There comes a point where social media stops feeling social.
You scroll. You post. You perform.
But something is missing.
For years I’ve watched creators, fandom lovers, cosplayers, storytellers, and imaginative people struggle to find a place where they can simply exist as the characters and personas they love.
That’s where Social Fiction was born.
Social Fiction is the space where identity becomes creative expression.
Not performance for algorithms; expression for connection.
It’s not roleplay.
It’s not cosplay.
It’s not traditional social media.
It’s something new.
And yes; it has a name now.
The Definition of Social Fiction
Social Fiction is the act of expressing yourself through a chosen persona in a social environment designed for story-led identity.
In simple terms:
You are not pretending.
You are creating.
You are not escaping reality.
You are expanding it.
And most importantly; you are doing it in a space that understands what you are doing.
Why Social Fiction Exists
Traditional platforms were never built for identity creativity.
They reward:
- Performance over presence
- Trends over storytelling
- Virality over meaning
If you’ve ever:
- Felt restricted by algorithms
- Been misunderstood for being creative
- Wanted to exist as a character without judgement
- Needed a safer space for imaginative identity
Then you already understand why Social Fiction needed to exist.
This isn’t rebellion.
It’s evolution.
Social Fiction vs Roleplay
Roleplay is usually:
- Temporary
- Scenario-based
- Often anonymous
- Designed for short-term immersion
Social Fiction is different.
Social Fiction is:
- Identity-led
- Persistent
- Community-driven
- Built around long-term personas
You are not stepping into a scene.
You are stepping into a living identity.
Social Fiction vs Cosplay
Cosplay celebrates visual transformation.
And I love it deeply.
But Social Fiction goes further.
Cosplay asks:
Who are you dressed as?
Social Fiction asks:
Who are you becoming?
It moves beyond costumes and into identity storytelling.
Beyond events and into everyday expression.
Social Fiction vs Traditional Social Media
Most platforms ask you to be:
- Consistent
- Polished
- Categorisable
Social Fiction allows you to be:
- Fluid
- Creative
- Multidimensional
You are not forced into a single version of yourself.
You are allowed to explore.
And that changes everything.
Where Social Fiction Lives
Social Fiction needs the right environment.
It cannot thrive where:
- Algorithms flatten identity
- Creativity is misunderstood
- Expression is policed
That’s exactly why I built Masquerading.
Not as another social network.
But as a home.
Who Social Fiction Is For
If you’ve ever felt like you exist between worlds, this space is probably for you.
Social Fiction resonates deeply with:
- Cosplayers
- Fandom creators
- Storytellers
- Writers
- Performers
- Digital creatives
- People who have always felt “a little different”
You don’t need permission here.
You just need imagination.
Why the World Needs Social Fiction Now
We are entering a time where identity is becoming more fluid, not less.
People are:
- Reclaiming ownership of who they are
- Building personal brands earlier
- Exploring creativity publicly
- Seeking meaningful community
Social Fiction sits at the intersection of:
Technology
Identity
Creativity
Community
And that intersection is only growing.
Why I Created Masquerading
After 25+ years in technology and business, I’ve seen how platforms shape behaviour.
But I’ve also seen what happens when creators are given the right environment.
They expand.
They collaborate.
They come alive.
Masquerading was built as:
A platform
A movement
A philosophy
A space where Social Fiction is not misunderstood; it’s understood immediately.
If Social Fiction Resonates With You
You’ll know.
You don’t need convincing.
You don’t need explaining.
You just feel it.
If you’ve been searching for a place where:
Identity is creative
Personas are normal
And imagination is welcomed
Then you’re already part of this world.
You’ve just found its name.
Welcome to Social Fiction.
Welcome to Masquerading.
What is Social Fiction?
Social Fiction is the expression of identity through creative personas in a social environment designed for story-led interaction.
Instead of being limited to one version of yourself, Social Fiction allows you to explore layered identity through characters, alter-egos, or creative personas that evolve over time.
It’s not about pretending.
It’s about expanding how identity can exist in a social space.
Masquerading was built as the natural home for Social Fiction; a platform where creative identity is understood rather than questioned.
Is Social Fiction roleplay?
Not quite.
Roleplay is usually temporary and scene-based. It often exists within a defined storyline or short interaction.
Social Fiction is identity-led and persistent.
Your persona isn’t something you switch on for a moment.
It’s something you build, evolve, and express over time within a community that understands the language of creative identity.
If roleplay is stepping into a scene, Social Fiction is stepping into a living persona.
Is Masquerading a social network?
Masquerading is a social platform, but it isn’t trying to replicate traditional social media.
Most social networks are built around consistency and personal branding. Masquerading is built around creative identity and layered expression.
It’s designed specifically for people who explore personas, characters, and imaginative identity in a social environment that supports that depth.
So yes; it’s social.
But it’s a different category entirely.
Do I need a costume to participate?
Not at all.
Social Fiction isn’t about costumes; it’s about identity expression.
Some people arrive through cosplay or fandom. Others come from writing, storytelling, digital art, or simply a desire to explore different sides of themselves.
You can participate visually, narratively, or conceptually.
Your persona can be fully visual, lightly defined, or purely imaginative.
There are no entry requirements; just curiosity.
Can I have multiple personas?
Yes; and for many people, that’s where the real magic happens.
Masquerading recognises that identity isn’t always singular. You might have different creative expressions, characters, or personas that reflect different facets of who you are.
Some members explore one evolving identity. Others build entire worlds of characters.
Social Fiction allows that flexibility because it’s built on the understanding that identity can be layered, creative, and dynamic.
You’re not limited to one version of yourself here.