The Rise and Fall

I've shared before that being on Threads has been an interesting experience. It's certainly helpful in better understanding book trends as a whole, but a lot of the controversies I read about about are—in a word—awful. Awful for readers and authors alike, which is somehow a unique shared experience. I suppose that with symbiosis, when one falters, it affects the other.

I'm likely not alone in my observation that there appears to be a lot more authors who are caught in the crosshairs of being popular one day and then being cancelled the next day. It's an interesting phenomenon where, with shared accountability, there is an increased demand that authors get things right, which I can't fault or disagree with. However, the speed at which the tides turn amazes me where people will spend a lot of time and resources on a particular author, only to "dump" them as soon as there is a hint (or more, way more) of controversy. I'm not questioning whether it's legitimate or not that certain authors are called out as there have been some deeply problematic content or practices coming to light, but it is astounding how social media has accelerated the "fall from grace" by making information so accessible at such a rapid speed.

Among Christian fiction authors, I haven't really seen this take place (yet). It is certainly more common with Christian non-fiction authors, though I don't wish that plight on anyone, especially if it's connected to sin. It's a good reminder that as much as we can enjoy books, we still need to test everything. Over time, there have been authors that I've stopped reading for one reason or another, although these are more personal convictions rather than anything I would announce online. It's one of those things that I've learnt over time where I even need to be cautious about promoting a book before I've had the opportunity to read it.

If anything, seeing such instantaneous backlash take place against authors makes me desire to pray for Christian authors even more. We're all fallen, and there will be mistakes made in communicating truth and stories; however, I pray for humility and grace so that authors aren't doubling down on things that are hurtful to others. I also pray that as a reader, I can exercise discernment and mercy where warranted while not excusing anything harmful.

It's such a tough balance in this world where Christians will be persecuted; however, I'm thankful that the authors I've been connected with have worked hard to be a Christian witness in their work and in how they interact with readers. I'm thankful for those relationships and am reminded that we shouldn't place anyone on a pedestal, lest they fall.