Writers produce a variety of types of creative work, including:

• novels
• short stories
• non-fiction
• feature articles for newspapers and magazines
• children's books
• plays
• poetry 
• material for radio, television and film.

They may choose their subject matter based on personal interest or be given assignments by agents or publishers.

They research, plan, draft and revise their work before submitting it to a publisher, either unsolicited or usually through an agent.

Established writers may also attend book signings, readings and discussions of their work or run workshops for other writers.

Hours and Environment

You will work on a self employed, freelance basis and will choose your own hours, although you may have to work to deadlines. Only a small percentage of writers make a living from writing, and you are likely to have to do other work to supplement your income.

Skills and Interests

To be a writer you should:

• have literary skills
• be self disciplined and highly motivated
• have perseverance and determination
• be happy working alone for long periods
• be able to accept criticism objectively
• have excellent research skills
• be able to meet deadlines
• have keyboarding skills
• be able to market and promote your work.

Entry

To succeed as a writer you do not necessarily need academic qualifications. You will need to be able to come up with ideas that will sell, to have good research skills and to be able to express ideas in a style suited to the intended audience. You may also need specialist knowledge, depending on the type of writing. It can be an advantage in some types of writing if you have experience in journalism .

There is a wide choice of courses for new writers, ranging from workshops to degrees and postgraduate courses. You can find out what is available by contacting your local college, university or adult education centre or by checking:

• The Writers' Handbook and The Writers' and Artists' Yearbook 
• the Writernet website
• the National Association of Writers in Education websites.

Please see the Further Information section for links to the websites. The Writers' Handbook and The Writers' and Artists' Yearbook have lots of useful information for writers. They are published annually and are available in bookshops or in local reference libraries

Some courses can be studied by correspondence, and you can do residential courses on all aspects of writing with advice from experienced writers through the Arvin Foundation in Inverness-shire, Shropshire, Devon and West Yorkshire. Please see Further Information for contact details.

Attending courses will help you to gain writing skills, but will not guarantee that you will be a successful writer, as talent and creativity cannot really be taught.

You might find it useful to join local writers' groups for support and feedback on your work.  Your local library may have details of these, or you could try contacting your local Regional Arts Board (see the Arts Council website in Further Information for contact details) or using an Internet search engine.

Training

Books
You can download a factsheet on getting your work published from the Booktrust website. This includes a list of books about writing and getting published which you should be able to find in your local library.

For fiction and general non-fiction, most publishers will only consider noncommissioned work if you submit it through an agent. You can find lists of agents and details of how to submit your work in both The Writers' Handbook and The Writers' and Artists' Yearbook.

For most other types of writing, you may find it easier to approach publishers direct. it is important that you research which publishers are likely to be interested in your work. You can find contact details for the major publishers and their main areas of interest in the two books mentioned above.

You will usually be expected to submit one or two sample chapters and an outline of the complete work. You are likely to have to wait several months for a reply, and need to be prepared for the possibility of rejection or not receiving a reply.

Radio and Television 
You can find information on writing and submitting scripts for radio, TV and film by visiting the BBC Writersroom website. Please see Further Information for a link.

Many writers for TV and radio have gained experience in theatre. You can find a list of theatres willing to look at unsolicited work on the BBC Writersroom website.

There is intense competition for TV work for both original commissions and working on existing soaps and series. It will be useful if you have a track-record in another area, for example having a radio or stage play performed, but it can be difficult to get producers or broadcasters to look at your work if you do not have an agent. The Writers' and Artists' Year Book has details of agents who will consider unsolicited material.

Opportunities

Some authors work freelance on a piece by piece basis. Others are commissioned and may receive a financial advance and royalties. There are opportunities for authors to increase their earnings and exposure through literary competitions and prizes; some institutions also offer awards, bursaries and fellowships.

It is possible for authors to supplement their writing with teaching and lecturing. They may also extend their range of commissions through the broadcast media.

Published authors may apply to the trade union, the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain, for membership. See the Further Information section.

Some authors promote their work through their own websites.

Annual Income

Only a small percentage of writers live entirely on their earnings from writing.

Freelance writers negotiate and agree a set fee for each piece of work.

The Writers' Guild negotiates minimum rates for TV, radio, film and some theatre. Details of these are on the Guild's website (see Further Information section).

There are no collective agreements between writers and publishers as there are with broadcasters, producers and theatres, so the Writers' Guild does not negotiate rates of payment for book writers.

Further information

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