Fan outrage over Susan Meachen, the novelist accused of faking her death

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No one saw this twist coming.

In September 2020, a Facebook post from someone claiming to be the daughter of independent novelist Susan Meachen announced that the writer was committed suicide.

Ms Meachen wrote what she described as "perfectly imperfect" romance novels and fostered a tight-knit online community of readers and other authors who supported each other.

When news of her death spread, author Samantha A Cole recalls being shocked.

"When it emerged that one of our own had taken his own life, it was quite destructive, we were in mourning just for that," Ms Cole told the BBC.

Then rumors began to spread online that Ms Meachen had been bullied.

"All the accusations started and it drove a huge wedge in the community that lasted for months," Ms Cole said.

The band celebrated the anniversary of Susan Meachen's death for two years. Fundraisers and book auctions have been held in her honor, and authors like Candace Adams have contributed to an anthology of short stories dedicated to keeping "bullying where it is...