Employers
There are approximately 45,860 writers and authors currently employed in the United States. About 10 percent of salaried writers and authors work in the information sector, which includes newspapers, magazines, book publishers, film companies, and radio and television broadcasting. Writers also work for advertising agencies and public relations firms and work on journals and newsletters published by business and nonprofit organizations, such as professional associations, labor unions, and religious organizations. Other employers are government agencies and film production companies. About 63 percent of writers and authors are self-employed.
Starting Out
A fair amount of experience is required to gain a high-level position in the field. Most writers start out in entry-level positions. These jobs may be listed with college career services offices, or they may be obtained by applying directly to the employment departments of the individual publishers or broadcasting companies. Graduates who previously served internships with these companies often have the advantage of knowing someone who can give them a personal recommendation. Want ads in newspapers and trade journals, in print and online, are another source for jobs. Few vacancies are listed with public or private employment agencies, however, because of the competition for positions.
Employers in the communications field usually are interested in samples of published writing, and usually prefer to see these samples in a digital portfolio. Bylined or signed articles are more credible (and, as a result, more useful) than stories whose source is not identified.
Entry-level positions as a junior writer usually involve library and Internet research, preparation of rough drafts for part or all of a report, cataloging, and other related writing tasks. These are generally carried on under the supervision of a senior writer.
Many firms now hire writers directly upon application or recommendation of college professors and career services offices.
- Actors
- Advertising Managers
- Animal Trainers
- Animators
- Antiques and Art Dealers
- Aromatherapists
- Art Directors
- Artist and Repertoire Workers
- Artists
- Auctioneers
- Audio Recording Engineers
- Augmented Reality Developers
- Automotive Dealership Owners
- Automotive Dealership Sales Managers
- Barbers
- Bed and Breakfast Owners
- Bloggers
- Book Conservators
- Book Editors
- Brewers
- Broadcast Engineers
- Camera Operators
- Cartoonists
- Caterers
- Chief Executive Officers
- Chief Information Officers
- Child Care Service Owners
- Choreographers
- Cinematographers and Directors of Photography
- Circus Performers
- Cleaning Service Owners
- Clowns
- Columnists
- Comedians
- Comic Book Writers
- Composers and Arrangers
- Computer and Video Game Designers
- Computer Programmers
- Computer Support Service Owners
- Construction Managers
- Content Management Specialists
- Copy Editors
- Copywriters
- Cosmetics Shop Owners and Managers
- Cosmetologists
- Costume Designers
- Dancers
- Desktop Publishing Specialists
- Diet and Fitness Writers
- Digital Advertising Workers
- Digital Agents
- Digital Designers
- Digital Marketing Workers
- Disc Jockeys
- Driving School Owners and Instructors
- Editorial Assistants
- Editorial Research Assistants
- Editors
- Edupreneurs
- Entrepreneurs
- Export-Import Specialists
- Farmers
- Fashion Illustrators
- Fashion Photographers
- Fashion Stylists
- Fashion Writers and Editors
- Film and Television Directors
- Film and Television Editors
- Film and Television Extras
- Film and Television Producers
- Film and Video Librarians
- Financial Planners
- Financial Services Brokers
- Food Photographers
- Food Writers and Editors
- Foreign Correspondents
- Franchise Owners
- Gallery Owners and Directors
- Grant Coordinators and Writers
- Graphic Designers
- Graphics Programmers
- Green Marketers
- Green Products Manufacturers
- Greeting Card Designers and Writers
- Gunsmiths
- Health Club Owners and Managers
- Home Stagers
- Illustrators
- Indexers
- Information Brokers
- Intellectual Property Lawyers
- Interior Designers and Decorators
- Internet Consultants
- Internet Content Curators
- Internet Developers
- Internet Executives
- Internet Marketing and Advertising Consultants
- Internet Quality Assurance Specialists
- Internet Security Specialists
- Internet Store Managers and Entrepreneurs
- Interpreters
- JavaScript Developers
- Journalism Teachers
- Lawn and Gardening Service Owners
- Lexicographers
- Life Insurance Agents and Brokers
- Lighting Technicians
- Literary Agents
- Live Streamers
- Magazine Editors
- Magicians
- Makeup Artists
- Market Research Analysts
- Marketing Consultants
- Marketing Managers
- Media Relations Specialists
- Medical Billing Service Owners
- Mobile Software Developers
- Motion Graphics Artists
- Motivational Speakers
- Multimedia Artists and Animators
- Multimedia Sound Workers
- Music Agents and Scouts
- Music Conductors and Directors
- Music Journalists
- Music Producers
- Music Venue Owners and Managers
- Music Video Directors and Producers
- Music Video Editors
- Musicians
- News Anchors
- Newspaper Editors
- Non-Fungible Token Artists
- Online Gambling Specialists
- Online Journalists
- Online Producers
- Personal Chefs
- Pet Sitters
- Photo Editors
- Photographers
- Photojournalists
- Playwrights
- Podcasters
- Political Columnists and Writers
- Political Reporters
- Political Speechwriters
- Pop/Rock Musicians
- Prepress Workers
- Production Assistants
- Production Designers and Art Directors
- Public Relations Managers
- Public Relations Specialists
- Publicists
- Radio and Television Announcers
- Radio and Television Program Directors
- Radio Producers
- Real Estate Developers
- Real Estate Writers
- Reporters
- Retail Business Owners
- Science and Medical Writers
- Screenwriters
- Search Engine Optimization Specialists
- Show Runners
- Singers
- Social Media Influencers
- Social Media Workers
- Software Application Developers
- Software Designers
- Software Quality Assurance Testers
- Songwriters
- Special and Visual Effects Technicians
- Sports Agents
- Sports Broadcasters and Announcers
- Sports Photographers
- Sportswriters
- Stage Directors
- Stage Managers
- Stage Production Workers
- Stunt Performers
- Talent Agents and Scouts
- Technical Writers and Editors
- Theater Managers
- Translators
- Typists and Word Processors
- User Experience Designers
- Video Game Art Directors
- Video Game Producers
- Video Game Testers
- Visual Interaction Designers
- Webmasters
- Wedding and Party Consultants