Publishing pays abysmally, says an anonymous writer, who feels closer to their neighbours on benefits than to their former peers in teaching and academia Access to the arts might be good for mental health ( The Guardian view on living more creatively: a daily dose of art, 9 January ), but the conditions in which most artists have to produce their work does nothing to improve their own. I’m a novelist, and I was paid £1,000 and £500 respectively for my last two books. The latter was shortlisted for an international literary award. That’s £1,500 earned in 10 years. Before turning to writing full-time, I worked in other areas: in local government, and as a teacher and academic. Continue reading...