Author

Job Description:

An author is a professional individual responsible for developing creative stories published in formats such as books, movies, or television scripts. Authors conduct research of information that may be included in their works, whether they are fictional or non-fictional. Before publicly making their work available, authors must present a draft to editors for feedback and approval. Authors may work as self-employed or freelance and sell their written content to book publishers or advertising agencies.

Salary:

On average, the author's annual salary is $78,368 per year, which translates to $37.68 an hour. Generally speaking, authors earn anywhere from $51,000 to $118,000 a year, which means that the top-earning authors make $77,000 more than the ones at the lower end of the spectrum.

Occupational Outlook:

Employment of writers and authors is projected to show little or no change from 2018 to 2028.

Online publications and services are growing in number and sophistication, spurring demand for writers and authors with Web and multimedia experience. However, employment of writers and authors in the newspaper and book and periodical publication industries is projected to decline.

Some experienced writers should find work in the public relations departments of corporations and nonprofit organizations. Self-employed or freelance writers and authors may find work with newspaper, magazine, or journal publishers, and some will write books.

Strong competition is expected for most job openings, given that many people are attracted to this occupation. Competition for jobs with newspapers and magazines will be particularly strong because employment in the publishing industry is projected to decline.

Writers and authors who have adapted to online and social media, and who 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 and the popularity of electronic books will allow many freelance writers to have their work published.

Links to Learn More About This Career:

Educational Requirements:

A college degree in English, communications, or journalism is generally required for a salaried position as a writer or author. Experience gained through internships or any writing that improves skills, such as blogging, is beneficial.

A bachelor’s degree is typically needed for a full-time job as a writer. Because writing skills are essential in this occupation, many employers prefer candidates who have a degree in English, communications, or journalism

University of Kentucky

Address: 112 McVey Hall Lexington, KY 40506-005

Website: https://www.uky.edu/

Information on the Major: https://www.uky.edu/academics/masters/college-arts-sciences/creative-writing-graduate

Spalding University

Address: 901 South Fourth Street Louisville, KY 40203

Website: https://spalding.edu/

Information on the Major: https://spalding.edu/creative-writing/bachelor-of-fine-arts-in-writing/

Northwestern

Address: 633 Clark Street

Evanston, IL 60208

Website: https://www.northwestern.edu/

Information on the Major: https://english.northwestern.edu/undergraduate/writing/

Soft Skills, Characteristics, and/or Abilities Need For This Career:

- Adaptability. Writers and authors need to be able to adapt to newer software platforms and programs, including various Content Management Systems (CMS).
Creativity. Writers and authors must be able to develop new and interesting plots, characters, or ideas so they can come up with new stories.
Critical-thinking skills. Writers and authors must have dual expertise in thinking through or understanding new concepts, and conveying it through written word.
Determination. Writers and authors sometimes work on projects that take years to complete. Freelance writers who are paid per assignment must demonstrate perseverance 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.

Software Knowledge Needed For This Career:

Authors can use Google Documents, Microsoft Word, Grammarly, Vellum, Scrivener, etc.

Pros and Cons to Choosing This Career

Pros (Positives to this Career)

Get to express creativity.
Can write about passions.
Can work from home.

Cons (Negatives to this Career)

Turns passions into work.
Usually not a stable source of income.
Not many authors become successful.

Typical Working Conditions For This Career:

Some writers and authors work part time. Most keep regular office hours, either to stay in contact with sources and editors or to set up a writing routine, but many set their own hours. Others may need to work evenings and weekends to produce something acceptable for an editor or client. Self-employed or freelance writers and authors may face the pressures of juggling multiple projects or continually looking for new work. No lifting required, and the job is done inside on a computer.

Stephen King

An American author of horror, supernatural fiction, suspense, crime, science-fiction, and fantasy novels. He works for Simon & Schuster

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_King https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Stephen-King/1666839#:~:text=Stephen%20King%20%7C%20Official%20Publisher%20Page%20%7C%20Simon%20%26%20Schuster

Rupi Kaur

A Canadian poet, illustrator, photographer, and author who is self published.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rupi_Kaur

Ocean Vuong

A Vietnamese American poet, essayist, and novelist. Vuong's poems and essays have been published in various journals, including Poetry,[4] The Nation,[11] TriQuarterly,[12] Guernica,[13] The Rumpus,[14] Boston Review,[15] Narrative Magazine, The New Republic, The New Yorker, and The New York Times

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ocean_Vuong

Career Researched By: Sophie W