how many years of education to become a writer

What education do writers have?

Bachelor's degree, degree level, what level of education do writers have.

Writers often have similar levels of education. 72% of writers have a bachelor's degree, with the second most common being a certificate or associate degree at 26%.

Level of education that writers have

How Long Does It Take To Become A Writer?

To become a librarian, you might be wondering how long it take to become a professional writer this article briefs about how much time you could spend on learning the skills and professionalism..

Updated by TCM Staff on 6th June 2020

6th June 2020

Writing is a hobby for few and a passion for the few. At some point, your hobby could turn out as a serious concern and you might want to take up this as your profession. Writing is an art of playing with words and portraying the ideology with phrases. 

A writer is a skilled individual who puts across their ideas, thoughts into poems, articles, sayings, stories and other forms of scripts. Prospective students who aim at  becoming a good writer can follow the specific steps, various degree levels to enhance their knowledge in writing.

The time you should invest in becoming a writer depends on the career path you choose and your interest. In this article we will discuss two methods of becoming a writer and how long it takes to become a professional.

How long does it take to become a good writer?

There are two paths to become a professional writer, one being the formal method and second being the informal method. 

If you are interested in getting employed at an organization, you must meet the education requirements through formal education. Whereas, if you want to become an independent writer, you must opt the informal method which we will discuss in detail further. 

Formal method of becoming a writer

From the employers perspective, a master’s degree is the minimum degree required to become a writer which could take about 5-6 years to meet the required standards. 

Under this, students who are interested in working as a writer at an organization choose to obtain required education based on what the employer expects. 

First, you could earn an Associate’s degree in English or a Bachelor’s degree in English by spending 2-4 years to obtain education and complete coursework such as business communication, english literature, creative writing, advanced composition, journalism or communication. and editing.

Earn a Master’s degree in Writing which is a 2 years program  to get in-depth knowledge on the creating writing, word emphasis, professional writing and other specializations. Also, other majors you could choose are literature, Fine arts, creative writing  and other. 

A Ph.D takes about 3-5 years which emphasis on composition, creative writing and literature. You are required to conduct research work and write a thesis to complete this program and usually suitable for those who aim at becoming writing scholars, educators at the university level. 

Informal method becoming a writer

Some candidates choose to adopt this method where there are no necessary educational requirements but your experience plays an important role. Hence, becoming a writer informally depends on how much time you take to deliver the quality your readers expect. 

However, to establish yourself as an independent writer in the industry, you must connect with publishers, present your writings in the newspapers and other media. Also, gaining experience by posting your articles on social media, trying guest posting, publishing your work in magazines and building your contacts will help you build a bright future. 

If you feel the lack of technicality in your articles, you could enroll in courses which provide professional skills in writing and composition. Earning certification by writing in areas such as fiction, film writing, grant writing helps you become unique as well as increasing your demands.

In the recent years, there is an increased demand for writers who possess technical skills as the digital marketing is blooming, use the online media as a mode to convey your thoughts which will enhance your skills as well as improve your writing.

To write better, you could also use the effective tips to become a good writer to frame better compositions and become more marketable in the competitive world.

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From Aspiring to Accomplished: How to Become a Writer

Understanding the Numbers When reviewing job growth and salary information, it’s important to remember that actual numbers can vary due to many different factors — like years of experience in the role, industry of employment, geographic location, worker skill and economic conditions. Cited projections do not guarantee actual salary or job growth.

If you have a strong love for language and have decided to make the writer's life your own, then you’ve chosen a profession that offers a wealth of opportunities, flexibility and creative license.

Professionally, you have the option to pursue full-time positions with companies that offer the security of a regular paycheck and benefits or strike out on your own as a freelancer. You can even combine the two pathways, building a diverse resume  that can make you more marketable and allow exploration into new styles of writing.

That's what Joie Gibson '15 '18G did.

Gibson, who teaches English composition courses at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) while also working as an academic advisor, has built a professional portfolio that includes three years as a contributing writer for a magazine and six years as a policy and procedure writer and editor. She's also edited a handful of novels. Gibson recently became the advisor for the Creative Writing Review Club at SNHU.

How did she get her start, though? And how can you become a writer, too?

How Do I Start a Career as a Writer?

A career in writing allows you to make a living from your own unique creative process. It can also take you in any number of different directions — from travel blogging and email marketing to writing a novel or screenplay. Whether you choose to write on behalf of an employer or put your own creations out there for others to enjoy, writing can take you far.

Because there are so many directions you can take as a writer, there are also many ways to get started.

"I knew I needed to build my body of published works, so I reached out to (a Dallas, Texas, magazine) and simply asked if they would consider publishing one of my poems," she said. "... I explained I was a grad student and needed to be published to advance my career."

That outreach led to an even better opportunity. The magazine was looking for a regular short story contributor. "Would I be interested? Would I? Most definitely," Gibson said. "Short stories are what I write!"

When she later learned of a writing position in the mortgage industry, she took a copy of the magazine that published her stories to the interview.

"Before I could even change out of my interview suit, they called and offered me the job," Gibson said. "They said it was the magazine work that sealed the deal."

But as with any career, it’s important to consider the potential challenges you might face as you set out into the world of professional writing.

Navigating the Obstacles

While good writers are in demand, getting your name out there and establishing your expertise can take time and persistence — and sometimes rejection.

Finding a way to balance the stressors of the job is important.

“Appreciate the other aspects of a writing career — the intellectual stimulation, the creative growth and the flexible schedule,” Yerks said.

Looking for the positives of being a writer can be especially important at the outset of your career as you work toward publication. Gaining clients, drafting proposals, cold emailing or finding a publisher willing to take a chance on your debut novel can take time.

New York Times bestselling fantasy author, Brandon Sanderson , isn’t shy about sharing the long road he had to travel to publish his first book.

“I wrote 13 novels before I sold 'Elantris,' which was my sixth … It took about eight years of dedicated writing and being rejected,” he said in an interview with The Penmen Review.

Romance author Emma Chase had to go through multiple rejections before selling her first novel, and for Mia Siegert , author of “Jerkbait,” it took 208.

Finding the best ways to deal with the challenges of the writing world will be a process unique to the individual. Think about what is important to you as a professional and what kind of lifestyle you want to enjoy. Connect the dots and determine the road that will allow you to balance the two as you advance in your chosen career.

Picking a Niche

One of the best ways to set yourself up for success as a professional writer and maintain your equilibrium is to establish your authority in a specific niche.

A major concern new writers can have is what kind of writing to pursue. While you want to open yourself up to as many potential clients or employers as possible, you need to determine what areas you will be able to write most effectively within. Decide whether the wide range of topics tackled by generalists is for you, or if your experience with distinct subjects, such as information technology (IT) or mental health, would be the better option.

While she's since moved into other writing arenas, choosing a niche she had a background in helped Mildon establish her writing career.

"Find an area/topic that you love to write about or can easily become an expert in, such as technology, finance, entertainment," she said. "Having this level of expertise gives you a leg up on the competition."

You may run into the issue of selecting a niche that a lot of other writers are interested in. Popular areas to write about, such as video games or movies, can be very competitive as a result.

“This is because there are always lots of people out there willing to write about fun, popular culture topics for low pay, but not as many who can tackle a dull industry-specific topic, meet a deadline and tolerate extensive revisions,” Yerks said.

When Gibson worked in the mortgage industry, she reviewed 800 new, updated or rewritten documents annually that reflected changing laws.

"While the content was a bit dry, it was a great way to hone my editing skills," she said. "I was able to use my developmental editing skills as well as my line and copy editing skills." And although she spent her days writing within a niche, she didn't lose sight of her personal work.

If you're just getting started as a writer, she recommends thinking outside of the box. "Policy and procedure writing is not something I ever would have considered," Gibson said. "It pays well, though, so you can support yourself while you work on your creative writing."

Experiencing different potential areas to specialize in can be an enjoyable way to learn about your personal creative process as well as how to break into the niches that make the most of your skills. The transitory nature of many writing jobs offered on a gig basis can allow you to maintain a part- or full-time job while using your free time to select a niche, build a portfolio, hone your skills and earn some money.

Gaining Experience

Write to grow your craft and your portfolio and your audience. Write for yourself, but also seek opportunities to get your writing in front of others.

"As you gain experience, paying gigs will come," Mildon said. "You may have to have a less 'creative' job while you gain that new experience."

She recommends starting a blog and taking advantage of websites such as Medium , a digital publisher with millions of collaborators.

You can also volunteer your time and talents to other organizations. You never know where opportunities can take you. Mildon volunteered as a writer and editor for Coffee House Writers, and in 2022, she acquired the organization. She now manages more than 40 writers and editors.

Mildon also recommends equipping yourself with some tech skills, particularly as they relate to using content management systems (CMS), such as WordPress. "If you can know how to do basic article writing and posting in (WordPress), that can help you learn and more easily navigate some more complex CMS," she said.

It's hard work to become a writer, and Mildon said it can sometimes be a lonely process. It's important to seek out a community — be it through school, local organizations or online writing groups.

"Make sure you have some sort of support group to keep encouraging you along the way," she said.

How Can I Improve My Writing Skills?

If you're wondering how to become a better writer, your mind is in the right place. Writing is an art: One that needs development and refinement. To break into writing as a profession, or to keep pushing forward, continuing to develop your craft can only benefit you.

Mildon believes that discipline can help. "Write every day, even if it’s just a couple hundred words," she said.

She also recommends reading the type of writing you want to do. "Read both well-written and badly-written stories," she said. "Now consider what makes that story good or bad and how that applies to your own style."

Storytelling is another key skill to hone as a writer, and Mildon believes that ongoing learning of any kind helps. "Whether it’s learning a new language, how to cook a soufflé or learning a new word a day, keeping mentally stimulated will not only help keep you sharp, but improve your storytelling in unexpected ways."

Gibson echoes this formula for improvement: "Keep writing. Keep reading. Keep learning," she said. And she also believes you must be self-motivated, organized and dedicated to your work.

Study Writing

While much of writing relies on creativity and practice, a formal education is exceptionally helpful.

“It’s important to have a degree in writing or English because you’ll learn how to write properly and get practice writing in all different forms,” Yerks said. “You also need a degree so that people will respect what you do and feel confident about hiring you.”

If you're interested in a bachelor's degree , consider one of these programs:

• Creative writing degree : Within a creative writing program, you could take classes that explore the publishing industry and literary theory, and you can add a concentration in fiction, nonfiction, poetry or screenwriting.
• English degree : Bachelor's degrees in English are also reading and writing-intensive, allowing you to dive deep into a range of literary works. With concentrations such as professional writing, you could gain skills geared to help you succeed in business  — particularly within roles such as editing, copywriting and technical writing.
• Communication degree : Though they are a natural fit, you aren’t restricted solely to English or creative writing programs. If you’re interested in working in public relations  or journalism, look into a communication program that would expose you to these topics and the forms of writing practitioners in these fields use. Consider courses focusing on specific styles, like technical writing.

Mildon believes her bachelor's degree helped pave the way for her career change .

"My degree from SNHU not only expanded my mind and improved my writing, but it led me to a wonderful internship  that led me to online content writing," she said. "I wasn’t sure how I would make a living when I began, but after the internship and an enlightening nonfiction class, I found my way."

Also look ahead to the options offered at the graduate level, such as an MFA in Creative Writing , especially if you have your sights set on becoming a novelist.

When Emily Jones '20MFA first began her MFA at SNHU, she was nervous and wondered whether she belonged in the program. But as soon as she started interacting with her instructors and peers, she was met with kindness and positivity.

"I feel uniquely qualified to be both a writer and an educator and a freelancer in a way that I didn't before this program because I was given not only the theory but the practical tools to succeed," she said.

One of the greatest benefits you may find by taking college courses is the variety of critical approaches you’ll engage with and how the elements of effective writing have evolved over time. Understanding these concepts can influence your creative development in powerful ways.

How to Make Money with a Writing Career

Once you’ve chosen what kind of writing you want to do, then it comes time to figure out what job will allow you to pursue it. You may already have this figured out, but if not, explore different options that fit into your niche:

• Audience Development : "If you’re great at researching, audience development is a great way to use those skills while learning what kinds of topics attract readers," Mildon said. Work in this role can also introduce you to technical skills such as search engine optimization (SEO) and metrics tools, such as Google Analytics, according to Mildon, that are essential if you aspire to work in content writing.
• Author : Whether you want to be the next Dan Brown or make a name as a biographer or historian, releasing books can be a satisfying way to make the most of your writing skills. With the rise of digital media and the e-book, there are multiple avenues to publishing. You can team up with a publishing house or break with the traditional methodology and self-publish. How lucrative becoming an author is depends on a number of factors tied to the success of your work, but the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports a median annual wage of $69,510 in 2021.*
• Author's Assistant : As you write your book with dreams of seeing it published, working as an author's assistant can give you a window into the publishing industry. Gibson is an assistant to Lisa Edmonds , the author of the "Alice Worth" series. "This gives me a chance to make connections in the industry," Gibson said. "I put together her newsletter every month and have even gone to author conventions with her."
• Content Writer/Copywriter : Both content writers and copywriters are professionals sought out for their skill in tackling a diverse range of writing projects that often seek to promote a business and enhance marketing efforts. They can wear many hats, particularly those who work on a freelance basis, finding themselves involved in public relations campaigns, marketing and advertising strategies, website development, consulting on content strategies for blogs and writing case studies. If this interests you, find out how you can become a copywriter .
• Editor : From novel manuscripts to newspaper articles and web content, editors are an important part of the publishing world. A strong understanding of language and the ability to revise written copy in order to maximize its potential are the bread and butter of this career. Additionally, editors can find work through traditional employment as well as on a freelance basis. BLS gauged a median annual income of about $63,350 in 2021.*
• Fact-checking : As a fact-checker, you could help writers and brands save face through some serious research skills and may even assist them by updating their work. "If you’re great at finding reliable information, a detail-oriented person or just strive for accuracy, fact-checking is perfect," Mildon said.
• Screenwriter : From the small to the silver screen, screenwriters use the power of their writing to create visual and auditory experiences. Whether they’re writing a major blockbuster or a mid-season episode for a soap opera, these writers are the creative engines of the film industry. Here are five tips for writing a screenplay .
• Teaching : Share your passion and knowledge with the next generation of writers as a teacher. Whether you're teaching English language arts to high school students or leading creative writing workshops at the college level, educators are in a position to inspire students, nurture talent and encourage goals.
• Technical Writer : These writers specialize in composing instruction materials or communications, such as guides, manuals, white papers and case studies. While the style is less creative than what is used in many of the other jobs writers can pursue, technical writing projects are typically on the higher end of the pay scale, making for a profitable way to build your career as a writer. The BLS reported a median annual income of $78,060 .*

How to Become a Freelance Writer

Some writers turn to freelance work to help pay the bills, either in a part-time or full-time capacity. If you want the freedom to build your own schedule and clientele, you may seek freelance opportunities yourself.

As you're searching for work, professional networking is key .

"Your connections could lead to your next freelancing gig," Mildon said. "Besides being the owner of your freelancing business, you’re your own marketing and PR department. Be prepared to market your skills often."

If you choose the freelance route, familiarize yourself with the following:

• Basic accounting and bookkeeping
• Time management strategies

"Make sure you learn the business aspects of freelancing," Mildon said. "You are your own boss; therefore, you are your own business."

A degree can change your life. Find the SNHU liberal arts program  that can best help you meet your goals.

*Cited job growth projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth. Actual salaries and/or earning potential may be the result of a combination of factors including, but not limited to: years of experience, industry of employment, geographic location, and worker skill.

Rebecca LeBoeuf ’18 ’22G is a writer at Southern New Hampshire University. Connect with her on LinkedIn .

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About southern new hampshire university.

SNHU is a nonprofit, accredited university with a mission to make high-quality education more accessible and affordable for everyone.

Founded in 1932, and online since 1995, we’ve helped countless students reach their goals with flexible, career-focused programs . Our 300-acre campus in Manchester, NH is home to over 3,000 students, and we serve over 135,000 students online. Visit our about SNHU  page to learn more about our mission, accreditations, leadership team, national recognitions and awards.

How to Become a Writer: Going From Hobby to Career

By c.s. lakin.

How do you become a writer? After thirty years of writing and publishing dozens of books , and sharing more than one million words of instruction via blogging, here’s my easy answer:

Practice. Practice writing. It’s really that simple.

If you wanted to be a gardener, would you just sit at your kitchen table flipping pages in a seed catalog? Or look at pretty pictures of flowers on Pinterest? No, you would get into the dirt and dig. You have to put some muscle into the effort to get those plants in the ground and growing. Reading about gardening is only going to get you so far.

It’s the same with writing .

You can read myriads of craft books that teach structure and technique. And you should—because just writing isn’t going to teach you what you need to know. But the reading will only take you so far. You need to write.

Table of Contents

How to Get Started as a Writer

First, realize you are already a writer. You probably write every day, whether via text messaging, email, or sharing thoughts on social media.

Now, just expand your horizons.

• Write in a journal
• Write poetry (even bad poetry)
• Write about your dreams and fears
• Write about some crazy character that popped into your head
• Write down your dreams and vividly describe what you remember (try to transport your imaginary reader into the world of your dream)

If you can’t think of what to write about, use prompts. There must be a gazillion writing prompts online, and they can be so fun, the exercises might just inspire your next short story or novel.

Here are a few recommended sites you can check out:

• Poets & Writers
• Writing Prompts That Don’t Suck
• 365 Writing Prompts

Think of your writing creativity as a rusty old farm pump . You crank the heavy steel handle up and down, and finally some dribbles of ugly brown water come out. Sure, it’s undrinkable. But if you keep at it, eventually the flow will increase, clear and fast.

Now … you’re a writer … because writers write, and that’s what you’re doing. But what next? How to take your writing to the next level? Is practice enough?

No, it’s not. So here’s the not-so-easy answer.

Why You Want to Become a Good Writer

You know the argument—if you give a bunch of monkeys a room full of airplane parts, no matter how many years they mess around with those parts, they are never going to accidentally (or strategically) build a functioning aircraft.

To build a plane, you have to not only have all the pieces; you have to have a blueprint. That’s not to say you must have a blueprint to write something worthwhile. I can write a wonderful bit of prose off the top of my head. But that doesn’t mean I have created a masterpiece—or anything worth sharing with someone else.

Chances are you are thinking about becoming a writer because you not only love to write, you yearn for readers. Writing comes full circle when others read our work.

The greatest satisfaction writers have is completing that circle—sharing their writing with readers and getting feedback from them .

When our readers love our writing, we find a deep sense of fulfillment. I can attest to this.

Not a week goes by when someone doesn’t email me or post a review of one of my books or reach out to me via my website or social media to tell me what a powerful impact my writing has had on them. I’ve had people tell me my writing has turned their life around, pulled them out of depression and into joy, and made them fall to their knees in gratitude for their blessings.

I wish I had compiled all the hundreds of comments I’ve received over the years.

If this is what you long for as a writer, you need to grab your writing by the horns and wrestle it to the ground .

You need to see your writing time as the precious commodity it is—time taken away from family or sleep or other pursuits that clamor for your attention. Toni Morrison, a single mom with two kids, used to wake before dawn and write. Then she woke her boys, sent them off to school, and worked two jobs. Her writing meant that much to her.

She could have made excuses and not gotten the writing done. It’s not easy carving out time—at least for some. Imagine if she could have stayed home and written all day long. I wonder, though, if our writing is much better when it’s done with the awareness of how rare and coveted the opportunity is.

All this to say: If you long to be a writer, then write .

Make the time. Cherish the time. Make it count.

What are the 3 Considerations to Becoming a Successful Writer

Everyone has a different definition of success. Some people churn out what many consider garbage and make a great living at it. Others write on issues they are passionate about, hoping to spur readers into specific action. Still, others don’t care about making any money but just want to tell a great story and share it with the world.

Anne Lamott says in her wonderful book Bird by Bird about aspiring writers:

“They kind of want to write, but they really want to be published.”

However, she notes,

“Publication is not all that it is cracked up to be. But writing is.”

Regardless of your motivation to become a successful writer, these three considerations will help you reach your dream.

1. Approach your desire to be a writer the same way you would any other vocation.

Whether you want to be a designer of cakes, dresses, or software, there is a learning curve. Pair the practice with serious study, and you’ll make progress. Consider buying some books on grammar and composition.

Challenge yourself to learn to write (and even diagram!) a perfect sentence. But don’t get so neurotic that you become paralyzed (See Step 2). Take online writing courses —many are free or inexpensive. You don’t have to get a college degree in writing (I never completed my undergraduate program as an English major), but taking excellent classes in both composition and literature will help immensely.

Make a habit of writing every day. Write anything—just write! Set an alert on your calendar for your daily writing time, then stick with it. Even twenty minutes a day will get that rusty, clogged creativity flowing like a refreshing stream.

Read widely. Don’t just read the same old books you always read. Stretch yourself .

If you only read fiction, dip into nonfiction: memoirs, history, sociology, and science. If techy manuals are your thing, spend some time with your nose in a classic sci-fi novel or a murder mystery. Listen, you don’t have to spend a penny .

Your local library has more books than you could read in a million lifetimes (and many have online ebook lending). Free Kindle and iBooks apps make reading portable and accessible. Thousands of free ebooks are available for download on Amazon. You don’t even have to get up from your couch.

Join Bookbrowse . It’s a terrific curator of books of all kinds, and you can read excerpts and search by multiple terms (genre, theme, time period, etc.). Fall back in love with reading.

But don’t just read. Study what you’re reading .

Pay attention to how the writing makes you feel, what emotions or thoughts it evokes. Tear apart what you read to see how the author made those chapters intriguing. This oft-quoted phrase is true: “Easy reading is hard writing.”

So is this saying: “Anything worth doing at all is worth doing well.” Be prepared to work.

2. Avoid the trap of perfectionism.

In Camus’s famous novel The Plague , Joseph Grand, a clerk in the municipal government, spends so much time in the quest for a “flawless” manuscript, he finds himself stuck.

He explains to Dr. Rieux:

“Evenings, whole weeks, spent on one word, just think! Sometimes on a mere conjunction! I’d like you to understand, Doctor, I grant you it’s easy enough to choose between a ‘but’ and an ‘and.’ It’s a bit more difficult to decide between ‘and’ and ‘then.’ But definitely the hardest thing may be to know whether one should put an ‘and’ in or leave it out.”

To this, the unflappable Dr. Rieux responds, “Yes, I see your point.”

Grand works on one sentence throughout the novel. Needless to say, he doesn’t get very far. And his book never gets written. Don’t be like Grand.

Perfectionism is often what we do because we are afraid .

This leads to my next point…

3. Fear is overrated.

“Fear is the mind-killer.”

I’ve always wanted to use that line from Dune. May as well finish the litany because it’s worth memorizing:

“Fear is the little death that brings total obliteration .

I will face my fear.

I will permit it to pass over me and through me.

And when it has gone past, I will turn the inner eye to see its path.

Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.”

Do you really want to be a writer? If so, then fear needs to be put in its place . It is a nuisance and sabotages you with its slings and arrows. Afraid to pursue writing because maybe someone, somewhere will laugh at you? Give you a bad review? Tell you your writing is awful? Join the club.

Let’s peek inside the room full of authors who’ve received scathing reviews. Here are a few I see milling around the dessert table: Ernest Hemingway, Margaret Atwood, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Harper Lee, Aldous Huxley, Jack Kerouac … wow, it’s so crowded in there, I can’t tell if the cake is all gone.

Afraid your poems or play or novel or memoir will get rejected by agents? Here’s another club you can happily join if you get some rejection letters.

All these authors were basically told their work was so bad, they should give it up:

• James Joyce
• William Golding
• Agatha Christie
• Joseph Heller
• Tony Hillerman

… Hmm. I can’t even get my foot in the door, it’s so jam-packed with authors. What does this tell you about fear?

Maybe if you look at rejection as a badge of honor instead of a fatal humiliation, you will be able to face your fear and let it pass over you .

Sure, rejection hurts.

But face this truth: you will never please everyone with your writing .

Just as you love some authors’ works and dislike others, so too some people will love what you write and others may not. Having a humble, teachable attitude will serve you well on this journey to become a writer. One of the best thematic quotes is from my favorite movie Strictly Ballroom : “A life lived in fear is a life half lived.”

How to Tell if You’re Improving

Photo by Jen Theodore on Unsplash

At some point, you’ll wonder if you’re improving in your writing. While your friends or family members might be happy to give you feedback, they often aren’t knowledgeable enough to give you the insights you need. Or they’ll hesitate to be honest, especially if your writing falls far short of brilliant.

So how do you find the best people to read your writing? Critique groups are often full of well-meaning writers, but you need to realize that there is a difference between professional coaching and personal opinion. Everyone is happy to give suggestions, but not all suggestions are going to work for you.

One author friend complained to me how she tried to apply every suggestion her critique group gave her, which turned her book into a disastrous mishmash. Her insecurity assured her they knew best, so instead of trusting her gut and feeling confident about her story structure, she defaulted to others.

If you can afford to hire a writing coach (or enroll in an online critique group that has a writing coach facilitating), that’s where you’ll likely get the best feedback, as well as hand-holding as you work on making improvements .

But, here too, you have to use discretion, for writing coaches have different methods and approaches. Before committing to a long-term relationship, give the coach or editor a test run on a small project or a chapter or two.

If you can’t afford a coach or editor to give you feedback and direction, try to find someone who reads what you write and who is willing to be honest and encouraging .

If you’re writing your first murder mystery, find groups or forums online (Facebook groups, for example) where your target readers linger. Or post that you are looking for readers.

Ask these readers to tell you what they liked or didn’t like about your piece.

• What confused them?
• What needed elaborating?
• What seemed missing?
• What moved or bored them?

Again, you have to take all the advice you get with cautious scrutiny. But, chances are, you’ll get some feedback that will help you see your strengths and weaknesses and what needs work where.

Pay special attention to multiple comments regarding the same issues .

If three or more readers point out the same problem passage, you can safely assume it needs reworking. Once you’ve received insightful and useful criticism, work hard to make improvements. Check your ego at the door.

You are not your work. Don’t take it personally. Develop a hard shell.

You won’t survive a writing career otherwise.

How to Break into Writing as a Career?

That depends on what kind of writing you plan to do. If you hope to make money blogging for Fortune 500 companies, for example, you’ll want to have your own blog. You can start guest blogging on top sites, maybe at first for free, to build up a portfolio and a reputation.

If you plan to freelance by writing articles for e-zines or trade journals or do technical or web copy, start sending queries into the marketplace. Sites like Make a Living Writing list gobs of places to query, or you can join sites like Online Writing Jobs and Freelance Writing .

The Writing Cooperative has a great 3-month plan to help you create a writing portfolio. If you’re interested in becoming a book author, consider attending conferences (either in person or via live summits).

Honestly, in this day and age, you don’t ever have to leave home to learn everything you need to know about becoming a great writer and building a successful career. There is a plethora of blogs, podcasts, online courses, along with books on craft and career and marketing .

Read and study best sellers in your niche genre, targeted to your audience.

And then follow my simple advice: practice .

Practice may not make perfect , but it sure makes better .

One page at a time.

And that’s how to become a writer .

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Bachelor degree programs, master degree programs, doctorate degree programs, how to become a writer: education and training requirements for becoming a professional writer.

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Do you dream of becoming a Writer? There are many kinds of Writers, including journalists, screenwriters, novelists and technical writers. Professional Writers usually hold bachelor's degrees in English, Journalism or Communications. Some technical writers have an undergraduate degree in technical writing. No matter what type of professional Writer you dream of becoming, you should develop strong computer skills and gain experience writing whenever you can.

Professional Writer Career Summary

While many people write as part of their job, professional Writers are those who receive pay for their work. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), www.bls.gov , there are two main types of writers. First, there are Writers and authors who develop nonfiction and fiction for newspapers, magazines, online publications, moves, radio, television and books. These Writers are often labeled by the kind of writing they do, such as novelists, screenwriters and reporters. Second, there are technical writers who document products, usually technology products such as software and computer programs. Often working with technical personnel such as computer programmers and engineers, technical writers translate technical information so that it may be understand by a general audience.

Education Required to Become a Professional Writer

In general, a college degree is required to be professional Writer, according to the BLS. Some employers prefer those with a Bachelor of Arts in English, Journalism or Communications, while other employers look for a broad background in the liberal arts. For Writers who wish to specialize in an area, such as healthcare or business, a degree or coursework in that field is helpful. Those who wish to become technical writers can obtain a Bachelor of Science in Technical Writing, although many technical writers have undergraduate degrees in the liberal arts. All professional Writers need to have strong computer skills; many writers do research on the Internet as part of their work and transmit their work via email.

Job Training and Certifications Required to Become a Professional Writer

Those who are considering a career as a professional Writer can gain invaluable experience working for high school and college newspapers, radio stations and television stations. Some newspapers, magazines, radio stations and TV stations offer internships for college students. It is also possible to transfer from other jobs to a writing position. For example, engineers and scientists with writing skills can move into jobs as technical writers.

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How to Become An Author: A Step-by-Step Guide

Discover how to become an author in our step-by-step guide.

I wanted to become an author since I was five, but I didn’t take writing books seriously until my thirties. I spent far more time talking about writing than writing. It was only after learning how to write every day that I finally wrote and published my first book.

Since then, I’ve written several books and interviewed dozens of authors about their process, including New York Times best-selling authors. I’ve self-published multiple books and co-wrote a USA Today best-seller.

I discovered many people say they have a book inside of them, but few commit time, energy and resources and turn their idea for a great book into a published work. 

That’s a shame because it’s easier than ever to become an author today. The tools are more affordable and readily available than ever. Aspiring authors don’t need permission from an agent or publisher either. Furthermore, becoming an author enables many writers to earn a good living from what they love, but it starts with writing that first book. 

In this article, I explain how you can become an author faster based on my experiences and talking to other authors who find success.

1. Read Widely

2. learn the art of storytelling, 3. write a little every day, 4. write short stories and blog post, 5. take a creative writing class, 6. pick a genre, 7. research your book, 8. select your book writing tools, 9. set a deadline, 10. outline your book, 11. write a rough draft, 12. track your wordcount, 13. finish your drafts, 14. learn how to self-edit, 15. hire a professional editor, 16. face your fears, 17. try self-publishing, 18. hire a book cover designer, 19. avoid letting perfectionism halt your writing career, 20. sell your book, the final word on how to become an author, how much does an author get paid, what qualifications do you need to become an author, does an author make good money, what is the best time to publish a book.

As a writer, your free time is often best spent reading rather than streaming the latest hit show on social media. Successful authors spend hours each week reading books inside and outside their comfort zone. 

These authors study what works in these books to understand their preferred genre or niche conventions. They also develop their skills by questioning what doesn’t work inside of best-selling books. Many authors describe writing out sections of books they love by hand so they can understand how the author wrote. 

This type of analytical rigour helps creatives develop a writing voice. Stephen King said about the importance of reading for authors: 

“If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have the time — or the tools — to write. Simple as that.”

Reading books about the craft can also acquire the skills you need for the genre in question. For inspiration, check out our list of the best writing books .

Fiction authors understand how important it’s to hook readers’ attention from the first few pages. They spend hours learning how to show rather than tell and create memorable characters who jump to life off the page. They create characters who want something and change fundamentally as the story progresses.

Successful non-fiction authors do more than impart information and research to readers. Consider Malcolm Gladwell. He’s as famous for research as he is for telling captivating stories that entertain and inspired. 

Storytelling is more important than any writing skill, including grammar and line editing. You can learn this skill by taking writing courses or by reading some of the best books about stories. I particularly enjoyed the storytelling seminar by Robert McKee and his books on the same topic.

For help with stories, read our storytelling guide .

If you’re worried your book writing skills aren’t good enough, work through your reps. The more sentences you write, the stronger your command of language will become. The more clichés you terminate, the better you’ll become at editing.

Rather than trying to write your book for hours at the weekend, work on it a little every day. Any aspiring author can find fifteen or thirty minutes to work on their first drafts and book outlines before or after work. 

Remove time-sinks like reading the news, consuming social media or streaming the latest show on Netflix. These small writing sessions quickly accumulate. If you need help, a good set of writing prompts can trigger a productive writing session.

The more chapters you write, the better you’ll be at articulating stories and ideas. And the more books you finish, the more you’ll know how to write a book. And the next book. And the next.

Every aspiring author should write either short stories or blog posts before tackling a fiction or non-fiction book. A book averaging 50,000 words can take months to write and edit, but you can write a short story in a few days or over a week, as they are only several thousand words long. 

These smaller writing projects offer aspiring authors a chance to explore different types of writing, genres and niches. They also help cultivate a writing habit of starting and finishing creative projects. 

You can publish the short story on Wattpad, submit it to a writing contest, or potentially expand it into a novel or a book. Even if you never publish it, consider it a type of writing practice that improves your storytelling skills.

Non-fiction authors should write several blog posts or articles about the topic of choice and publish them on social media platforms like Medium. They can explore their thinking and get feedback from readers and editors before spending months writing a book.

Learn how to get paid writing short stories.

Wanting to become an author can feel like a strange writing goal if you’re not spending much time in the company of other creatives. You don’t need to spend thousands of dollars on an MFA or a degree in creative writing to connect with other creatives, either. 

Spending a few weeks or months in the company of aspiring authors may inspire you to work harder on your craft. They can also hold you to account and offer feedback on your early drafts and book ideas. What’s more, you could form connections with future professional authors.

I took creative writing classes at the Irish Writer’s Centre in Dublin a few years ago. Several students went on to become published authors with traditional book deals.

A good author understands what readers expect from them. For example, James Patterson doesn’t attempt to write literary prose because his audience is more concerned with page-turning thrillers. Similarly, Malcolm Gladwell doesn’t write self-help because he understands his audience prefers story-telling combined with research. Popular fiction genres include:

• Thrillers 
• Science-fiction
• Speculative fiction
• Modern literature
• Action and adventure
• Children’s books

Popular non-fiction genres include:

• Memoirs and autobiographies
• Business 
• Pop psychology

Identify the best-selling books and authors in your preferred and ask yourself what they’re doing that readers love. Figure out an ideal target audience for the genre in question. How old are they, what sex and what other books do they like? 

What do they expect from a book in this genre? After all, thriller readers don’t care much for the latest magic or tech found in fantasy and science-fiction books! Including or excluding certain conventions will dictate the quality of book reviews later on.

For help, read our guide to book genres .

Book research is a vital part of the creative process. Fiction authors can travel to locations or settings they want to include in their books and take pictures and videos. Or they can use Google maps and a good travel book if they are short on time and budget. 

Non-fiction authors can interview subject matter experts about their topic of choice. Consider using a service like Descript or Rev for transcriptions to save time with interviews. These book interviews demonstrate credibility and also improve the quality of the book. They can also serve as material for blog posts and articles promoting the book in question. 

However, avoid letting research become a form of procrastination whereby you endlessly hunt for better ideas and information. At some point, an author has to turn their notes into words.

A good writing app can help you plan, outline, write and edit a book quickly and easily. Scrivener is perfect for long-form writing, as you can drag and drop sections of a book. I also like using Grammarly for book editing, although it’s not a replacement for a proofreader. Vellum is a good choice for laying out a book, but it’s Mac only. 

Read our guide to the best grammar checkers .

You can quickly write a book using a standard word processor like Microsoft Word or Google Docs. Remember, hitting a daily word count and publication date is more important than any tool. So pick one that suits your writing style and budget and stick with it until done.

Professional authors hold themselves to account with deadlines. They pick an ideal publication date and work backwards. James Patterson, for example, publishes several books a year and relies on contracts with his publishers and his audience’s expectations. 

If it’s your first book, break it down into smaller milestones you can tick off one by one. You could pick a target date for finishing your book’s first act and a date for sending a draft to an editor. 

While setting these deadlines, block book time in your calendar for writing the book each day. Ideally, you’ll work on it simultaneously so that writing becomes a daily habit and not a chore. Allow room for error when setting deadlines, too—plan for holidays, work and life events.

Some writers are plotters. They like outlining and planning extensively in advance, as this process saves them time. Other authors like writing from the seat of their pants, whereby they turn up and see where the muse and their characters lead them. 

If you’re the former type of author, outline a book using index cards. They’re cheap and don’t have a learning curve or need Wi-Fi! I drafted an entire book previously using about 50 index cards. Each represented a chapter for the book and contained the key points I’d write about. The best mind-mapping software can help authors who are more visually-inclined

I use outlining as I can arrange the key ideas for a book chapter using bullet points. I can move them around and fix the structure of a chapter without worrying about line edits during an early draft. Outlining also works well for authors who dictate early drafts. 

Read our guide to the best outlining software .

The job of a first draft is to exist. Don’t worry about grammar errors, typos and other mistakes. Instead, focus on getting the words out of your head and onto the blank page as quickly as possible. Ernest Hemingway famously said:

 “The first draft of anything is shit.” 

Focus on writing the book’s first draft as quickly as possible, so you’ve something to work with and shape into a book during the revision process. 

Consider dictating the first draft using software like Dragon. It’s possible to dictate thousands of words per hour without stopping to fix typos and other mistakes. An author could dictate their book while out for a walk, tapping into the benefits of exercise and creativity. Prolific authors like PD Woodhouse famously outlined their stories using a voice recorder and gave their notes to a secretary to typos up. 

For help, learn how to practice dictation.

Writing a book is one part creative and another part hard work. Oliver Stone once said, “Writing is butt in the chair.”

Becoming an author is easier if you hold yourself to account by tracking your daily output. For most writers, this type of quantification involves keeping track of a daily word count. 

Do this in a spreadsheet or notebook. That way, you can realistically evaluate your daily output and if you will hit those deadlines. Review your production once a week and assess if you’re turning up often enough in front of the blank page.

During the editing process, consider changing what you track to time spent working on the book rather than a daily word count. The editing process involves condensing, clarifying and revising rather than hitting an arbitrary word-count goal daily.

It’s easy to start a book draft, but it’s much harder to finish writing it. However, authors must learn the value of persistence. After completing a book draft, you’ll have something to show to beta readers and an editor. 

By finishing, you can become the kind of author who thinks of an idea, fleshes their idea out, edits, rewrites, polishes and rewrites some more, then presses publish. That takes guts.

The editing process often isn’t as gruelling as writing that painful first draft, either. Feedback is invaluable. It’s your chance to learn how to become a better writer. Neil Gaiman said about the importance of finishing book drafts:

“Whatever it takes to finish things, finish. You will learn more from a glorious failure than you ever will from something you never finished.”

For help, check out our list of first draft examples .

After finishing a book draft, let it sit for several days or even weeks. It’s best to separate writing and editing as they engage different brain parts.

When you’re less attached to your book draft, read through the draft in one or two sittings marking it up with annotations. Identify what structural changes the piece needs first and rewrite accordingly. 

Condense, clarify and revise. Ensure each chapter draws on the five senses and has compelling hooks or stories so that it hooks readers. 

While revising the first time, don’t worry about typos and grammar mistakes. You can fix these during later drafts once the book’s structure is set. Later, look for sections with readability issues and consider if you’ve overused words and clichés.

Check out our list of manuscript editing software .

A good book editor helps with revising, restructuring and proofreading your book. Best to involve them earlier in the book writing process than you think. They will save you time on rewrites and provide valuable advice for your writing career. You can send them book chapters or acts as you finish them rather than at the end. 

Plus, many good book editors have a waiting list and may not be able to review a draft for weeks or even months and not when you finish it. You can find a book editor using a service like Reedsy.

Typically, an author should budget for a developmental editor who works on the book’s structure. They’ll also need a line editor or copy editor who will fix sentence structure and grammar issues. Finally, they’ll need a proofreader to spot typos and other mistakes. That said, it’s possible to commission one editor who can complete all these services as part of a single package. 

Expect to pay one to three thousand dollars depending on the length of your book, genre, and the work required.

Most authors have many unpublished works on their computers and know more about disappointment than success. Stephen Pressfield , the author of many best-sellers, including the War of Art , tried to become an author for years. He said:

“We must do our work for its own sake, not for fortune or attention or applause.”

Writing is personal and not something you can fake or dial in. If you want to finish writing your book, you’ll fail at some point. For help, learn more about conquering common writing fears .

Some aspiring authors worry about what will happen after they publish a book. How will friends and family react? One new writer emailed me to say she worried about what would happen if she became famous. She wrote:

“I want to tell stories, and I want people to read them and get joy and satisfaction from them; I just don’t want to become a subject under a microscope!

Worrying about how those around you will react to your book is natural. It’s normal to wonder what will happen if you become known for being a writer.

Well, it’s impossible to please everyone, so if some people aren’t comfortable with your success, that’s their problem. If you succeed, you’ll discover a new side to yourself and your craft, which will only enrich your life.

After all, you will regret not having the courage to see your ideas and your book through later. So hold through to your values, and finish writing that book. 

Years ago, a young writer had to learn how to write a book, find an agent, and land a book deal. Traditional publishing is tough to break into when starting out with no name recognition.

Nowadays, you can write and self-publish a book on Amazon, Kobo and Act for several hundred dollars. Technically, you can do it for free, but I’d recommend budgeting for working with an editor, proofreader, and cover designer.

Self-publishing a book will teach you how the process works and help you discover the types of titles you want to write in the future. It may even land you a traditional book publishing deal, as happened with Hugh Howie, author of Wool and E.L. James, author of Fifty Shades of Grey .

If you’re exploring self-publishing, consider what formats you’ll create. For example, many non-fiction authors earn more money from audiobooks than Kindle books. Similarly, fiction authors can earn more from print copies. 

For inspiration, read our profile of famous authors who self-published .

A good book cover is a primary driver for book sales. Best not to skimp on it. Hire a professional book cover designer who can create a compelling cover relevant to your genre. 

As many readers buy books online, your cover must look good in small sizes and on the Amazon store. Don’t attempt to create a cover yourself unless you have professional design skills. Your time is better spent editing and writing than tinkering in Photoshop or other design software.

If your budget is tight, you could buy a pre-made cover for one or two hundred dollars and swap it out later when you’ve more money. 

Learn more about working with a book cover designer .

Many aspiring authors hold off on writing and publishing a book until they have enough time, money and skills. That’s a mistake. Every author learns by doing.

In my mid-twenties, I spent years struggling to become a novelist. I wrote dozens of short stories and abandoned them. I researched articles I wanted to write for newspapers and never wrote them.

There wasn’t any moment when I learned how to finish my work. Instead, I got a job as a journalist writing for a newspaper. There, I had to finish my articles by a deadline because the editor would fire me if I didn’t.

I know this because he called me into his office after I missed a deadline and said so. So I overcame perfectionism. I stopped polishing my articles until they were perfect, and I finished them. On more than one occasion, my editor returned articles to me, saying I’d left out an introductory paragraph or my introduction needed reworking. After listening to his criticism, I wanted to quit.

On other occasions, the sub-editors of the paper reworked my articles. This process felt like a brutal dressing-down, but at least I was getting paid to write.

For help, learn how to beat procrastination in writing .

As an author, your job doesn’t end after submitting a manuscript to a publishing house or uploading the final files to Amazon. Whether you have a traditional book deal, you still need to sell copies via book marketing.

Many publishing houses write off the cost of book deals because they don’t believe a book will sell. Others don’t do a great job of selling a book on behalf of their clients. To avoid this problem, learn the basics of author marketing.

• Set up an author website
• Build an email list of engaged readers
• Run book promotions regularly
• Send advanced copies of your book to an early readers group for feedback and reviews
• Study how Amazon ads work and use them

 For help, read our guide to selling self-published books .

Most people spend more time telling their friends they have a great idea for a book. But, they don’t spend much time turning their vision into reality.

No matter what tips on becoming an author you learn, please understand it takes tremendous hard work and mental discipline to write a book.

While releasing the best possible version of your work is smart, you’ll need some self-knowledge to finish it. There will always be a gap between what you want your creative project to be about and what comes out on the blank page.

The best way to narrow that gap and improve the quality of your book is to put in your reps: write more often, finish your work and publish it. You, too, can become an author.

FAQs on How to Become An Author

The average author sells 250-500 copies of their book in the first year. According to the Guardian, they usually won’t earn more than $1000 or earn back their advance due to how book royalties are structured. That said, book sales hit an all-time high in 2021, suggesting people are reading more than ever.

However, successful fiction authors don’t rely on one book to pay the bills. They build a back catalogue of work that sells over time. Many non-fiction authors rely on their books to sell related services like public speaking, consulting or a course.

You don’t need any qualifications to become an author. It’s much like an entrepreneurial career choice; the onus is on the writer to develop their skills, work on a book, and publish and sell it. However, it’s helpful to have a strong command of the English language. Therefore, many authors study English, journalism or a related discipline at the university. 

Newer and mid-tier authors can earn several thousand dollars a year from their books, granted not quit your job money. However, authors can make good money if they have a back catalogue of books, sell related products or services or have built a name for themselves and their work. James Patterson is an example of a top-tier author who is earning upwards of $100 million as part of his last book contract.

Books sell the most copies before the holiday season. As such, it’s usually best to publish before December or Black Friday as book lovers are already in a shopping mood. The summer months are also a popular time for sales and people like buying books they can read on holidays.

Bryan Collins is the owner of Become a Writer Today. He's an author from Ireland who helps writers build authority and earn a living from their creative work. He's also a former Forbes columnist and his work has appeared in publications like Lifehacker and Fast Company.

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How to Become a Writer

Lorrie moore, ask litcharts ai: the answer to your questions.

Welcome to the LitCharts study guide on Lorrie Moore's How to Become a Writer . Created by the original team behind SparkNotes, LitCharts are the world's best literature guides.

How to Become a Writer: Introduction

How to become a writer: plot summary, how to become a writer: detailed summary & analysis, how to become a writer: themes, how to become a writer: quotes, how to become a writer: characters, how to become a writer: symbols, how to become a writer: theme wheel, brief biography of lorrie moore.

Historical Context of How to Become a Writer

Other books related to how to become a writer.

• Full Title: How to Become a Writer
• When Written: 1980–1983
• Where Written: Ithaca, New York
• When Published: 1985
• Literary Period: Contemporary
• Genre: Short Story
• Setting: The story follows Francie through different domestic and academic settings including her childhood home, school, and university.
• Climax: Francie, feeling discouraged in her writing pursuits, decides to apply to law school.
• Antagonist: Francie’s various teachers and peers who attempt to dissuade her from writing
• Point of View: Second Person

Extra Credit for How to Become a Writer

Strict Deadline. When Lorrie Moore was 23 years old, she gave herself a deadline: if she hadn’t published a book by the time she turned 30, she’d give up writing altogether. Though she ended up publishing her first book when she was 28, she now considers that timeline “rather naïve.”

Theater-Struck. As a child, Moore attended the rehearsals of her parents’ amateur theater group and was transfixed when people she knew, like the postman, transformed into singing, dancing characters. She sees those rehearsals as some of the most culturally formative experiences of her early life.

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How to Become an Author: 8 Steps to Bestselling Success

POSTED ON Feb 7, 2024

Written by Angelica Hartgers

Wondering how to become an author? Well, that answer will depend on the type of author you want to be.

Maybe you’ve always been a writer at heart, and are ready to share your story with the world and earn the title of “author.”

Or maybe you’re passionate about a certain topic and are ready to help others by sharing your expertise.

Regardless of your reason – the issue still stands: you want to know how to become an author of a book and a bestselling one at that. So what is an author anyway? And how does becoming an author work?

To learn how to become an author, the short answer is: You write a book.

Sounds simple, right?  

But writing is rarely simple. So, let’s go for the more complex dilemma: How to become an author of a book that actually gets read .

You want to author a book that’s phenomenal, polished, and packed with content that readers will truly connect with.  So how do you do that?

In this guide, we’ll focus on how to become an author of a book that sells . But before we dive into the steps on how to become an author, it's important you understand exactly what an author is.

This guide to how to become an author will cover:

What does it mean to become an author.

When you learn how to become an author, it means that you ideated, created, and produced a written work, most commonly a book, novel, short story , poem, or other literary work of prose.

Traditionally, an author meant someone who had written a book, and this connotation still stands today, but it has expanded with societal changes. The term author can actually pertain to journalists, essayists, and those in the digital space such as bloggers or article writers.

Writer vs author

What's the difference between a writer and author , you ask? Great question.

While writer and author are often used interchangeably, there is definitely a difference between the two. An author is a writer, but a writer isn't always an author.

How hard is it to become an author?

While the path of learning how to become an author is easier with today's technology and the rise of self-publishing, learning how to become an author takes determination, hard work, and usually a specific set of skills (which we'll cover more on later).

For some, opportunity comes easier than it does for others. Some people become an author and find quick success, whereas others struggle for years to complete their book and publish it.

For most people, creating a consistent writing routine and actually getting the words written is the hardest part – in which case a book writing coach could be just the person you need in your corner, keeping you motivated and accountable.

It also depends on the book publishing method, which we'll explain more on in the publishing section of this article. For example, traditional publishing deals are hard to come by, and it is a lengthy process. On the other hand, self-publishing makes becoming an author more accessible.

How to become an author in 8 simple steps

Now that you have a deeper understanding of what being an author entails, it's time to dive into the exact process of how to become an author.

When learning how to become an author, here are the eight steps you should take:

1. Invest in education

Learning how to become an author doesn't have any formal educational requirements. But at minimum, a high school degree is recommended. Becoming an author mainly requires that you have a strong set of skills, like the ability to read and write well.

When learning how to become an author, having a degree isn't required, but it can help.

There is a wide range of educational levels for authors, from those with a basic high school education to those who have completed doctorate programs. Pursuing a higher formal education degree can certainly help you learn how to become an author, but it's not a requirement.

Whether you get a degree or not, you must be an exceptional writer and avid reader to improve your chances of becoming an author of a book that actually gets read .

Our society values higher education . When you’re exploring new careers, the first question is usually: What kind of education is needed for this job?

So, it isn’t any wonder that people researching how to become an author immediately ask what type of education or credentials are needed to write a book.

A caveat to this: If you’re looking to publish a book on a specific topic , you must be an expert in that field or industry. A college degree helps build your credibility significantly, even though it is not completely necessary.

Common degrees to consider for aspiring book writers

• English . Anyone with a college degree in English has spent the majority of their college career taking classes on writing development and reading literature for deep analysis. Those with an English degree usually have a strong command of writing, and study the works of famous authors.
• Literature . Similar to a degree in English, a degree in Literature follows the same course syllabus in the sense that it is heavily focused on reading, analyzing, and writing about literary works.
• Creative writing . Writers with a degree in Creative Writing have undergone extensive academic courses surrounding creative writing fundamentals and storytelling. Creative Writing students are expected to write rigorously to improve their craft.
• History . Because history goes hand-in-hand with many literary subjects, those with a degree in History will have a well-rounded skillset to apply as an author.
• Journalism . Writers with a journalism background are likely educated on news-style writing, features, interview processes, and more. Those with a journalism degree often have experience as newspaper columnists or feature writers, which can translate well into an author career.
• Psychology . Those who study psychology have an in-depth understanding of human behavior and interaction, which makes for great writing, especially in fiction.
• Communications . People with a communications degree often have experience in news-writing, marketing, public relations, and more, which are all fields that rely heavily on great writing skills.
• Theater/cinema . Those with a theater background make great authors and writers due to their creativity, understanding of character dynamics, and screenwriting skills.
• Liberal arts . Any degree in liberal arts is likely to be focused on heavy research and writing – no matter the field. Therefore, a liberal arts degree can set you up well for learning how to become an author.
• A degree in any subject you want to write about! If you have a particular industry or niche that you want to focus on in your writing, pursue a degree in that! For example, if I could re-do college all over again, I would pursue a minor degree in Women's Studies, because I love to write about those topics.

Alternatives to college degrees

There are also non-degree online education options for aspiring authors to consider. These are a great choice if you want to learn how to write a book or publish a book on your own. Programs like these are focused on achieving a specific goal, and can be completed at a quicker pace. (Example: Himalayan Writing Retreat )

If you get a traditional college degree, you likely will NOT learn how to write and publish a book. So, if you know for sure that you want to learn how to become an author, you'll save time and money by investing in a course or program that's specific to publishing.

For example, there are many online education programs specifically for aspiring authors, including self-publishing courses.

Be sure to thoroughly do your research to make sure the program is a good fit for your needs.

Online education options

• Self-Publishing courses . Start here if you want to join an education program that provides a complete roadmap to becoming a bestselling author.
• Coursera . Consider a program where you can select specific topics to learn about.
• Udemy . You can find cost-effective micro-courses based on specific topics around writing and publishing.
• MasterClass . There are limited courses for aspiring authors on this platform, but if you're particularly interested in learning how to improve your writing from bestselling, world-renowned authors like Margaret Atwood, check this out.
• CreativeLive . Another option for creative courses specific to certain topics around developing certain creative skills.

2. Learn the skills to become a successful author

While there aren’t any formal education requirements to learn how to become an author of a book, there are certainly some important skills that many successful writers have in common.

Consider these skills like prerequisites – you should aim to improve these skills if you truly want to learn how to become a writer.

In a society of high competition, possessing many of these skills will set you apart and increase your chances of gaining a solid readership.

The top skills needed to learn how to become an author are:

Exceptional writing development skills

Being an excellent writer who can communicate effectively through words is the premise of learning how to become an author successfully. We’ll cover more on the fundamentals of writing that you should master in the next section, but you can check out these writing websites to learn how to be a better writer.

Creative storytelling that engages

It’s an art in itself! Whether you’re writing nonfiction or fiction, no matter what genre your book falls in, you need to be able to craft an engaging story that pulls readers in.

The ability to research well

Ask any successful author, and they will tell you that a major factor in successfully writing a book is to conduct thorough research . You need to know your content in and out – whether you’re writing historical fiction, a children's picture book , or a self-help book.

Since you’re reading this article and researching how to become an author, there’s a good chance you’re already research-savvy!

The tendency to naturally observe people and places

In order to create life-size characters, make your story come alive, and describe people and events vividly, you need to possess the power of observation. If you’re not one to naturally sit back and watch from the sidelines, try improving your observation skills .

Vulnerability and grit

Authors put everything they possess into their writing. It takes vulnerability to put your words out there, and resilience to keep at it when the going gets tough. To learn how to become an author, you’ll need to overcome some serious mental blocks, and be courageous even when you’re overworked or fearing judgment.

3. Master the fundamentals of book writing

Having an excellent command of writing skills builds a solid foundation on which to begin your author journey.

Many people can write, but not many people can write well. And if you can’t write well, that’s okay!

The good news is that there are a number of ways to improve your writing.

Writing isn’t necessarily a talent, it’s a craft. It can be cultivated. It can be strengthened. And with a growth mindset, you can improve your writing skills by mastering the fundamentals.

Some basic examples of the fundamentals of writing are being able to express ideas clearly and in an organized fashion, using powerful word choice , developing a clear point of view , and using proper grammar and punctuation .

However, there are a lot more fundamental writing techniques to learn and implement in your own writing.

• Learn the writing fundamentals. First, learn all there is to know! You can learn basic writing fundamentals by taking writing development courses, and reading books on writing.
• Study the fundamentals. Be an avid, deep reader. Don’t just read to understand the story. Read to analyze how the author told that story. Study the author’s style, specifically in the genres you want to write in. By doing this, you’ll start to identify characteristics of remarkable writing.
• Practice, practice, practice. Put what you’ve learned into practice. Remember all the literary elements you learned about in school. Start actually using those in your writing. Try mirroring an author’s style that you admire. Write often and make it part of your everyday life. Write in a journal , complete writing prompts, write letters to friends, or write short stories.
• Explore different genres. Part of finding your author's voice and developing yourself as a writer means experimenting with other genres that you may not have written on before. Use creative writing prompts to help you practice your writing fundamentals.
• Show, don't tell in writing . This is the number one rule to writing , and it's important for you to master it. Practice showing and not telling in your own writing, and understand when to use it.

While you shouldn’t cut corners on your writing development, it’s important to not get stuck in this phase.

At the end of the day, you can read and take all the courses in the world, but the most growth and development you will experience is when you’re actually writing.

4. Create a positive author mindset

Many writers experience feelings of insecurity. Ernest Hemingway supposedly said, “There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.”

If writers are figuratively transforming the essence of their being into words on paper for others to read, then it’s no wonder the best writers suffer from their own insecurities and fear of judgment !

Feeling inadequate is expected, and totally normal. But the ability to pursue your goal to learn how to become an author (despite your fear) is what will set you apart from all the other aspiring book writers out there.

Steps to build a positive author mindset:

• Overcome imposter syndrome and self-doubt as a writer . Give yourself permission to be an author. Don’t shy away from calling yourself a writer – start owning it.
• Accept that you’re a work in progress. Don’t strive for perfection in writing. Maintain a growth mindset , and understand that there is always room for improvement. You are constantly learning, and improving, and there isn’t anything wrong with that. If you wait for perfection, it’ll never get done.
• Set a writing habit. Making writing part of your daily lifestyle is super important. If you tend to wait for inspiration as a writer, you’ll be left high and dry more often than not. We’ll cover more on how to set a writing habit in the next section.
• Focus, focus, focus. We’ve all been there. You sit down at the table to write, and find that an hour has passed and you’ve only churned out a few sentences. Find a focus technique that works for you and stick to it.
• Think courageously. Try not to get too bogged down in the negative “what-ifs.” What if no one likes my book? What if my writing sucks? What if this book is an entire flop? It’s okay to fear failure, but learn to shake it off and be courageous instead. For every negative thought you have, try to think of two positive thoughts!
• Define your own success. Success means something different for every author. Some writers want to share their words with the world, while others simply want to build an author's salary to support their writing. Whatever your reason is, get clarity around your definition of success.

5. Write Your first book to learn how to become an author

To truly learn how to become an author, you have to write a book first.

The world is full of great writers with stories to share. The trouble for many is – they never get around to actually finishing a book.

It also depends on what type of book you want to write. If you want to write a nonfiction book , the process is different than learning how to write a novel . The same is true if you're learning how to write a memoir .

This is where it can really get tough. But with grit, determination, and a clear game plan, you can do it. We’re cheering for you!

Here are the steps to write a book and learn how to become an author:  

Get clear on your foundation

Because writing a book can be an uphill battle, you want to make sure your foundation is rock solid. This means getting clear on why you want to become the author of this book. Once you’re super clear on your foundation, you’ll be able to write your book with intention.

Foundational questions you’ll want to ask yourself are:

• When do you want to have this book done by?
• How will you position the book?
• Who are you writing this book for (your target reader)?
• What is your book's topic or genre?
• To grow your income
• To build a reputation/authority
• To fuel a passion project
• To share a story or knowledge

Brainstorm with a mind map

Letting your ideas flow freely with a mind map is an effective way to get those creative juices flowing. With so many ideas to explore for your book’s topic, mind map exercises will help you “brain dump” all your thoughts.

Follow these steps to create a mind map for your book:

• Set a timer for 10-15 minutes to start.
• Always be writing – don’t worry about grammar or spelling, just write out your thoughts without reservations!
• Start with a central idea, topic, or concept.
• Add connecting branches of key ideas that relate to that central idea.
• Jot down any words that tie ideas together.
• Use colored highlighters or sticky notes to organize similar concepts or ideas.

Create an outline

Using your mind map, start creating a basic outline for your book. Don’t get hung up on the details. Think of it in terms of a beginning, a middle, and an end. A simple outline will help you get the ball rolling as you start writing your first draft. As you dive deeper into the writing, your outline can get more detailed, and be revised as needed.

Set a writing schedule

Commit to your writing goals each and every day if you want to learn how to become an author. Set a specific plan for yourself, and set small milestones or goals, whether it’s by word count or time spent writing .

You can have all the ideas in the world, but if you aren’t setting time aside each day to actually write, then the chances of your book being completed will be low.

Tips for setting a writing schedule:

• Set up a distraction-free writing space
• Plan for short brain breaks to avoid burnout
• Set a daily word count goal
• Do NOT edit as you write
• Have a buddy keep you accountable
• Use book writing software to help you meet your daily goals
• Set a deadline to complete your book by

Write your rough draft

Sounds simple, but it’s definitely easier said than done. You can do it! The only way to write a book is to actually sit down and do it. You become a book writer by writing a completed book. Use your outline for guidance, and remember – don’t edit while you write !

Self-edit your book

Once your rough draft is completed, it’s important that you focus on self-editing your book. Although your book will go through a professional editing phase during the publishing process, if you self-edit thoroughly, your editor will be able to focus on other edits that you weren’t able to catch.

Tips for self-editing your book:

• Do a verbal read – through to find areas of improvement in your sentence structure and storyline.
• Work chapter by chapter to increase productivity and focus.
• Don’t get stuck in the editing phase.
• Remember that any points of uncertainty will be cleared up in the professional editing phase.

6. Publish your book

Through blood, sweat, and tears, you’ve committed to writing your book, and have officially become a writer.

Now, it’s time to take the next step and learn how to become an author. And that means publishing your book!

Here’s how to become an author of a published book:

Decide how to publish

Modern book writers are faced with a major decision on how to publish a book . There are two ways to publish: traditionally publish or self-publish .

You’ll have to weigh the pros and cons of each, including the cost to publish , and determine which route is more advantageous for you.

If you traditionally publish your book , this means that an actual publishing company will publish your book for you. However, landing a book contract with a traditional publisher is extremely competitive, and the chances are slim for most authors.

So what is self-publishing , you ask? If you self-publish your book , this means that you will be in charge of the publishing process yourself. There are many benefits in going this route, but you'll need to make sure you are self-publishing the right way to ensure book quality and success .

Steps to traditionally publish a book

• Pitch your book draft to literary agents.
• If your manuscript is accepted by an agent, your book will be pitched to publishers.
• If a publisher accepts your work, you will be offered a book contract.
• The publisher will have your book edited, formatted, and designed.
• You earn royalties based on the number of books that are sold.

Steps to self-publish a book

• Find a book editor for each type of editing needed
• Hire a formatter (if needed) for your book.
• Hire a professional book cover designer to create an engaging book cover.
• Choose which self-publishing platforms to sell your book on.
• Upload the book to the self-publishing platform.

If you still need help deciding how to publish, compare your earning potential with our Book Royalties Calculator .

1. My book will be published by a...

2. my book will be an:, 3. my royalty rate will be:.

*Please note that this royalty rate is based on the market averages for paperback books. Actual royalty rates for traditional and indie publishing can vary by author depending on several factors.

4. My book's retail price:

5. the # of books sold:, your results, your profit per book sold, for books sold, you earn:, for 1,000 books sold, you earn:, for 10,000 books sold, you earn:, royalties comparisons for 10,000 books sold, want to receive personalized tips on how to sell more books right in your inbox, 7. market your book to become a bestselling author.

Whether you traditionally publish or self-publish, you need to launch and market your book to learn how to become an author successfully.

This step is crucial because if you don’t market your book, how are you going to reach potential readers?

You dedicated time, effort, and – at times – your sanity, to get your book out. Now it’s time to let the world know about it.

You’ll need a strategic book launch and marketing plan in place, which should include a number of techniques to gain readership and sell your book.

Book marketing strategies to consider

• Build a launch team before your official book release
• Social media marketing , such as on Pinterest and Instagram
• Effective book pricing that appeals to prospective readers
• Build an author website to create your own author platform
• Use book advertising on various book promo sites like BookBub
• Get book reviews to increase visibility, reach, and credibility

To dive deep into your book marketing , plan ahead, set a budget, do research, and reach out to your network!

8. Write another book!

Your first book is a learning experience, and once your first book is published, you'll realize how many ideas you have for more books.

And that is where the real success comes in. In today's digital author landscape, it's important to keep writing books in order to build a career as an author.

Don't make the mistake of thinking that one book will find instant success. While that does happen for some writers, it is the exception and NOT the rule.

So keep going! Write your next book. The more books you write, the smoother your process will become.

Are you ready to become an author?

Great books make the world go ‘round, which is why we’re all about helping writers learn how to become authors.

As you research how to become an author, one thing becomes clear: it’s a process that takes time, dedication, and some serious effort.

But nothing worth having comes easy.

Books are life-changing, not just for the book writer, but for the book readers all across the world that will learn from your story.

Becoming an author can be one of the most rewarding, and fulfilling accomplishments of your life. You deserve to celebrate it!

Ready To Learn How to Become An Author? This FREE eBook Will Walk You Step-By-Step Through The ENTIRE PROCESS

Faqs about how to become an author.

Here are answers to commonly asked questions about what an author is and how to become an author:

What is a writer?

A writer is someone who writes or expresses ideas or concepts through the written word. There are many people who write for a variety of reasons – whether it's part of their occupation, or for creative expression.

Types of writers that aren't necessarily authors:

• Technical writers
• Ghostwriters
• Copywriters
• Content writers
• Songwriters

Can anyone be a writer?

It depends on the type of writer, but yes, technically anyone can be a writer as long as they know how to write. However, specialized writers, such as technical writers and copywriters often require advanced experience and/or degrees in order to be qualified for a writing position. Of course, learning how to become an author is a different story, entirely.

What is an author?

Authors are people who write books, novels, short stories, poems, literary prose, and even screenplays.

What is an author, exactly? An author is someone who has written and published a complete literary work. The publishing is key. If you haven't published your work, then you are a writer but not an author.

How do authors get paid?

Authors can be paid in a variety of ways, but most commonly authors are paid through book advancements and royalty fees.

How much do authors get paid?

The average author salary has a very wide range, and an author's income depends on a number of criteria, such as the number of books published, the publishing method, the book genre and topic, and the success of the book.

As of writing, the current average author salary is between $35,000 to $135,000.

How do i get started as an author?

Really, you just need to start writing! Finish a manuscript, edit it, hire a book cover designer and a marketing team, and learn how to self-publish a book . It may seem like an overwhelming process at first, but there are self-publishing companies that can help you with every step along the way.

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How to Become a Full-Time Writer

by Joe Bunting | 52 comments

Free Book Planning Course!  Sign up for our 3-part book planning course and make your book writing easy . It expires soon, though, so don’t wait.  Sign up here before the deadline!

Have you ever thought about becoming a full-time writer? If you're reading this, I'm guessing that you have. Or maybe you're already writing professionally, but would like to 1) find writing work you're more passionate about or 2) earn more.

The question is, why haven't you done it yet?

I've been there. I used to want   to make writing my career but had no idea  how  to actually do it.

When I was 17, I remember reading a novel ( A Tale of Two Cities ) and waking up to the idea of becoming a writer. I thought, “How amazing would it be to get to do this all day, to sit and hang out with your characters, write stories about their lives.”

I studied writing in college and got my Bachelors degree in English Literature with an emphasis in writing.

After college, though, I found it almost impossible to find a job as a writer. Newspapers were laying off people with many more years of experience than I had, and I didn't know a single person who was a professional writer to guide me in my options. To pay the bills, I got a job at a bank. On the side, though, I wrote on a blog and dreamed about that day when I would finally write books for a living.

It seemed like a long way off.

Honestly, back then I wasn't sure it would actually happen. I certainly didn't know how to make it happen.

How I Finally Became a Full-Time Writer

I fell into my first full-time writing job randomly. I had been helping a friend edit his book, and one day he asked if I wanted to help him write it.

“Sure, I'd be willing to do that,” I told him, but inside I was screaming,  “YES! YES! YES!”

That first writing job lead to a second, this one on the coast of Southern Spain. That job turned into a third, this time writing for a magazine in Washington. Now, more than five years later, my writing supports my wife, our two sons, and me.

I think back to that moment at 17 when I first wanted to become a writer and think, “I did it. I didn't know how it would happen, but I did it. I became a writer.”

Can You Become a Full-Time Writer?

I don't talk much about my professional writing on The Write Practice, but for the first time, I want to open up and talk about how I became a writer.

More importantly, I want to talk about how you can become a full-time, well paid writer.

Writing is a secretive, competitive business. It's not easy to learn the trade, and even when you do, it's hard to break in and make it your career. It's even harder to earn the big projects, the $20,000 to $30,000 or more ones.

When I was younger, I didn't know anyone who could explain the business to me, but if you're reading this, you do. You know  me .

Tomorrow, I'm teaching a free training about how to become a full-time writer . It starts at 3 pm Eastern/12 pm Pacific, and I'd love for you to join me.

Click here to register for the free live training .

Be sure to register now because space is limited (we only have 500 spots), and arrive to the training on time if you're able because there will be some time-sensitive material.

I'm really excited to get a chance to talk to you about writing professionally.

Please register for the training and learn how to make a good living getting paid to write. The training is tomorrow (Thursday, March 31) at 3 pm Eastern/12 pm Pacific. You can sign up for your spot here .

When did you realize that you wanted to become a writer? Tell me your story in the comments section .

A little different practice today: what are three things you could do in the next twenty-four hours to get closer to becoming a full-time writer (or if you already are full-time, to earn more doing it)?

Write your three things down, share them in the comments , then go do them and report back here with your progress.

Joe Bunting

Joe Bunting is an author and the leader of The Write Practice community. He is also the author of the new book Crowdsourcing Paris , a real life adventure story set in France. It was a #1 New Release on Amazon. Follow him on Instagram (@jhbunting).

Want best-seller coaching? Book Joe here.

52 Comments

When I was in fifth grade, I was one of three kids in my class who won the essay contest for our DARE program. All I remember after that is starting my first novel in sixth grade. I’ve been writing since even before I won the contest, but it didn’t hit me until I did that writing was something I was passionate about.

I love that. It’s always those cherished memories from childhood that shapes us and allows us to persevere when things get hard. Hold on to that feeling!

I’m already a professional writer, but I never counted my work of translation and reviewing as writing as well, although, in a way, it is. Now that I read your post, I realize there are other things about writing than just creating a story, right? I’ll definitely be here tomorrow! Thank you for the opportunity!

Very cool, Nina. I think translation is such a creative endeavor (even if it doesn’t always feel like that). I’m impressed. Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow.

Well, I was very young, I think about 8 when I started writing. Of course back then my stories weren’t all that good, mostly short stories about rapidly growing ideas forming in my mind. I’m 17 now and I’ve been writing ever since, now my stories are over 30 chapters long (mostly crime, fantasy, historical romances..etc.) though I’m still an amateur, I published a few of my stories on FanFiction.net.

Amazing Andrea! I love hearing stories like this, and I hope you keep at it until we’re all buying your books from bookstores! 🙂

I’d dare say, Joe, that you’re as good of a writer as a marketer. People DO want to earn more, and you found this niche very nicely, but authors writing for money won’t survive. They’ll just fall right out, collapse on the side of the race track. If you’re running for the money, find something else to do ’cause writing don’t pay well. Furthermore, I find that writing isn’t that competitive at all, and it certainly isn’t difficult to ‘break in’ and find an agent. Really, all you have to do to become an agent is invest in an advertisement; it’s not like there’s some bar test or anything. Agents grow on trees. Just phrase your opening letter nicely and you’ll get interest. Just don’t write crap and you’ll get published (though we’ve all seen poop in print. There are always exceptions…)

Anyway, I have to admit that you do have more experience than I do with publishing and stuff, but really? It seems like our writing worlds may differ a great deal.

Hey Janet. Thanks so much for this point. I absolutely agree that if your sole focus is on the money, you’ll burn out, and I’ve written about that many times on The Write Practice (like here: https://thewritepractice.com/why-we-write/ ). And while it does sound like our world are very different if you’re finding tree-growing agents and publishing all your books with no competition, I don’t think our world views are as different as you might think.

Money is fuel. If you can earn money from your writing, you can write more. If you can write more, you can get better faster. How much better of a writer could you be in a year if you could focus on it from 9-5 PLUS whatever extra time you’re spending on it now?

Writing isn’t about money just as life isn’t about money, but if you don’t have it, it can make things a lot more difficult, right?

For me it’s not fully about the money, but I want to earn a living writing because I love it so much. It’s about doing what you love and being paid for it!

Joe, I love your enthusiasm for all things ‘Writing’ I have always loved the English language and enjoy both poetry and story. I have a dilemma – advice would be very welcome. I have had my first book published with Novem Publishing. Of course I was over the moon after sending my manuscript they were happy to publish. I was very naive and was asked for different amounts of money which I paid. I felt rushed but I didn’t mind at the time because I was nursing my Mother at end stage of cancer and she was, although weak, very excited about my book and I was trying to get a copy for her in a limited time scale. I did manage this and I watched sitting in bed, plumped up pillows around her, reading my book and giggling. She is featured in my book with my step father and made for great fun. However, after her death and not until I was able to function without crumbling, I took a long look at the deal I had got myself into. My royalties are 10% and I have a contract until next year. I have had to pay for most of the expenses. But, I am still unhappy because the finished book is littered with mistakes. I want to put the mistakes right and the general look of the inside but to do that and sent to the printer I am expected to pay again. It is very pricey and probably a waste of time now. My book is available on Amazon e-book, kindle and paperback and is sold in several countries. I have begun writing the sequel to the book but I don’t want to go through the expensive procedure again.I want to go solo! I would love feedback from people who don’t know me. I need constructive criticism to help me in my next book. I have wonderful comments from friends and acquaintances It is very funny apparently. I’m just fed up with it. The price the publisher is asking is crazy. The book in not good value. Kindle is less money and looks better but is expensive, I think it is anyway. I don’t want to give the details of my book – I am not advertising it, I am trying to improve it. I am not unhappy about the story because the stupid things that happened in it are all true.The genre is humour and travel mixed. Would anybody reading this please give me advise or any queries I can answer to guide me. We are all authors together and my new best friends! Oh, I can’t book a time for the editorial tomorrow – am at hospital all day. Will you be providing any more chances, Joe?

I’m sorry it was such a difficult experience, Margaret. Just from hearing your story, I would never publish something with Novem Publishing. Honestly, publishing doesn’t have to be expensive. You can hire people and do most of it yourself (Jane Friedman has a great resource: https://janefriedman.com/self-publish-your-book/ ). If you need more guidance, I recommend a company like bookbaby.com, who can do all the extra work behind your books at very reasonable cost. The fact that they made you pay to publish your book AND are taking 90% of your royalties makes me very angry. Check out Jane Friedman’s resources to start, and let me know what you think.

Oh and we’ll have a replay of the training, so no worries about missing. Please sign up and we’ll send it to you when it’s ready.

Many thanks, Joe, for taking time out to read and reply to my post. It is greatly appreciated. Thanks also for the links. I will spend time this weekend sorting out my plan of action. I will look again at the contract with a view to ending it asap.Wish me luck. Thanks again.

Are you self-publishing? I don’t think any publisher or agent legally should be asking you for any money. There job is to take commission from the sales but you don’t pay them. It may be that these aren’t the best people to be working with. This book lists all the decent agents and publishers out there – http://www.amazon.co.uk/Writers-Artists-Yearbook-2016-Yearbooks/dp/1472907078/ref=pd_bxgy_14_img_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=1NN145NC2MAMS8J3JZF4 I wrote a post here about publishing if helps – http://magicalwonderings.com/2016/03/21/who-needs-a-literary-agent/ (My site is currently getting a re-vamp so I do hope it doesn’t go blank when you click the link.) Happy writing!

Dear Tamsin, thank you for taking time to read my post. I really appreciate it. The links you cited will be fully explored by moi, and I will take an in depth look at my contract which has been proved to be a waste of space. I think they saw me coming.

Good luck. They can’t hold you to much I suspect. 😉

I appear to be very selfish and demanding of your time, Tamsin. My plans for following your links, to sort my contract and take up my quill (sp. ?)to continue with the sequel to my first book came to nothing. Why? Life happened… Wonderful stuff to write about but leaves me feeling wrung out. Family comes first, but really after 40 odd years of nurturing, educating, washing, ironing, cooking, nursing and being an agony aunt you would think such times were well behind me. Nope. Why? Because my two girls managed to find two of the biggest bastards in the area and married them. My emotional batteries are gone, finished, dried up, no more phut. but round four hundred and twenty two will start again in the morning. I will, however, tackle the publisher asap. Regards-Margaret

Email me if you like when you get a free mo. 😉 [email protected] – I can send you all the articles that may help to save you time sifting. Never give up on your dreams 😉

Dear Tamsin, I tried to access your e-mail but my message came bouncing back. I will try again tomorrow. I could have made a mistake in the address. Everything going on – brain addled.

I could be more dedicated, practice more and focus

Couldn’t we all! Good luck, Kristi!

I think one thing I could do is finish my current story, as finishing is something I’m having difficulty with. Also, I could start making plans for a blog to begin my platform as a freelance editor and writer. Finally, I could become part of the regular writing forum to sharpen my skills.

That is awesome taking the time to teach how to become writers full-time. Thank you so much! You must have had your share of stories to tell!

I would continue to write intentionally. Participate fully in writing tutorials offered by thewritepractise.com and look for online and offline writing opportunities and take them. Hopefully this can be a step in the right direction towards becoming not just a better writer but one who gets paid doing what I love.

Was the live training recorded. It would be great to see it. 😉

It will be, yes. Just make sure to sign up and you’ll get sent the recording. Thanks!

Thanks Joe. I have to work tonight but I am signed up to your email subscriptions so I guess you will send through a post link or something when poss?

I think the biggest thing I could/should do is make my writing more of a priority. It seems that life gets in the way much too often. Second, be more disciplined and consistent about writing. Third, write even/especially when I don’t feel like writing. I believe that I’ve accomplished all 3 of them in writing this comment? The

First listen the presentation. I need to schedule my time better. I need more discipline in my day.

When I used to watch TV, I used to think what would happen if a certain show would end differently, and this led me to think about new ways to end a certain TV sequence and ultimately, realizing that I wanted to become a writer!

I dont want to become a full time writer, but I defo want to write again (since childhood). So just finished my second prompt (focus) and wrote the following trying to inhibit comments on my first prompt. Again, I am not a native speaker):

Write for 30 mins with your eyes closed. Focus.

How does a baseball player prep before a match? How does he prep his mind? Does he visualize the game? Does he think about his first match or first time he played in his life?

Hosea is about to play the match of his life. Ever since he saw Babe Ruth winning that home run, hitting the home base hard and getting cheered on by his fans, Hosea wanted to feel the same.

He started playing baseball since he was 9 and has loved it. Started collecting all the famous baseball players stickers, trading with boys in school, haggling to get the better, nicer and more rare ones. He always got his way. The boys in school loved him for his perseverance, and now the fans love him for the same trait. He just won’t quit. When all odds seem against him for reaching the next base before the ball hits hit, he still makes a run for it. Often he wins, even if it is just by putting of the other team for a second with his faith, or how they call it: his stubbornness. And a second is often enough in this game. A second of hesitation, which he always puts to his advantage.

Of course by now the other teams know him, know how he hopes to bring them of balance to go for the weirdest odds, and they focus better.

But still he makes it more than half of the time. Which is enough to keep doing his thing.

(I should change the main character in a she.

Hosea has been playing for more than ten years, which in this business means he is becoming a fossil. His body is tired, overworked. He sits in the dressing room, shuts out all noises around him. The clamoring of the lockers, the rushes of clothes being pulled off and on, the chatting of the boys, the swooshing of somebody trying out a bat, the goggling of another gulping down a liter of water.

Behind that is the pressure of performing. To show the young boys he is still good and strong. That he still has the edge. Razorsharp.

But his mind drifts of. Is he still razor sharp? Is his body still tuned to perfection? The tone of his muscles in perfect balance with his mind? Ready and willing to make every move his brain orders them to do?

The fact that he doubts drives him mad. He shouldn’t give in to these thoughts.

But they are there, more and more the last couple of weeks. More and more after that young brat beat him in pushups.

Of course he had to accept the challenge. To do pushups until one gave up. He did good, very good. He wondered how many of the other kids would have done the same. Would have paced up.

But the kid was better. Stronger in his mind.

And that’s what it takes. A strong mind. You can do anything if you want if. Mind over body has always been his motto.

But now it seems his body is taking over. Saying no more. The question is: is it peer pressure? Other people saying it is not possible that he still does with his body what he wants? Is it like a subliminal message that his body started to believe? Is that what is undermining his mind?

He will fight it. He will do a glorious match, do more homeruns than ever, show them that his mind is still boss over his body.

And then he will retire. Give his body some well-deserved rest. Maybe go teaching sports or something to young kids. Teach them about mind over body.

(Djees its hard to keep my eyes closed. Only halfway)

Hosea closes his eyes. He wants to be perfectly prepared for this match. The match of his life. He breaths in hard and puffs out in many small puffs. He hears the sounds around him, but he drifts of easy. He is used to meditating, his team mates now what he is doing, he is not bothered by any stares, which aren’t even there. He drifts of and remembers again, in every tiny detail, Babe Ruth’s performance of that night, December 9, 1987. Against the Sox. The Bulls being down, time running out. All pressure on Babe Ruth. They need this homerun or they will be out for the rest of the season. The swingman does his swing, a perfect hard short curveball which the batman hits equally hard to try and give BR the best of chances. But the ball doesn’t go far. BR saw it happening and set of. He is like a wildebeest sensing the approaching cheetah. Dust swerves from under his feet as he pushes of the base and calls all his cells in his body to bring it on. Hosea sees the arms and legs of BR go in slow motion in his mind. He feels the muscles burning to give all the energy they have. BR reaches top speed on first base, holding in ever so slightly to curve on to second base. Not watching the ball, not hearing anything from his teammates shouting. He just runs. Hitting second base, of to third. Hosea feels the body next to BR jumping in the air to catch the ball. Feels his arm going backwards to throw it to honk man. At the same time the ball leaves the hands of the player, BR sets of from third base. And hits home base a millisecond before the ball does.

Abrupt Hosea opens his eyes. He was BR. He feels his cells tingling with that same kind of invincible feeling.

That’s what he wanted. That’s what he needed. And that’s what will make him play the match of his life.

Love this. I am writing a young adult baseball story. This is really awesome. I love that you chose baseball to write about. Great job.

1. Send more query letters out to marketing managers (for my freelance copywriting) 2. Send manuscripts to more publishers (for my children’s picture book) 3. Self publish and market like hell (for my literary fiction)

Yes, I’m working at becoming a full time writer. That’s why I’m Determined. Haven’t got there yet – too many glitches tripping me up. I’ve wanted – needed – to write since I was a small kid. Stories would come to me, fill my mind. Okay, part of it was also trying to evade the hell hole that was my family life. Joe, how about a writing blog on using one’s (hell hole) family life, on being able to use all that pain writing it into a (fiction) story?

1. Make a writing schedule 2. Write at least one chapter a week 3. Buy tons of coffee lol

Will there be a recap, because I was driving home from work at the time of the workshop? I’d love to at least listen to a recording of the training.

Oh, no! I was working and missed this one! Will there be a recap? Is there anywhere where we can watch or just listen to it? =(

Decide what I want to say to the world and find the means to do it. Take a class, blog, etc. Carve out a schedule and stick to it! Find a writing community

I love writing, I love it! But I don’t do enough of it what with my ‘real’ yuck job. I struggle with creating a problem for the protagonist. I know, it sounds daft – isn’t that the story?? But other than that I have interesting characters. I struggle with the story – the actual what’s going on. Does anyone else have this problem? I don’t practise enough for sure, but I would love to develop a strategy or something to help me along because I KNOW I can write. Any advice will be most welcome. Thanks and I love your blog 🙂

It’s not just you – I am the same way. It’s hard to come up with the story and problems for the protagonist. You could try asking, “What is the worst thing that can happen?” when you’re stuck with situations for your protagonist. It’s ok to torture your main character. That will show you what the person is really made of.

Something else you can do is try writing in different places; for example try writing on your lunch break at work, while laying down in bed, or sitting outside on the porch. Writing in different environments can free your mind and help you brainstorm a bunch of ideas.

You can even put your main character in different, unusual, or even every day situations, and just see what happens. Maybe your main character goes to a cafe to meet with someone and accomplish something, and an armed robber comes into the cafe. Or maybe your main character is just walking up the street and a car swerves off the road toward him. The possibilities are endless! It’s just getting your mind to see things from different angles and asking, “What is the worst thing that can happen?” Hope this helps. : )

Thanks so much. I actually thought it was me, like I was doing something that was hindering my productivity. I will try these tips for sure and get the finger out once and for all 🙂

You’re welcome! Good luck. : )

I don’t think I could be a full time writer, because I love free writing without fear of deadlines. If I had to meet deadlines, I would feel rushed, and it would take the joy out of writing for me. But, I do have three things that could improve my writing: I need to write every day; I need to write for at least 10 or 15 minutes and write as fast as I can; I need to stifle my inner editor.

Thank you for the post! : )

Write every day. Trust myself to do a good job. Stop setting myself up to fail by setting lofty unrealistic goals, just write and enjoy it.

Write every day. Also repeat to myself,”If you aren’t aiming to be the best, then there’s no point in this world for you to write.” Continue to research.

A word of caution (though you may have it under control). I often default to thinking something very similar to you, but I’ve learned this: Don’t aim to be the best. Aim to do the best you can do.

What’s that one quote? Oh yeah… “There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self.” – Ernest Hemingway

*dances away*

If you become superior to everyone, you will be superior to your former self at the same time, the self that was not superior.

The problem comes when you (not you personally) base your expectations of your abilities on what everyone else is doing. I know that even if most of the kids in my math class are getting B’s, I can still get an A. Maybe I am “superior” to my classmates with an A, but I know I can still do the bonus questions on every test and the extra credit anyway. Trying to be the best you can will only limit your ability if you believe you aren’t capable of very much. What I’m trying to say is to not focus on what the status quo is (though it’s a good point of reference for what you can reasonably expect from yourself) and to instead focus on whether or not you have enough strength at the moment to take the next step.

P.S. In case you aren’t aware, the way you came across in that last comment made me want to smack you.

Your first sentence doesn’t make sense. You state that you may be superior, then use but before saying you still able to do every bonus question. The logic doesn’t follow because if you were superior to math then of course you would be able to do bonus questions and extra credit. Then, you say how your ability is only limited to how much you believe you can do, if so then just believe you can become a superior writer to all, that isn’t an opposition to my argument. I argue to not limit yourself and to strive to be the best. At the end, you change your argument to, “whether or not you have enough strength at the moment to take the next step.” Well, under the aiming-to-be-the-best philosophy, I would say to find that strength and take the step no matter what, or give up and do something else.

I said superior to your classmates, not superior to math *cough*. I say “but” because I’m not talking about capability, I’m talking about going the extra mile. If you have an A then you don’t have to do the extra credit or the bonus questions (ha ha, having an A doesn’t mean extra credit is easy). If your goal is to be better than a B, then there is no reason to do anything more once you have an A. You are already the best. If your goal is to do the best you can, then you have a reason to do more even when you have an A. You can do better than 95%.

I did not say, “your ability is only limited to how much you believe you can do,” I said, “Trying to be the best you can will only limit your ability if you believe you aren’t capable of very much.” I was using “believe” as interchangeable with “think” because “think” gets repetitive pretty quickly. I am not saying that believing you can means you can (seems like a form of relativism). I am saying that most people have the potential to do most things and if they have confidence in that fact then they have access to their potential. If someone assumes they don’t have potential then even though they do have the same potential as anyone else, they don’t get to use it.

“At the moment”. If you get stuck on a step that you just can’t get past even when you take a breather then I agree that maybe you should climb a different set of stairs. At the same time I kinda believe that you’d find a way to climb the next step if you just didn’t give up. I guess you’d have to make a judgement call on whether you really want to go to the length of “no matter what” or if it would be better to give up and do something else. (I could word that better but I have to run.)

You argue not to limit yourself and to strive to be the best. The only difference between us is that I argue to strive to be your best. We have different philosophies. I have tried to use be-the-best and I have been the best and I’ve also hated myself for how I think and act when that is my moto. I’ve used be-the-best-you-can and I am a lot happier without my output changing. Both will move you forward but on different paths to different destinations.

Anyway, I’m finished. I just wanted to offer you some advice because I don’t think trying to be better than other people will lead you anywhere good. Take it or leave it but I wasn’t trying to start a fight and I would rather spend this time writing a story than a rebuttal.

Okay, so the free training was about ghostwriting… I have to say that I don’t thin I ever want to go down that path.

I’ve always wanted to be a writer. My dad wrote articles and I tried to write articles during my teens. His sold; mine didn’t. I kept trying and Dad says I have one big problem. Good beginning, good ending, but no middle. My sister and I have collaborated on some stories, and on the last one she said I should write more of a middle. It feels like something is missing. I did, and it felt like I was writing a whole ‘nother story, but it seemed to pick up the story where I wanted it to. Kay says it’s much better. I try to practice every day and there’s a good possibility of a fifteen-minute practice turning into seven hours on the computer (compulsive editing). I’d like to post some stories for feedback, but they’re long (3 to 11 pages).

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How to Decide if You Should Go to School to Become a Writer

• by Laurie Pawlik
• June 27, 2017

Do you need an English Literature, journalism, or writing degree if you want to become a writer? It depends. These tips for deciding if you should go to school, college, or university to learn how to write in a formal setting, as well as a few tips about what type of writer’s education you should pursue.

I was inspired to write this article for a reader, who said:

“Hello Laurie, thank you so much for taking the time to write this article!” says Chandra on What You Need to Know About Making a Career Change at 40 . “It’s refreshing to see so many people here that are interested in this. I am 42. I want to start a new career, as a Writer/Author. I actually made a career change once in my 30’s and it worked out well, but it still wasn’t what I wanted ultimately. I’ve been writing for years but have not been able to find a lucrative enough income to finance my life. So I’ve always remained moderately employed and continued to write as a hobby. I finally know that I want this to be my career full time.I finished writing my first book and it will be published soon. But getting a book published doesn’t automatically guarantee a steady paycheck.”

That’s amazing that she wrote her first book and it’ll be published soon! Awesome. That means she’ll become an author, in addition to being a writer. Being an “author” means you have a book published; being a “writer” means you write as a hobbyist or professional. Or both. But you’re not traditionally published.

Chandra goes on to say:

“I’ve always wanted to finish my degree. I’m wondering if I should pursue a degree in English Literature or something that will give me a guaranteed career in the writing field to fall back on. Or is it unnecessary and a waste of time and money? I love education, teaching, writing, and researching so I figure it’s not off the path. What do you think? I just want to make a smart decision, and you obviously know a little bit about this! : ) Thanks Laurie!”

How to Decide if You Should Go to School to Be a Writer

When I wrote Do You Need a Writing Degree to Make Money as a Writer?  back in 2011, I didn’t discuss something very important: you don’t need to go to school and get a degree in writing, Journalism, or English Literature…unless you want to be a specific type of writer.

Deciding if you should go to school to become a writer depends on what kind of writer you want to be. This means you need to take time to think about where and what you want to write.

Creative Writing Career is a guide for aspiring writers who know how important it is to position themselves in an extremely competitive field. This book includes writer interviews with some incredibly gifted people who share the wisdom they have gained. Justin says, “With writing, as with most aspects of life, I have chosen to rely on those with demonstrated wisdom to move ahead.”

Explore different types of writing careers

Here’s a quick list, off the top of my head:

• Graphic Novelist
• Literary Writer
• Screenwriter
• Catalogue Copywriter
• Online Copywriter
• Freelance Magazine Writer
• Science and Research Writer
• Autobiographer
• Ghostwriter
• Academic Writer
• Comic Book Writer
• Children’s Writer
• Speech Writer

And that’s only the beginning. For more writing jobs and ideas, read 10 Careers for Writers Who Want to Make Money .

Learn which writing jobs and careers require an education

What if you want to be a political speech writer in the President’s Office? I’ve met several speech writers, and only a few had writing degrees from universities and colleges so I know you can work your way up the ladder to the President. That said, however, an education in Political Science and Communications would be extremely beneficial for your writing career.

Same if you want to be a graphic novelist or comic book writer because of the complex interactions between illustrations and writing, as well as a literary writer because of the literary techniques. If you want to write “serious literature”, you need to learn what makes literature serious and how the masters (eg, Hemingway, Shakespeare) wrote.

Start dipping your quill

Here’s another question from a reader:

“I’m 16 and really struggling about the future,” says Ashleigh on  Making Money Freelance Writing – 5 Ways to Support Yourself as a Writer . “I don’t know what to do yet, so much pressure has been put on me. I want more than anything to just write. Write what I see, touch, smell – but my mum is nagging on at me saying that ‘Egotistic people like you need a job y’know!’ I’ve no idea what kind of job I’m looking for.

Should I go to college and take a Journalism course? Go to University and get a degree in English so I can become a full-time journalist? My teacher gave me some local newspaper e-mails. ‘Send them some of your stuff Ash,’ she said, ‘Get yourself recognized. They will love it.’ I have my doubts, but do YOU think it’s a good idea?”

Before you think about the content of her comment, note her writing style. Natural voice or what, huh? See Ashleigh write! She didn’t go to school to learn how to become a writer; she simply loves to write. But she’s not published yet.

Now think about what she was saying…her teacher is encouraging her to send her writing to the local paper, but she’s uncertain. That’s natural – it is hard to share your writing with the world! Really hard. But if you want to be a writer, you have to do things that are hard.

So I said to her:

“Yes, Ashleigh, I do think it’s a good idea to send your writing clips to your local newspaper. It’s a low-risk activity (that feels scary) – but it can reap big rewards! Or, maybe nothing will come of it at all. Either way, you win. If you sit on your writing, you gain nothing at all.”

Learn how to break into the writing career of your choice

This is the book you need to read if you want to become a screenwriter. You’ll learn more about writing movies for Hollywood in that book than in a semester of screenwriting classes at college or university. You’ll learn why you shouldn’t move to Hollywood until you’ve already written a script you want to sell, and the number one secret to getting your screenplay published.

As with most of the different types of writing jobs and careers, you don’t necessarily NEED to go to school to succeed in the field because you can learn a ton about writing from books, blogs, online courses and other resources… but getting a writing degree probably won’t be a waste of time or money.

Go to school – but not to learn “how to become a writer”

Okay, back to Chandra’s question at the top of the article. YES I think she should go to school or college or university and get a writing or English Literature degree! But not so she can “become a writer.” I think she should go to school because she loves education, learning, writing, and changing careers. If Chandra was sitting in front of me right now, I would say:

“If you don’t go back to school, will you always regret it? I went back to university for my MSW (Master of Social Work) because I thought I was done writing. Blogging sorta got dull because I’d be doing it for a few years, and I needed a break. I thought I wanted to be a social worker instead.

Now, three years after getting my MSW, I still haven’t found time to look for a job as a social worker because I’m too busy writing! My love for blogging has been renewed, revived. So even though I ‘wasted’ those two years getting a MSW…I am so glad I did it. I totally would’ve regretted it if I didn’t take the leap when I did.

There are no guarantees that an English Lit degree will get you a writing job…but boy, those might just be the happiest, most fulfilling years of your life. And if they’re the worst years of your life, then at least you know that it’s not your thang. Go to school! Get thee to a university! Go study. Where will you apply? What do you want to major in? I’m so excited for you! In fact I think I’ll join you…. 🙂 ”

Do a cost/benefit analysis of going to school to be a writer

I’ll help you by listing some of the benefits of getting a formal education in the field of your dreams. I invite you to add more benefits in the comments section below.

Benefits of going to school for a journalism or English Literature, or other type of writing degree:

• Gaining exposure to textbooks, courses, materials, and resources you’d never find in a book
• Networking with other aspiring writers and published authors
• Learning “the tricks of the trade” from experienced professional writers
• Learning discipline to overcome “writer’s block” by having to submit papers, essays, reports, interviews, etc.
• Feeling the satisfaction of earning a degree in Writing, Journalism, or English Literature
• Getting certification in your chosen field so you have formal references and education to back you up as you apply for writing jobs

If you’re leaning towards a career as a journalist or newspaper reporter, read How to Decide if You Should Major in Journalism .

Learn how to become a writer

In this book, you learn:

• Why striving to be the “best writer” in your field almost never works, and what to do instead
• How to charge more – and earn more – by creating new income streams closely related to your core business
• How to “test the waters” and land freelance writing work now, even if you’re already employed
• Stories of real-life freelancers who destroy the myth that freelancers barely scrape by

I do not believe writers need creative writing degrees, journalism degrees, literary arts degrees, English degrees – or any type of degree at all, in fact – but they do need to educate themselves in their chosen field.

I’ve written for several national print magazines and many online e-zines and content sites, and have never once been asked what degrees I have. Of course, that’s me as a freelance magazine writer – it’s not me applying for a formal reporting job on a newspaper or overseas with the BBC or National Geographic , or for a job as a speechwriter or copywriter.

That’s why you need to figure out what type of writing job you want.

Talk to working writers who did not go to school

The answer to the “Should I go to school to learn how to become a writer?” depends on who you ask. I think you should ask the most important person: you . (Actually, God is the most important but let’s stay focused).

If you want to give yourself an educated answer, find writers who are working in the field you’re aiming for and talk to them. Remember that there are so many different jobs for aspiring writers, and all have different education or certification requirements. For instance, you don’t need a writing degree to learn how to become a freelance magazine writer – you just need drive, perseverance, motivation, creativity, and self-discipline.

Try different types of writing jobs and careers (it’s called “pivoting” now)

I taught grade 8 Language Arts and high school Journalism. I didn’t really like teaching about writing – I’d rather be writing! I worked as a freelance writer for a couple of years, and didn’t like pitching feature article ideas to editors. Then I wrote monthly health articles and various projects for BC Women’s Hospital, which I loved at the time but now all I want to do is Blossom on my blogs.

No matter how old you are – 16 or 66 – you don’t have to make a decision now that you’ll have to live with for the rest of your life. You can start getting a writing or journalism degree, and switch to a different type of certification if you choose. You can start a career as a freelance writer, and switch over into owning your own business or blogging or teaching surfing in Hawaii.

Don’t pressure yourself to figure out your future right now…just take it one step at a time. The first step may be sending writing clips to your local newspaper, or applying to a journalism school or university, or working retail for a year while you write a book. Don’t get hung up on the details; just take it one step at a time.

If you need to work while you learn how to become a writer, read Best Jobs for Introverts and People Who Love to Work Alone .

Two final thoughts for becoming a working writer

Are you still wondering if you should go back to school to become a writer? That’s okay because I have two more things to tell you.

• Professional working writers do not succumb to “writer’s block”
• Working writers do not take advice from people who don’t have writing experience

Here’s a comment about full-time freelance writing from a reader who was responding to Chandra, on that same article about making a career change at midlife:

“Before you dive into the whole writing thing don’t quit your day job even though you want to,” says Ayla. “Can you live on virtually no income? Just because two people were saying they worked at jobs making a moderate income and writing on the side doesn’t mean it’s a real career possibility. If you weren’t making any money writing when you had a full-time paying job, what makes you think you will make money writing when you don’t have a job? The only difference is a lot less money. If you quit your job to write full-time you’ll have more stress and more free time which doesn’t mean you’ll spend those extra 40 hours a week writing the great American novel. What if you get writers block?”

Ouch. Don’t believe everything she says! Why? Because you can prove her wrong. And because:

1. Professional working writers do not succumb to “writer’s block”

Full-time freelance writers may feel stuck for ideas sometimes (though that has never happened to me – the world is full of ideas!), but they don’t get “writer’s block.” Not if they want to pay the bills and keep working as a writer. Professional freelance writers work at their job the same way as doctors, lawyers, accountants, entrepreneurs, and teachers: they keep learning about their industry, they update their training and credentials, and they stay on top of new developments in their field.

Don’t fall into the trap of believing writer’s block can stop you from becoming a writer! Fight the darkness by learning what opportunities exist for you and how you can get your writing published – even if you decide not to go to school to become a writer.

Jack London said he doesn’t “wait for inspiration to strike.” He shows up every morning at 9 am and sees to it that he is inspired. Because his job is to write.

2. Working writers do not take advice from people who don’t have writing experience

If you get advice about writer’s block or making money freelancing – or deciding if you should go to school to become a writer – make sure you’re talking to someone who has actually worked in the writing world and made money freelancing and decided to (or not to) go to journalism or other school.

Stay open-minded, but stay on track. Seek advice from experienced freelancers. Gather information…and then make a decision for yourself based on your gut instincts.

And don’t be afraid to start over if and when you need to.

Are you thinking about becoming a freelance writer? Read 8 Things You Need to Know About Succeeding as a Freelancer .

Your comments are welcome below, fellow scribes. What did you think of the cost/benefit analysis of going to school, college, or university to learn how to become a writer?  What would you add? I’m also curious…do you think you should go to school to be a writer?

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6 thoughts on “How to Decide if You Should Go to School to Become a Writer”

Hey, I have a question I’m also thinking of going to school for writing because I don’t really have the good enough skills I read books and get writing advice from other authors and guides but is going to school worth it, and yes I do pray to Jesus Christ that he will guide me and answer my prayers, But I seen other writers on write on episode and Wattpad and some of them get paid but mostly went to school to help their career but I saw some claim they didn’t go to school which is a much needed for writing I don’t want school to be a wasted of time but I also don’t know the skills or levels and yes, I look up on youtube and google but hey those websites don’t know everything nor does the people. A few people do but not everyone, I don’t have the skills as much no matter how many guide books or youtube videos is it really enough should I just watch the rest of my life and not go to school. Like I don’t wanna regret not going to school at all, but I wanna write novels published them I do poetry and novels ask I disagree authors who are paid do get writer blocks I don’t believe writers do make a lot of money or that its easier because its not there are writers who have other jobs and still write awhile doing other jobs to make more income. And even if you make a lot of money whose to say you wanna do that for a lifetime or that you don’t wanna explore other career or different job of writing.

I often wonder if I should go to school to learn how to write, but I can’t afford it. Appreciate the encouragement, thank you.

Hello Christina,

Thanks for being here! It sounds like you’re passionate about writing but you don’t know where to start.

If I were you, I’d consider going back to school and learn the craft of writing. I don’t know where you are in life or your career, but if you’re introverted and shy, then you need to learn how to put yourself out there. Writers need to have thick skins, because a writing career is filled with rejection, disappointment, and all manner of writing problems.

What do you think of going to school to become a writer?

I really want to pursue writing as a career, but am not quite sure where to start. I’ve been writing poetry and short stories for a few years now and am looking to expand upon it, hopefully make an income in the process. Any thoughts or ideas would be ideal. I’m quite the introvert and have a somewhat difficult time putting myself out there. Please help.

Yes, writing as a career is getting more difficult in some ways…but with the internet, it’s also getting easier to make money as a writer! And not by going to school to become a novelist 🙂

I’m glad you don’t regret going to journalism school, Drew. If you write an article about the benefits of getting a journalism degree in college or university, I’d love to read it! Post the link here, and I’ll be your first reader from this blog.

Let’s be honest, writing is a tough field, and in many ways it’s only getting harder.

But I don’t regret going to school for journalism. It’s not right for everyone, but it was right for me.

How to Write and Publish Children's Books

How To Become A Novelist and Build A Writing Career

Here’s a question from LS about how to become a novelist and make a writing career:

I’ve been writing for a few years (I’m 17) and I know I want to be an author. It’s all I want to do but I know my writing needs work – a lot of work. I’ve heard from some people that the only way to improve your writing is to practice, just keep writing and reading. Is that true, or is it different for everyone? And is it wrong to pursue this as a career? It seems like the most common advice is to do something else, “write in your free time”. I originally decided that if I made it to college, I’d major in Creative Writing. I thought that would help me become a better writer, but I’m worried now that it would be a waste of time.

How to Build A Writing Career: Read and Write (And Read and Write Some More)

There isn’t a single writer in the world who hasn’t doubted whether a writing career is the path for them. These questions are definitely normal. The first thing I have to say is that you’ve got plenty of time on your hands to pursue how to become a novelist. A lot of writers discover their passion for it early. This is the part you might not want to hear, though: a lot of writers start early but then spend years and years and years honing their skills. To answer your question, yes, practice and reading like a writer are the best ways to improve as a writer. That’s not just for some people, that’s for everybody. The more you write, the better you get, and the more you read, the more you absorb for your own craft.

Degree Optional

Even though you’re thinking of majoring in creative writing, don’t think you’ll get out of college with that degree and begin a career writing books right away. If you want to learn how to become a novelist, you’ll learn a lot more from years and years of practice than you ever will in creative writing classes. Those classes were nice but did little to prepare me for a writing career. Heck, my MFA in creative writing was only marginally better than college in terms of craft and literature curriculum. Luckily, nobody cares about your degrees or your resume when you’re a writer. They only care about the work, as should you. That’s your responsibility to hone, so don’t feel like you need to put so much pressure on your degree.

Tenacity Required

A writing career isn’t easy to get into. Most people don’t realize how long it takes to start writing good, saleable books. Most people have no idea how slowly the publishing world moves. I talk to writers all the time who say it took them ten years of solid writing to finally get a manuscript that sold. But if that’s the only thing you can possibly imagine doing, if writing is an irresistible, compulsive thing for you, then pursue it. Most people try and then drop out. If you want to know how to become a novelist, tenacity is pretty much a requirement.

Find Your Voice

The thing you really need to explore right now is your voice. For young writers, the voice is usually the last thing to develop and solidify ( Learn about writing realistic dialogue ). It’s true. To carry any kind of book for 300 pages, a writer needs a mature, dynamic and compelling voice. A voice that feels like a real human being, not just some caricature or persona. If there’s any advice I’d give you on how to build a writing career, it’s to educate yourself, put in grueling writing time every day and to work tirelessly on your voice. That and don’t give up just because it’s hard. The most worth-it things are always difficult. ( Need help finding time to write every day? Read this .)

Hire me as your  novel editor and publishing consultant, and we can figure out how to become a novelist in a competitive marketplace.

18 Replies to “How To Become A Novelist and Build A Writing Career”

Your answer is more encouraging than you may think! I love writing enough that I’d keep trying, whether for ten years or twenty or more. Well, I would if I thought I had a chance. And now I think I really might. Thank you so much for your help and advice!

Aww, good! Because if this can be called “encouraging,” then you might really have a great chance. The most important thing to remember is to always strive toward your best work, to challenge yourself every day and to never let yourself get away with complacent writing.

I’ll remember that! Thanks again. :]

I wrote my first story when I was eight (I’m pretty sure it was eight though it could have been nine). I wrote on and off for the next twenty-two years before I sold my first book (Shameless plug: The Deathday Letter, Simon Pulse, Summer 2010). There are a couple things I learned in that time.

1. Write until it hurts. Set aside specific times. For me it’s mornings. I get up and write for a couple of hours every morning. Some mornings I write such drivel that I have to toss it out and start anew the next morning. But that’s not important. What’s important is that you get into the habit of doing it every day, no matter what other distractions you have.

2. Finish stuff. Finish short stories, then longer stories, and then a book. Likely none of it will be publishable, but do it so that you know you can. After I finished my first (horrible) book, finishing the next was cake.

3. Brace yourself for rejection. This is the hardest, but something I wish I’d been better at when I started.

4. Find yourself a stable day job. I spent a lot of my twenties in and out of college, job-hopping, and moving around. The whole time, I kept telling myself that if I could just have six months and a quiet house, I’d finally write that book. It wasn’t until I settled into a (boring) career, that I finally realized that routine and financial security are key. Even after having sold my first book, I’m still at my day job and probably will be for a while, but the key here is that I don’t worry about where my next paycheck is coming from or whether I can afford food, which frees up my time and gives me the peace of mind to focus on writing.

5. Don’t focus on publication, focus on writing. If you just worry about being the best writer you can be, then you’ll know when you’re ready to try to publish.

6. Finally: read. A lot. Experience as much as you can. All the stuff you learn will help you be a better writer.

Plus, everything Mary said 🙂

Good luck! Hope to see you on a shelf someday.

Yo Shaun! Long time no see. =)

If you ever want a place to guest blog, smarty-pants, the good ship Kidlit is all yours. I’m just sayin’. You’ve got some good advice, and I love hearing real people’s stories of how they got where they are.

Point four is the most interesting of your advice. I think a lot of people could benefit from that advice and take it to heart. In my life, I am deathly allergic to office work. So a career with any kind of stability has been pretty draining for me. When I did go to work in an office right after college, I was too drained each day to write anything. That’s why I quit. I took the route of taking odd jobs for a while, now I’ve found a good job that pays well and gives me a flexible schedule where I work from home… the best of all worlds! But it really did take a lot of risks and luck and tenacity to find the right fit. So to all the writers reading this, I second Shaun: career choice while you write is very important. Don’t underestimate the effect of how you spend your working days on your writing life. For me, I had to find just the right thing.

Some great advice, again. Rock on!

Thanks for the helpful discussion. I would love to find a career that’s flexible and provides more opportunity for my writing to take place. Now I pretty much only write on the weekends unless I have spare moments. Maybe in 20 years I finish my book. 🙂

Sorry for the absence, I’m stuck in revision-land. July 1 deadline = EEK!

I just may take you up on that offer 🙂

I totally agree that the job has to be the right one. Mine’s in IT. I managed to convince my bosses (who know nothing of my writing) that I should be allowed to come in at noon two days a week. That allows me to write first thing in the morning four days a week. Averaging 1500 words per session gives me the ability to write a 60k word book in about 40 days (it takes much longer…but it’s possible). Mostly it’s about finding that stability and really making it work for you.

My agent told me about a writer friend of his who writes during his lunch breaks and weekends.

If writing’s important to you, Lisa (which is sounds like it is) then make it a priority and you won’t go wrong.

You’ve got a great site here, Mary! I’ll be back when I’m out of the revision hole 🙂

Great advice! I wish I’d had someone tell me some of this stuff long ago! 🙂

I’d never thought of being a writer–the kind of writer who conjures up a fresh, new story. Still, your tips and advice are so helpful and encouraging. I’m rather passionate about being a reporter, and writing is the skill I try improve.

I would say do whatever makes you happy, but then again I am a history major. 😉

Most colleges allow you to double major or have a minor, so you could do that with something a bit more conventional like marketing or business?

Ahhh this comes at the perfect time, especially since I’m doubting myself for not having majored in English in college. A great relief! Thank you!

Great advice to aspiring writers! I need to start writing my book….This advice will totally help! Thanks!

I absolutely have to agree with you! I’ve been writing since I was 12 (I’m almost 25 now) and at that age, I thought that I’d be published by now. Hasn’t happened yet, but I wouldn’t be the writer I am today without practicing writing and constantly reading.

Excellent, kind advice for any reader seriously considering writing as a career.

Thanks for all the kind words Linna, MssJos, Mya, Jessica and Katie. I’m really glad some of this advice is hitting home. =)

Oh this helps! I’ve been struggling with the idea for a long time…as long as I can remember!

Mary, What great news a degree in writing isn’t required. I must admit those who hold creative writing degrees seem elite and intimidating. I have two degrees and considered returning to gain a literary degree, but then decided the same amount of time could be invested with actual writing. There are so many outstanding writing technique books and hundreds of accomplished authors love mentoring that with dedicated intention, developing one’s craft in a closet, converted into a gun room but used as a study, is possible. The answer to this question is, can you stop yourself from writing? With each impulse, flash of idea, racing concepts, the answer is revealed, until the next uncontrollable drive to gather words in an attempt to share your vision.

Thanks for an inspiring post! It can get very frustrating, but there is nothing else that I can see myself doing. Writing is my oxygen. Whether or not I’m published I will keep at it because I have too…

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Home / Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs / Online Bachelor’s (BA) in English Degree / Creative Jobs for English Majors / How to Become an Author: Writing Your Own Career

Writing Your Own Career: How to Become an Author Writing Your Own Career: How to Become an Author Writing Your Own Career: How to Become an Author

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Opportunities for writers are plentiful in our content-driven, super-connected world. There are countless blogging sites and social media outlets that allow users to post about any topic. Writers can pour their words onto paper — or, in this case, a keyboard — and disseminate their thoughts to the world. But becoming an author is different.

Although both writers and authors produce and arrange words to convey a story or idea to a reader, there is a subtle but important difference between the two professions. A writer can produce a technical manual or marketing copy that, while functional and useful, isn’t art. An author, on the other hand, writes to entertain, inspire emotion, start a discussion, and contribute to the body of human artistic expression.

Becoming the next Ta-Nehisi Coates, Joy Harjo, JK Rowling, or John Grisham doesn’t happen overnight. Pursuing a career as an author means dedicating oneself to the craft of writing, finding a niche and a unique voice, and becoming a master storyteller. While there is no guarantee of success for authors, the potential payoff in terms of fulfillment, creativity, influence, and financial well-being can be high.

What Does an Author Do?

An author creates works of art through the written word. This can include long-form writing, such as a  New Yorker  article or a novel, and shorter pieces, such as a poem or essay. Authors compose works of both fiction and nonfiction and spend much of their time in the steps of the creative process: researching, planning, writing, reading, editing, and rewriting.

They also spend time managing the publication of their work. They can self-publish, which entails paying for the printing process and selling their work directly or through a major distributor such as Amazon. There are also print-on-demand companies where a customer buys a book and a copy is printed and shipped to them. They can also work with a publishing company or media outlet, which pays for the work or takes a percentage of the profits in exchange for printing, distributing, and marketing it. Experienced authors with a track record of sales or influence earn more lucrative publishing deals, often with the representation of agents who pitch their work to publishing houses and advocate for them during the publication process.

While some publishers do market authors’ materials, even the most prestigious publishing houses often expect authors to participate in marketing efforts, such as through book tours and signings, selling books at conference booths, communicating with readers through an email list, and engaging in social media.

Steps to Become an Author

The process of how to become an author can be lengthy. Both traditional publishing and writing for web outlets can be extremely competitive and must meet particular parameters of voice, audience, and content. Writers can be challenged to pitch stories, complete research, and create pieces that are interesting to the reader. Becoming an author is not a process that offers shortcuts or guarantees. Instead, it requires hard work and dedication to the craft of writing, along with the right education to lay the foundation.

Dive into Literature

The most important task for all aspiring authors is to immerse themselves in writing and literature. They need to read voraciously. They can benefit from a background in the classics, knowledge of contemporary literature, and an understanding of religion, philosophy, history, and culture.

When authors pick up a book, they need to read for more than pleasure. They should analyze what they’re reading and think about the choices the author made, from specific words and phrases to storylines and character development. By evaluating great pieces of writing to determine what makes them great, prospective authors can learn vital skills for when the time comes to create their own art.

Get the Right Education

Maryville University’s online Bachelor of Arts in English  gives students a deep dive into English literature and language, with courses in classics, world mythology, creative writing, minority voices in literature, and more. It teaches future authors to think critically about literature and language while familiarizing them with important works from around the globe.

Hone Your Craft

Finally, authors need to write. Only by practicing can they continue to improve, come up with new ideas, tell compelling stories, and discover exciting ways of looking at the world. Authors don’t need to wait until they’ve earned a bachelor’s degree to begin writing; many have been practicing since a young age.

Author Salary

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual income for authors and writers was $62,000 in 2018. The lowest 10% earned less than $31,700, and the top 10% earned more than $121,670. Pay varies based on several factors, including work environment, years of experience, reputation and influence, previous publications, and awards.

Employment Outlook for Authors

The BLS reports that 64% of the 131,200 authors and writers in the United States are self-employed. It expects the job market for authors to grow 8% between 2016 and 2026, which is average for most jobs in the U.S. The data points to 5,300 new self-employed writers and another 1,200 working in technical services among the 10,000 jobs added during that span.

Learn More About Becoming an Author

Becoming the next best-selling author or world-famous poet starts with earning the right degree and getting those first words onto paper. See how an  online Bachelor of Arts in English from Maryville University  could equip you with the skills to become an author and build a fulfilling career that inspires readers across the world.

British Broadcasting Corporation, “Top 10 Tips for Being a Best-Selling Author”

Glassdoor, “Author Salaries”

James Altucher, “How to Self-Publish a Bestseller: Publishing 3.0”

Jerry Jenkins, “How to Become an Author: Your Complete Guide”

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Writers and Authors

Bring us your ambition and we’ll guide you along a personalized path to a quality education that’s designed to change your life.

Holly Lisle: Writer

Do Writers Need College To Write?

Experts, professionals, and college.

“Do I have to have a college education to make it as a writer?”

“I haven’t finished high school. Can I still write?”

“I’ve always wanted to be a writer, and I’ve done a lot of writing, but I couldn’t afford to go to college when I was younger . . .”

This question arrives in my e-mail box about once a week, worded in any of a dozen different ways. Some of the questioners tiptoe around it, embarrassed to ask, pretty sure they know what the answer is going to be, but hoping that it won’t. Sometimes I can feel the frustration and the pain, the barriers erected by poverty or lack of a diploma or lack of time. Some of the questioners are as young as thirteen, some have been as old a seventy.

All of them are pretty sure that formal education is the road to writing; that a degree will confer legitimacy to their words and their lives; that if they could just get more schooling, publishers’ doors would open.

They’ve been brainwashed by experts, by a system designed to create people who fit neatly into categories like ‘accountant’ and ‘nurse’ and ‘manager’. They’ve been trained to believe that the best education is an education that comes from sitting passively in a desk in an overcrowded room, being talked at by an expert.

Obviously, experts have gone to a great deal of trouble to make sure their potential customers (and perhaps you) believed this. They’ve tried to get employers to make grades the basis for hiring — a move most employers have so far been bright enough to refuse. They have managed to close many fields to anyone who hasn’t sat in the box like a good little drone for sixteen years or more.

You now have to have a degree to be an architect, a doctor, a teacher, or an engineer. Experts are trying to make sure you have to have a degree to become an RN. They’d also prefer that you had to have a degree in order to be a social worker, respiratory therapist, an interior decorator . . . and sooner or later, when they make degrees mandatory to those fields, I imagine they’ll get to work on truckers and plumbers and bakers and hairdressers. College-educated experts are trying to close every field, because college education is big, pricey business, and the more people that have to go through it, the more money the experts make.

And if you think I’m full of shit here, and that people really do need college educations before going out and doing great things, consider this — the gothic cathedrals, the pyramids, and the Roman roads and aqueducts were designed and built by men who did not have college educations. Michaelangelo did not have a college degree, nor did Leonardo da Vinci. Thomas Edison didn’t. Neither did Mark Twain (though he was granted honorary degrees in later life.) All of these people were professionals. None of them were experts.

Get your education from professionals, and always avoid experts.

An expert is somebody with a degree. The degree doesn’t mean he knows how to do what he’s an expert at — he might have absolutely no practical experience. But he has the degree, which confers on him the right to impress other people with his accomplishment (which was the getting of the degree), and to get paid for his expert opinions. An expert gets paid by third parties — his work is never placed in the open market where it will either sink or swim on its own merit. Experts earn more money and more security by conforming — if they conform for a long enough time without annoying anyone or doing anything unexpected, they can earn higher positions or, in college systems, tenure. Therefore, in an expert system, the talented, the challenging and the brash are weeded out, and the inoffensive mediocre remain. Many college professors are experts.

A professional is someone who makes a living working in the field in question. A professional architect designs and builds houses for clients. A professional hairdresser cuts and styles hair for clients. A professional writer writes stories, articles, or books for readers. All of these people get paid by the people who are direct consumers of their work. If they do bad work, they don’t get paid. The open market will weed out the bad professionals, so the ones who have been around for a while and who are still working are probably worth learning from.

What I learned from two years of nursing school at a community college was primarily political — “Get involved in your local chapter of the North Carolina Nursing Association, fight to keep the ANA from making a bachelor’s degree the entry level for an RN, don’t stand up when doctors come into the nurses’ station or give them your seat.” I learned some basics on patient care, too — but I didn’t really learn to be a nurse until I was out in the field working with other nurses. They were the ones who said, “Look, you see somebody who comes in looking like that, don’t wait for the doctor to get here before you stick O2 on him and order a twelve-lead. Just do it. And break out the D5W and start a microdrip IV right away, too. And for godsake, make sure the crash cart is ready and the paddles are warmed up.”

In writing, too, I learned the things I needed to know about the profession from a brief apprenticeship with Mercedes Lackey and another with Stephen Leigh. From Stephen, I learned the nuts and bolts of writing: 1. Avoid passive voice, 2. Use active verbs, 3. Eliminate most adjectives and adverbs, 4. Use concrete detail, 5. Tell a story worth telling, 6. Know your characters. From Misty, I learned how to be a professional — and that I learned from watching her. She came home from a full day of work and went straight into her office and wrote her ten pages . . . every day, no matter what kind of a day she’d had. Only when she’d done that did she come out and hang out. She was invariably polite and friendly to her agent, her editors, her publishers, and her fans. She worked on ideas for one project while writing another. She didn’t have a shit fit about having to do rewrites — she just did them. She hit her deadlines. She wrote stories she wanted to write.

There. I’ve just given you a complete apprenticeship in writing. You have everything you need to know to become a professional writer, and it took you a couple of minutes of your time and didn’t cost you a penny. The rest of being a professional writer is writing — sitting down and putting words on a page, one after another after another.

If you want to pay $40,000 or $60,000 or $200,000 or whatever for a college education, you can do that, and perhaps you’ll even have one or two professors in your program who are actually working as writers. They aren’t doing it full time, of course, because if they were, they wouldn’t be supplementing their income by teaching, so you won’t be able to model a full-time writer by watching them. You’ll have to spend a lot of time doing things that have no relationship to what you want to do with your life. And you need to remember that most people who go to college to become writers don’t. They find their focus shifted to education, or business, and they give up on their dream. College educations are designed by conformists to create conformists. Even those colleges which point to their radical stance and avante garde teaching are creating students who conform to their mold — their sort of radicals, their sort of avante garde. Students in college have to earn the approval of their teachers in order to get their grades and graduate. And you don’t learn anything new if your main goal in life is seeking the approval of experts.

If you’re looking at writing as a career, you’re looking at a future of tremendous freedom. You can do what you want to do with your life, and publishers and editors and readers don’t ask if you have a degree, and don’t care if you have a degree. They only care that you can put good words on a page, and that you can tell a story. They’ll pay you well if you can do those two things — and you can learn to do them without a college education, without a high school education, without having spent a day in your life locked behind the walls of a classroom.

You’ll learn to write if you teach yourself. Put yourself in situations where you can learn new things from the people who actually do them. Hang out with policemen and painters and long-distance runners and carpenters. Get them to show you the tricks of their trade. Learn how to build a stained glass window, how to paddle a canoe, how to swim, how to bait your own hook and tie your own flies and how to identify the flowers and shrubs and trees native to your region. Grow a garden. Paint your own house and fix your own leaky faucet. Go camping with a couple of outdoorsy friends. Read lots and lots and lots of good books. Read fiction, read non-fiction. Especially read lots of books about complicated subjects written for the intelligent layman.

Never, never pick up a textbook — textbooks are worthless. They’re politically correct pablum designed to spoonfeed tiny bits of information to people who aren’t interested in the subject matter without offending those people’s parents. Anything designed with being inoffensive as its primary goal isn’t going to be worth your time — life itself is pretty offensive, ending as it does with death.

And while you’re doing all this reading and self-educating, keep writing. Have the guts to believe in yourself, have the guts to ignore the experts who want your money, have the guts to take a chance on making your dream a reality. You can do it.

You see, I’m a full-time professional writer, and I don’t have a college education either.

NOTE: I offer a comprehensive introductory class based on my fiction-writing and publishing experience. It’s called How to Write Flash Fiction that Doesn’t SUCK , and it is no-strings-attached FREE , including a private classroom, downloadable lessons, and a friendly, well-moderated forum where you can work with other students. I hope you’ll try it out.

48 responses to “Do Writers Need College To Write?”

I am an RN of forty years- diploma school, thank you, very much. I always wanted to be a writer and one day about ten years ago, said, “I am a writer.” I did have to keep my nursing career, but it enhances my writing. I am curious. It sounds like you left nursing. I found your site today, so I am still perusing it. I couldn’t agree more about the college education. The most important lesson is S.O.C. and I don’t mean Start of Care. Writing. Writing. Writing. After a period of darkness, I emerge again to write professionally. I look forward to reading more of your blog.

I am also on Medium. My muse now comes from being “Miss” as a nurse technician at a high school.

Hi, Mollie.

I have a two-year Associate Degree. And I was the weekend house supervisor at a small hospital in South Carolina one weekend when we had young kids come in, both being coded. And those kids (the same age difference as my two, with an older girl and a younger boy like mine) did not survive.

That day changed me. I realized that me being home for my kids could literally be a matter of life and death — and while it took me seven years and change from that day to go from nurse to full-time stay-at-home divorced-mom-who-writes-novels , it turned out that my being at home for them was the thing that saved both of them.

My gut had been right. So… yeah. I left nursing. I loved it, and when I got my ACLS certification, I just kept thinking of how much I was going to miss the work. And I do miss the work, even now. It was hard, it was grim, it was a dirty job… but I never, ever went to work thinking that what I did didn’t matter.

Staying home just turned out to matter more.

Let me know how the writing goes. I’ll be here.

I started a creative writing course and withdrew in the second week. The reason? We were given a piece of narrative text we had to analyse and de-construct. The magic suddenly went and I realised that if I were to proceed with the course, all my magic would also disappear. I wasn’t reluctant to withdraw. I raced to do so!

Writing fiction is not about analyzing and dissecting fiction by other writers. That process creates teachers who teach fiction. It doesn’t create writers who write it. You did well to flee.

Thank you for this article. Very useful information.

I have had many careers with no college degree. I have also hit the educational ceiling in a few of them.

Right now, I would almost take a creative writing course [Tim Waggoner, author of Nekropolis teaches at the local community college] just to have someone read and critique my work.

I had some agents give great feedback, and I revised accordingly, but that was a decade ago.

The rule of getting what you paid for seems to hold true in regard to beta readers. If someone will read your work in exchange for having you read over theirs, I find they are usually worse writers than I am.

Naturally, those who know how to write well and what to look for have no time unless you are willing to pay for it.

I guess I am waiting for READERS MEET WRITERS to go active?

That’s still on hold because I can only do big work on one project at a time, and HollysWritingClasses.com is STILL not out of beta. It’s a case of one person designing enterprise-level software, and one person building it. It’s taking longer than either of us had imagined.

Holly, You are an inspiration! Thank You.

Wow what a lot of interesting and appreciative comments triggered by this article. Now I will tell a cautionary tale. I did well at school and could have attended university. Instead I attended Teacher’s College. (In my country they have now combined both establishments of higher learning) I am a qualified Teacher of English to Speakers of Other Languages. I love words and have great knowledge of them. After writing affidavits, teaching in many areas, provided support for people doing assignments for their higher learning courses, had a father who had been in theatre who thought he knew every word in the English language and I competed with him. I became a walking dictionary and have always been asked to spell problematic words for family members(too lazy to use a dictionary). So then I wrote a book! Did I? Yes. Could I? No. What a shock to find out I write writenese with words no one has heard of, no one can read or would even want to. Not to mention stage direction detail ad nauseum. One mentor who specializes in writing said to me it would be interesting for me to consider how being an English teacher has impacted on my writing. It was not a compliment. So now with all I have unlearnt and relearned about writing I am doing a complete overhaul of my story. Degrees are a disadvantage 100% I hope this inspires those who doubt themselves.

Formal English has no place in fiction — and the distancing of “one” and keeping apart from your subject matter doesn’t either.

All of us who learned the careful English of school designed for the writing of term papers and the getting of As had to unlearn all of that before we could begin to sell our fiction. So… yes. What you said.

I think school is surely helpful for learning the technical aspects of writing (eg. grammar), but the actual art of writing? Meh… I guess it can be good for learning the basics but mastery is only achieved through practice.

Agreed. And most college writing programs teach a lot of bad habits that writers who want to do this for a living have to unlearn in order to succeed.

Such as? What are some things that the educated writer has to unlearn in order to be successful at professional writing? This is an incredibly interesting conversation, but it is extremely biased, so I’m wondering what specifically one would have to unlearn.

The flow of this article is beautiful. I’m very interested in the courses you offer. Thank you for helping to guide and reassure me at a critical juncture.

I’m delighted you found it helpful. And I wish you great success with your writing.

I’m South African. Unless you are a rapper around here, there isn’t much you can do without a collage education. Even writing seems like an impossibility. Most South African published works are very derivative. Unless you’re writing a legends biography or a soap opera script, you are writing from what you have learned in college about writers from all over the world and those people know absolutely nothing about life here. Black parents around here sincerely believe you will amount to nothing without a degree… So I went to college after high school to study copywriting. This school is soaking up all that both my parents are worth but they don’t mind cause they believe in this success dichotomy… “Degree equals stability,no education a lifetime of poverty and disappointment.” I’m miserable here, I thought I’d learn how to write but I’m only learning how to advertise. I suck at advertising, I don’t care about brands. I care about words, books, stories, life in my township and putting on paper. My parents will never understand my wanting to quit school to peruse a writing career, especially with the way things are for a middle class black girl in my country. I’m failing miserably at school because of my lack of interest but I’m still here because don’t know what else to do. I had a miscarriage last week, turned me into a miserable sod but I’ve been writing non stop ever since. I’m so consumed in it that I’ve missed two assignments already. I won’t be able to make it through school… I’ve decided to quit dispite all my fears and the disgrace it will cause my family. This article feels like my lifeline. I know I can make it now as a writer without a degree. Writing is all there is to it, and that’s what I was born for, I’m convinced. Thank you for this, it’s really given hope. I won’t tell my parents about leaving school until I’ve written a punishable manuscript. I hope for the best for us all who’ve found home in this beautiful art form.

Hugs, and I’m really sorry. That sounds awful. If it helps, I offer a free flash fiction class here , and some really inexpensive (under $10 US) classes on plotting, character creation, scene building, worldbuilding, culture building, and language building here. Scroll down past the expensive stuff at the top.

Community membership is free, too, and there are a ton of writers in the community who would be happy to help you. I have a great bunch of writers in there, superb moderators, and I’m in there myself as I’m able.

Most parents in the US also believe a college education is the only way their kids will succeed (in spite of the fact that massive numbers of college grads graduate with massive debt and end up working retail because their college educations don’t translate to real jobs.

Luckily for me, my folks couldn’t afford to send me, and I wasn’t willing to incur massive debt to go.

I agree with the fact that no amount of school is going to make you creative. You either have something to say and have a story or you don’t. The problem mainly comes from after you write a brilliant piece where do you take it? You use to be able to send unsolicited scripts to producers or places like the BBC, all of that has been stopped now. These windows of small opportunities are slowly closing.you can currently put a script up on amazon studios, but what are the odds that they will pick you script up? These days you need a entertainment lawyer and an agent and it is hard to get a agent. So where do we go after a finished script? Thanks you x

I’ve never had any desire to work in Hollywood, and don’t write scripts, so this part of the industry is completely beyond my area of expertise. You’ll have to ask someone who knows the business.

Hi! Thank you for writing this article. It really does help. I’m here because I’m not a fan of school. Never was. I never enjoyed the system that it is today because of what it is. The teachers are measuring our intelligence based on tests and quiz scores. It’s also very discouraging when your sitting around people who get straight A’s all the time and you don’t. I’ve always enjoyed writing. I would like to become an author. What I’m thinking of are the connections that colleges and universities have that could get you through the doors to become a professional writer or author. I’m just 19 years old and I don’t want to be in debt till I’m 40 and start my dreams there.

I’m writing to you because I’m wondering on how you could really get your foot into the door of becoming an author like J.K. Rowling. There are many scams out there who just want your money. So, I’m just wondering if you have any ideas on who’s real and who’s not. Also, any tips of beginning your first book? And how to get your book published the right way without attending college? Thanks for taking time out of your day for reading this. I really appreciate it!

Work your way down the sidebar of this page. Read every article. I’ve already answered your questions, created free workshops you can use to improve your writing, and have demonstrated through my own life that writing for a living is more of a reason to avoid college than to attend it.

As for J.K. Rowling — you can’t be like her. And if publishers had any clue whatsoever for how to replicate what she did, every writer would sell like her. Publishers are utterly clueless about this.

Write because you love the work. Learn as much about the process and the professionalism as you can on your own. Use the resources on this site to learn how to improve and sell your work.

This is the best job in the world… IF YOU LIKE THE WORK. But it is work. Lots of it. And I needed seven years of working for no pay while I learned the job before I sold anything. This is not easy, is not a fast path to riches. It’s a job, and has to be approached as one.

If you want to go deeper, with classes that include worksheets, forums, other writers to ask for help (including me), my writer site is here: https://hollyswritingclasses.com , and whatever classes I’m currently offering are available here: https://hollyswritingclasses.com/shop/ .

Thanks for your help. Where is the info on your classes?

Hi, Margaret. Free workshops and help are here, in the sidebar on this page: https://hollylisle.com/articles/

My classes are here: https://hollyswritingclasses.com/shop/

I m doing my graduation in the field of science(medical) but i want to become writer. I want to write hindi poetry. I also write shyaris in hundi and post as my status and i get appreciation from my friends but i dont know what to do further. Plz help .

I’m not familiar with markets outside of the US. What I know of American markets may or may not apply, but poetry in the US will generally pay you enough to feed a cat. Occasionally. If it’s bumming food off the neighbors on the side.

Outside the US, it may attract more readers and more respect. Here, there’s a reason why I tack mine into stories, or just post it for free on my website.

If you’re writing just it just for the joy of the work — which is what I do — then it makes a nice break from medical work, and can give you a place to be someone your co-workers don’t see.

I am really great full for the article you wrote. I am 33 and very terrified of college. The reason being, I almost failed my senior year. I love to write, and often my characters form a life of there own. I believe my job is to tell their story. I often tell people that if they could see what is in my head they would have me committed. My only question is beside just writing, what else do I need. You mentioned a agent, editor, and publisher. How do I obtain these things?

If you look at the sidebar (or if you’re on a phone, at the very bottom), you’ll find that I have about 100,000 words of free articles that answer these questions and a lot of others.

I am a 15 year old who wants to become a writer. The school that I’m currently going to does not make me happy and it’s probably one of the hardest schools I have ever been to since it’s an IB school. I don’t have a lot of friends there and I’m always reserved and shy. It’s weird because my English teacher once said that if you’re a good speaker, then you’re a good writer. I never believed that because everyone is different and most introverts are great writers. For example, John Green and Thomas Jefferson. I have to say, I always get caught up in my words when I talk and my mind usually goes blank which causes me to stutter. But when I write, my imagination goes free and tend to create such good sentences with forms of imagery, personification, etc.. This makes me want to pursue my dream to become an author but I was so worried about school becuase I don’t have the best grades and homework is so time consuming. I was afraid that I would never have time to write because I’m currently writing a book. ( I started this summer while I visited England and France. ) I was afraid that colleges won’t accept me if my grades will always be low. I don’t want to disappoint my parents and they usually get mad if I make bad grades. So I decided to do research and figure out whether or not college is required to become an author. I found your article and to my relief, it’s not. Your words made me inspired to continue my dream to become an author and it makes me feel so much better to know that not all authors went to college. I know I should still do good in school but it feels like I should pay more attention to what I want to do later on in life. Thank you!

…my English teacher once said that if you’re a good speaker, then you’re a good writer. Absolutely false. You’re right, and your teacher is dead wrong.

Many, many writers are introverts who live inside their heads, and express themselves through their fingers, either by typing or handwriting.

Even those of us who ended up doing some public speaking frequently find it daunting and uncomfortable.

Figure, the job description for writer is this:

• Sit in a room by yourself.
• Think up weird and interesting stuff.
• Type it until it’s done.
• Find the parts in the story that are good and save them, while identifying the parts of the story that suck, (which you change or remove).
• Fix everything that’s broken.
• Make sure that what you’ve written is meaningful to you.
• Send the story out, or publish it yourself.
• Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.

You can do this from the time you’re your age until the time you’re twice my age (I’m now 57) and if you keep your mind sharp, you can work until you die. Which is the reason, when I was in my early twenties, that I decided this was the job I wanted.

NOWHERE in that job description, however, is “stand up in front of people and be interesting.”

This article is refreshing. I’m 33, married with 6 beautiful children, and college is an impossibility for me for sure. Knowing there’s still hope of putting my stories out there for readers is energizing. My wife and I have been bouncing stories around since before we were married 12 years ago, and now that I’ve accepted that college simply won’t happen I can focus my energy on doing what I’ve always wanted to: writing. Thanks for this.

This calms my soul! I am a 20 year old mother from california. I have a total of 5 books ive written and want to get published not for money but for my love of writing and for the love of a reader who likes my novels. My books arent small either. They are quite long and i have worked on two of them since i was 15. I dont have the money for a degree in english lit or anything else. The only thing i got from college was a diploma to be a medical assistant taking a 9 month course. However, being a writer is my dream. It never stopped me to know that becoming an author is detailed and hard work. Now i only wish to publish and write more and more and more. I dont just write a certain genre i love to fiddle around and see wgat my imagination can create. I write as i go. Sometimes i look back and realize that i write alot in such a short time. I spend 4 to 5 hours for 2 days doing nothing but brainstorming and rechecking my paragraphs. I want to be sure it fits just right. For the rest of those 5 days i take 2 hours to write. I just cant get enough! I love to write!!

Hi there! I loved your post. I am a portuguese 19 year old and I write a lot, I´m now finishing my first fantasy novel but I have some questions. I surely want to be a full time writer, and I write everyday as well as read. But I got into a Journalism degree (1000 euros a year) so that I could buy myself some time, but I’m not really investing in it, because my parents put a lot of pressure for me to know what I want to do with my life. And now I do, but they think it’s just another wave. I’m living with my dad, he is a 74 year old man, and I feel really bad for absorbing his money, and doing what he thinks is nothing. If you could advise me I would thank you.

“Buying time” is exactly what you have to do. Fiction very rarely pays for itself at the beginning, and you need to write regularly while also earning money. I worked as a nurse for ten years while I was teaching myself to write publishable fiction.

A writing job, however, is a lot less likely to leave you wanting to write fiction after work. I knew a lot of journalists who wanted to write fiction, but who never did, because when they were done writing all day, the last thing they wanted to do was go home and work at night.

Jobs that pay you for your muscles allow you to develop stories in your head while you’re working, and go home and write them at night. Jobs that require a great deal of thought are less helpful to an eventual career as a novelist. Nursing wasn’t ideal, in that it required a lot of thinking, and most days I got very little writing done when I got home.

I might have been publishable faster if I’d been working as a cashier.

I’m 16 years old and I recently dropped out of high school because I was caught with marijuana. I didn’t feel like going back to another one of those hell holes with the brick walls and the under qualified asshats who preach from a page. I want to be a writer. I write pages of memoirs of my life and nostalgic moments. This page gave me hope that I don’t need to go back if I write and publish one day. Thank you for your inspiration!

You can make it happen. What you have to do to make it happen is write every day, read good books to understand what makes them good, read awful books to understand what makes them better, and apply what you learn to what you create.

I’m taking most of your classes (I may be missing a couple), and I’m so glad I read this. I listened to some random YouTube lectures tonight, and ended up thinking maybe I should go back to school. I did that for a few semesters the last two years, but it drained my savings. Ironically, the most expensive was a two-week writing workshop, because I had to leave my work assignment for three weeks… Anyway, I’m glad I read this. I don’t need a diploma*, like the Wizard handed the Scarecrow. I just need to keep writing and listening to people like you. 🙂

*I can’t remember what the Wizard called it – a testimonial, maybe?

I am 18. I am graduating this Friday. I am the second child of six.The oldest girl, the mother hen so to say. I am the first girl on my father’s side in forty-seven years. My brother is a drop out, so is my younger sister. My parents expect so much of me considering there is only a hand full of relatives on both sides who actually got an education and wasn’t pregnant by the time they were fifteen. I want to make my mama proud because she’s worked hard to make life easy for me and my siblings. I don’t have money for college. I barely have money for a good meal at times, but me and my family have survived these troubled years and we’ve fought through. They expect me to become this “family legend” and when I told them back my freshman year I decided on my career path, my mama never looked prouder. I wanted to be a lawyer. All through high school I done research on law schools, took notes on what it would take for some small town, poor girl like me to make it big in a profession as that. I finished school back in January and as I was finishing up my paper work, my guidance counselor basically told me my test and academic scores weren’t good enough to become a lawyer. He said no school would even touch me with how low my ACT score was. It was a seventeen. I’m not stupid at all, I’m honestly very intelligent, they just expect so much for us these days. I’ve always been doubted by my peers and even some adults as well. I never, even as a child with the dificulties I faced, gave up. I like to prove people wrong, the ones who belittle me. Around the time I was supposed to apply to school, I hesitated. Not because of what my counselor said, but because I actually started thinking about it. I don’t want to become a lawyer who drones over their work. Who eventually become a zombie. I have an open personality. I’m full of energy and my friends consider me outgoing. I love the person I am, but I feel like if I become a lawyer I wouldn’t be able to express myself and show other people who I am. Even when I was little, during stressful times, I wrote. I wrote songs and poems and stories. I still to this day do that. Hell, I write down everything. English has always been my favorite and best subject and now that it’s almost time for me to be somebody, someone better, I’ve decided I want to write. I want to tell my beautiful and tragic stories. I want to bring hope and sorrow into my reader as my favorite books and authors have done to me. My parents don’t know about my career change and I’m not sure how they’ll handle it, but it makes me happy. I was just worried about what college I should look for to go to, and what kind of major and minor I need. Thanks to this article, I feel relieved because I don’t have the money for college, I have nothing saved up. I just love day by day. So thank for this, it’s gave me hope and right now I feel like I’m unstoppable.

I have a free class that helps folks create salable short stories, with the object being to submit them to places that take very short fiction, or to put them into collections and put them on sale.

The free flash fiction class is here.

Good luck. I grew up in trailer parks and on mission fields, and I know first-hand about college being an impossibility. Writing isn’t.

thx for advice I needed to see do you need to graduate from a school to be a writer so i can tell them this at my show n tell 😀

So glad I came across this article. Just plain speak – so refreshing – off to explore your website – thanks Holly .

Thank you for your honest opinion. Well said! I’m actually, kinda glad I wasn’t able to finish college… I’m looking forward to reading more of your work.

very informative and inspiring.cuts through the B.S.

I’ve always wanted to be a writer. I am 17 and I know what it takes. But I don’t know who to trust. I try to sneak my writing because I normally get it taken away. But my birthdays coming up, and I wish I could be a full-time writer. I wish I could. But I know what my worker and my mom and my friends will say. They will all judge me, and say. “Get an education.” But I’m not. I don’t know what to do.

I worked hard jobs while teaching myself to write. It can be done. It takes work, and dedication, and a willingness to not do a lot of other things that are more fun.

But you can get where you want to be from where you are, and you can become who you want to become if you identify who that is, and then take the steps to become that man.

Glad you made it, too. 😀

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This question is about writer .

How long does it take to become a Writer?

It takes 3 years of professional experience to become a writer. That is the time it takes to learn specific writer skills, but does not account for time spent in formal education. If you include the normal education requirements to complete a college degree, then it takes 6 to 8 years years to become a writer.

There are certain skills that you need to obtain in order to become a successful writer. Some of the most common skills are listed below. Along with each skill, we provide an actual example of how someone included the skill on their resume:

Communication -- Refine writing skills in business communication, completing tasks independently and efficiently, and gain experience in a non-profit environment.

Customer Service -- Work effectively under time pressure to ensure punctual customer service and client satisfaction in a fast-paced, deadline-driven, customer-service environment.

Topics -- Created newsletters covering complex genetics topics and recent laboratory discoveries, including mouse models and rare genetic conditions.

Web Content -- Content management, change facilitation/traffic supervision, writing, proofreading, digital consultation with advertisers.

Online Publication -- Contributed to start-up non-profit online publication centering around Boston's urban community.

Common Educational Background For A Writer

The education needed to be a Writer is normally a Bachelor's Degree. Writers usually study English, Journalism or Communication. 74.0% of Writers hold a Bachelor's Degree and 11.0% hold a Master's Degree. We found these by analyzing 26963 Writer resumes to investigate the topic of Writer education more precisely.

The most common colleges for students to pursue their goal of becoming a Writer are New York University and Temple University. We also broke down what colleges provide the best overall education for a Writer. Students have a great path to earning their Writer qualifications at the following schools:

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Harvard University
• Northwestern University

If you're interested in getting a college degree in an affordable college for Writers - Baruch College of the City University of New York is an excellent option for you. If your SAT or ACT score aren't as high as you'd like, you can look at Notre Dame de Namur University, as the admission requirements aren't too selective. On the other end of that spectrum are the Northwestern University, Columbia University in the City of New York and Washington University in St Louis.

For those who would rather stay in your pajamas during the day, we prepared some online courses that can help in Writer education paths.

Common Certifications For A Writer

The Adobe Digital Publishing certification is most common among Writers. This certification is awarded by the Adobe Systems Incorporated. This certification tests for knowledge about the use of proprietary software or hardware products. It is used primarily for computer-related companies. To become a certified Writer with Adobe Digital Publishing, You need to pass the exam. Lucky you - certification doesn't require more than two years of work experience. Renew certification every year.

Search for writer jobs

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Learn more about writer jobs.

What should I study to become a writer?

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How do you write like a professional?

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• Zippia Answers
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• How Long Does It Take To Become A Writer

Is It Too Late To Become a Writer? No Age Is Too Old

August 7, 2023

For some jobs, your age does matter, but it is never too late to become a writer.  Many of us love writing, but due to other commitments in life, we simply do not get the time to commit to developing into skilled writers.

As long as you have determination, then you can become a writer at any age. Many famous writers began writing after their 20s, such as J K Rowling in her early thirties, Mark Twain was 41 and Millard Kaufman, a cartoonist, published his first book at 90!

If you are still interested in becoming a writer, why not go for it, whatever your age?

With enough perseverance and dedication, you can reach your dreams eventually.

To be a success, you just need to make sure that you have developed the necessary skills before trying to become a writer.

Writing is a craft that can be learned if you put your mind to it and put in a lot of effort. You should be clear about your objectives and remember that positive thinking can help you achieve positive results.

You need to have a strong desire to succeed in writing, which will provide the necessary drive for you to keep trying until you are successful.

What is stopping you?

The answer is likely you!

You are probably your own worst enemy.

If you want to write, don’t stop yourself just because of age or lack of experience. All it takes is determination and the drive to succeed.

Don’t use the excuse of your age to stop you from writing because that is all it is.

Anyone can write if they have enough passion for writing. It’s never too late to become a writer as long as you are determined.

If you genuinely believe in yourself and have self-confidence, this will go a long way in helping you reach your dreams.

Producing good writing is definitely not an easy task, but it doesn’t need to be so complicated and frustrating.

Acknowledge that you need to learn this new skill. Start by breaking it down into the different skills you need to learn and begin with a few hours a day to accomplish your goal.

Start by picking on skill that you need to improve and work at it.

Keep building these skills on each other and start combining them together as you become more confident about them.

Pretty soon, you will have what you need to complete a whole book.

Remember to get constructive feedback on your writing as soon as you have something to show.

Some of the basic writing skills that you need to master include:

– Ability to write compelling dialogue for different characters 

– Learning how to structure any scene effectively

– Understanding how to develop solid plot lines and character arcs

– Learn how to create strong, interesting and engaging characters

– Create believable settings in your writing

– Learn the basics of grammar, punctuation and spelling

– Develop a unique style of your own as a writer

There are plenty more skills that you need to learn, but these are some of the basic ones. You can learn these skills by enrolling in online courses or attending workshops, seminars, and of course, there are plenty of resources online.

Remember that there is no easy way to succeed as a writer, but if you’re willing to work hard at it, then you will get positive results in the end.

Becoming a successful writer can be a very rewarding career choice. You get to discover worlds in your mind that most people will never see and tell stories that others may never hear of otherwise.

So get out there and start creating!

It’s never too late to become a writer. As long as you’re committed to writing and passionate about your craft, then anything is possible.

What are The Elements of a Story? 14 Critical Elements to Learn

How do i know if i am a good writer 12 step evaluation.

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How to Become a Freelance Writer, Plus Tips for Success

F reelance writing is a booming industry, and it could be a great way to enjoy remote work and set your own schedule. Yet becoming a freelance writer can be difficult and confusing, especially in the beginning.

Today, let's explore how to become a freelance writer step-by-step, plus break down some extra tips to ensure success in this field.

1. Decide what kind of writer you'll be

No freelance writer can do it all, so you need to decide what kind of writer you'll be before starting on this career path.

Here are some examples of freelance writing niches and focuses:

• Technical writers : have technical expertise or in-depth knowledge about a specific subject, like manufacturing, finance, programming, etc. This type of writing is the most profitable side hustle. However, it's also the hardest for new freelance writers to break into as small businesses.
• Content writers: create blog posts for a variety of websites, often retail or affiliate websites. Content marketing includes high-qualitycontent writing. Such content might include guest posts for bloggers and business owners. It might also include other freelance content, like creating social posts or email copy. Helpful skills to know are how to use WordPress, Slack, Google Suite, Asana and similar.
• Copywriters : create content for brands by mimicking brand voice, tone and language rules. This freelance writing work means providing writing services to a brand's own blog. Such purposes typically revolve around SEO/search engine optimization purposes.

Of these types of freelance writers, you can further specialize. For instance, you can be a retail content writer exclusively, a finance technical writer and so on. In many cases, you should choose your freelance writer niche based on your previous experience, interests or specializations.

Consider your working schedule, too. Full-time writers will have more access to freelance writing jobs. However, you can still build a writing portfolio with stellar writing samples to attract potential clients, even as a part-time writer.

There are lots of online writing clients to attract. In any case, you'll build up a byline reputation after you get your first client and start flexing your creative writing skills.

Related: How Much Should You Charge as a Freelance Writer ?

2. Learn your niche's writing conventions and strategies

Next, you'll need to learn and master your niche's writing conventions and strategies.

As an example, if you become a copywriter for retail brands, you need to understand typical writing conventions like:

• Reading through your clients' tone packages or portfolios (sometimes called brand guides). These will give you the information you need to mimic your client's voice appropriately.
• Writing in streamlined, short sentences without a lot of fluff. These days, most online readers skim written content rather than reading it word by word, so you need to know how to create compelling, attractive headers and content blocks.
• Using bullet points frequently (just like this.) to convey key informational points quickly and succinctly.

Many of these skills can be learned and practiced as you hone your writing skills and as you determine your ultimate freelance writing niche or focus. Outside of learning by pursuing writing opportunities and building an online presence, many good writers have positive experiences with writing courses designed to build professional writing skills for different types of content.

3. Build a portfolio and join freelance job sites

No one will want to hire you as a freelance writer without seeing some samples of your work. This can sound counterintuitive, as at the beginning of your career, you won't have any work to showcase. However, you should create a portfolio of sample or trial blog posts, copy and more. Even if you come up with this content from scratch, it can serve as a good example of the work future clients can expect.

Once you have your portfolio, put it up on your personal website and your social media pages (particularly your LinkedIn profile). Then add to freelance job websites like Upwork. Make profiles on all the freelance job boards you can.

In the earliest days of your freelance writing career, you'll be pursuing as many jobs as possible. The more places you have to advertise your skills, the better.

Related: Leaving a Steady Job to Start a Freelance Career ? Here Are 5 Things You Must Know

4. Start looking for work

Now it's time to put your nose to the grindstone and begin looking for work. As a freelance writer, the initial months of your career will be filled with proposals and requests for work. Don't expect to get a lot of clients initially. In fact, you'll probably spend most of your time seeking out clients instead of writing.

This isn't a bad thing. During this time, you'll learn how to write effective, persuasive proposals to your clients and how best to represent yourself as the ideal freelancer for their needs. In time, you'll get a few jobs, then use those jobs to open further doors and new professional opportunities.

5. Request good reviews

Each time you get a job from a client, do it to perfection. Then, at the end of your contract, request an excellent review or testimonial. Many freelance job board websites allow you to post reviews or automatically calculate a review or star score based on your performance.

The better your review score is, the easier you'll find it to acquire new, high-paying clients. In this way, your freelance writing career will start off very slow, then quickly pick up speed.

Related: The 9 Skills it Takes to Succeed as a Freelance Writer

6. Market your writing aggressively

As you earn initial success, you should market your writing aggressively. There are a few different ways in which you can do this:

• You can create a personal website for your freelance writing business, showcasing your best samples and reviews or testimonials.
• You can make online ads promoting your skills as a knowledgeable copywriter, particularly in a specific industry or niche.
• You can and should market yourself on social media by regularly posting that you are looking for work or new clients.

Don't feel bad about announcing your skills in this way: You have to hustle to make it in this industry, a truism that holds for all freelance professionals, in fact.

Other tips for freelance writing success

You now know the basics about how to become a freelance writer. But even with the step-by-step process above, you might not see initial success unless you keep some key tips and strategies in mind.

Pick a niche to excel at

First, and perhaps most importantly, you should pick a niche or specialization at the earliest opportunity. Generalized freelance writers don't make nearly as much money as specialized writers. That's because specialized writers can provide more raw value to their clients.

Imagine a situation in which a programming company needs a writer to create some in-depth blog posts for B2B clients. They can hire a generalized content writer or a specialized technical writer who knows the ins and outs of programming languages and computer science. The latter choice is always the better option for that client.

To that end, find a niche in which to excel based on your previous schooling, your interests and more.

Price your writing properly

Many freelance writers struggle with getting a living wage, partially because they price their writing too low. True, in the earliest stage of your career, you'll probably earn about one cent or two cents per word. However, as you earn your first initial reviews, you should counterintuitively increase your price to five cents per word or more.

Why? If you price your writing too low, clients will think that you aren't worth their time. By pricing your writing sufficiently high, you show that you are confident in your ability to deliver results to those clients.

Always be looking for new clients

The life of a freelance writer involves constantly looking for new clients and work opportunities. Even if you have a handful of solid clients who send you work consistently, don't rest on your laurels.

Always be cultivating new contacts and finding new professional clients who you can approach for work. You never know when your current jobs or projects might dry up, leaving you in desperate need of new income streams.

Always improve your writing skills

Similarly, always work to improve your writing skills by learning new words, practicing your grammar and so on. As a writing craftsman, it's up to you to make sure that your skills are as sharp and desirable as possible. Don't let your writing skills fall by the wayside just because you have achieved some initial success as a freelance writer.

Related: Examples of Writing Business Ideas

Start your journey as a freelance writer

As you can see, you can become a successful freelance writer in a variety of ways and niches. But keep the above tips in mind, and you'll be sure to land high-paying clients and master your new business in short order.

Check out Entrepreneur's other guides and resources for more information on this topic.

Kindlepreneur

Book Marketing for Self-Publishing Authors

Home / Book Editing / How to Become a Book Editor in 2024: A Complete Guide

How to Become a Book Editor in 2024: A Complete Guide

I believe that behind every fantastic author is a great editor . There’s a reason you often see thanks or dedications to editors in the front matter . Editing a book is hard work. It may not take as long as it took to write it, but book editors work very hard to help novels reach their potential. To become a book editor, you need a bachelor’s degree, a firm grasp of the written word, and the willingness to seek relevant job opportunities. Let’s get into the nitty-gritty details about what it takes to become a successful book editor.

Interested in learning more about being a book editor and how to edit? Check out this page with a comprehensive guide and a TON more resources!

• Duties & responsibilities of a book editor
• How much a book editor makes
• What makes a great editor
• The 4 types of editors
• The qualifications needed to become a book editor
• How to get started as a traditional editor
• How to develop your online presence
• How to network as an editor and build the connections you'll need to succeed

Table of contents

• What is a Book Editor?

Duties & Responsibilities of a Book Editor

• Typical Book Editor Salary
• Education and Qualifications for Book Editor
• Self-Control
• Communication Skills
• Writing Skills
• 1. Developmental Editors
• 2. Line Editors
• 3. Copy Editors
• 4. Proofreaders
• Step 1: Get a Bachelor’s Degree
• Step 2: Refine Your Writing Skills
• Step 3: Learn the Newest Publishing and Editing Software
• Step 4: Seek Out Internships
• Step 5: Sign Up For Seminars
• Step 6: Build Up Your Resume
• Step 1: Establish an Online Presence
• Step 2: Network and Build Relationships
• Step 3: Strengthen Your Editing Skills
• Step 4: Set Reasonable Rates and Clear Service Offerings
• Step 5: Use Binding Contracts
• Develop Your Online Presence as an Editor
• Online Networking
• Face-to-Face Networking

Links in this article may give me a small commission if you use them to purchase certain services. There’s NO extra cost to you, and it helps me continue to write free articles like this one.

A book editor is someone who edits the words, punctuation, overall story, and/or formatting in a manuscript. They need to be good at fact-checking and paying attention to details. Freelance editors take on work they can find online, via networking, or through relationships with book publishing houses. Traditional editors hold a formal role in a traditional publishing house and even have a say in which books get published . Depending on the type of book editor, he or she might work alongside the author from the very beginning, making big picture suggestions to improve the book. Or they may be the final set of eyes to look at a book before it is published. It’s no wonder that many bestsellers list their editors on the dedication page or the Thank You page. A good editor takes a good concept and helps the author turn it into a good book . A book editor costs different amounts for every project. Below, you can see how much each type of editor may cost for a novel-length manuscript.

• Developmental editors cost $1,000 and $8,000, depending on manuscript length and the individual editor’s experience level.
• Line editors cost between $600 and $2,000.
• Copy editors cost between $300 and $1,200.
• Proofreaders cost between $200 and $1,000.

How do I start a career in book editing? To start a book editing career, you need to determine which type of editor you want to be (developmental editor, line editor, copy editor, or proofreader). Then, you need to hone your writing skills and editing abilities. Finally, look for internships, freelance work, and other ways to boost your portfolio.

The typical book editor’s responsibilities generally require that they:

• Acquire manuscripts to edit
• Keep up with deadlines
• Tweak content so that it is error-free and easy to read for the intended audience
• Verify facts used in the book
• Work alongside the author to develop the story, prose, dialogue, writing style, voice, etc.
• Check final formatting looks clean and professional (if you’re a proofreader)
• Sustain good working relationships with authors, editorial assistants, marketing personnel , graphic designers, etc.
• Maintain an editor website and online presence (especially if you’re a freelancer)
• Sign up for seminars to keep up to date with the latest trends and linguistic standards

How much does a book editor make? A book editor can make a living wage of $30,000-$60,000, even when starting out. The 2019 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the median salary of newspaper, periodical, and book editors as $57,030/year. (2019 statistics were the newest available in March 2021.) It also includes these statistics for the more general career field Editor (which includes editors and associate editors for online purposes, not just books):

• Top 10% annual salary: $122,280
• Bottom 10% annual salary: $32,620

It’s worth noting that many editing jobs are based in New York City, the publishing hub of the Western Hemisphere. Since the cost of living is pretty high there, I’d bet if you got an editor job anywhere else in the US, it would pay less than the median salary, especially if you’re just starting out.

What qualifications do you need to be a book editor? To become a book editor, you typically need a bachelor’s degree in a related field of study (English, Journalism, etc.) and a firm grasp of the English language. Prior experience in publishing, relevant internships, and a robust portfolio also boost your qualifications. You can become an editor even if you have no experience, by:

• Getting a relevant bachelor’s degree
• Honing your writing skills
• Landing an internship or entry-level position
• Establishing industry relationships
• Building your resume

What Makes a Great Book Editor?

What makes a great book editor are years of experience in the writing and publishing worlds, willingness to set aside their ego, and good communication skills (honesty, directness, etc.). Just because you did well in your high school English class doesn't mean you'd make a good editor. There are a lot of good writers out there who would make horrible editors. (The same can be said for editors who want to write.) Writing and editing are distinct disciplines. Both can be learned through practice and determination. Here are a few common traits of good editors to help you decide if this is work you want to pursue.

A good editor is committed to making an author’s book better, not twisting the voice into the editor’s own words. This requires a unique mixture of self-control and empathy. It takes a great deal of self-control to read another person’s work and critique it without interjecting yourself into it. Good editors have the singular ability to correct or modify writing while protecting the author's voice. It's much more complex than it seems, trust me. There are plenty of horror stories about bad editors: people who completely strip an author’s work of its distinct style and insert their own as a replacement. These are not actual editors but instead frustrated writers who take their lack of success out on somebody else.

A good editor works hard to understand each author's individual goals and offers comprehensive suggestions in the context of these goals.

Editors aren't in it for an ego boost. A good editor is humble while giving feedback but also when reading responses from the author. It's difficult to give feedback with humility — but the best editors find a way to do it. In my opinion, the secret is recognizing that editing and writing are two completely different jobs. The writer's job is to get their ideas onto paper as best they can. The editor's job is to help the author communicate those ideas more clearly. The creation of engaging prose is a team effort, not a competition.

Good editors aren't afraid to give honest feedback, but they do so respectfully. This takes good communication skills, such as candor, honesty, tact, respect, compromise, and maturity. An editor should help a book reach its full potential. For this reason, editors need to be able to give honest, direct feedback. That said, some authors (especially new authors) aren't thrilled about honest, direct feedback. Editors need to be prepared for that. A good editor knows how to compromise, when to back down to avoid conflict, how to respect the author without hurting his/her feelings, and when to tactfully push for a necessary change. Writers and editors might butt heads during the editing process because a book is a product of passionate love and so much hard work. But a little friction can be healthy in creative work. A good editor should be able to communicate to avoid as much friction as possible and when to ultimately back down. If you’re going to be an editor, make sure every suggestion is contextualized within the big picture: making this the best book it can be.

Editors should be masters of the written language. A good editor doesn’t have to be a great book writer, but they do have to be a great writer in other ways. Editors are obsessed with grammar and syntax. You need to be a sucker for spelling and punctuation and have hawk eyes for passive voice and repetitive word usage. Your emails and social media posts should look immaculate. These crucial members of a writer’s team are the last line of defense between the author and the reader. Attention to detail is a must. If mistakes slip past the editor, they're exposed to the world, undermining an entire book’s credibility and success. Fingers crossed there aren’t any typos in this article!

The 4 Types of Book Editors

If you're thinking about becoming an editor, it is critical to know which type of editor you’re trying to be. You may want to focus on just one field of editing. Or you may choose to offer services at multiple stages of the editing process. The 4 most common types of editors are:

• Developmental editors
• Line editors
• Copy editors
• Proofreaders

I’ve listed them in the chronological order that an author would hire them. Let’s talk about what each different type of editor actually does.

Developmental editors look for plot holes, dropped characters, logical inconsistencies, and ways to improve an author’s overall manuscript. They identify structural deficiencies, weak arguments, and unsupported claims in nonfiction books as well. Developmental editors are the most expensive type of editor. Depending on the book’s length, these editors can make many thousands of dollars on a single manuscript. According to some sources, true developmental editing begins before an author starts to write a manuscript. The editor works alongside the author during the entire writing process, pointing out potential improvements every step of the way. In truth, most fiction authors just hire a developmental editor after the manuscript is complete.

Often, developmental editors perform some of the work of line editors. Combined, this is called “substantive editing.”

Contrary to the name, line editors do not look at your book line-by-line. Instead, they take a more overall approach to editing your book. This is the least common type of editor because line editing is so similar to copy editing, just more big picture. If an author is looking for big picture editing, he/she will probably just hire a development editor. Note: In the UK, line editors are synonymous with proofreaders. In the US, they are an incremental step between developmental editors and copy editors.

Copy editors focus on a manuscript’s style and tone. They correct errors in spelling, grammar, syntax, dialogue formatting , and punctuation use. They ensure the book is clear and consistent and that it smoothly transitions from sentence to sentence, paragraph to paragraph, chapter to chapter. A copy editor is probably who most people envision when they think of book editors.

Proofreaders are the last step of the editing process. They make sure a book has proper grammar, no misspellings, and correct sentence structure. Many of these editors also proofread finalized formatting. They let an author or publisher know if a book is ready to go to printing and publishing. Proofreaders often cost the least of any editor. However, the time they spend on each manuscript is less than any other editor, so it’s definitely fair. Ideally, authors would use proofreading software such as Grammarly or ProWritingAid to catch more typical grammatical and spelling errors before hiring a human proofreader. An author’s job is to do their best to hand their editors as complete and high-quality a book as possible. That said, software should not replace a human being for book proofreading.

How to Get Started as a Traditional Book Editor

Freelance editing might sound like the easier option. However, getting an internship at a traditional publishing house is not difficult for college students and burgeoning editors. The relationships you build during that internship can easily lead to a traditional book editor position — it’s all about who you know. Alternatively, look up book editor jobs in your area. Even if you’re not going to apply right away, it’s helpful to learn what various publishing companies expect in terms of portfolios, years of experience, references, etc. And remember, there are more editing positions available than just book editing. Would you be happier editing short-form content or website copy? Agencies and small businesses are constantly on the lookout for web copy editors for these positions. Below, we’ll talk about basic guidelines for getting started as a staff editor at a publishing house. We'll discuss freelance editing further down. Here are 6 steps you can take on your journey to becoming a book editor:

• Get a bachelor’s degree
• Refine your writing skills
• Learn the newest publishing and editing software
• Seek out internships
• Sign up for seminars
• Build up your resume

Step 1 : Get a Bachelor’s Degree

Most editors have a bachelor’s degree in a related field of study. Most English or Communications degrees will do just fine, including journalism, publishing, and creative writing. A master’s degree should give you a further edge over the steep competition. A Business or Marketing degree may also qualify you to become an editor, but you'll need to practice and display good writing. This education provides potential editors with the fundamental skills needed to be professional editors. It proves to future employers or freelance clients that you know what you’re talking about and able to follow through with long and challenging commitments. A degree is basically necessary, but it’s not a golden ticket to getting a job. Becoming an editor is a competitive industry, even if you’re freelancing and don’t need to apply for a job at a prestigious publisher.

Step 2 : Refine Your Writing Skills

Every editor needs to constantly refine their writing skills, especially when starting out. You need to be able to write to be a good editor. That doesn't mean you should have a fantasy author's imagination, but you should be able to write creatively and correctly. This will affect your ability to correct copy when needed. One way to refine your writing skills is to start a blog. Many editors also write books themselves, a surefire way to practice good writing.

Format Beautiful Professional Books

Easy to use, and and full of amazing features, you can quickly turn your book into a professional book.

Step 3 : Learn the Newest Publishing and Editing Software

Any editor should know how to use the newest publishing and editing software. This way, you can choose the best option for you and your clients. Learning the most popular software can be daunting, but these are the tools of your trade. It’s a valuable investment into your career path. Many online courses can help guide you through the basics. Udemy has a great selection of courses on publishing and editing tools to get you started.

Step 4 : Seek Out Internships

Serious about becoming a book editor? Seek out internships at publishing houses. You'll get an up-close and personal look into the life of an editor. It's one of the best ways to learn the tricks of the trade and form valuable relationships. The experience and relationships you earn from internships may lead to a full-time staff editing position.

Step 5 : Sign Up For Seminars

An editor should sign up for seminars or lectures on book editing from time to time. These are ordinarily one-day workshops that help refresh an editor’s knowledge and skill on top of teaching them the newest publishing industry standards.

Step 6 : Build Up Your Resume

Get out into the real world and find experience. Hopefully, you landed an internship, which looks great on a resume. Now keep building up that all-important resume. Hone your skills with small jobs. If you didn’t find a full-time position right out of college, then you may benefit from starting with a little bit of freelance work. Upwork and Fiverr are great places to find editing work. However, expect the rates to be horrendously low. Many people on these sites will take the editor with the cheapest rate, even though the final product will make it obvious how much they spent on editing. But offering your services at a lower rate for a (very short) time can help build up your resume. Important Note : Offering a lower rate than your worth can be an effective temporary strategy to hone your skills and build your resume. However, I am not advocating for underselling yourself. Don’t compromise your value just to find work. An editor’s skills are worth a lot. Your skills are worth a lot.

How to Get Started as a Freelance Book Editor

If you want to get started as a freelance editor for full-length books, you should:

• Establish an online presence
• Sharpen your knack for networking
• Strengthen your linguistic skills to prove you’re a good editor
• Set reasonable rates for your work
• Use binding contracts with your clients

These skills are on top of the majority of steps required to become a traditional book editor. Many professional book editors start from traditional publishing houses and migrate towards freelance work. Pro tip: Freelance editors often work with writers who are self-publishing. Unfortunately, self-publishers seldom understand the true value of a professional editor. Don’t reduce your rates below what you’re worth just to work with ungrateful writers. Let them hire the unqualified editor offering a $100 flat rate, and they’ll get what they paid for. You could instead start out as a freelance editor without any traditional publisher experience. But you better be able to edit before you take on work. The best way to start your freelance editing career? Get to work.

Step 1 : Establish an Online Presence

Put yourself out there on social media, LinkedIn, Fiverr, and Upwork. You may also search job sites like Indeed.com for freelance work. Drum up interest and pour all your effort into these editing jobs, even if they’re smaller-scale. That's okay. You need to build your portfolio and credentials by finding as many legit jobs as possible.

Step 2 : Network and Build Relationships

Whereas traditional editors often begin networking as college students and interns, a freelance editor without an existing network must build relationships independently. And it’s a crucial step to establishing a freelance editing business. You can join an editing association — such as ACES ( The Society for Editing ) or EFA ( Editorial Freelancers Association ) — and certify your expertise. Relationships with these types of groups show your potential clients that you are serious about your work. I discuss more ideas a little later below (that aren’t just for freelancers), such as using social media to network professionally.

Step 3 : Strengthen Your Editing Skills

“Freelance” does not mean “poor quality.” As a freelance editor, you’ll need to be on top of your grammar, spelling, and linguistics. Invest in courses through Udemy , Masterclass , or even on YouTube . A bachelor’s degree in English or a related field helps build your credibility, but it is not necessary for freelance work. If you don’t have a degree related to editing, you better make darn sure your grasp of the written word is faultless.

Step 4 : Set Reasonable Rates and Clear Service Offerings

Finding clients is a big part of getting started in freelance editing, but it's not the only concern. You also want to decide what services you'll provide and your rate for each of those services. Check out our list of book editors to better understand what services established editors are offering and what their pricing is. Important Note : I said it for getting started as a traditional editor, and I’ll say it here. Offering a lower rate can be an effective temporary strategy to hone your skills and build your resume. But I do not advocate for underselling yourself. A freelance editor’s skills are worth a lot. Your skills are worth a lot.

Step 5 : Use Binding Contracts

As with any freelance work, I encourage you to put everything in black and white — legally binding contracts. You and your clients need to understand one another, which is the best way to establish trust and accountability. Have your contracts drafted and reviewed by legal professionals like the team over at LegalZoom .

In today's Digital Era, the Internet is the most essential tool you have as a burgeoning editor. Whether you're freelancing or trying to land a traditional editor position, you need to develop your online presence as an editor to get ahead. Establish your own editor website, which will be the primary advertisement of your editing services. On this website, clearly list what services you offer, your rates, and a call to action to “Get A Quote.” Include a professional headshot and your credentials, such as any degrees you hold or certifications you earned. Websites are relatively cheap and easy to set up. Make sure it looks clean and professional, or potential clients will scoff and look elsewhere. Using your editor website, demonstrate your expertise. Provide sample work from your portfolio. You could even write blog posts about topics related to book editing, such as:

• Writing how-to's
• Editing tips
• Publishing tricks
• Software reviews
• Company comparisons
• Personal stories from the editing world

Your editor website won’t be a major hit overnight. But now, when you meet people at a conference or networking event, you can send them to your professional-looking website for more info.

Another way to develop your online presence is through social media. Consistent content and the right hashtags can help you get discovered by the authors you want to work with.

This includes Instagram , Twitter, LinkedIn (especially for editors seeking formal editing jobs), Facebook , and even Reddit — depending on your preferred clientele.

How to Network as an Editor

Networking is a huge part of succeeding as a book editor, especially when you're starting out. There are several methods to networking effectively, both online and face-to-face. Let these tips help you rise above the noise and start getting the attention you deserve.

When it comes to online networking as an editor, social media is your best friend. Join groups or follow accounts dedicated to writers, authors, and book editing. You may be able to offer your services when the opportunity arises. (Mind you, some groups are very against personal advertisement. Be sure to check each group’s rules and guidelines.) Platforms such as LinkedIn and Facebook are great places to start creating your editing network. Also, you can get active on publishing or editing forums such as those found on Reddit . You need an editor website. This is critical to online networking, as well as face-to-face networking. A clean, clear, professional editor website tells people you mean business. A good website gives potential clients a taste of your work and entices them with a call to action. You could even publish blog posts on your website to drum up interest and name recognition with paid or organic search traffic.

Although we live in a digital world, don't overlook the importance of networking in person. Face-to-face networking still works, and it works great. When a potential client or employer networks with you in real life, there is a connection you can’t make over the Internet. Attend conventions, book fairs, and conferences . This opens up a whole new world of job opportunities. You will meet writers, publishers, and other editors. And many conferences are free or very inexpensive. In-person events are also an excellent opportunity to show off some sweet new business cards. For more info on creating a killer business card, check out this article . You need to have an editor website. I know. I sound like a broken record. But being able to give potential employers and clients whom you meet a business card that directs them to a professional-looking website is invaluable.

What kind of book editor do you want to be?

There are 4 types of editors, not to mention freelancing versus traditional editing jobs. No matter what kind of book editor you want to be, this article should help you reach your goals. Becoming a book editor is no simple task. But it gets easier as you start to build your resume and impress clients who refer you to their friends and colleagues. It’s about getting good, then networking, then completing every job on time and with excellence.

If you're up to the task, a freelance book editing career can make for an enriching life. Usually, this type of work comes with a much greater degree of flexibility than other jobs. The pay can be surprisingly good as you grow your clientele.

Interested in diving deeper into becoming an editor? There's a well-reviewed, one-hour course on Udemy called “How to Become a Freelance Editor: Make Money Copy Editing.” It's typically $79.99, but Udemy is known for regularly running sales. If you're looking for a next step, I encourage you to check out Udemy . Check out this helpful book editing course, especially if you’re just getting started: Book Editing Blueprint .

Final Thought: Much love and respect to all the hardworking editors out there. The right books at the right time can change the world, and editors are in the business of making books better. That's important work, and I'm grateful for the people with the skill and dedication to do it.

Dave Chesson

When I’m not sipping tea with princesses or lightsaber dueling with little Jedi, I’m a book marketing nut. Having consulted multiple publishing companies and NYT best-selling authors, I created Kindlepreneur to help authors sell more books. I’ve even been called “The Kindlepreneur” by Amazon publicly, and I’m here to help you with your author journey.

• Duties & Responsibilities of a Book Editor

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9 thoughts on “ How to Become a Book Editor in 2024: A Complete Guide ”

Thank your for the information! 🙂

Glad to have helped.

Okay, in the interest of full disclosure, I am frequently referred to as the grammar nazi by friends and family (always in the most loving way possible, of course, and generally at the same time that they are asking me to review something they’ve written). I actually have a visceral response to incorrect grammar and typos. Just thinking of the cultural debacle that is the misuse of “me, myself, and I” is enough to make me shudder. I enjoy a spirited discussion of the use of the oxford comma, and when I realized that my copy of Strunk & White had disappeared during a recent move, I was compelled to immediately replace it, just because I enjoy re-reading it occasionally.

It is this strong committment to proper grammar (I prefer to avoid the use of the word “obsession” whenever possible) combined with my heavy reading habit that led me to your article. While I enjoy reading ebooks on my kindle, I needed to employ a sort of desensitization process in order to allow me to do so, as typos and grammatical errors seem to be widespread across the format. However, after encountering error after error in a recent ebook by a popular, prolific, and well-reviewed author, I could not stop thinking “oh my god, do none of these authors have a grammar obsessed sister to do a final proofread?” and “how could a professional, paid proofreader miss all of these? I could do a much better job.” Through the miracle of Google, a minute later, I was reading your article and considering a career as an editor.

I wanted to comment to thank you for your detailed and informative description of the types of editors and the possible paths to pursue a career in this field. It gave me a lot to think about. However, I must also admit that my comment was at least partially motivated by your mention of grammar obsession (okay, yes, it applies to me) and a concern regarding possible typos in the same section and my discovery of a typo later in the article. Usually, I have no way to bring a typo to the author’s attention when I find it, but this time, the comment button was right there, and I couldn’t resist. It’s in the first paragraph of the “Do You Have What It Takes…” section. It reads “it does get easier as you starting building your resume” instead of “as you start building.” My apologies, but I just couldn’t help myself.

I truly appreciate all the amazing info you discussed in this post. I got a few ideas on how to take my dream of becoming a book editor to the next level with practical action. Looking forward to checking out the info/links you provided.

Awesome and you’ve got this!

Loved your content. To be a good editor is a tough task however your article just made it look so easy. It is the perfect guide for me. Please keep writing more blogs like these.

Thank you and I will.

Your self-publishing experience will help me a lot in self- publishing my book. After reading your journey have given me more clarity on how can I get my script edited more easily and efficiently. Now have idea of all the challenges and obstacles that i will encounter while editing and will take all the necessary precautions needed. I also got a clear understanding of what type of editing I need for my book and also the type of editor that suits my need the best. I now realize the true meaning of editing as it is the most important aspect of self-publishing.

Awesome and glad to have helped!

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Successful Authors Who Never Finished College

There are those who believe that a university education is almost a prerequisite to becoming a successful author. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, you might be surprised to find out how many authors made names for themselves without finishing — or, in some cases, ever attending — college. Here are a few.

Ernest Hemingway

Hemingway was raised in Oak Park, Illinois. He never attended college. After high school, he went to work for The Kansas City Star . During World War I, he left for the Italian front where he became an ambulance driver. In 1918, he was seriously wounded and returned home. His wartime experiences formed the basis for his novel  A Farewell to Arms  (1929). He went on to write such major best sellers as For Whom the Bell Tolls , The Sun Also Rises , and The Old Man and The Sea . He won the Novel Prize in literature in 1954. Because he had suffered a series in injuries in two recent African plane crashes, he didn’t travel to Stockholm to accept the prize, Instead, he sent a letter to be read. In part, it said: “Writing, at its best, is a lonely life. Organizations for writers palliate the writer’s loneliness but I doubt if they improve his writing. He grows in public stature as he sheds his loneliness and often his work deteriorates. For he does his work alone and if he is a good enough writer he must face eternity, or the lack of it, each day.”

Jack London

Jack London is famous for having a variety of very odd jobs (he had a stint as an oyster pirate) throughout his life, but you may not know that he began this practice at the ripe age of ten. By the time he was thirteen he had quit school, still working a handful of jobs, but devouring every book he could find. London eventually ended up at UC Berkeley, but his journey to college was hardly traditional. As a young boy, he found a librarian at the Oakland Public Library who was willing to mentor him, and, with her encouragement, London was essentially self-educated. He worked long hours at a cannery beginning at age 13 and later began to work as a tramp, begging for money. At 18, he spent a month in jail for vagrancy, only after which he returned to complete high school. A pub owner and friend loaned him the money to attend UC Berkeley, but London left a year later when the money ran out and never graduated. Even without a college education, he penned such classics as  The Call of the Wild  and White Fang . He published his first collection of short stories at age 24.

The Pulitzer-Prize winning author is a lesson in following your dreams. Lee had been interested in literature from high school, but in college, decided to pursue a career in law. Though her interest in writing only increased as she grew older, in her junior year at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, she was accepted into the school’s law program, set up so students could begin their law studies concurrently with undergraduate work. After only a semester, she dropped out and moved to New York City to become a writer. And we all know how that story ended — not too shabbily. Her most famous work was To Kill a Mockingbird.  A sequel,  Go Set a Watchman,  was published in 2015. It was actually written by Lee before To Kill a Mockingbird , but is set some 20 years later.

H. G. Wells

The legendary science fiction author was pulled out of school when his father, a professional cricket player, fractured his thigh. Wells was only 11 years old, but the loss of the grand part of the family’s income forced the children to take apprenticeships — Wells hated his apprenticeship as a draper at the Southsea Drapery Emporium. His experiences there later inspired the novels The Wheels of Chance and Kipps . Every job he had was a nightmare until he was finally able to support himself as a teacher and to continue educating himself in hopes of becoming a writer. Wells went on to become a famous, science fiction novelist known for  The War of the Worlds  and  The Time Machine .

George Bernard Shaw

The famous playwright attended several schools in his youth before dropping out entirely at age 14, finding little value in formal education. “Schools and schoolmasters, as we have them today,” he once wrote, “are not popular as places of education and teachers, but rather prisons and turnkeys in which children are kept to prevent them disturbing and chaperoning their parents.” A voracious learner and reader, he spent hours in the National Gallery of Dublin reading about art, history, and literature and beginning to write on his own. Some of his best-known novels include  Pygmalion, Saint Joan, and Mrs. Warren’s Profession.

Jane Austen

Money proved to be a problem for Austen and though she was originally a boarding school student, her education came to a standstill when her parents could no longer afford to keep her in the classroom. And still, she wrote “Pride and Prejudice,” “Mansfield Park” and “Sense and Sensibility.”

Ray Bradbury

Ray Bradbury is a familiar name to the generations of high school students required to read his classic novel  Fahrenheit 451 . These students might be irked to discover that Bradbury barely finished high school himself and had no interest in attending college. This is not to imply that he was unmotivated; he started writing stories on butcher paper at age 11 during the Depression. He claimed he didn’t “believe in colleges” and put his faith in libraries instead, to which all children (even poor ones) had access. Bradbury even wrote  Fahrenheit 451  in a library, renting a room with a typewriter for an hourly charge. Other books by Bradbury include  The Martian Chronicles, Something Wicked This Way Comes, Dandelion Wine, and The Illustrated Man.

Maya Angelou

In response to the tragic circumstances of her childhood, including sexual abuse and racial discrimination, author Maya Angelou remained mute for five years. Even without speaking, these were the years she developed an intense love of language and books. She managed to graduate high school, but three weeks later she gave birth to her son. Unable to attend college and desperate for money, she worked as a pimp and prostitute. Angelou didn’t begin to concentrate on her writing career until she was almost 40, when her friend James Baldwin encouraged her to publish her now-famous autobiography  I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.

Truman Capote

This guy had a tough childhood. Born Truman Streckfus Persons, he was a small, eccentric child often abandoned by his parents. At the young age of 11, he resolved to become a writer and spent the rest of his childhood learning the craft. His mother, however, interrupted his plan when she sent him to military school to toughen him up. It was, predictably, a disaster, but Truman was hired as a copyboy for  The New Yorker  out of high school. He was 41 when he published his “nonfiction novel”  In Cold Blood . Other books by Capote include  Breakfast at Tiffany’s , Other Voices, Other Rooms, and The Grass Harp.

Samuel Langhorne Clemens was forced to drop out of school at age 12 and to work for food rations after his father died. By age 15, he was contributing articles to his brother’s newspaper. He later moved to New York City to work as a printer and, like Bradbury, educate himself in public libraries. Before becoming a journalist at almost 30, Clemens worked as a steamboat pilot for many years. When he reinvented himself as a writer, his work as a boat pilot would provide his new identity (“mark twain” is steamboat slang for measuring two fathoms). His book, The Adventures of  Huckleberry Finn, is often called the Great American Novel. some of his other works include The Adventures of Tom Sawyer , A Connecticut Yankee in King Author’s Court , and  The Prince and the Pauper.

Augusten Burroughs

Born into a family of eccentric, highly-educated individuals, Augusten Burroughs was christened Christopher Richter Robison. The future writer dropped out of school in sixth grade, but he obtained his GED at 17. Burroughs then changed his name and enrolled at Holyoke College as a pre-med student, only to drop out before the first semester was over. Burroughs published his controversial first memoir,  Running with Scissors , in 2002. Other books include  Magical Thinking: True Stories, Possible Side Effects, and A Wolf at the Table.

Charles Dickens

From a young age, Charles Dickens knew he wanted to be famous. One of eight children, Dickens received only sporadic formal education interspersed with factory jobs that offered abysmal working conditions. His father was thrown into debtor’s prison when he was a boy, and his mother and youngest siblings went to live with him there. Dickens’ experiences as an impoverished child would become the inspiration for many of his novels. He eventually became a freelance reporter and is now known as one of the foremost Victorian novelists, having authored such books as A Tale of Two Cities,   Oliver Twist , and David Copperfield .

Jack Kerouac

Though he knew he wanted to be a writer, this famous member of the Beat Generation made it to Columbia University on an athletic—not an academic—scholarship. He was a skilled running back for the football team there, but he broke his leg during his freshman year. He made it back for one more season, during which he fought so often with his coach that he was compelled to drop out of school altogether. It was his journey to Columbia, though, that would introduce him to many of the Beats with whom he would soon launch a literary revolution. His best books include, On the Road,   The Dharma Bums, Big Sur, and Desolation Angels.

William Faulkner

This Nobel Prize winner never earned a high school diploma. Not tall enough to enlist in the U.S. Air Force, Faulkner lied his way into the Canadian Royal Air Force for one year before World War I ended. He later enrolled in the University of Mississippi, but he only attended classes for three semesters before dropping out. Faulkner went on to work as a bookseller’s assistant and postmaster before publishing his poetry for the first time at the age of 27. He went on to write such books as  Intruder in the Dust, The Sound and the Fury, and Light in August.

About Ronald Yates

Ronald E. Yates is an award-winning author of historical fiction and action/adventure novels, including the popular and highly-acclaimed Finding Billy Battles trilogy. Read More About Ron Here

2 thoughts on “Successful Authors Who Never Finished College”

Extra trivia—Harper Lee and Truman Capote (then named Truman Persons) were pre-school-age friends growing up in the small town of Monroeville, Alabama. As kids, they shared a typewriter to crank out their juvenile stories. That backwater southern town produced two of the American literary geniuses of the latter half of the 20th century.

Thanks. Strange. I’ll check into that.

Fascinating about Capote and Lee. I know they came to Kansas together when he was working on the In Cold Blood book. I remember the Clutter family murders well. It was huge news when I was growing up on our farm. We never used to lock our doors. But when the Clutters were murdered, we locked ’em. ‘

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