Most people who read on a regular basis have heavily studied, perhaps even majored, in English or their native language. Typically, many of those people want to enter a career relating to writing, books, or other publications.
I want to take today’s post to highlight what I personally believe to be some of the best career options for those who want to pursue, and make a living from, the world of writing. I will also include a very approximate salary for each of the careers discussed, which might solidify your swayed or dismissive opinion on each.
Novelist or Author
These are the jobs people think of when they hear the word ‘writer’. There’s a romantic imagery around authors, especially those who keep to themselves—the intellectual locked away, dreaming up their own worlds or being lost in their research.
Although the lifestyle of novelists and other authors is far from cushy, if you can write a compelling piece of fiction or a lauded work of non-fiction, then you’ve somewhat made it in the literary world, even if briefly. Just expect to dedicate hundreds, perhaps thousands, of hours to brainstorming, writing, and refining.
In my opinion, becoming an author of some sort is often the goal of most people who major in literature, and it is easy to understand why. You carve out this small slice of (typically) respectable fame, and have thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of people indulging in your fictional story or real-world research. There is a tasteful, artistic flattery and satisfaction to making it as an author, of being indulged and respected for your craft.
The element of exclusivity is also deeply alluring. Few authors write a best-seller, and even less can sustain themselves on a career of writing—most people give up on writing a book before they even finish the first draft. Yet, if one can push themselves to get a work published, then consistently write enjoyable and financially viable publications going forward, they become part of a small club of fellow humans who turn their words and stories into a viable living.
► In the United Kingdom, the average author makes ~£33,000 per year
Travel Writer
Travel writing is not as easy, relaxing, or as laid-back as some make it out to be. In fact, it can be quite stressful, perhaps even dangerous in select cases. Yet, would you complain about getting to travel the world and write about locales, events, and cultures? I doubt it.
Those who can strike the correct balance of charming writing, whilst also being concise and truthful enough to not glamourise every location on this tumultuous planet, typically get to keep their spot within the editorial team of travel guide publishers. In addition to that, the satisfaction of honing your craft and writing style as a travel writer is also its own form of reward.
The biggest downside of this career is having to get up and at it, whilst also not getting to savour the places you visit—it’s work, after all, not a holiday. Still, if you could make a solid living from it and see the world, I think most complaints can subside, especially as you dine in a nice European restaurant or traverse America and Asia’s varied landscapes whilst your readership dreams of experiencing the same.
► In the United Kingdom, the typical travel writer makes ~£28,000 per year
Journalist
Journalists get a lot of flak, and the best ones get assassinated. However, there is a real satisfaction to this line of work, if you can take pride in upholding integrity and correctly compiling facts, and a respectable amount of money to be earned through freelance work.
Depending on your location and the type of journalist you are, it can be a sterile, cosy, or dangerous job. However, the best part of this career is not only the solid pay that comes to those whose writing is desirable, it is the reputation one creates through a lifetime of being a reliable, characterful voice of news, opinions, and analyses.
There is a chance to bring ugly truths to the forefront, or simply keep a community of people informed. For all the ugliness, prejudice, and skewed narratives that journalism feeds, there is a chance to do a lot of good within this line of work, alongside keeping yourself financially afloat. Just understand that it takes commitment, effort, and a touch of luck to make it as a great journalist.
► In the United Kingdom, most journalists make around £32,000 per year
Screenwriter or Playwright
Whether it be for the big screen, the humble daytime broadcast, or perhaps even on the stage in front of hundreds of audience members, scriptwriting is very alluring to the creatives who prefer to focus on thematic, performance-driven narratives.
Watching your story come to life at the hands of performers/actors, crew, and sets must be a very fulfilling sensation for those who put their heart and soul into writing plays and scripts. Although this is a much more niche career that can easily go south, I would still reckon many creative types that grow up engrossed with literature and cinema silently dream of turning their manuscripts into well-acted, exciting performances if the chance comes their way.
Although hard to land and hold these pressuring jobs, which can also be quite gruelling and tedious depending on the working environment. Despite these risks and downsides, the earnings can be quite favourable if one can prove themselves a capable, creative, and generally reliable writer.
► In the United Kingdom, screenwriters average earnings of £30,000 per year—playwrights average £39,000
Leave a Reply