Rebecca Yarros’s rise to fame as the author of Fourth Wing is the kind of success most writers dream about. Her fantasy novel has sold over three million copies worldwide, earned a devoted fanbase, and landed a TV adaptation deal with Amazon MGM Studios and Michael B. Jordan’s production company. For aspiring writers, it’s the ultimate dream, but as we all know, success often comes with hidden costs.
Yarros has been candid about the challenges she’s faced along the way. One of the larger struggles has been the toll on her physical health. Living with her own chronic illnesses—Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), a group of hereditary connective tissue disorders, and POTS, a blood circulation disorder—Yarros faces daily battles that go beyond the typical stresses of writing and fame. Managing her health while juggling the demands of a burgeoning career is no small feat. She’s had to strike a delicate balance between taking care of herself and meeting the high expectations that come with her newfound celebrity.
But in addition to her health, there’s the relentless pressure of the publishing world. With the massive success of Fourth Wing, Yarros has had to contend with the intense demand for more books. Fans eagerly await every installment, and the publishing industry often operates on a grueling schedule, especially when momentum is high. For any writer, this would be a daunting task, but for Yarros, the challenge is amplified by the sheer scale of her success and the physical demands on her body. With Fourth Wing released in May, 2023, Iron Flame just months later in November, and Onyx Storm coming on January 21, 2025, you can probably imagine just how much time has been spent writing. This doesn’t include her other books as well as time spent on tours.
There was a year when my vestibular migraines and my POTS flares just played with each other. I thought I was dying. I told my husband, ‘Have my body autopsied.’ And I was just living for the next MRI, the next lumbar puncture. I had to ask myself, ‘What does this mean for the rest of my life? What does this mean for tours? For my writing schedule? For the amount of time I can spend at a computer?’
The emotional toll has been equally significant. As her visibility has grown, so has the scrutiny. Yarros has faced a barrage of online criticism, some of it escalating to the level of death threats, which forced her family to relocate for safety. Fame has also brought an erosion of privacy, with the constant noise of social media making it hard to find peace.
For Yarros, the solution has been to focus on what grounds her: her family and her craft. To protect her mental health, she’s learned to limit her time online, distancing herself from the negativity that can so easily overshadow the joy of her success. Writing has also remained her lifeline. During particularly difficult periods, she turned to storytelling as a way to process her emotions and reclaim her sense of purpose. Her contemporary romance novel, Variation, became both a personal outlet and a reminder of why she started writing in the first place.
Yarros’s story is both inspirational and sobering. As writers, we all dream of achieving what she has, but her journey highlights the less glamorous realities of literary fame. Success can bring incredible opportunities, but it also demands resilience, balance, and a deep commitment to self-care.
For those of us who hope to follow in her footsteps, Yarros’s experience offers valuable lessons. While it’s natural to strive for recognition and success, it’s equally important to prepare for the pressures that come with it. Fame, deadlines, and health struggles may test us, but staying connected to our passion for storytelling and prioritizing our well-being can help us navigate even the most overwhelming challenges. In the end, it’s not just about the stories we tell—it’s about how we continue to write our own.