Writer and author essential career information:
- 2012 median pay: $55,940
- 2012, number of jobs: 41,990
- Employment growth forecast, 2010-2020: 6 percent
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
Writers and authors; what they do:
Becoming a writer is one of the oldest and most influential occupations in history. Persistence, passion, and patience are just some of the necessary qualities in developing the writing craft. The sky is the limit in terms of where writers and authors can work and what they can write about, especially with the advent of online publications and businesses.
A writer career and an author career involves creating original content for books, advertisement, performances, magazines, movie and television scripts, song lyrics, and online publications.
A writing career includes selecting topics and subjects that engage readers and presenting ideas to clients. Writers choose a genre such as comedy or drama when writing fiction or non-fiction.
A writing career may include conducting research to obtain authentic detail for scripts, novels, and biographies, writing copy for various magazines, online publications and newspapers and working with editors and clients to revise and develop content. A writing career never stops evolving and changing. To become great, an author or writer must continue to learn and grow with each evolution.
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Writers and authors job titles:
- Freelance Writer
- Website Content Writer
- Resume Writer
- Ghost Writer
- Professional Writer
- Essay Writer
- Story Writer
- Copywriter
- Biographer
- Novelist
- Playwright
- Screenwriter
Writers and Authors Education, Certification and License Requirements
People interested in a writing career typically have a bachelor’s degree in English, communications, journalism or a similar degree and years of on-the-job. Depending on the writing topic or field, some employers may require additional formal training or experience. Knowledge of the Internet, graphic design and certain writing software is also helpful, as many jobs require writers to prepare specific material for websites.
Writers can gain helpful experience in other areas such as television and radio stations, magazines and advertising companies, college theatre programs and Internet blogs. Some applicants looking to begin a writer career may not even need the typical education if they already possess a unique perspective and writing style as well as a large following of readers in a particular area.
Writer and author programs cover subjects such as:
- Creative writing
- Professional writing
- American literature
- World literature
- Writing for mass communication
- English literature
- Linguistics
- English Composition
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Career Advancement Opportunities
Professionals can advancing in a writer career or author career through taking on multiple assignments, getting published in well-known markets and building a solid reputation for meeting deadlines. Working for smaller companies, local magazines and non-profit institutions also allows novice writers and authors to gain immediate writing credit.
Writers and Authors Job Outlook
Forecast: 6 percent employment growth from 2010 to 2020, slower than the average for all occupations. However, online publications and services are quickly evolving in size, scope and style leading to a great need for writers and authors with Internet experience. Other areas experiencing job growth include book writing, public relations and freelance writing in newspapers and magazines.
Writers and Authors Salary
- 2012 median annual wage: $55,940
- 2012 workers at the 75th percentile annual wage: $81,200
- 2012, workers at the 25th percentile annual wage: $39,050
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Writers and Authors Major Employers
- Religious, grant making, civil and similar organizations
- Newspaper, periodical, book and directory publishers
- Advertising, public relations and similar services
- Motion picture and video industries
- Radio and television broadcasting
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B.A. English Degree
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