Introduction
Authors, as well as Book and Script Editors, compose, edit, and review literary works for publication, as well as screenplays for film, television, radio, and stage performances. Their job description is working closely with words and employing the basics of the language to spark the reader’s imagination and also grab his/her interest.
Requirements
For full-time employment as a book writer or script editor, a bachelor’s degree is usually required in writing, literature, or a related subject. Postgraduate studies are also very frequent. Many businesses prefer candidates with a degree in English, journalism, or communications because writing abilities are important in this field.
Writers and authors often need on-the-job training to obtain writing experience. They may practice writing and partner with more experienced authors and editors before their work has the potential of being published.
Tasks
Their tasks mainly include creating and developing ideas and subjects for literary works such as novels, plays, musicals, cinematic productions, and multimedia goods.
Moreover other tasks also include designing, organizing, and composing information based on original and secondary research, interviews, and other media.
Furthermore, they ensure coherence of style and development of theme and characterization in manuscripts of novels, biographies, poems, and other writings. Their role is also advising publishers on the publication possibilities of works and the terms of the contract negotiating publication specifics such as royalties, publication dates, and the number of copies to be printed. In addition reading and evaluating stories and other material for cinema, television, radio, and stage productions is also their job as well as
overseeing the production of scripts for announcers to recite to introduce and connect segments of musicals, news, sports, and special events programs.
Work schedules
In 2016, almost one-fourth of all writers and novelists worked part-time. Some authors keep regular office hours to stay in touch with sources and editors or to establish a writing pattern, although many writers work on their schedules. Others may be required to work evenings and weekends to meet the demands of an editor or customer.
Job trends for writers and authors
In 2012, this occupation supported 129,100 employment, up from 136,500 jobs in 2014, a 5.7 percent rise. In 2012, it was predicted that this occupation will grow by 2.9 percent to 132,900 employment by 2022. To stay up with predictions, the estimated number of jobs in 2014 was 129,800, compared to 136,500 which was 5.2 percent higher than expected. This implies that current employment trends are substantially better than the tendency in 2012. In 2014, it was predicted that this occupation would grow by 2.5 percent to 139,700 employment by 2024. Linear extrapolation of the 2012 prediction for 2022 yields an expected number of 133,600 employment in 2024, down 4.4 percent from the 2014 projection meaning that future employment trends are expected to be better than 2012 within this occupation.
Position of Employment for authors
Some authors and writers are self-employed or work as freelancers. They sell their written content to publishers of books and magazines, news organizations, advertising agencies, and film, theatre, and television makers. They may be employed to accomplish specific short-term or regular tasks, such as writing a newspaper column, contributing to a series of magazine pieces, or generating a newsletter for an organization.
An increasing number of authors are creating content for digital news organizations or blogs that is only available online.
Thus, writers and authors are turning their focus to online media, which should lead to an increase in career opportunities for these professionals. Newspaper, books, and directory publishers, on the other hand, are anticipated to lose jobs as the industry consolidates and shrinks.
Over the next ten years, an average of 15,400 opportunities for writers and novelists are expected. These positions mostly arise as a result of replacing people who switch jobs or leave their jobs for other reasons, such as retirement.
Career Path progression for authors
There are many types of authors:
Several newspaper and magazine firms hire people who are experts in the field of business. Business writers are those who are capable of writing in this genre. This position necessitates thorough study as well as sufficient effort to meet the reader’s requirements.
Several novelists work in both fiction and nonfiction, and in some cases, both genres. A writer can make a living as a professional novelist, writing novels and other fiction for a living, while others desire to support themselves in this way or write as a pastime.
A copywriter has to write material for a variety of advertising companies, they create ads to encourage the sale of a product or service. They frequently collaborate with clients on textual content, such as advertising themes, jingles, and slogans.
Biographers chronicle a person’s life in detail. They gather information about the person through interviews and studies to appropriately portray significant moments in their lives.
Bloggers contribute to a blog by writing entries about a variety of topics or fields, such as fashion, news, or sports.
Novelists create fictional characters and plots, which may or may not be based on true occurrences.
Playwrights are those who write the scripts for stage productions. They devise a plan.
Licenses/Certifications
Some associations offer certifications for writers and authors. Certification demonstrates professionalism and competence which makes candidates more attractive to employers. For example, the American Grant Writers Association (AGWA) offers the Certified Grant Writer credential. There are plenty of internships available for someone who wishes to opt for a career in writing. Internships are of both paid and unpaid types. Interns day to day job includes writing articles, e-books, podcasts, sales copy, and researching the topic for which they are required to write. One can explore internship opportunities through online hiring portals.
Job outlook
In the United States, there are approximately 131,200 authors. Between 2016 and 2026, the author’s job market is predicted to rise by 7.6%.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, writers and authors earned a median salary of $61,240 in 2016 or $29.44 per hour, and also that there were 136,500 writers and novelists jobs in 2014. The predicted job growth, however, is only approximately 2%, which is significantly less than the typical industry rate. With a growth rate of 2%, the total number of writers and authors employed is expected to increase by a little over 3,000.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the annual median pay for editors was $57,210, or $27.51 per hour and the number of editing jobs countrywide was over 117,200 in 2014 thus, the job growth rate for editors is less than that of writers and authors. Rather than increasing by 2025, the BLS predicts that editors will experience more employment losses than gains. They estimate that the job decline rate for editors will be around 5% overall, resulting in a -6,200 job change by the middle of the next decade.
In 2016, the typical annual salary for technical writers was around $69,850, or $33.58 per hour.
Decline
From 2019 to 2029, job prospects for writers and authors are predicted to decline by 2%. Here are their predicted percent changes in employment when compared to other occupations:
4% percent across all occupations
3% for workers in media and communication and 2% percent for writers and authors.
More specifically, after a decade, the current documented employment of 131,200 authors and writers would be reduced to 128,200.
The downfall of this industry is attributable to people’s changing preferences for reading various works of literature. And other forms of media. Because most technologies can supply these writings digitally. Which is more convenient for most people. Technological advancements have an impact on the writing profession and the physical publishing of literary works. Companies involved in newspaper printing, book publishing, and periodical publishing. And directory publishing would shrink, reduce its staff, and refuse to hire new personnel as a result of this.
Also Read: 5 Tips to Consider When Hiring A Ebook Marketer
Conclusion
The rise in popularity of web-based periodicals, in particular, is predicted to boost demand for writers and editors. Bloggers and technical writers for interactive media should have a lot of options. Especially as more print periodicals, corporations, and non-profit organizations. And associations generate just digital content. Because of the ongoing need to explain technical knowledge to target audiences. Journalists and content writers with training in specialist subjects such as law, medicine, or economics. Will certainly have a lot of career opportunities. Authors and editors with Web experience will be in more demand as online publications and services. Develop and become more sophisticated. Instruction manuals, guides, and training materials for the high-tech. And electronics industries will need to be created by technically adept copywriters. Who are also conversant with particularly specific topic areas.
