Author

Your Fit

Income

$72K

Preparation

Considerable

Growth

3.7%

Definition
Your fit with this career
How much they earn
What they do
Job satisfaction
How to become

What is an Author?

An Author is a professional who writes original content in the form of books, articles, scripts, or other literary works. They create works of fiction or non-fiction, often conveying stories, concepts, or insights that can inform, entertain, or provoke thought in readers.

Sample job titles:

Advertisement Agency Copywriter (Ad Agency Copywriter), Advertising Copywriter, Copywriter, Freelance Copywriter

Your test results

Why this fit score?

The fit report shows your areas of fit and misfit with Author.

Fit report

Test scores

The scores report summarizes what we learned about you. It shows your results on everything measured in the career test.

Scores report

How much does an Author earn

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, typical income (in USD) in 2024 was...

Bottom 10%	Bottom 25%	Median (average)	Top 25%	Top 10%
$41K per year	$53K per year	$72K per year	$98K per year	$134K per year

Compared to other careers: Median is $23K above the national average.

See income by country/state/province

What does an Author do?

Work environment

Authors typically work independently, which allows for a flexible work environment. They can work from home, in private offices, or in shared workspaces. Some authors travel for research or promotional events. The profession often involves irregular hours, including evenings and weekends, especially as deadlines approach.

Quick task list

Develops and organizes ideas for written works.
Conducts research to support writing projects.
Writes, edits, and revises drafts.
Collaborates with editors, publishers, and literary agents.
Promotes published works through interviews, book signings, and social media.

See full list of tasks with expert relevance ratings

Areas of specialization

Fiction Writing: Creating imaginative works, including novels, short stories, and poetry.
Non-Fiction Writing: Writing factual works such as biographies, self-help books, or historical accounts.
Scriptwriting: Developing scripts for movies, television, or theater.
Technical Writing: Producing detailed and specific content, often for instructional or informational purposes.
Freelance Writing: Writing various types of content for different clients on a project basis.

Description

Being an author requires a combination of creativity, discipline, and a passion for storytelling. Authors must be able to develop compelling narratives or informative content that engages readers. This process involves extensive planning, research, and the ability to organize complex ideas into coherent and captivating written works. Authors need to be self-motivated, as the nature of their work requires significant solitary effort and self-management.

The journey of an author often involves more than just writing. It includes revising drafts based on feedback, navigating the publishing industry, and marketing their work. Authors may work with agents and editors to refine their manuscripts and strategize on publication and promotion. With the rise of digital media, many authors also engage in self-publishing, which involves additional tasks like managing sales platforms and self-promotion.

The career of an author can be highly rewarding but also challenging. It offers the freedom to explore diverse topics and express creativity, but it also demands resilience in the face of rejection and criticism. Success in this field often requires persistence, adaptability, and a commitment to continuous improvement in writing skills.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

The creative freedom to express and share unique ideas and stories.
The fulfillment of seeing one's work published and appreciated by readers.
The flexibility and independence of managing one's work schedule and projects.
Opportunities for continuous learning and exploration of new topics.

You might make a good Author if you are...

Creative, with a passion for storytelling and expressing ideas through writing.
Self-disciplined, able to work independently and manage your own deadlines.
Resilient, capable of handling criticism and rejection constructively.
A strong communicator, both in written form and verbally for promotion and networking.
Committed to honing your writing skills and open to learning from feedback.

Pros:

Creative autonomy and the ability to bring your ideas to life.
Potential for flexible work hours and location independence.
The satisfaction of building a body of work that can influence or entertain others.
Opportunities for recognition and success in various forms, including financial rewards and critical acclaim.

Cons:

Income can be unpredictable and often depends on the market success of the work.
The writing process can be solitary and sometimes isolating.
Facing rejection from publishers or negative reviews from readers.
The need for self-promotion and marketing, which can be challenging for some authors.

How to become an Author

Typical education

There is no specific educational requirement to become an author. However, many successful authors have a bachelor's degree in English, journalism, communications, or a related field. Formal education can provide valuable writing skills and knowledge, but practical experience and a strong portfolio are often equally important.

High school preparation

Courses:

English Literature and Creative Writing to develop writing skills and understand different literary styles.
History and Social Studies for a broad perspective and content ideas.
Language Arts to hone grammar and comprehension skills.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Join or start a writing club to share and critique work with peers.
Contribute to school publications like newspapers, literary magazines, or blogs.
Participate in creative writing workshops or local writing competitions.

Preparation after high school

Pursue a bachelor's degree in English, Creative Writing, Journalism, or a related field.
Consider workshops, seminars, or courses in creative writing.
Gain experience through internships in publishing houses or literary agencies.
Build a portfolio of writing samples, and consider starting a blog or publishing work online.
Network with other writers and industry professionals at literary events or writer's conferences.

More resources

Writers Digest - Offers resources, workshops, and competitions for writers.
Poets & Writers - Provides a database of writing contests, literary magazines, and agents.
Goodreads Author Program - A platform for authors to promote their books and connect with readers.
National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) - An annual challenge that encourages writers to complete a novel in a month.

Similar careers

Similarity is based on what people in the careers do, what they know, and what they are called. The process of establishing similarity lists is described in this white paper.