Little thread/news!

Hi! When I joined twitter, I knew no one really. I started using it properly about 15 months ago. I went from 10 followers to now quite rapidly. That is so great in many ways. It means I can talk to readers. As a lockdown author, that means the world.

BUT!

It also means a lot has hit me very quickly. A quick look at my direct messages, excluding the ones from peers and friends, here is the breakdown.

10% "I can cure you!"
30% "Would you visit our school" (love these ones)
50% Lovely things from readers
10% Abuse and hate.

So!

I've been thinking a lot.

There are two reasons why I keep my DMs completely open. One, I'm a new, lockdown author who has never done an in-person event. I need people to reach me speedily so I can link up with schools/bookshops. It's essential.

Two. ND people can reach me.

I've let every piece of abuse slide, because these two things are too important. I don't want people to dm and feel rejected.

However. I have a website. With a contact form. And an agent. Both are listed in my twitter bio.

I think it's ok if I don't get back to every single DM.

Some people ask why I don't put the abuse on blast.

Because these people are not well. If you are sending vile hatred to someone you don't know, you are not well. I am supposed to be (not by choice, but it just happens) a role-model for young people.

I can't sink to that level

I'm so tired of nastiness. But I'm not going to fight back by shaming or adding to a creepy culture of "Look at this person! Now get 'em!" I don't know how else to describe it. I only know some people wrap mean girl tactics and cyberbullying up in a neat bow and call it advocacy.

From now on, I will not be accessing my requested DMs. Only those sent by people I follow. If you really need to talk to me about something, I have a website, as I said. I have an agent who passes on all things to me.

And if you really can't go through those channels, you can

tweet and ask if it's okay to DM. Once I've seen your timeline is not full of hate, I will connect with you.

This decision has come after talking with other authors. It is now clear that I get far more direct messages than most with the same following as me. It is above average.

So, for the safety of everyone, this is how it's going to be.

I also want to state that people who refuse to email me when asked make me uncomfortable. If my team bearing witness to what you're asking of me makes you defensive, that's a red flag. Safeguarding is essential.

Thank you to everyone who is respectful and patient, i.e 99% of people.

Apologies for sounding dramatic.

But it's hard. It's hard to feel like you're the only one standing sometimes, getting messages telling you to die. It's really, really hard.

And I can't do it anymore.

This is my website, with a contact form. I'm also hoping to start work with an organisation that assists with school visits & events. I'll post more about that later.

If you need me, just ask. And I'll be there. But not for everything. Not anymore. https://ellemcnicoll.com/