The Bookseller - News - Bookseller survey finds debut authors struggle with lack of support

Among the majority who said they had a negative experience of debut publication, anxiety, stress, depression and "lowered" self-esteem were cited, with lack of support, guidance or clear and professional communication from their publisher among the factors that contributed.

One respondent noted: "I've been exhausted and anxious since about two months before publication until now, about a year on. I have developed quite severe anxiety, for which I am now taking medication." Another respondent, published by one of the Big Four, said: "It has taken me a long time to reconcile the train wreck of my debut. I had to work hard to recover from it, both professionally and mentally."