What kind of community have we become?
“Big” authors who take money to promote your story for a 24 hours Instagram story for 35$, and a post for 50$, and at others, the price depends on how many followers you have. What is this even?
Let me tell you what this is; it is disgusting and so wrong in every damn way.
I am not a big author. I have a little over 20K reads in total and sometimes can wonder if my stories are good enough for Episode.
But I got where I am because I am working hard for it, And I might not have 100K reads or followers, but at least my followers and readers are loyal compared to the one who takes money from young people and small authors.
A few days ago, I made a post on my Instagram (@stev.writes) where I would promote small authors for FREE, and with over 400 comments, I couldn’t follow what story I promoted or not, but I have shared over 100 Episode stories and saved them in my highlights for FREE.
I didn’t ask for anything in return, because I was raised to help other people and be kind to them.
So, yes, I feel disgusted over how some people in this community can go so low to take money for ONE promotion, and Episode should do something about this.
I’m pretty sure Episode won’t allow this kind of advertising or get new readers or authors to think they are a company where it is okay to use people like this.
I think Episode should think about what kind of writers they want to pay and work with.
I want to be apart of a community where we can support each other without we have to pay between 20-70$.
I want to be apart of a community where we can help each other, and not a community full of manipulative and selfish people who think they are better than others.
What do you want?
Do you want to work hard, and get the chance to shine because you deserve it? Or just pay some “big” author and cheat your way up?
I know that I instead want to work hard and shine because I deserve it, and not pay someone to promote my story.
Besides, you won’t ever know if those “big” authors even read your story, because you can find screenshots of every story online.
What I want to say with this is, be kind and supportive, and don’t be that person who just takes money because you have more followers on Instagram and more reads.
If you are in the top 100 on the app, then I’m sure most people have worked hard for it.
Kindness costs nothing, friends, and it makes me so sad what some people do in this community.
Before you come at me, then I have a proof for one “big” author who does this, and I think Episode should do something and not ignore this problem.
Show love and support, friends! 
That is awful! I think I know exactly who you’re talking about.
