Writers come from a vast array of backgrounds, and the market for writers is filled with opportunities. Yet, in recent years, the publishing landscape has changed. We’ve witnessed its transformation through technology, economic change, and our current wave of social awareness. It might take months or years for a novel to publish, but it takes far less time for trends to grow and fade. In fact, it takes even less time to forecast how the future of writing and authorship looks in the long run.
Therefore, I decided to spend some personal reading time to peek into the current state of the industry!
Some of those changes barely need covering. We know e-books are the new standard. Genre fiction is still strong. The world of big-name authors is continuing to grow in demographic diversity! Yet, what about the gigs themselves? Where are they going? What about the prospect of being a full-time writer? Can other professions in writing sustain aspiring authors? What makes a writer, and what does someone need in order to be successful in the market?
Well, I hope you are ready for another off-the-cuff article written by an author neck deep in research! Here are some of the need to know trends going into this next decade (2020)!
What does the future of writing look like?
In 2018, the United States Department of Labor – Bureau of Labor statistics reported 123,200 writing jobs amongst the entire scope of reported labor. This number, however, accounts for permanent positions (part-or-full-time), and does not factor the number of individual gigs.
For technical writers, full-time freelancers and contributing authors, the median annual wage for workers was just below $40k ($38,640) in May 2018, with possibility of acquiring up to $63k a year in some premier authorship positions. However, most “average” free-lancers who gig on the side of a current job in a separate industry may see about $10k a year.
For editors, a median annual wage of about $60k a year was reported. Consensus states that more permanent jobs required/preferred a bachelors in English, Communications, or Journalism.
A Declining Publishing Industry?
Unfortunately, based upon previous employment trends, the growth rate for jobs is stagnant at 0%. Since the average growth for all industries is about 5%, this is a sure sign of decline.
The report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics for Writers and Authors goes on to emphasize the challenge for those who seek employment.
“Strong competition is expected for most job openings, given that many people are attracted to this occupation. Competition for jobs with newspapers and magazines will be particularly strong because employment in the publishing industry is projected to decline.”
However, the data factored by the Bureau is consistently changing! Even during the drafting of this article, the above information is only the latest. A previous version of this page states:
“Employment of writers and authors is projected to grow 8 percent from 2016 to 2026, about as fast as the average for all occupations.”
New Publications Rising to the Challege!
Conveniently, this is partially redeemed by the fact that the internet and social media has witnessed a rise in the number of published outlets available for writers.
“Online publications and services are growing in number and sophistication, spurring demand for writers and authors with Web and multimedia experience.”
… and even further assurance for the tech-savvy of us!
“Writers and authors who have adapted to online and social media, and who are comfortable writing for and working with a variety of electronic and digital tools, should have an advantage in finding work. The declining costs of self-publishing and the popularity of electronic books will allow many freelance writers to have their work published.”
Small Presses and Indie Publishing are all the rage!
Like clockwork, when large industries falter, new players pick up the pieces and rebuild. In the late 2010’s, the ability to self-publish has been easier than ever! The growing number of small-scale publishing houses has also allowed more writers to see a return on investment.
This is due in part to advancements in digital printing technology. Prior to the mid 2010’s, publishing in print often meant the only cost effective option was printing in bulk. This posed a considerable gamble for publishers in all genres. Now, prints under the quantity of 500 is not only feasible, the option is accessible to virtually anyone who want to publish!
Over 60% of book printers are now involved in self-publishing, and over 85% of digital book printers volume consists of runs under 500.
With the flourishing of social media, independent marketing firms, and digital distribution, self-published authors can promote themselves and their work without throwing themselves in debt, and are more likely to see profit from their works.
E-Books strong, but are "printed books" returning?
In turn, this has allowed the market to see a rebound in printed books. With the affordability of small volume prints, their diversity and availability has been recognized by readers everywhere.
As a result, indie bookstores are also on the rise. From the beginning of the 2010’s, the number of independent bookstores increased over 40%, and is climbing. The number of stores ranked in at over 2,300 in 2018. Part of this is tied to the increase in community-oriented support in areas of lower income. Many readers prefer to walk to their local bookstore, pick up the latest paperback, and leave feeling the joy of reading an actual book.
When thinking about it, its no doubt why print is still wildly popular. We spend so much time staring at screens as is, that spending the time with a writers thoughts on paper is almost therapeutic. It goes to show that many readers, even in the digital age, find a sense of authenticity in reading a printed book.
Is Microblogging becoming the new trend?
Believe it or not, the demand for social media writers has created an unlikely new segment of opportunities. With the rise of platforms like Twitter, Instagram, Pownce, Tumblr, and others, brands now seek content writers with experience in reaching audiences with micro-posting.
We live in a world that prefers to get information in short bursts rather than long articles. Images, video, status updates, etc. … In the information age, speed is key. Companies big and small may require the help of someone who can fill that gap for them. Writers are sought to focus on getting the companies mission across to readers as quickly as possible.
Paths for Job Opportunities
One size does not fit all. Not every job and publication sees the same kind of work, or the same kind of writing. However, as an aspiring writer, you may plan on taking up a profession. Otherwise, free-lance work may give those skills a spin. Here are some suggestions on job paths!
Technical Writing
One career role which is seeing no decline in the near future is the Technical Writer. Various businesses have need for writers who can communicate its workflow into clear, readable language. Such tasks include:
- Drafting documentation based upon project expectations.
- Communicate with technical staff to make products easier to use.
- Edit material prepared by other writers.
- Standardize content across mediums, including manuals, video, and other media.
- Collect user feedback to improve written content.
A job in technical writing can help with structuring ideas into a format that is easy to digest. This is true even if the subject matter isn’t the most exciting.
For example, I’ve worked in several technical jobs which one of my tasks were to document key processes. Whether it was how to perform marketing tasks for a residential real-estate firm, how to resolve a specific software issue for support, drafting how-to documents for a non-profit organization, or revising the design for a business development project, all of these opportunities have allowed me to practice clear communication, formatting, and idea organization.
These are not as glamorous as writing a short story or novel, of course. Yet, they have added more to my toolkit as a writer.
Content Writing / Magazine / Business Blogging
Changes in the publishing world means old mediums fade, and new publications rise. The world of journalism is still ripe with opportunities to bring valued information to the masses. This is true whether it be for news reporting, sports, fashion, technology, music, entertainment, or business trends.
Keep in mind that these make for some of the more coveted positions for professional writers. With that said, the ability to write as a contributing author as a freelancer is also a viable option. As long as there are readers who value getting their news and topical articles from print or online, there will be jobs in this corner of the industry.
Screenwriting
Writing for commercials, TV, movies, theatre, and other entertainment media may seem like a dream for some. However, the quality of your work here can get you places, even if your qualifications aren’t stellar.
Hollywood and the film industry are constantly scouring for scripts and pitches for the next production. This is not to mention a wide-number of contests to test the metal of your idea against others. The goal is to hopefully gain the attention of someone in the industry. Even if your path does not mean the next big film, there are plenty of spots for writers here. This includes writers who can parse through manuscripts looking for that film, and those who have talents in editing.
Editing
If you’re looking to further your writing career, then look no further! Becoming an editor is one of the most effective paths to build upon your talents and provide value.
Despite industry decline, editors are an integral part of the writing process. Editors are key in performing submission evaluation. This includes grammar and spelling corrections, fact checking, formatting, and final draft approval. They also help establish story ideas appropriate for their specific publication. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (concerning Editing positions) states:
“Editors who have adapted to online media and are comfortable writing for and working with a variety of electronic and digital tools will have the best prospects in finding work. Although the way in which people consume media has changed, editors will continue to add value by reviewing and revising drafts and keeping the style and voice of a publication consistent.”
Sources
Of course, all of this is a gathering of data and accounts from various sources cited below. If you want to know more from the individuals who write on the subject, see the links below:
- Source list:
- United States Department of Labor – Bureau of Labor Statistics
- CarreerTrend.com
- Observer.com
- FreelanceWritingGigs.com
- FreelanceWriting.com
- NPR.org
- Xeikon.com
- SproutSocial.com
- TheBalanceCareers.com
- TheGuardian
Happy writing!
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