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Authors write books, articles, essays, plays, or other original literary works for their readers' enjoyment or information, or to express personal feeling and individual experience.

JOB DUTIES 

Authors may:

Choose or be assigned topics or themes in such areas as fiction, nonfiction, drama, or poetry

Research planned work

Develop such factors as characterization, theme, plot, order, story line, poetic form, and use of the stage

Collect and edit notes

Write a draft

Rewrite the work until it is in its final form

Submit the work for publication, production, or public reading

Confer with the publisher about manuscript changes

Free-lance Authors (self-employed) must also market their work

The equipment and materials used may include:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

Authors may specialize in these areas:

131.067-038 PLAYWRIGHTS write plays, such as comedies, tragedies, for stage presentation depicting events from the imagination or from real life. They not only write the dialogue but also describe the action to be followed during enactment of the play. They may revise scripts during rehearsals.

131.067-050 SCREEN WRITERS write scripts for motion pictures and radio and television programs. They may also prepare advertising copy for spot announcements from material submitted by sponsors.

131.067-026 HUMORISTS write amusing articles for publication or for specific occasions. They may specialize in writing comedy routines, gags, or special material for entertainers, and are called Gag Writers. Those who write comedy shows for radio and television are designated as Comedy Writers. Humorists also write short fiction for periodicals.

131.067-042 POETS compose narrative, dramatic, or lyric verse for magazines, books, or other publications, choosing their own subject matter and form. They may write humorous or serious verse about specified themes for special assignments or for syndicated columns to be used in daily newspapers. When Poets write words to be sung or spoken to the accompaniment of music, they are called lyricists. Poets reach live audiences by giving public readings at schools and colleges and in lecture series.

131.067-030 LIBRETTISTS compose texts for operas, musical plays, or extended choral works, fitting words to music composed by others.

052.067-010 BIOGRAPHERS describe in narrative form the career or part of the life of an individual. They assemble material from news accounts, diaries, personal papers, correspondence, and other written accounts and talk with associates and relatives of the individual.

131.067-046 FICTION AND NONFICTION WRITER

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following MOIScripts:

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Authors working for others may be supervised by another writer, an editor, a publication chief, or a company official. Most are self-employed and are responsible to others only when they contract to write a particular piece.

Authors usually work in clean, well lighted, well ventilated areas in offices or their own homes.

An Authors work schedule varies depending on whether the Author is self-employed or not. Those employed by others generally work a 5-day, 40-hour week with occasional overtime to meet deadlines. Self-employed Authors set their own working schedules. In some cases, they may have to travel to research a project and have to provide their own transportation. Self-employed Authors must furnish their own writing supplies and equipment and pay for duplicating and mailing services.

Many Authors join clubs or associations such as, the National Writers Club, the Society of Authors' Representatives, Inc., and the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP). Members must pay periodic dues. Some require proof of professional status for membership. Writers for screen, television, and radio can belong to the Writers Guild. The Authors Guild represents published writers of books, poetry, articles, short stories, and other literary works. These groups help protect the work of the members through copyright and represent them in bargaining for contracts.

Less experienced members may be accepted by other groups such as The National Writers Club and The Writers Alliance. There are also groups that represent specialties such as science fiction and romance writers.

You Should Prefer:

• Activities concerned with the communication of ideas and feelings

• Activities of an abstract and creative nature

• Receiving satisfaction from seeing the results of self-initiated work

• Activities resulting in esteem from others

You Should Be Able To:

• Think logically

• Know the meanings/relationships of words and use language skillfully

• Read analytically and have a retentive memory

• Understand concepts of argumentation/theme/character/plot/tone/form

• Interpret feelings, ideas, and facts from an individual viewpoint

• Make decisions in your work based on both personal judgment/research

• Identify with others and their experiences

• Direct written work to a particular audience

• Use library skills to research important data

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

Your publisher has asked you to write a 400 page novel and he is giving you six months in which to write it. How many pages will you write a week on the average to ensure that the novel will be written in six months?

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

Your publisher has asked you to write a journal on the different theories about what happened to the stock market during the depression. You will need to read and understand stock market terminology in order to create an accurate account of those theories.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

Write a biography about the life of John Smith.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

Thinking creatively is required. You are asked to write a children's book. Considering the age and interests of your young readers, what will be your main focus?

Self-employed Authors should learn to understand the appropriate tax provisions and be able to keep accurate financial records.

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EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: A High School Diploma or Equivalent or an Associate Degree (two years of study beyond high school) or a Bachelor's Degree (four years of study beyond high school) or A Master's Degree (five to six years of study beyond high school) may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in the MOIScript:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 1000 COMPUTERS , 1300 ENGLISH , 2100 LITERATURE , 2200 MATH

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

There are no Vocational Education Programs related to this MOIScript

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

059 ENGLISH & LITERATURE

Programs in English and Literature provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills needed for employment involving the communication of ideas. Besides traditional careers in teaching and writing, training in English and Literature may be valuable in preparation for careers in law, medicine, and business. Individuals who teach English and Literature at the secondary school level must have a Michigan Teaching Certificate.

Courses within this program will vary but may include:

  Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

There are no Apprenticeships related to this MOIScript

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***

Please check the Military web site at http://www.myfuture.com

BROADCAST JOURNALISTS AND NEWSWRITERS

The military publishes newspapers and broadcasts television and radio programs for its personnel and the public. These news services are an important source of general information about people and events in the military. Broadcast journalists and newswriters write and present news programs, music programs, and radio talk shows.

What They Do

Broadcast journalists and newswriters in the military perform some or all of the following duties:

• Gather information for military news programs and publications

• Write radio and TV scripts

• Develop ideas for news articles

• Arrange and conduct interviews

• Collect information for commercial media use

• Select photographs and write captions for news articles

• Write news releases, feature articles, and editorials

Work Environment

Broadcast journalists and newswriters work in broadcasting studios on land or aboard ships, or sometime outdoors, depending upon the research needed for their articles.

Training Provided

Job training consists of 9 to 12 weeks of classroom instruction. Course content typically includes:

• Newswriting and research

• Newspaper format and layout

• Photojournalism (writing news stories featuring pictures)

• Radio and television programming and production

Physical Demands

Normal color vision and the passing of a voice audition are required for some specialties in this area.

Helpful Attributes

Helpful school subjects include English, journalism, speech, typing, and media communications. Helpful attributes include:

• Ability to keep detailed and accurate records

• Interest in researching facts and issues for news stories

• Ability to write clearly and concisely

• Strong, clear speaking voice

Civilian Counterparts

Broadcast journalists and newswriters work for newspapers, magazines, wire services , and radio and television stations. Their duties are similar to those performed by military journalists and newswriters. They may be employed as newscaster, disc jockeys, writers, directors, producers, editors, or correspondents.

Opportunities

The military has about 1,800 broadcast journalists and newswriters. On average, the services need about 130 new broadcast journalists and newswriters each year. After job training they research news stories and music programs. Eventually, they may become editors or editorial assistants or managers of broadcasting stations.

E-Learning Courses and Programs

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OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

Some of the ways to gain experience in this field are working for a school newspaper or other school publications, submitting your articles or stories to publishers, self publishing and taking college courses in English and literature as well as the technical aspects of writing radio and television scripts, screen plays, short stories, novels, poetry and stage plays.

School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships

mentorships

job shadowing experiences

touring a local Author employer

internships

volunteer work with an Author employer

community service work with an agency

Authors working for others usually get their jobs by applying directly to employers. College placement offices may give some assistance in finding these positions. To become a Free-lance Author, an individual must write and submit articles, scripts, poems, stories, or books and have them accepted for publication. Some free-lance Authors of longer works such as books, plays, and television scripts submit material through agents who also may seek additional assignments for writers they represent. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:

Michigan Talent Bank

Michigan Jobs & Career Portal  

Classifieds Employment  

Yahoo! Careers

MONSTER.COM  

You should enter your electronic resume on these on-line services.

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EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Earnings of Authors vary widely, depending on their popularity and public acceptance of their work, the type of writing, and the publisher.

Nationally, in 1998, the median annual earnings of Authors were $40,924. Theatrical writers paid flat deals may receive from $45,490 to $85,330 for an original screenplay, including treatment (excluding treatment is less)(1999).

Earnings for television prime time writers who were union members vary according to the length of the program (1999):

Those writing for other than network prime time receive less.

Payment for magazine articles and stories varies from $ .10 to $ .20 cent per word to a rate of $1.00 or more per word. For work by a well-known Author, top magazines may pay $600 to $4,000 for an article. Writers of celebrity interviews for large national magazines may receive up to $10,000 for each article. Serial magazines may pay flat rates of $200 to $3,000 or more for an article or story.

Authors may earn $25.00 to $3,000 for giving public readings, depending on popularity. Many Authors find teaching positions to provide income for themselves. Others supplement their salaried income by doing free-lance work.

Authors who write books receive about 10% of the selling price of their books as royalties. However, royalty arrangements may vary between publishers and authors. Average sales of books are about 5,000 copies, although bestsellers may sell millions. Authors of paperback originals may receive payment against royalties of $5,000 and additional royalties of $20,000 or more if the book is popular.

Authors working for others may receive paid vacations and holidays; sick leave; life, accident, disability, and hospitalization insurance; and retirement plans. Free-lance Authors must pay the full cost of any benefits they have.

Authors generally advance after gaining additional experience and education. A possible career ladder for Authors working for magazines may be Author, editor and publications director.

Free-lance Authors do not have a specific career ladder. How far they advance in their career depends on their writing ability, the type of writing they do, their ambition and output, and the acceptance of their work by publishers. Most free-lance Authors would consider that they have reached their peak when they are sought after by publishers to write in their areas of interest and receive good financial returns.

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EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

Approximately 137,000 Authors were employed nationwide in 1997. In addition to those working full time, many other individuals write on a part-time basis or in their spare time. Employment is expected to increase about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2006. Editors are constantly looking for high quality writers. Television has opened up a vast area for playwrights and other types of Authors. Cable TV is continuing to grow and now reaches over 50% of the American audience, therefore all broadcasters will spend more money on non-sports shows/programs to remain competitive. With increasing amounts of leisure time in future years because of shorter working hours, technological advances, and longer vacation periods, it is probable that opportunities for good writers will increase with cable TV and studios that syndicate their programs nationally.

The number of Authors in Michigan is unknown, however many worked for educational institutions, businesses, theater and motion picture companies, and governmental agencies.

Employment of Authors is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2005. Openings will occur because of replacement of Authors who retire or leave the labor force for other reasons. Some additional openings will occur to replace Authors who change jobs or occupations.

Because of the U.S.A. population growth, there will always be a market for material from Authors with talent for communicating ideas. However, Authors may find difficulty placing material. Publishers may be overstocked with unpublished contributions, may be short of funds, or may select material for particular issues or topics.

MICHIGAN'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2005

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Printed Occupational information is available upon written request from sources below.

SUMMARY PROFILE

The occupation of Author can be summarized by the following:

MOISCRIPTS are Copyright 2003, Michigan Department of Career Development