As the person behind Top in Fiction, I do my best to avoid community “drama.” This space has always been about one thing—fiction. No more, no less. But as TiF grows, I feel it’s my responsibility to speak up about something that affects us all.
Lately, a bad actor has surfaced in our midst. I won’t name or link to them—they don’t deserve the attention—but I do want to remind everyone of this:
No one has power over your work but you.
When someone invades our space with cruelty or ignorance, hiding behind fake names and fake pictures, that’s cowardice—plain and simple. You have every right to block, report, or speak up. Silence the noise, yes, but don’t mistake that silence for strength. Sometimes, saying something—kindly, firmly—is how we protect each other.
Don’t play along.
Mocking someone’s appearance, name, or work isn’t harmless fun—it’s complicity. If you laugh or join in, you’re fueling the fire. And trust me, that fire burns everyone. Don’t feed it. Feed the stories instead.
Platforms won’t fix this for us.
Bad actors exist everywhere online, and no moderation team can erase them all. What we can do is make our own corner of the internet better. Decide who belongs in your circle. Protect the space we’re building.
So let me say this clearly:
TOP IN FICTION IS A SAFE SPACE.
Here, it’s all about stories and the people who tell them. Writers and readers alike are welcome. You can count on that.
THE WRITING DOESN’T STOP UNLESS YOU LET IT.
Don’t let a bully become a plot twist in your journey. Keep writing, publishing, sharing. The ones who tear others down do so because they can’t do what you do.
FIND YOUR PEOPLE.
Follow those who inspire you. Subscribe to the storytellers who lift others up. For every bad actor, there are hundreds of good ones doing the real work—writing, supporting, building community. Growth brings growing pains; this is one. It’ll pass.
THERE’S SO MUCH TO LOOK FORWARD TO.
While this drama unfolded, the work continued:
INANIMATE OBJECTS - Contest results arrive Halloween Day, October 31.
THE MIDNIGHT VAULT II - Season two of this Twilight Zone–inspired project by J. Curtis & Shane Bzdok is coming soon—don’t miss it.
BRUCE! - Who is Bruce? I must admit I’ve been asking myself that question. So many know the answer, or do they? I send you over to the very incapable hands of Sandolore Sykes who can tell you how to find him and perhaps answer the burning question: Who is Bruce?
A TiF Day of Thanks (November) - A new event celebrating those who’ve changed us through their stories. Details coming soon—and I think it’ll be our best yet.
Be good to each other. And do what bad actors never could, even if they tried: keep writing stories.
Erica you are a treasure 🤗
Beautifully said, Erica - you are a true champion!