National Occupation Code (NOC): 51111

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

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Job Duties for Authors and writers (except technical)

• Novelists, playwrights, script writers, poets and other creative writers

• • Conceive and write novels, plays, scripts, poetry and other material for publication or presentation
  • May conduct research to establish factual content and to obtain other necessary information.

• Content writers (non-technical)

• • Write e-copy, blog posts, e-books, podcasts and other forms of Web-based content
  • Conduct research on a variety of topics to inform writing and may consult with clients to determine the goals of the writing.

• Copywriters

• • Study and determine selling features of products and services and write text for advertisements and commercials.

Employment Requirements for Authors and writers (except technical)

• Copywriters usually require a university degree or college diploma in French, English, marketing, advertising or another discipline.
• Creative writing programs are offered by universities and colleges.
• Talent and ability, as demonstrated by a portfolio of work, are important hiring criteria.
• Membership in a guild or union related to the occupation may be required.

Alternate Job Titles

• Ad Writer
• Advertising Copywriter
• Advertising Writer
• Author
• Biographer
• Blogger
• Content Creator - Writing
• Content Writer (except Technical)
• Copywriter
• Crossword Puzzle Maker
• Designer And Script Writer
• Dialogue Writer
• Dubbing Dialogue Writer
• Essayist
• Feature Writer
• Fiction Writer
• Ghost Writer
• Humorist-author
• Interactive Media Writer
• Lexicographer
• Literary Writer
• Multimedia Author
• Multimedia Script Writer
• Multimedia Writer
• New Media Writer
• Novelist
• Playwright
• Poet
• Publicity Writer
• Radio Writer
• Rewriter
• Screen Writer
• Script And Dialogue Writer
• Script Writer
• Serial Story Writer
• Serial Writer
• Short Story Writer
• Speech Writer
• Sports Writer - Novels And Books
• Storyboarder
• Teleplay Writer - Screenwriter
• Television Writer
• Web Content Specialist
• Writer