It can be tricky deciding what to do with a person’s social media accounts after they die. Managing a person’s digital afterlife becomes doubly difficult when the deceased is a public figure, even a minor one, such as a self-published author.
The daughter of romance author Susan Meachen seemed to hit the social media sweet spot after announcing her mother’s death by suicide on the author’s Facebook page in October 2020. Tributes poured in:
“Sending love and hugs to you all!”
“I miss her as much as you all do. Thank you for letting your words be heard. God bless you all.”
“Best of luck to you and your family dear. I pray for the best for you in the future and I know your mother would be proud and grateful for what you have done. Nothing but blessings for the best sent your way.”
Since then, Meachen’s Facebook page has served as a sanctuary and repository for Meachen’s work, advertising sales and offering audiobook codes of the late author’s stories.
The only problem? She never died.
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Is Susan Meachen still alive?
It seems so.
The drama began when Meachen, apparently alive, made a post on the writer’s private Facebook group, The Ward, announcing that she was alive. On Tuesday, Twitter user @Draggerofliars shared a screenshot of the post in a tweet. Meachen’s post reads:
“I’ve debated how to do this a million times and I’m still not sure if it’s right or not. There will be tons of questions and a lot of people leaving the group I think. But my family did what they thought was best for me and I can’t blame them for that. I almost died again by my own hand and they had to go through all that hell again. Going back to The Ward doesn’t mean much, but I’m in a good place now and I look forward to writing again. Let the fun begin.”
The romance community has since exploded at the news.
USA TODAY reached out to Meachen via email and social media.
Who is Susan Meachen and what does she write?
Meachen is a self-described “Perfectly Imperfect Novel Author” with independently published novels and erotic thriller titles including “Chance Encounter”, “Special Delivery” and “Losing Him & Finding You”.
“I’ve been an avid reader for as long as I can remember, it was a lifeline to transport me from life’s darkest moments,” reads her Amazon author bio. “I’m a wife, mother, meme, and friend. I’ve lived in the southeast corner of Tennessee with my husband of 24 years with our two cats and our four snakes. If you don’t see me running around online, then I am usually creating a world for others. enjoy.”
His latest book, “Love to Last a Lifetime”, a romance between a man born into wealth and prestige who falls in love with his best friend’s girlfriend, was published shortly after his death was announced in October 2020.
Susan Meachen’s Facebook page pretended she was dead for years
For the past two years, Meachen’s Facebook page has been mostly devoted to inspirational posts, freebies, and free audiobook codes for Meachen’s novels, with the posts allegedly written by her daughter. One post from October 2020 reads: “Sorry I thought everyone on this page knew my mom passed away. Dead people don’t post on social media. I’ve been on this account for a week now, finishing her latest book, my wedding gift from her.”
The “wedding gift” in question is the author’s latest book, “Love to Last a Lifetime”.
In November 2021, Meachen’s page created a fundraiser for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
In February 2021, author Kristen Collins posted: “I missed it, but happy heavenly birthday. I know you’re dancing in the sky with nothing but peace in your heart at last.”
Perhaps most controversial is the fact that the Facebook page crowd seeks editorial work.
“Good afternoon everyone! My family and I are looking for an editor,” reads one post from October 2020. “My mother had two editing with someone and they can’t edit the books. the other is a novella she wrote for my wedding day. Any help would be great. Thanks for your time.”
What are people saying about Susan Meachen online?
“Susan Meachen faking her own suicide and then gleefully wandering back online because she ‘got bored’ is so exquisitely insane.” tweeted author Gretchen Felker-Martin. “Romance writers really are operating on another plane of reality.”
“This Susan Meachen thing is so unbelievably disturbing and horrible,” the user tweeted. @bogwitchbooks. “What sane person fakes their own death for TWO YEARS and randomly logs onto Facebook one day and says: hey guys, I’m back!!”
“I’m going to read Susan Meachen’s books now,” tweeted user @negaversace. “I’m not a romantic person, but I must experience the workings of that mind.”
If you or someone you know may be struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 anytime, day or night, or chat online at 988lifeline.org.
