Literary Agent Says Unproven Assault Claims Destroyed Steven Galloway’s Publishing Prospects

During a British Columbia Supreme Court hearing on Steven Galloway’s defamation action, his New York-based literary agent Henry Dunow described the author as a “literary star” whose trajectory was shattered after a former student made unsubstantiated rape and sexual-assault accusations in 2015. Dunow explained that the allegations, despite lacking proof and never leading to charges, made it impossible to place any new work, resulting in the loss of a $100,000 three-novel contract and a potential film adaptation of “The Cellist of Sarajevo.”

Galloway, who was dismissed from the University of British Columbia, testified that his royalties collapsed and he now sells boats for income. The lawsuit targets the accuser, identified only as A.B., and other defendants for publishing the claims; several have settled and apologized. Prominent writers, including Margaret Atwood, have voiced support for Galloway, calling for scrutiny of the university’s handling of the case.