alexie said: "There are women telling the truth about my behavior and I have no recollection of physically or verbally threatening anybody or their careers. That would be completely out of character. I have made poor decisions and I am working hard to become a healthier man who makes healthier decisions."
However, he also accused Dremousis of leading the charges against him. Dremousis, in a public counterstatement on her Facebook page, called the part of Alexie's statement that addressed her "100% false."
The public exchange between Alexie and Dremousis follows days of uproar, largely via social media platforms, surrounding Alexie. The online furor has led to the consideration of a name change to a scholarship honoring Alexie at the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA), where Alexie had been a prominent figure. The uproar also led to the removal of Alexie's image from the American Indians in Children's Literature blog and edits to the blog posts about him and his work.
A number of writers, including Janet McAdams, Joy Harjo, and Susan Power, have also publicly condemned Alexie's alleged behavior.
This story has been updated for clarity.
