EBOOK
About
The media and creative industries thrive on passion, but that passion often comes at a cost. Behind the glamour of journalism, filmmaking, games, music, advertising, and online content creation lies a growing crisis-one of burnout, anxiety, substance abuse, and exhaustion. Why do so many creative professionals report feeling both deeply fulfilled and profoundly unwell?
Mark Deuze investigates the systemic issues that make creative work both exhilarating and unsustainable. Drawing on extensive research and in-depth interviews with media professionals, he notes the hidden downsides of doing what you love and offers a candid analysis of how workplace structures, high workloads, and perceived injustices contribute to mental and physical distress.
But this book is not just about what's broken; it's about what can be done. Deuze provides a roadmap for rethinking the culture of creative industries and offers strategies for balancing passion with sustainability. A practical resource for media scholars and those navigating the highs and lows of a creative career, this work challenges us to imagine a healthier future for our labour of love.
Mark Deuze investigates the systemic issues that make creative work both exhilarating and unsustainable. Drawing on extensive research and in-depth interviews with media professionals, he notes the hidden downsides of doing what you love and offers a candid analysis of how workplace structures, high workloads, and perceived injustices contribute to mental and physical distress.
But this book is not just about what's broken; it's about what can be done. Deuze provides a roadmap for rethinking the culture of creative industries and offers strategies for balancing passion with sustainability. A practical resource for media scholars and those navigating the highs and lows of a creative career, this work challenges us to imagine a healthier future for our labour of love.
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Reviews
"Deuze provides a thoughtful and passionate perspective on mental health in creative work, warning us of the challenges of an industry that can rely on the creatively and goodwill of its workers."
Valérie Bélair-Gagnon, associate professor, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
"There is no doubt that Professor Mark Deuze's new book is a thoughtful, well-researched and timely contribution to media and communication studies. But it is so much more than that. Well-Being and Creative Careers is also an urgent reminder of the human cost of our newfound ability to access news, information and entertainment whenever and however we like."
Diana Bossio, associate professor, RMIT
"In this important book, Deuze draws on new research supported by a wide range of empirical evidence, creative industries, and media professionals' voices. In doing so, he creates compelling evidence as to why we should all
take the problems these passionate workers face seriously. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in understanding media work and the creative industries."
Dr Sally Anne Gross, reader in music business, University of Westminster