Authors and Writers


Authors and writers plan, research and write books, scripts, storyboards, plays, essays, speeches, manuals, specifications and other non-journalistic articles for publication or presentation. They are employed by advertising agencies, governments, large corporations, private consulting firms, publishing firms, multimedia/new media companies and other establishments, or they may be self-employed.

Example Titles

advertising copywriter
copywriter
essayist
interactive media writer
novelist
playwright
poet
scientific writer
script writer
specifications writer
speech writer
technical writer
writer



Main duties

The following is a summary of main duties for some occupations in this unit group:

• Novelists, playwrights, script writers, poets and other creative writers conceive and write novels, plays, scripts, poetry and other material for publication or presentation and may conduct research to establish factual content and to obtain other necessary information.

• Technical writers analyze material, such as specifications, notes and drawings, and write manuals, user guides and other documents to explain clearly and concisely the installation, operation and maintenance of software and electronic, mechanical and other equipment.

• Copywriters study and determine selling features of products and services and write text for advertisements and commercials.
  Authors and Writers may specialize in a particular subject or type of writing.

Employment requirements

• Technical writers usually require a university degree in the area of specialization, such as computer science or engineering.

• Copywriters usually require a university degree or college diploma in French, English, marketing, advertising or other discipline.

• Creative writing programs are offered by universities and colleges.

• Talent and ability, as demonstrated by a portfolio of work, are important hiring criteria.

• Membership in a guild