Writers and Authors

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Summary

Writers and authors
Writers and authors develop original written material.
Quick Facts: Writers and Authors
2010 Median Pay $55,420 per year
$26.64 per hour
Entry-Level Education Bachelor’s degree
Work Experience in a Related Occupation None
On-the-job Training Long-term on-the-job training
Number of Jobs, 2010 145,900
Job Outlook, 2010-20 6% (Slower than average)
Employment Change, 2010-20 9,500

What Writers and Authors Do

Writers and authors develop original written content for advertisements, books, magazines, movie and television scripts, songs, and online publications.

Work Environment

Writers and authors work in an office, at home, or wherever else they have access to a computer. Most writers and authors work full time. However, self-employed and freelance writers usually work part time or have variable schedules.

How to Become a Writer or Author

A college degree is generally required for a salaried position as a writer or an author. Proficiency with computers and communications equipment also is necessary to stay in touch with sources, editors, and other writers while working on assignments. Excellent writing skills are essential.

Pay

The median annual wage of writers and authors was $55,420 in May 2010.

Job Outlook

Employment of writers and authors is projected to grow 6 percent from 2010 to 2020, slower than the average for all occupations. Strong competition is expected for salaried writing jobs because many people are attracted to this occupation.

Similar Occupations

Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of writers and authors with similar occupations.

O*NET

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Contacts for More Information

Learn more about writers and authors by contacting these additional resources.

What Writers and Authors Do About this section

Writers and authors
Writers and authors perform research in order to give their stories authentic detail.

Writers and authors develop original written content for advertisements, books, magazines, movie and television scripts, songs, and online publications.

Duties

Writers and authors typically do the following:

  • Choose subject matter that interests readers
  • Write fiction or nonfiction through scripts, novels, and biographies
  • Conduct research to get factual information and authentic detail
  • Write advertising copy for use by newspapers, magazines, broadcasts, and the Internet
  • Present drafts to editors and clients for feedback
  • Work with editors and clients to shape the material so it can be published

Writers and authors develop original written material, namely, stories and advertisements, for books, magazines, and online publications.

Writers must establish their credibility with editors and readers through strong research and the use of appropriate sources and citations. Writers and authors select the material they want to use and then convey the information to readers. With help from editors, they may revise or rewrite sections, searching for the best organization and the most appropriate phrasing. For more information, see the profile on editors.

An increasing number of writers are freelance writers—that is, they are self-employed and make their living by selling their written content to book and magazine publishers; news organizations; advertising agencies; and movie, theater, and television producers. Many freelance writers are hired to complete specific short-term or recurring assignments, such as writing a newspaper column, contributing to a series of articles in a magazine, or producing an organization’s newsletter.

An increasing number of writers are producing material that is published directly online in videos and on blogs.

The following are types of writers and authors:

Copywriters prepare advertisements to promote the sale of a good or service. They often work with a client to produce advertising themes, jingles, and slogans.

Biographers write a thorough account of a person’s life. They gather information from interviews and research about the person to accurately portray important events in that person's life.

Novelists write books of fiction, creating characters and plots that may be imaginary or may be based on real events.

Songwriters compose music and lyrics for songs. They may write and perform their own songs or sell their work to a music publisher. They sometimes work with a client to produce advertising themes, jingles, and slogans and may be involved in marketing the product or service.

Playwrights write scripts for theatrical productions. They produce lines for actors to say, stage direction for actors to follow, and ideas for theatrical set design.

Screenwriters create scripts for movies and television. They may produce original stories, characters, and dialogue or turn a book into a movie or television script. Some may produce content for radio broadcasts and other types of performance.

Work Environment About this section

Writers and authors
Writers and authors work in an office or wherever they have a computer.

Writers and authors held about 145,900 jobs in 2010. About 68 percent were self-employed.

The industries that employed the most writers and authors in 2010 were:

Religious, grantmaking, civic, professional, and similar organizations6%
Newspaper, periodical, book, and directory publishers5
Advertising, public relations, and related services4
Motion picture and video industries2
Radio and television broadcasting2

Writers and authors work in an office, at home, or wherever else they have access to a computer. 

Jobs are somewhat concentrated in major media and entertainment markets—Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and Washington, DC—but improved communications and Internet capabilities allow writers and authors to work from almost anywhere. Many prefer to work outside these cities and travel regularly to meet with publishers and clients and to do research or conduct in-person interviews.

Work Schedules

About 26 percent of writers and authors work part time. Some writers keep regular office hours, either to stay in contact with sources and editors or to set up a writing routine, but many writers set their own hours. Freelance writers are paid per assignment; therefore, they work any number of hours necessary to meet a deadline. As a result, writers must be willing to work nights and weekends to produce something acceptable to an editor or client. Although many freelance writers enjoy running their own businesses and the advantages of working flexible hours, most routinely face the pressures of juggling multiple projects or continually looking for new work.

How to Become a Writer or Author About this section

Writers and authors
Freelance writers may have to manage multiple assignments simultaneously.

A college degree is generally required for a salaried position as a writer or author. Proficiency with computers and communications equipment is necessary for staying in touch with sources, editors, and other writers while working on assignments.

Education and Training

A bachelor’s degree is typically needed for a salaried job as a writer. Because writing skills are essential in this occupation, many employers like to hire people who have a degree in English, journalism, or communications.  Writers and authors need time to polish their craft through on-the-job training before their work is ready for publication.

Those with other backgrounds who demonstrate strong writing skills also may find jobs as writers. Writers who want to write about a particular topic may need formal training or experience related to that topic.

Because many writers today prepare material directly for the Internet, they should be knowledgeable about graphic design, page layout, and multimedia software.  

Work Experience

Writers can get job experience by working for high school and college newspapers, magazines, radio and television stations, advertising and publishing companies, or not-for-profit organizations. College theater and music programs offer playwrights and songwriters an opportunity to have their work performed. Many magazines and newspapers also have internships for students. Interns may write stories, conduct research and interviews, and gain general publishing experience.

In addition, Internet blogs can provide writing experience to anyone with access to the Internet. Some of this writing may lead to paid assignments regardless of education, because the quality of writing, the unique perspective, and the size of the potential audience are the greatest determinants of success for a piece of writing. Online publications require knowledge of computer software and editing tools that are used to combine text with graphics, audio, video, and animation.

Advancement

Writers and authors generally advance by building a reputation, taking on more complex writing assignments, and getting published in more prestigious markets and publications. Having previously published work that was well received and maintaining a track record of meeting deadlines are important for advancement. Writing for smaller businesses, local newspapers, advertising agencies, and not-for-profit organizations allows beginning writers and authors to start taking credit for their work immediately. However, opportunities for advancement within these organizations may be limited because they either do not have enough regular work or do not need more advanced writing.

Many editors begin work as writers. Those who are particularly skilled at identifying stories, correcting writing style, and interacting with writers may be interested in editing jobs.

Important Qualities

Creativity. Writers and authors must be able to develop new and interesting plots, characters, or ideas so they can come up with new stories.

Determination. Writers and authors sometimes work on projects that take years to complete. Freelance writers who are paid per assignment must demonstrate persistence and personal drive.

Persuasion. Writers, especially those in advertising, must be able to persuade others to feel a certain way about a good or service.

Social perceptiveness. Writers and authors must understand how readers react to certain ideas in order to connect with their audience.

Writing skills. Writers and authors must be able to write effectively in order to convey feeling and emotion and communicate with readers.

Pay About this section

Writers and Authors

Median annual wages, May 2010

Writers and Authors

$55,420

Media and Communication Workers

$49,060

Total, All Occupations

$33,840

 

The median annual wage of writers and authors was $55,420 in May 2010. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $28,610, and the top 10 percent earned more than $109,440.

Median annual wages in the industries employing the largest numbers of writers and authors in May 2010 were:

Advertising, public relations, and related services$62,260
Motion picture and video industries62,000
Radio and television broadcasting53,400
Religious, grantmaking, civic, professional,
and similar organizations
52,750
Newspaper, periodical, book, and directory publishers47,230

Freelance writers earn income from their articles, books, and, less commonly, television and movie scripts. Although most freelance writers work on an individual project basis for multiple publishers, many support themselves with income derived from other sources. Freelancers generally have to provide for their own health insurance and pension, unless they receive coverage from another job.

About 26 percent of writers and authors work part time. Some writers keep regular office hours, either to stay in contact with sources and editors or to set up a writing routine, but many writers set their own hours. Freelance writers are paid per assignment; therefore, they work any number of hours necessary to meet a deadline. As a result, writers must be willing to work nights and weekends to produce something that is acceptable to an editor or client. Although many freelance writers enjoy running their own businesses and the advantages of working flexible hours, most routinely face the pressures of juggling multiple projects or continually looking for new work.

Job Outlook About this section

Writers and Authors

Percent change in employment, projected 2010-20

Total, All Occupations

14%

Media and Communication Workers

13%

Writers and Authors

6%

 

Employment of writers and authors is projected to grow 6 percent from 2010 to 2020, slower than the average for all occupations. Despite slower-than-average employment growth, online publications and services are growing in number and sophistication, spurring demand for writers and authors with Web and multimedia experience. Some experienced writers should find work in the public relations departments of corporations and nonprofit organizations. Others will likely find freelance work for newspaper, magazine, or journal publishers, and some will write books.

Job Prospects

Strong competition is expected, given that many people are attracted to this occupation. Competition for jobs with established newspapers and magazines will be particularly strong because the publishing industry is projected to become smaller. Writers and authors who have adapted to online media and are comfortable writing for and working with a variety of electronic and digital tools should have an advantage in finding work. The declining costs of self-publishing, the growing popularity of electronic books, and the increasing number of readers of electronic books will allow many freelancer writers to get their work published. Some job openings will arise as experienced workers retire, transfer to other occupations, or leave the labor force.

Employment projections data for writers and authors, 2010-20
Occupational Title SOC Code Employment, 2010 Projected Employment, 2020 Change, 2010-20 Employment by Industry
Percent Numeric

SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program

Writers and Authors

27-3043 145,900 155,400 6 9,500 [XLS]

Similar Occupations About this section

This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of writers and authors.

Occupation Job Duties ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION Help 2010 MEDIAN PAY Help
Editors

Editors

Editors plan, review, and revise content for publication.

Bachelor’s degree $51,470
Reporters, correspondents, and broadcast news analysts

Reporters, Correspondents, and Broadcast News Analysts

Reporters, correspondents, and broadcast news analysts inform the public about news and events happening internationally, nationally, and locally. They report the news for newspapers, magazines, websites, television, and radio.

Bachelor’s degree $36,000
Public relations managers and specialists

Public Relations Managers and Specialists

Public relations managers and specialists create and maintain a favorable public image for their employer or client. They write material for media releases, plan and direct public relations programs, and raise funds for their organizations.

Bachelor’s degree $57,550
Radio and television announcers

Announcers

Announcers present music, news, and sports and may provide commentary or interview guests about these topics or other important events. Some act as a master of ceremonies (emcee) or disc jockey (DJ) at weddings, parties, or clubs.

See How to Become One $27,010
Technical writers

Technical Writers

Technical writers, also called technical communicators, produce instruction manuals and other supporting documents to communicate complex and technical information more easily. They also develop, gather, and disseminate technical information among customers, designers, and manufacturers.

Bachelor’s degree $63,280
Suggested citation:

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition, Writers and Authors,
on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/writers-and-authors.htm (visited October 17, 2012).

Publish Date: Wednesday, July 11, 2012