This isn't personal. When people want the support of the community, their conduct is up for evaluation.

I really hoped there might be a moment of self awareness when someone would say maybe they'd gotten carried away, misjudged the situation, and apologize. Thread: https://twitter.com/BarksBooks/status/1296522930109796352

Instead, I'm reeling from blatant victim-blaming followed by what sure sound like threats. So a few thoughts:

1. Laurie nailed it. Victims are groomed to go along, stay quiet, even interact with harassers, and smile while they do it. Anyone who has been a victim knows this.

And we also know what it's like to be dying inside every single second. So if you are in a position of authority and someone on your team is harassed, let them lead. Err on the side of caution. Do not ever put them in the position to have to feel like they have to support

their abuser. And when your team is a big part of their social network, they can feel like they will lose their support network if they don't go along with your decisions.

Disregarding that can lead to abuse of power

2. Sure, you may have written an article months ago that

hasn't been published yet. But you can ask to withdraw it. You don't have to promote it on your feed. Doing so is making a choice. And while I gave Kelli the BOTD and linked to that article in my feed, I'm going to say now I was WRONG to do so and apologize to the people hurt by

my actions.

3. Abuse victims are processing their trauma and that context matters. Because they may need to talk about it and we're all in unique circumstances right now and don't all have access to our support systems. And that means people need to talk about stuff in their

online community.

4. Do not EVER tell a victim to be quiet.

5. Everyone can say what they want and discuss what they need to, and the suggestion that people are to shut up is offensive. I have one mother, and there are these people who seem to think they'll tell my husband to

tell me what to do, and wow, the 1700s are calling them. But to tell a *community* at large what they can and can't discuss?

45's rubbing off on some people.

6. It is not causing drama to discuss harassment or bullying, but issuing warnings to people who don't fall in line

is a threat.

7. The people who call this *drama* are enabling abusers and this is why it's still happening in 1962. Oops, sorry, shock. It's 2020 and still happening ...

8. There's still a path forward. For Poltergeist Press. For others. But it involves sincere apologies,

Transparency, and changing your behavior.

Some of us are willing to be gracious. Some of us believe in second chances.

But it isn't up to us to do the work of reconciliation. That's up to you.

I'm eager to move forward, talk books and big news, and things to be excited about.

But I am not going to sweep this under the rug for my own convenience or comfort.

I stand with @ctrlaltcassie and @PRMcDonough and the victims.

End thread.

Oops. So I'm not accused of subtweeting, I am referring to this: (Screenshots of the whole thing are available if you prefer not to leave twitter.)

https://sadiehartmann.blogspot.com/2020/08/an-open-letter-to-horror-community.html