Thank you. Thank you. I have so much that I want to say...I also have so many questions, and up until today I figured I would forever be in the dark, and have to somehow find a way to come to terms with something that not only felt like an enormous injustice, but I knew in my gut not only were these bizarre things actually happening to me, yet I didn't even think I'd be able to explain it or have anyone who would even listen, it went so so much deeper. I was a top writer on another forum that I had no choice but to leave because I've never been a part of anything so toxic in my entire life..and a certain wrier and editor knew all about it, because it happened to her as well. I had written on here briefly in 2021, and just as things started to take a really great turn, I was told that I could no longer write on my phone (I am still currently without a computer, printer, and many other necessities for reasons that if I can somehow speak with you in private, I'll share with you.) Then less than 3 months ago, this person told me that we were once again allowed to write on our phones. I was elated! Not only could I finally walk away from a place where I just did not belong (despite the upvotes, and all that good stuff...I no longer cared) but "I had a place to go where I would feel safe, it was the anthesis of what I had experienced on that other platform, this place would simply never tolerate what went on over there...but the very best of all was the fact I had a publication waiting with baited breath to have me..." all I can say about the myriad of lies that I was fed...out of the frying pan and smack dab into the fire! I couldn't believe it...and though I knew "they" couldn't wait for me to just give up and leave, I refused to give her that satisfaction. The first thing that felt off...more than off..flat out wrong in every way...when she started writing the most vial things about me...lie after lie, right before I was removed from this publication I noticed very weird things...for instance..though I am definitely not a perfectionist, I take a great deal of pride in my work. I've been a professional songwriter most of my life and had my first book published as a child, so I knew about publishing, editing, etc..but this was something I had never seen the likes of ever before...I check my work. Always. If course we're all human and make mistakes every once in a while, but I always, always check my work. I'd submit something, it would immediately go through, except all of a sudden, things like spelling errors, sentence structure being "off" and many other things that might go over someone else's head were like a huge neon sign almost taunting me...because it was not submitted that way! Not once! And when I would politely point this out, and ask if "they" would kindly correct these errors that I knew I did not make, I had to ask over and over...and forget about constructive criticism...I'm a huge fan of it, and have always handled it very well for the simple fact that while I was starting to make a name for myself in the music industry, I had the good fortune of not only meeting and working with some of the most talented and seasoned musicians I had ever known...I listened to every single thing they ever said, because I was still very young, wet behind the ears, and I wanted to soak up as much as I possibly could...and I did. These amazing people made me a better musician...a better composer! And I'm better for knowing them...I'll never know how I got so lucky. I tried to explain this over and over again to this "editor" but what I was getting was the farthest thing from constructive criticism...I could already tell before I got the boot that she hated me! And not long after, she wrote something that only confirmed what I already knew to be true. But my parting gift? The last thing I submitted was something that meant a great deal to me. And I expressed this to this person. I did not think it was the very best thing that I had ever written...it wasn't about that. I don't even understand the algorithm here, I still don't even know what a boost actually is, nor do I care, but this story came from my heart. The next day, the whole entire article, from the very first word to the last had been rewritten. I am telling you the truth. I was (and am still) in shock that a person could do such a thing, but it happened nonetheless. At first, this person apologized and said she was wrong and could make 100 different excuses as to why she did what she did, but she wasn't going to do that. I was mad. I was hurt. And like I said...shocked...for so many different reasons. Some people sure can dish it out but just can't take it...boom. I was booted off...but...why did this person keep their banner at the bottom of all of my articles even though I removed myself, and what I was instructed to tag...all those lies she wrote about me...how terrible of a writer I am was just the tip of the iceberg. How did I go from receiving comments along the lines of "this is by far the very best thing I have ever read on this subject " to..."she couldn't spell nor did she understand basic sentence structure." It felt like a perfect hit. And as they say in the Mob...you never see it coming...and in a million years I did not believe this sort of thing could even happen! Certainly not here...but soon after I was told by a friend who has been a writer here for quite a long time that a lot has changed since my brief time here in 2021. I realize as I'm writing this to you, there is a possibility you might not see it, or it could be removed by the powers that be...you don't know me, so you could quite possibly think I'm nuts, or this sort of thing is simply not allowed. As I said, there's so much I don't know about "this" medium...the medium I was so sad to leave 3 years ago was a very different place. So, how exactly do I remove these banners advertising this publication that is not what it claims to be...altruistic...there to help others in a bad place, and a million other lies. How do I get back that article that meant so much to me...the one that was changed word for word, and though I already know that this person claims to be exactly what that publication represents...but in a very short period of time, I found out some very disturbing, pretty scary things that are all true...actually I believe most are public record and because this person knew that I had been privy to information that was never supposed to get out, I not only had to be silenced, I had to be punished. I have never told anyone this until right this very moment because I truly did not think anyone would believe me, and I had no idea such things went on here...that safe place I was not only told I would do quite well, but I had a publication ready and waiting for me to be a part of. What has happened to this world? When did this particular place allow such an injustice and what exactly can I do? I apologize that I wrote as much as I did...if you can believe it, I'm only scratching the surface..but after I read what you wrote it was the first time since all of this happened to me that I felt safe enough to share my story. If this should be removed before you see it, if anyone is reading this and can help me, please, somehow reach out to me. I started at the end of February. I am a Singer-Songwriter, and very easy to find if I suddenly disappear from Medium. My name is Ellen Lerner and every single word of what I just told you is the truth. I hope, with all of my heart that you see this, and that justice still exists in this world of ours. I am not here to make money, I do not care about accolades nor do I even know about the algorithm or boosts, and I do not feel, nor have I ever felt that I was in competition with anyone. I just wanted to write because I love to...and apparently some people (one person) decided they had the power to do some pretty shit*y things to a person that just wanted to be a part of something special, fun, cathartic and real. This is the last thing I'll say and hope that in an hour from now I've managed to stick around...I felt helpless, confused, and quite crazy until I found this article. This article has opened up my eyes, in so many ways about so many things and maybe something can be done, because not only lying about what a particular publication is all about, but who is behind it and what and who they truly are has shocked me to my very core, and for the first time since this whole injustice started I feel a bit of peace once again. Thank you for so many things, for your time, and if there is a way to contact me, or for me to contact you, I would appreciate it more than you will ever know. Please stay well. Ellen