Writer
Comprehensive Sites
Bureau of Labor Statistics: Writers and EditorsYou can learn about the nature of the work associated with writing and editing, as well as earnings potential and the job outlook for different types of writers and editors. The latest national, state, and local earnings information can be accessed from separate links at the page.
CareerOneStop: WriterThe comprehensive occupational portal for a writer can be viewed from the links at the center of this page, which will take you to a video on becoming a writer, national salary data, and education and training of a writer.
Princeton Review: WriterA day in the life of a writer is described at the Princeton Review’s career site, where you can learn what you can expect in two, five, and after 10 years of employment. Links at the left side also connect you to information on salary potential, employers, and majors to select in college if you are interested in becoming a writer, graduate programs available, and internships.
Occupational Titles
Writer
Content Developer
Copywriter
Creative Writer
Grant Writer
Medical Writer
Proposal Writer
Technical Writer
Web Writer
Accredited Academic Programs
Princeton Review: Writer, College MajorsSince writers can study across a variety of undergraduate programs and be successful, you may want to look at the list of potential majors here. After selecting what interests you, click on “Schools Offering the Major” at the left of the page, to be taken to a comprehensive list of colleges nationwide.
Salary Levels
Indeed.com: Writer SalariesThe average salaries for writers nationwide can be seen at this page, as well varied average salaries of jobs with related titles.
PayScale: WriterPayscale’s site for writers provides a basic chart for the salary of a writer. You can change the chart by entering a job with a similar job title and view low, typical, and high salary expectancies.
Professional Organizations
American Society of Journalists and AuthorsThis organization helps professional freelance writers to advance their writing careers, whether experienced or just starting out as a writer. Members share information very candidly on their current rates, their contracts, editors, and agents. Check out all this site has to offer, including a newsletter, as well as exclusive access to job leads, a professional press card, and many other financial benefits and discounts that can be useful to you as a writer.
National Conference of WritersThis organization is composed of members who are newspaper, radio, television station, magazine, and internet contributors. Interesting departments include jobs, awards and contests, a newsletter, and online discussion group. A student membership is available for a low price and is open to college students enrolled in journalism or related programs where an interest in opinion writing is demonstrated.
National Writers’ UnionThe rights and economic interests of writers are protected by this union, which is a trade union for freelance writers, web content writers, and poets. You may be interested in learning about the organization’s job hotline, local chapter information, and legal information on writing as a freelancer, including copyright and contract advice that you may need to be familiar with before starting your career.
Poets and WritersPoets and Writers is a creative writer’s resource and offers support and guidance for those in the profession. One department answers the top ten questions writers often ask, and a directory of writers is available to members. The site offers a message forum, grants and awards for writers, and a connection to a current online issue of the organization’s magazine
Job Opportunity Sources
FreelanceWritingSeveral freelance job banks are available from this set of internet links, including freelance portfolio sites, a gateway to copywriting jobs, scriptwriting, online writing, and various other well-known databases. Simply click on your selection to be taken to the specific writing job portal.
Indeed.com: Writer JobsAll writer jobs available through Indeed.com can be viewed from these pages, where you can connect directly to a variety of nationwide job databases and individual private employer web sites to apply online for writing jobs.
Publications
Poets and WritersPoets and Writers is a creative writer’s resource and offers support and guidance for those in the profession. The online-only version contains direct quotes and interviews, article features, industry shorts, and a toolkit for researching graduate creative writing programs in the U.S., with descriptions of select programs and tips on how to apply to these schools. Several podcasts can be accessed where some writers present their work to you.
WriterAn online sample of the monthly magazine can be found at this website, where internet extras, writing resources, and forums are also available. A scriptwriting resource, writing tips, and advice on how to become a contributing editor are found.
Writer’s MarketThis is a very popular fee-based service and in-print publication, but offers a resource for managing the business side of writing. The goal is to learn how to sell what you write. With an online subscription, you get up-to-date listings of more than 6,000 market listings, a rate chart, and articles full of writing advice.
Online Forums & Blogs
American Society of Journalists and Authors: BlogsClick on the blog sites at this location, and you will be taken to personal blogs from the members of an important organization for writers.
Indeed.com: Writer ForumStart a discussion or post an answer in forums on how to be a great writer, get a writing job, and learn about salary.
Poets and Writers SpeakeasyThe Speakeasy forum is an active internet location specifically for creative writers and sponsored by a leading publication. After you register, you can find threads about poetry, fiction, awards, magazines, dealing with rejection, contracts, and publicizing your work are all available. You can connect with others with similar interests here and just talk about your day, or find other members’ websites.
Writer Magazine: ForumsThe forums of Writer Magazine are found here and available without membership. You can sound off about editors and the publishing process, or enter rooms and talk about the ethics of writing, freelancing as a business, grammar, and writing as a newsperson. A “Writers Information Booth” is a very active forum that will give you the opportunity to look at posts to boost your career, such as tips on structure, style, and ideas behind writing.
Career Videos
CareerOneStop: Writers and Author VideoThe video at his page can be viewed by clicking on your selection for media player, after which you can learn about writing jobs across industries, as well as the most important qualifications you need to have a rewarding profession as a writer.
CollegeGrad.com: Technical WriterIf you like to explain how things work, then you might be interested in a technical writing career. The training and experience needed in this particular writing field is explained in the video, as well as what you can expect in terms of job outlook.
