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Literary Giants' Hardship: Unseen Letters Reveal Struggle
28 Nov
Summary
- Unseen letters from Doris Lessing and Sylvia Plath show authors' struggles.
- James Joyce noted receiving no royalties from his book sales.
- RLF saw a 400% increase in hardship grant applications last year.
The Royal Literary Fund's case files have unveiled a poignant collection of documents detailing the financial struggles of esteemed authors. Among the discoveries are unseen letters from Doris Lessing and a note from James Joyce expressing his lack of royalty income, painting a picture of their vulnerable moments, often early in their careers or during difficult personal times.
These archives reveal writers facing issues ranging from poor sales and illness to marital strife and grief. Sylvia Plath's doctor's notes and Edith Nesbit's reflections on her husband's death underscore the personal crises that impacted their ability to earn a living. This historical context is particularly relevant as the RLF reported a 400% increase in hardship grant applications from 2023 to 2024.
