Writers and Editors
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Writers and Editors
Do you like to write? Are you good with words? The available career paths for writers are numerous. The career education information presented here will help you learn more about career paths as a writer or editor, the job outlook, the education required, and the career opportunities.
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Learn more in the career education information listed below:
- Job Description
- Employment
- Job Outlook
- Related Occupations
- Working Conditions
- Education, Training & Qualifications
- Salary Expectations
- Associations, Resources & Accreditation
Overview
- Most jobs require a college degree either in the liberal arts - communications, journalism, and English are preferred - or a technical subject for technical writing positions.
- Competition is expected to be less for lower paying, entry-level jobs at small daily and weekly newspapers, trade publications, and radio and television broadcasting stations in small markets.
- Persons who fail to gain better paying jobs or earn enough as independent writers usually are able to transfer readily to communications-related jobs in other occupations.
Job Description
Writers and editors communicate through the written word. Writers and editors generally fall into one of three categories. Writers and authors develop original fiction and nonfiction for books, magazines and trade journals, newspapers, online publications, company newsletters, radio and television broadcasts, motion pictures, and advertisements. Technical writers develop scientific or technical materials, such as scientific and medical reports, equipment manuals, appendices, or operating and maintenance instructions. They also may assist in layout work. Editors select and prepare material for publication or broadcast and review and prepare a writer's work for publication or dissemination.
Nonfiction writers either select a topic or are assigned one, often by an editor or publisher. Then, they gather information through personal observation, library and Internet research, and interviews. Writers select the material they want to use, organize it, and use the written word to express ideas and convey information. Writers also revise or rewrite sections, searching for the best organization or the right phrasing. Reporters and correspondents - including newswriters, columnists, and editorial writers.
Creative writers, poets, and lyricists, including novelists, playwrights, and screenwriters, create original works - such as prose, poems, plays, and song lyrics - for publication or performance. Some works may be commissioned (at the request of a sponsor); others may be written for hire (based on completion of a draft or an outline). Copy writers prepare advertising copy for use by publication or broadcast media, or to promote the sale of goods and services. Newsletter writers produce information for distribution to association members, corporate employees, organizational clients, or the public. Writers and authors also construct crossword puzzles and prepare speeches.
Technical writers put scientific and technical information into easily understandable language. They prepare scientific and technical reports, operating and maintenance manuals, catalogs, parts lists, assembly instructions, sales promotion materials, and project proposals. They also plan and edit technical reports and oversee preparation of illustrations, photographs, diagrams, and charts. Science and medical writers prepare a range of formal documents presenting detailed information on the physical or medical sciences. They impart research findings for scientific or medical professions, organize information for advertising or public relations needs, and interpret data and other information for a general readership.
Many writers prepare material directly for the Internet. For example, they may write for electronic newspapers or magazines, create short fiction, or produce technical documentation only available online. Also, they may write the text of Web sites. These writers should be knowledgeable about graphic design, page layout and desktop publishing software. Additionally, they should be familiar with interactive technologies of the Web so they can blend text, graphics, and sound together.
Freelance writers sell their work to publishers, publication enterprises, manufacturing firms, public relations departments, or advertising agencies. Sometimes, they contract with publishers to write a book or article. Others may be hired on a job-basis to complete specific assignments such as writing about a new product or technique.
Editors review, rewrite, and edit the work of writers. They may also do original writing. An editor's responsibilities vary depending on the employer and type and level of editorial position held. In the publishing industry, an editor's primary duties are to plan the contents of books, technical journals, trade magazines, and other general interest publications. Editors decide what material will appeal to readers, review and edit drafts of books and articles, offer comments to improve the work, and suggest possible titles. Additionally, they oversee the production of the publications.
Major newspapers and newsmagazines usually employ several types of editors. The executive editor oversees assistant editors who have responsibility for particular subjects, such as local news, international news, feature stories, or sports. Executive editors generally have the final say about what stories are published and how they are covered. The managing editor usually is responsible for the daily operation of the news department. Assignment editors determine which reporters will cover a given story. Copy editors mostly review and edit a reporter's copy for accuracy, content, grammar, and style.
In smaller organizations, like small daily or weekly newspapers or membership newsletter departments, a single editor may do everything or share responsibility with only a few other people. Executive and managing editors typically hire writers, reporters, or other employees. They also plan budgets and negotiate contracts with freelance writers, sometimes called "stringers" in the news industry. In broadcasting companies, program directors have similar responsibilities.
Editors and program directors often have assistants. Many assistants, such as copy editors or production assistants, hold entry-level jobs. They review copy for errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling, and check copy for readability, style, and agreement with editorial policy. They suggest revisions, such as changing words or rearranging sentences to improve clarity or accuracy. They also do research for writers and verify facts, dates, and statistics. Production assistants arrange page layouts of articles, photographs, and advertising; compose headlines; and prepare copy for printing. Publication assistants who work for publishing houses may read and evaluate manuscripts submitted by freelance writers, proofread printers' galleys, or answer letters about published material. Production assistants on small papers or in radio stations compile articles available from wire services or the Internet, answer phones, and make photocopies.
Most writers and editors use personal computers or word processors. Many use desktop or electronic publishing systems, scanners, and other electronic communications equipment.
Employment
Writers and editors held about 305,000 jobs in 2000. About 126,000 jobs were for writers and authors; 57,000 were for technical writers; and 122,000 were for editors. Nearly one-fourth of jobs for writers and editors were salaried positions with newspapers, magazines, and book publishers. Substantial numbers, mostly technical writers, work for computer software firms. Other salaried writers and editors work in educational facilities, advertising agencies, radio and television broadcasting studios, public relations firms, and business and nonprofit organizations, such as professional associations, labor unions, and religious organizations. Some develop publications and technical materials for government agencies or write for motion picture companies.
Jobs with major book publishers, magazines, broadcasting companies, advertising agencies, and public relations firms are concentrated in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Boston, Philadelphia, and San Francisco. Jobs with newspapers, business and professional journals, and technical and trade magazines are more widely dispersed throughout the country.
Thousands of other individuals work as freelance writers, earning some income from their articles, books, and less commonly, television and movie scripts. Most support themselves with income derived from other sources.
Education, Training & Qualifications
A college degree generally is required for a position as a writer or editor. Although some employers look for a broad liberal arts background, most prefer to hire people with degrees in communications, journalism, or English. For those who specialize in a particular area, such as fashion, business, or legal issues, additional background in the chosen field is expected. Knowledge of a second language is helpful for some positions.
Technical writing requires a degree in, or some knowledge about, a specialized field - engineering, business, or one of the sciences, for example. In many cases, people with good writing skills can learn specialized knowledge on the job. Some transfer from jobs as technicians, scientists, or engineers. Others begin as research assistants, or trainees in a technical information department, develop technical communication skills, and then assume writing duties.
Writers and editors must be able to express ideas clearly and logically and should love to write. Creativity, curiosity, a broad range of knowledge, self-motivation, and perseverance also are valuable. Writers and editors must demonstrate good judgment and a strong sense of ethics in deciding what material to publish. Editors also need tact and the ability to guide and encourage others in their work.
For some jobs, the ability to concentrate amid confusion and to work under pressure is essential. Familiarity with electronic publishing, graphics, and video production equipment increasingly is needed. Online newspapers and magazines require knowledge of computer software used to combine online text with graphics, audio, video, and 3-D animation.
High school and college newspapers, literary magazines, community newspapers, and radio and television stations all provide valuable, but sometimes unpaid, practical writing experience. Many magazines, newspapers, and broadcast stations have internships for students. Interns write short pieces, conduct research and interviews, and learn about the publishing or broadcasting business.
In small firms, beginning writers and editors hired as assistants may actually begin writing or editing material right away. Opportunities for advancement can be limited, however. In larger businesses, jobs usually are more formally structured. Beginners generally do research, fact checking, or copy editing. They take on full-scale writing or editing duties less rapidly than do the employees of small companies. Advancement often is more predictable, though, coming with the assignment of more important articles.
Job Outlook
Employment of writers and editors is expected to increase faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2010. Employment of salaried writers and editors for newspapers, periodicals, book publishers, and nonprofit organizations is expected to increase as demand grows for their publications. Magazines and other periodicals increasingly are developing market niches, appealing to readers with special interests. Also, online publications and services are growing in number and sophistication, spurring the demand for writers and editors. Businesses and organizations are developing newsletters and Internet websites and more companies are experimenting with publishing materials directly for the Internet. Advertising and public relations agencies, which also are growing, should be another source of new jobs. Demand for technical writers and writers with expertise in specialty areas, such as law, medicine, or economics, is expected to increase because of the continuing expansion of scientific and technical information and the need to communicate it to others.
In addition to job openings created by employment growth, many openings will occur as experienced workers retire, transfer to other occupations, or leave the labor force. Replacement needs are relatively high in this occupation; many freelancers leave because they cannot earn enough money.
Despite projections of fast employment growth and numerous replacement needs, the outlook for most writing and editing jobs is expected to be competitive. Many people with writing or journalism training are attracted to the occupation. Opportunities should be best for technical writers and those with training in a specialized field. Rapid growth and change in the high technology and electronics industries result in a greater need for people to write users' guides, instruction manuals, and training materials. Developments and discoveries in the law, science, and technology generate demand for people to interpret technical information for a more general audience. This work requires people who are not only technically skilled as writers, but also familiar with the subject area. Also, individuals with the technical skills for working on the Internet may have an advantage finding a job as a writer or editor.
Opportunities for editing positions on small daily and weekly newspapers and in small radio and television stations, where the pay is low, should be better than those in larger media markets. Some small publications hire freelance copy editors as backup for staff editors or as additional help with special projects. Aspiring writers and editors benefit from academic preparation in another discipline as well, either to qualify them as writers specializing in that discipline or as a career alternative if they are unable to get a job in writing.
Salary Expectations
Median annual earnings for salaried writers and authors were $42,270 in 2000. The middle 50 percent earned between $29,090 and $57,330. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $20,290, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $81,370. Median annual earnings were $26,470 in the newspaper industry.
Median annual earnings for salaried technical writers were $47,790 in 2000. The middle 50 percent earned between $37,280 and $60,000. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $28,890, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $74,360. Median annual earnings in computer and data processing services were $51,220.
Median annual earnings for salaried editors were $39,370 in 2000. The middle 50 percent earned between $28,880 and $54,320. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $22,460, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $73,330. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of editors were as follows:
- Computer and data processing services $45,800
- Periodicals $42,560
- Newspapers $37,560
- Books $37,550
Related Occupations
Writers and editors communicate ideas and information. Other communications occupations include announcers; interpreters and translators; news analysts, reporters, and correspondents; and public relations specialists.
Associations, Resources & Accreditation
For information on careers in technical writing, contact:
- Society for Technical Communication
For information on union wage rates for newspaper and magazine editors, contact:
Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2002-03 Edition, Writers and Editors, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/
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