Probably worth noting that Dean apologized for the comment, though it was a bit half-assed. I don't see any grounds for the insult, Gaiman has a right to charge what he thinks proper and he apparently donated the money to charity. It's not like he's selling batteries during a power outage for ludicrous prices or is being accused of somehow arranging a sweetheart deal through shady methods, he sets a fee, people invite him entirely of their own free will, he comes, they pay, fair and square. And inviting authors to speak at libraries is hardly a new thing, I remember going to one by Harlan Ellison some years back and it was great, he was a great speaker, maybe not the best use of public funds though I have no idea if it was a paid gig or not. Whoever arranged it and agreed to the fee though is the person any ire is properly directed at, and it's that person, not Gaiman, who has to justify the decision.