Coping with the coronavirus crisis

The new coronavirus, Covid-19, is having an unprecedented effect on people’s lives across the world. You might think writers would adapt relatively easily, because to some of us, self-isolation comes quite naturally.

However many writers are seeing their income streams hit, jobs cancelled, and their work drying up. Novelists are finding book launches, speaking engagements, book fairs, and literary events cancelled. Screenwriters have been hit by the cancellation of television shows. Social distancing measures are making filming some programmes impossible to do without exposing the actors and crew to unacceptable levels of risk. You might think the next few months look bleak for writers, but alongside the tales of disaster and catastrophe, some writers are finding ways to adapt.

Writers with more time on their hands are making the most of the opportunity to concentrate on their novels or other writing projects, which perhaps have taken a back seat for too long.

The author

Author Peter Jones from Essex felt overwhelmed when the country went into lockdown. Like many of us, he had trouble concentrating and felt his productivity suffered. After a few weeks trying to adjust