Readers are hungry for stories about trauma. But what happens to the authors?

‘Writers often find that they are on the receiving end of other people’s traumatic stories when they are out promoting their books, which can be very difficult,’ says publishing director Madonna Duffy. Illustration: Victoria Hart / Guardian Design

In her 2018 debut, Eggshell Skull, Bri Lee recounts her entry into the legal profession while fighting her own sexual assault case. The book became a runaway publishing success. It also prompted an “outpouring” of correspondence – much of which involved disclosures of readers’ own traumatic experiences, often for the first time.

“It’s a huge privilege, and I am so grateful,” Lee says during a phone call. “It’s extraordinary that people take the time and care to share those stories with me.”