Writers and Authors: Career & Application Guide

What do writers and authors do?

Originate and prepare written material, such as scripts, stories, advertisements, and other material.

This describes a U.S. occupation, not a live vacancy. Individual employers may use different titles and requirements.

O*NET reports these titles for this occupation. Compare the responsibilities in each posting before treating titles as equivalent.

Write fiction or nonfiction prose, such as short stories, novels, biographies, articles, descriptive or critical analyses, and essays.
Revise written material to meet personal standards and to satisfy needs of clients, publishers, directors, or producers.
Present drafts and ideas to clients.
Edit or rewrite existing written material as necessary, and submit written material for approval by supervisor, editor, or publisher.
Conduct research to obtain factual information and authentic detail, using sources such as newspaper accounts, diaries, and interviews.
Vary language and tone of messages based on product and medium.
Write articles, bulletins, sales letters, speeches, and other related informative, marketing and promotional material.
Write advertising material for use by publication, broadcast, or internet media to promote the sale of goods and services.
Write to customers in their terms and on their level so that the script, story, or advertisement message is more readily received.
Prepare works in appropriate format for publication, and send them to publishers or producers.

Check the employer’s requirements, location, schedule and any licenses against your situation.
Choose two or three tasks above that match the posting and your actual experience.
Build a resume evidence worksheet using the skills and software relevant to that employer.
Practice explaining your contribution, decisions and results before an interview.

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