Authors’ health and wellbeing

Almost half of all respondents (45%) reported ongoing concerns over the continued impact of the pandemic on their mental or physical health, with some respondents reporting severe mental health issues as a direct result of the pandemic and lockdown.

Commonly reported experiences were mental health issues, feelings of isolation, and the impact of the pandemic on motivation and creativity. A fifth (19%) reported ongoing concerns over their ability to even carry out their work due to lack of time, lack of inspiration, difficulties carrying out research and poor mental or physical health.

A quarter of all respondents talked of ongoing concern over the state of the industry, expressing worries about the financial effect of cancellations, publication delays, online-only marketing and lack of publicity opportunities, and supply chain issues.

Commonly reported experiences were mental health issues, feelings of isolation, and the impact of the pandemic on motivation and creativity.

Continued loss of income

This comes at a time when income and work opportunities are failing to recover for many authors. Over half of all respondents (56%) reported their income in 2021 was lower than in 2019. Sixty percent (58.3%) saw their income drop by at least 25%. Almost half (48.8%) continued to experience cancellations of events and other activities throughout 2021.

While some of the income figures indicate a slight improvement in the earnings situation for authors (the SoA’s May 2021 survey showed that 57% were earning less), the sample size is too small to indicate any positive trends and any improvements need to be read against a backdrop of rising inflation and spiralling domestic bills.

Over half of all respondents (56%) reported their income in 2021 was lower than in 2019.

Government support

Despite the sustained impact on authors’ incomes, there is a continued lack of adequate Government support. At the two-year point, less than 7.6% of all authors feel the Government has done enough to support authors during the pandemic.

Very few of the authors surveyed were eligible for the furlough scheme, self-employment income support scheme (SEISS), or the universal credit uplift. Sixty percent of respondents didn’t benefit at all from Government financial support packages, or expected not to.

Only 31% of respondents in England benefited from the SEISS scheme at any time since April 2020, this figure dropped to 19% in Scotland and 44% in Wales. No respondents from Northern Ireland or Wales reported having benefited from furlough in any of the surveys.

For many of the authors surveyed, the financial support available failed to accommodate the fact that authors’ incomes often fluctuate. Some reported that assessments for support like the SEISS assessments were based on a year where they had reduced income so didn’t meet the threshold.

Support for authors

The SoA’s Authors Contingency Fund, which distributed £1.3million in 2020 and £357,900 in 2021, continues to invite applications, including from people who have received grants in previous years. Go to the Society of Authors’ website for more information on funding.

About the survey: This is the fifth Authors in the Health Crisis survey, looking at the impact of Covid-19 on authors’ livelihoods. The online poll ran from December 2021 to January 2022 and received 222 responses.