inexhaustive list to keep in mind, if youre a young person (esp. a young woman) breaking into a creative field / interacting with a creative professional w/ a lot of clout & $$ (or when interacting w/ fans): 1. there are always whisper networks. they are not exhaustive. dont expect them to be. - ThreadSky

isabel.kim • 43 days ago

inexhaustive list to keep in mind, if youre a young person (esp. a young woman) breaking into a creative field / interacting with a creative professional w/ a lot of clout & $$ (or when interacting w/ fans):

1. there are always whisper networks. they are not exhaustive. dont expect them to be.

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madlymeditating.bsky.social•42 days ago

Yeah, as a young person if my fave author (or singer or whatever) paid special attention to me I would have thrown all caution out the door. I can imagine how head turning it is to have someone so powerful focus on you.

whatsmacksaid.bsky.social•42 days ago

Especially when they're charismatic.

isabel.kim•43 days ago

2. if someone offers u something huge without a contract or only vague promises, or says something like "u have so much potential, if only u follow my guidance" this is a red flag.

isabel.kim•43 days ago

3. the line btwn personal favors / professional tasks can get....blurred with some ppl. if someoone tries to blur these lines with you, this is a HUGE red flag, especially if the implication is that You Owe Them Now for a profesh thing.

4. anything anyone expects u to do secretly is suspect

isabel.kim•43 days ago

5. peoples writing does NOT reflect their personal character and you should not expect it to.

6. dont be alone in a room with a strange older man, even if he's your favorite author.

isabel.kim•43 days ago

7. if ur invited to something in a non-public area (someones house for dinner, etc) by someone with serious social clout, run the invite by people you trust who have more knowledge. power differentials can lead to weird situations.

isabel.kim•43 days ago

8. older women, queer ppl, bipoc, etc ppl who u think might relate to you on a certain axis, might be sympathetic but might also a) be using the point of commonality as a wedge to create forced intimacy or b) will have the attitude of "i experienced x so its fine if u experience x"

isabel.kim•43 days ago

9. conversely, once you start publishing, if ur a young woman, people will try and talk to you, and some of them will try and hit on you or creep on you in DMs, emails, etc. you have no obligation to respond to fans. block.

10. "im such a fan of your work" does not mean you owe a stanger anything.

brucearthursaz.bsky.social•42 days ago

Also... if a popular, charismatic author wants a "private dinner" with your pre-teen, say no.

(This happened at a mid-80s con, when our ten year old son was with us. We did NOT let the dinner take place.) (Can't say the guy was a pedophile, but he ACTED like one. Left the US a few years later.)

trishlundy.bsky.social•42 days ago

Yes, so true. Happened to me at 18. Your entire list is so spot on.

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