Writing and Editing

During the mid-2020s, opportunities for writers and editors varied by industry. In 2024, IBISWorld estimated that the newspaper and magazine markets would continue to decline through 2030. However, during the same timeframe, the researcher indicated that growth was expected to occur in the book publishing market.

Even though many magazines and newspapers were transitioning from print to digital format, the overall loss of printed publications meant that editors would experience a 2 percent decline in employment between 2023 and 2033, according to the Department of Labor (DOL). During the same timeframe, the DOL predicted that employment opportunities for technical writers would increase 4 percent, while writers and authors would see employment rise by 5 percent.

Specialty is one factor that influences the opportunities available to writers. For example, in the United States, the market for medical writing was valued at $1.33 billion in 2023, according to Grand View Research. After reaching $1.45 billion in 2024, compound annual growth of 9.47 percent was forecast to occur through 2030, propelling revenues to $2.50 billion. Writers were needed in this sector to produce and shape content associated with applications and disclosures pertaining to the clinical trials of new drugs and medical devices.

Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) was disrupting many industries during the middle of the decade. Because this technology could produce and change content, it had implications for writers and editors, many of whom were concerned about being replaced. However, quality and accuracy were legitimate concerns in 2025. Coupled with the fact that human writers bring unique perspectives and insight to the writing and editing processes, it seemed unlikely that human professionals in these fields would face elimination anytime soon.

While technology-related job loss was a concern on one hand, related tools also were being used to help writers and editors improve their efficiency, quality, and skill. In October 2024, OpenAI unveiled a major update to its ChatGPT interface called Canvas. According to a related Dataquest article, the solution was "designed to enhance collaboration and creativity for writing and coding projects.” Suggesting edits was one of the major features of Canvas, which intended to help writers and editors improve tone, style, grammar, and flow, while also modifying documents to make them longer or shorter according to word count requirements. In July 2024, Verified Market Research estimated that the market for writing enhancement software was valued at $419.5 million in 2024. Following robust compound annual growth of 11.1 percent, this figure was forecast to reach $973.75 million by 2031.

Writing and editing opportunities in academia and the literary arts are also expected to stay as competitive and challenging as always. Academic writers are usually not paid by academic journals. The motivation to work in this arena is the prestige of being published in a well-known journal in the field. In a survey of academic writers conducted by the National Writers Union (NWU), almost 50 percent of academic writers stated that they made less than $2,000 per year for their writing. Most poets and fiction writers will also continue to face the challenges of being published. Some publishing companies prefer to see manuscripts from writers who have literary agents. Self-publishing, such as through vanity houses, continues to become a more attractive alternative for many writers, although it is not yet widely accepted as a legitimate channel among the traditional publishing industry.

Writers and editors are interested in sharing stories, educating or entertaining readers, and making sure what's written is accurate and clear. People write literary works because they love the act of creating. Unless they hold full-time jobs, many writers and editors must find other ways to make a living. Even famous literary writers teach at universities, teach writing workshops, and sometimes publish nonliterary work such as commercial magazine articles in order to pay their bills and support their families. Juggling the work to make ends meet can be challenging, but for many, it's well worth it.