Writer/Author

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Work Tasks

• Pick a topic and get information from their own experience, research, or from talking to others
• Make up themes, characters, and plots and write a rough draft
• Make corrections and rewrite some parts
• Write fiction and nonfiction articles for books, magazines, newspapers, journals, reports, newsletters, radio and TV broadcasts, etc.
• Work in offices or in their own homes for newspapers, magazines, and book publishers, advertising agencies, radio and TV broadcasters, public relations firms, the government, and motion picture companies
• Work with typewriters, computers, tape recorders, desktop publishing programs, research data, photographs, manuscripts, and books

Salary, Size & Growth

• $58,000 average per year ($28.00 per hour)
• A medium occupation (41,000 workers in 2010)
• Expected to grow moderately (1.5% per year)

Education/Training

• Minimum for Entry: A portfolio of writing samples and experience in a literary setting
• Employers Prefer: A 4-year degree in English, liberal arts, communications, journalism, or a related field
• Skills/Courses: Courses include how to write short stores, novels, and scripts, plus other forms of creative writing.