cool creative writing jobs

Looking for new clients? Meet them on Reedsy

Create a free account to receive requests from authors.

Last updated on Aug 13, 2021

20 Creative Writing Jobs for Graduates (+ Entry-Level Positions)

About the author.

Reedsy's editorial team is a diverse group of industry experts devoted to helping authors write and publish beautiful books.

About Linnea Gradin

The editor-in-chief of the Reedsy Freelancer blog, Linnea is a writer and marketer with a degree from the University of Cambridge. Her focus is to provide aspiring editors and book designers with the resources to further their careers.

Being passionate about creative writing hasn’t always been associated with a stable career path, but that’s not to say that there aren’t any opportunities out there to bring well-written stories into your job. In fact, we’re here to talk about 20 different creative writing jobs — 20 professions that let the storyteller in you shine! We’ll discuss the industries, entry level jobs, and potential income for each job below. 

When it comes to creative writing, the first thing that pops up in our mind is books! While writing is the obvious option (and we’ll cover that later on in the post), most writers choose to work in one of the following positions in the publishing industry to gain financial stability first. 

❗ Note: The “per book” rates below are made with 50,000-60,000 word manuscripts in mind. 

1. Ghostwriter 

👨🏽‍💼 Entry level positions: freelance writer, ghostwriter, editorial assistant 

💰 Potential beginner’s earning: $2,000-$9,000 per book or $0.10-$0.15 per word

If you’re all about creative writing but you’d prefer an upfront payment for your words, then ghostwriting is the job for you! Here’s how it works: an author hires you to help them write their story. It could (and usually is) a memoir or an autobiography which the author doesn't have the time or skills to write themselves. Fiction authors also sometimes use ghostwriters to help them write sequels and satisfy popular demands. 

Ghostwriters are freelancers, so you can start by getting some freelance writing gigs. As a beginner, you might start with short-form projects like articles, white papers, website content. Here are some resources, complete with tips from experienced professionals, that might be helpful:

• How to Start Freelance Writing ( Read here )
• How to Become a Ghostwriter ( Read here )
• How Much Do Ghostwriters Make? ( Read here )

👩🏻‍💼 Entry level positions: editorial assistant

💰 Potential beginner’s earning: $25,000-$30,000 per year or $800-$1,000 per book

Writing is actually not all there is to creative writing jobs — if you really love stories and are always finding ways to make a story better, then editing is a suitable profession for you. There are many types of editors: some, like development editors, work more on the plot and theme of the book, and others, like copy editors,  specialize on its language and style . 

Editorial assistant jobs are the common first steps to this career path. Entry-level positions are quite competitive in publishing, so you’ll likely need a relevant degree (English Literature, MFA, etc.) to get the job. 

Freelancing, as always, is an option, but it can be quite difficult to get clients if you start without any editing experience. Oftentimes, editors start working in-house and later transition to freelance . 

Below are some more resources for you if you want to pursue this career path:

• How to Become an Editor: A Guide for Beginners ( Read here )
• Copyediting Certificates: Do You Need One and Where to Get It? ( Read here )
• Editor Salary: Can Your Skills Pay the Bills? ( Read here )
• Working in Publishing: An Insider's Guide ( Read here )

JOIN REEDSY

Find exciting new projects

We connect publishing professionals with our community of 1,500,000 authors.

3. Proofreader

👨🏼‍💼 Entry level positions: freelance proofreader

💰 Potential beginner’s earning: $20-$30 per hour or $550-$650 per book 

Proofreading comes after editing — the proofreader reads the manuscript one final time, after all the revisions are made, to see if any spelling and grammatical errors are missed out. They’re incredibly crucial to the production of a spotless book, so there’s never a shortage of proofreading work opportunities . 

This task is often done on a freelance basis, either by full-time freelancers or by editors who want to take on side jobs. You can specialize in proofreading alone, though most professionals will combine editing and proofreading crafts for better income. As a beginner, opportunities for short-form projects will often be more accessible — stay open-minded about taking them up, but also do some proofreading training to prepare for more exciting gigs. 

We’ve also got some resources for this topic for you to check out:

• How to Become a Proofreader: The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide ( Read here )
• How to Choose Your Proofreading Rates ( Read here )

There’s more to journalism than just breaking news on CNN, which means there’s plenty of space for the creative writer in you to flourish in this industry! Let’s take a look at a couple of options you can consider. 

4. Columnist 

👩🏽‍💼 Entry level positions: fellowships, junior writer/columnist, freelance writer

💰 Potential beginner’s earning: $25,000-$35,000 per year or $100-$300 per piece 

If you like creative nonfiction , you probably have already considered becoming a columnist. In fact, you can even be a books columnist! Job options range from book-specific sites like Electric Literature or Literary Hub, to prestigious newspapers like The Guardian or The New Yorker. But that’s not necessarily the only thing you can write about! You can become a columnist in just about any topic, from social issues to entertainment, as long as you’re interested in the niche. 

Look out for fellowships and junior writing jobs in newspapers and magazines and get ready to apply! A degree in relevant subjects like Journalism or English Literature is a great advantage, though your ability to follow up on leads, conduct thorough research, and keep up with the latest trends in a certain niche will be carefully assessed. You can also be a contributing writer first to forge a relationship with the editors before going after a full-time position. 

👨🏻‍💼 Entry level positions: junior writer, freelance writer

There’s a fine line between a critic and a columnist: critics are usually more academically inclined, and they often work more on the arts than columnists. Columnists cover social issues, sports, entertainment in their more general sense, while critics while home in on a particular piece of art, literature, theatre, or movie to offer expert assessment of it. 

Similar to the columnists, you can begin with junior writing positions and freelance gigs, in which you build up a writing portfolio of relevant work . Ideally, critics will be more savvy to the technicalities of whatever subject you critique — be it filmography or literature. In other words, formal training like a bachelor’s degree is a good launch pad. 

6. News journalist 

👩🏼‍💼 Entry level positions: staff writer/journalist

💰 Potential beginner’s earning: $30,000-$35,000 per year 

Writing news articles is different from the writing column pieces: a journalist must maintain an impartial voice and be succinct. Moreover, you’re always looking out for the latest story, whether on social media or on the street (which is where your love for creative writing can come in). 

The most common way to get into news journalism is to get a salaried position. You can also apply to internships as well, and there are compensated ones to look out for. What you will need is a degree and some journalist training so that you can use shorthand, know what makes a good story, and know what sources to chase, among other things. 

7. Investigative journalist 

👨🏽‍💼 Entry level positions: staff writer/journalist

And what if you’re a fan of true crime ? You might find yourself drawn to investigative journalism! You can chase the tail of anything under the sun, from kidnappings to factory production, from local to international events, so long as there’s an uncovered story there. The topic will often be assigned to you by an editor, and you’ll be given some time to collect information and write the article. It’s a slower pace than daily news, but it’s thrilling nonetheless. 

Similar to the news path, you’ll likely start off with an internship or a junior writing position. With this job opportunity, you can build a portfolio that demonstrates your ability to peel back the layers of the onion to reveal new insights to a matter. Again, a degree and training in journalism are essential. 

Copywriting

Copywriting is writing to sell a product or service, and it could be anything from newsletter emails to slogans to even commercial scripts! There’s definitely a creative element to it, as you’re always looking for a unique and memorable way to capture the attention of consumers. And since it's so rooted in consumption culture, copywriting is definitely a writing career that's in demand!

Below are several types of copywriting jobs you can go into. 

8. Technical copywriter

👩🏻‍💼 Entry level positions: technical writer, freelance writer

💰 Potential beginner’s earning: $32,000-$38,000 per year 

A technical writer works on instructional materials for manuals, white papers, and other informative pieces of writing. A technical copywriter combines that level of specialty with marketing tactics, thereby focusing on promoting products and services that are a bit more, well, technical. Think electronic companies, software developers, repair and maintenance services. 

Ideally, you’d have some education or experience in technical sectors (i.e. IT, engineering, finance). That way, you won’t take too much time to familiarize yourself with the jargon, and employers are more likely to hire you. You can also begin with technical writing, if you don’t mind working on material that’s a bit less creative. 

9. Advertising copywriter

👨🏼‍💼 Entry level positions: junior copywriter, communications copywriter

For a more creative writing job, you can go for advertising. This often involves a lot of brainstorming with the creative team of your agency to come up with advertisement campaigns that will leave a mark. When working on this you can write all kinds of content, from slogans to image copies to web content. 

Having a bachelor’s degree in marketing or an essay-based discipline is usually beneficial if you’re looking for this kind of job. You can work for a big brand, which will constantly be needing new content, or you can work for a marketing agency, tailoring your work to every client. 

10. PR copywriter

👩🏽‍💼 Entry level positions: junior copywriter

Public relations (PR) is, simply put, the art of building a good reputation, whether that’s for an individual or a brand. You’ll work on press releases, report and presentation writing, material for internal and external communications to present your client’s motivation and direction. 

For this kind of job, the precision of your language and your ability to stay up to date with the competitors will be important. A degree in communications or business administration are a plus point. And as is often the case in most writing jobs, the ability to find the human story behind everything will be your best tool. 

Content Marketing

Nowadays, traditional marketing on TV, billboards, and posters are only a part of the industry, the other is all about online content. And with so many things zooming about on the Internet, every company will be looking for the most creative person to help them stand out. Which means you get plenty of opportunities to be imaginative, working on website content, blog posts, social media posts, and even videos.

11. Social media manager 

👨🏻‍💼 Entry level positions: assistant/junior/freelance social media specialist

💰 Potential beginner’s earning: $20-$30 per hour or $30,000-$35,000 per year 

With our evermore online world, social media-related jobs definitely is a writing career that's in demand. So many things can happen on social media — you might very well go viral overnight! The challenge is getting there. As a social media manager, you get to be the voice of the company, interacting with customers in a friendly, casual way, while also learning their habits and preferences so that you and others on your team can better engage with them. 

This is a relatively hands-on job, so experience running a public social media account is the best thing you can have on your CV. A degree in communications can be beneficial, though many job postings don’t require anything specific.

12. Blogger

👩🏼‍💼 Entry level positions: blogger, freelance writer

💰 Potential beginner’s earning: $0.10-$0.15 per word

Blogging is probably something you’re familiar with as a writer — but do you know it can earn you a good penny? By focusing on a specific subject (it can be books , technology, fashion, the freelance life, etc.), you can attract companies who are looking to strengthen their brand awareness and will sponsor you. It’ll take time to build an attractive platform, but it’s definitely possible. 

Beyond that, you can write for others as well. There are plenty of websites that promote creative writing jobs all over, so you can sift through them for the suitable ones. No degree requirements for this job, just your skill with a (proverbial) quill! 

13. Content creator 

👨🏽‍💼 Entry level positions: content marketer

💰 Potential beginner’s earning: $27,000-$34,000 per year 

If you’re happy to do a bit of everything, then apply to become a content creator. You’ll also get to collaborate with a team to come up with an overall strategy in this position.

You can work for all kinds of companies in this career. A bachelor’s degree in Marketing, English, Communications are highly relevant, though adjacent, essay-based subjects tend to do the job, too. Brushing up on search engine optimization (SEO) is also wise. 

Pop culture, the latest rumors and gossip, interesting observations served on a pretty platter — if any of that sounds interesting to you, you can jump into the media industry. Here are some job options if you want to take this route. 

14. Screenwriter

👩🏻‍💼 Entry level positions: assistant/associate writer

💰 Potential beginner’s earning: $20-$30 per hour or $9,000-$15,000 per project 

Everyone of us has probably at one point or another thought about entering the film and TV industry, and that career goal is definitely achievable, if you know where to look. A lot of people start with assistant positions to learn the ropes and get an opportunity to work on bigger productions. If you prefer to write from the get-go, you can go for lower-budget projects. 

To get one of the assistant positions and put yourself out there, touch up on craft skills like plotting, story structures , character-building to be prepared. No qualifications are specified in most cases. 

15. Broadcast journalist 

👨🏼‍💼 Entry level positions: staff writer

We’ve covered written news — now comes broadcast news. From televised reports to radio sessions, you can be the writer behind the words that reporters or presenters read out. It’s a fast-paced job that deals with the latest real-life stories, which can be incredibly rewarding, even if it’s not explicitly creative. 

Many broadcast journalists work project by project (unless it’s periodical news), almost like a freelancer. You’ll still need to have all the skills necessary to put together a good news story, so some journalist training will be beneficial. 

16. Podcaster 

👩🏻‍💼 Entry level positions: assistant/associate writer or producer 

💰 Potential beginner’s earning: $18-$25 per hour, or $26,000-$32,000 per year 

Along the same lines as a broadcast journalist is the job of a podcaster. This is a bit more topical than journalism, and you can really home into certain fields and explore it in depth. Another special thing about podcasters is they usually host the shows, too! So if you’re confident about your voice, and about interviewing others, there’s no reason not to try this out. 

As with screenwriting, the route to get into this sector can be a little bit challenging, since it’s often a case of catching an opportunity from the right people at the right time. Which is why assistant jobs are a strong start. 

And finally, we arrive at the section that hopeful writers often dream about more than anything else. Getting your book out in the world is not easy, it requires not just time and effort but also finances, if only to keep you afloat while completing the manuscript. That said, it’s possible to do it on the side with another full-time job, as is the case for most published writers. 

The cool thing about this career is that you are your own boss — i.e. there are no entry level positions. You are an author the day you call yourself one. 

17. Short story writer

Short stories are charming in their own right, and with the booming literary magazine sphere , there’s no shortage of space to get your words out there into the world. Publishing an anthology with a publisher is also an option but it’s harder — you often need to have an established career first. 

In any case, most magazines aim to have enough funds to pay their contributors. Small ones can pay $15-$20 per story, bigger ones $100-$200. You can also enter writing contests to win higher prizes .

18. Novelist 

Being a novelist comes with the difficulty of having the time and finances to write a full draft before you can propose it to publishers, or even publish it yourself. It’s a long commitment, and it doesn’t guarantee a payoff. If it does get printed, a book deal can get you an advance in the $5,000-$15,000 range. If you self-publish, what you get depends on how well you market your books — emphasis on the plural noun!

That said, it’s not impossible. We’ve got a whole post on how to become a novelist here if you want some pointers from famous writers like Anne Lamott and Zadie Smith! Read it here .

19. Nonfiction author 

Who says creative writing jobs have to be all about fiction? Creative nonfiction is a growing field that’s always welcoming new stories. From memoirs and biographies to true crime, from self-help to essay collections, you can focus on many different topics with this option. 

The nice thing about it all is that unlike fiction writers, you can pitch your book to publishers before you complete a whole manuscript for nonfiction titles, meaning you can be guaranteed some kind of results before you start writing. The advance amount is similar to that for novels.

And last but not least, you can become a poet! Poets tell stories with rhythm and rich imagery, and not just on paper but also with their voice. Performing poetry is one of the special advantages that comes with this form of writing. Not only does it let you and the audience experience in a new way, it’s also a great opportunity to grow as an artist. 

On top of that, you can also dabble in other industries (advertising, music producers…) as a lyricist. As it’s a gig-based employment, you probably want to diversify your work portfolio to make sure there’s always something you can work on. The rates are usually similar to that of a ghostwriter.

And voila, that’s the end to our master list of creative writing jobs! Hopefully, there’s something to help you passion live on among this many options.

Earn more than you would at a publishing house

Create your free Reedsy profile to get started.

Create your Reedsy freelancer account

We have some great projects already lined up for you to work on.

Supercharge your freelance career

Sign up to receive tips for growing your business.

1 million authors trust the professionals on Reedsy. Come meet them.

Enter your email or get started with a social account:

21+ Places to Find Creative Writing Jobs (That Pay!) In 2024

by Victoria Peel-Yates

on May 27, 2024

In 2019, I was a newbie freelance writer with no qualifications, no experience, and no idea how to find creative writing jobs. 

Fast-forward three years, and I’m a full-time writer at a marketing agency and a Smart Blogger freelancer on the side.

So I can tell you it is possible to find creative writing jobs and start a lucrative side hustle or full-time business — even without experience or qualifications. 

This post will round up the 22 best places to land your first paid writing gig. 

Many of these platforms have helped me find work, and they can do the same for you.

What Types of Jobs Can You Find in Creative Writing?

Creative writing is a broad term that covers a range of writing types and jobs, including:

• Content marketing
• Copywriting
• Freelance writing online
• Self-publishing
• Ghostwriting
• Video game writing
• Screenwriting
• Greeting card writing

For most of these, all you need is hard work, confidence, and a pinch of luck – no prior work experience or degree required! 

21+ Places to Find Creative Writing Jobs

Whether you’re looking for a remote writing job, aspiring to be a screenplay writer, or dreaming of life as a creative copywriter, you’ll find something on this list. 

Upwork is where many freelance writers land their first gigs, and there are even some success stories . Here, you’ll find technical writing , short story writing — and everything in between. 

Clients looking for freelance writers post job listings here, and pay rates vary. To access these opportunities, sign up for an Upwork account, download the app, complete your profile, and submit proposals. If selected, the lister will contact you. 

2. Blogging Pro

Blogging Pro is a job board that posts creative writing opportunities from around the internet. You’ll find pretty much any type of writing work on here, such as ongoing contract positions and one-off freelance jobs. 

Posters pay a hefty $199 to list their job, so you’re more likely to find high-quality jobs here. Each listing contains the job description and a link to the job poster’s website.

3. FlexJobs

FlexJobs is a global platform listing a variety of online and remote jobs. It’s an excellent place to look if you want to specialize in a specific niche , such as food, finance, or health. 

Pay rates vary depending on the job. To apply, first register as a member, then choose your subscription option for full access to job postings — prices start at $9.95 per week. 

4. ProBlogger

ProBlogger has a special place in my heart, as it’s where I landed my first-ever freelance gig, writing for a coaching website that paid me $100 per article. It’s an online job board where people look for everything from content writers for big data analysis to YouTube video script writers.

Pay rates and application processes vary depending on the job poster. To apply, you’ll need to register as a member. 

IWriter is an online marketplace that connects freelance writers with businesses that need them. Here’s how it works. 

Clients request an article on a specific topic, and the platform assigns a writer to create it. Writers earn 65% of the price of the article, with a sliding scale depending on the quality of the work. You receive an additional 5% if the requester asks explicitly for you.

To apply, go to the “Write Content” section, fill out the application form, and answer two writing prompts. Once approved, IWriter will assign you to content requests.

6. Freelancer

Freelancer is another marketplace that connects businesses with freelance writers. Categories include SEO, finance, ghostwriting, brochure writing, gaming, review writing, legal , and more.

Rates depend on the client and project. To apply, simply create a profile, browse job posts, and submit your bid.

Contena is a membership platform that provides training and resources for freelance writers, but their USP is their job board. Now, Contena rounds up some of the best-paid gigs from around the internet, and it’s common to see jobs that pay $3,000-$5,000 per month. 

The Contena job board has a bit of everything, including: 

• SEO blog posts
• Content manager roles
• Non-fiction books
• Video games

Membership starts at $40 per month.

8. Craigslist

Craigslist is a classifieds website that began in New York in 1995 and now serves over 700 cities in 70 countries. 

It’s a great way to connect with local businesses looking for writers in your area — but exercise caution and vet any opportunities carefully before applying, as the platform is notorious for scams (more on this later!).

9. Freelance Writing Jobs

Freelance Writing Jobs gathers opportunities from around the web and posts them daily. Listers can also post a job for 30 days by paying $30. 

Categories of writing opportunities include: 

• Content and copywriting
• Grant writing
• Technical writing
• Miscellaneous

Rates depend on the job posting but can range anywhere from $25 to $150 per day. Each listing takes you to the client’s website, so the application process depends on their requirements.

10. Freelance Writers Den

Freelance Writers Den is a membership website providing resources and training to help freelance writers launch or uplevel their careers .

Membership costs $40 per month, which gives you access to the website’s curated list of publications, websites, and blogs looking to hire content writers.

11. Constant Content

Constant Content is a “write-to-play” marketplace where writers pre-write articles on topics of their choice, then clients browse and buy them.

Job posters generally pay .10 cents per word per article, and the writer receives 65% of the total fee.

To apply, fill in the sign-up form, take a quiz, and submit your first article.

12. Scripted

Scripted is also a marketplace, offering jobs across a broad array of content types, including: 

• Press releases
• Product descriptions
• Newsletters
• Transcriptions
• Social media posts
• Video scripts

Writers set their own rates, meaning you have more control over your income. In addition, Scripted encourages writers to apply based on subject matter expertise and develop long-term relationships with agencies and clients. 

Once your application is approved, you can bid on opportunities, attract clients with your profile and portfolio, or accept jobs instantly through their SmartMatch system.

13. Online Writing Jobs

Online Writing Jobs is another platform that connects companies with US-based writers. Clients request projects, and writers submit their proposals. There are even opportunities to work on multiple-month projects for consistent income. 

Sectors include:

• Travel. 

Pay ranges from $15 to $50 per article. To get started, complete the writer application form, then submit your writing sample, W9 tax form, and proof of US residency. 

14. Mediabistro

Mediabistro is a job board specifically for media professionals —including creative writers! 

Writing jobs include:

• Proofreading
• Social media management. 

Rates depend on the client. To apply, sign up for membership for $14.99 per month. You’ll get access to courses, webinars, and Freelance Connect, their service that connects freelancers with editors, agencies, and media companies.

15. Writers Work

Writers Work’s mission is to help you launch your freelance writing career. They gather writing jobs from their partners at job agencies to offer content writing jobs, including blogging, copywriting, and social media. Writers Work’s dashboards and writing tools help you manage your work, deadlines, and clients. 

Rates range from $20 to $65 per hour. Sign up with a one-time payment of $94 or a monthly fee of $15. Complete your profile and portfolio , and start receiving relevant job matches on your dashboard. 

16. All Freelance Writing

All Freelance Writing is an online job board that also provides resources for building your freelance writing career. You’ll find opportunities from around the web, with topics as varied as cigars, disability law, and finance, as well as calls for submissions from online publications like Bustle and Greatist.

Rates range from $1-$750 per article. To apply, fill out the online form and attach your resumé and cover letter.

Medium is a blogging platform where writers can publish their content and earn money through the Partner Program . One writer earned $16,685.50 for a single story!

To be eligible for the Partner Program, you must be in one of the countries listed on the Medium website. If you are, create a Medium account, write at least one post, and gain 100 followers. Then, submit your bank account and taxpayer information, put articles behind a paywall, and publish at least once every six months to stay active.

Pay depends on how many people read your member-only stories, how long they spend reading them, and how many people you refer to Medium. Pro tip: If you refer someone, you get half their monthly membership fee!

18. American Writers and Artists Institute

The American Writers and Artists Institute specializes in direct response copywriting . It provides training courses on building your direct response copywriting business and access to their job board , WritersWanted. 

You’ll find all kinds of content and copywriting jobs, including health, graphic design, B2B, and more. To apply, join Writers Wanted for $49 per month. 

19. LinkedIn

On LinkedIn , you can browse job postings and connect with business professionals around the world who might just need a writer like you.

Set up a job alert to be notified when opportunities matching your criteria are published. You can also generate inbound leads by regularly posting great content and building your online presence.

Indeed is a global job platform where you’ll find all kinds of remote and in-person writing jobs.

Rates depend on the position and employer. To apply, sign up for an Indeed account, search for job listings by job type, location, or salary, and submit your application. 

21. Gotham Ghostwriters

Gotham Ghostwriters specialize in, well, ghostwriting jobs. Here you’ll find clients who need writers for: 

• Thought leadership articles
• Screenplays, and more.

To apply, fill out your online application form, and you’ll receive opportunities that align with your skills and expertise. To bid on one, submit your proposal, and the client will select the writer who aligns most closely with their requirements. 

22. ISA Writing Gigs

ISA Writing Gigs is a platform specifically for screenwriters. They list opportunities for everything from low-budget dramas to dark comedies. Most don’t state pay, but market rates apply.

Become an ISA Connect member for $10 per month to submit applications. You’ll also gain access to resources that will help you hone your craft and build your career.

How Much Can Creative Writers Earn?

How much you can earn as a creative writer depends on your writing skills and experience level, but it’s safe to say you can make a decent living as a writer.

Estimates vary, but the average salary for a freelance writer seems to be around $50-$70,000:

• Salary.com places it at $53,286 (range: $39,277-$66,770) 
• Recruiter.com estimates $78,680 (range: $35,880 to $133,460)
• Zippia puts it at $73,095 (range: $46,000-$114,000)

Since many creative writing jobs are remote, there are no geographical limits to how much you can earn. So, for example, if you live in India, there’s nothing to stop you from taking a freelance writing gig with a company based in the US or UK.

BEWARE OF SCAMS: Red Flags To Look Out For

Like most things online, there’s a degree of risk involved in looking for creative writing work, as some people are out to hoodwink unsuspecting would-be writers. 

With time, you’ll get better at spotting scams and be able to avoid them. But when you’re starting out, be aware of these red flags. 

Spam or Fake Job Postings

Some people out there might want to take your work without paying you for it. If you’re not sure about an opportunity, look for one or more of the following in a job post:

• Spelling mistakes and typos
• A lack of detail about the work, rates, company, or payment
• Email addresses that don’t match the company name
• Opportunities that seem too good to be true

Now I could be wrong, and it might be legit, but this post on Upwork checks a lot of those boxes. Plus, the payment is unverified, the user created their account the previous day, and it’s only received 10-15 proposals (quality jobs usually get dozens of applicants).

Charging Fees to Work for Them

Let’s be clear: clients should pay you , not the other way around. If a job listing asks you to pay to submit your work or sign up for a subscription fee, run away fast.

The only exception to this rule is reputable membership platforms — like the ones mentioned above — that provide value and help you build your career.

Dirt Cheap Pay Rates

Honestly, this is why I personally don’t use sites like Upwork or Fiverr. It’s hard to find gigs that pay decent rates on these platforms. Just look at this example I found on ProBlogger where the job poster offers $20-$25 per 1,000 word article. That’s only .02 cents per word!

Slow or Late Payment

Reputable platforms state their pay cycles on the website — if you don’t see that info, it’s a red flag. 

When dealing with a private client, make sure you agree on payment terms in advance, ideally in writing. A best practice is to request 50% payment upfront and 50% upon delivery. 

You Don’t Get a Say in What You Write

One of my first gigs was with a content mill that paid poorly and assigned me topics I knew nothing about and had zero interest in. 

Needless to say — I only lasted a month. 

So, focus on writing what you know about and have at least a passing interest in if you want to be a successful freelance writer.

You’re Swimming in a Sea of Creative Writing Jobs — Get Fishing

Three years ago, I never imagined I would be one of those people writing about how they became a successful freelance writer — let alone on a platform like Smart Blogger with an audience of millions. 

Yet here we are. 

Start today, and in a few months from now, you might be writing one, too — even if you don’t have a creative writing degree or relevant work experience. 

So what are you waiting for? Cast your net, and get fishing for your first creative writing job.

Make Money Online

Victoria Peel-Yates

The ultimate toolkit for becoming one of the highest-paid writers online. Premium training. Yours for free.

Written by Victoria Peel-Yates

Latest from the blog.

10+ Super SMART Goal Examples (& A Handy Template)

Fiction vs Nonfiction: Key Differences, Examples, & Benefits

How to Self-Publish a Book: A Comprehensive Guide for 2024

With over 300k subscribers and 4 million readers, Smart Blogger is one of the world's largest websites dedicated to writing and blogging.

Best of the Blog

© 2012-2024 Smart Blogger — Boost Blog Traffic, Inc.

Terms  |  Privacy Policy  |  Refund Policy  |  Affiliate Disclosure

This post may contain affiliate links. See our affiliate disclosure for more.

12 Creative Writing Jobs Sites to Make More Money from Your Passion

Marques Coleman

Marques Coleman is a blog writer at EssayAssistant and specializes in marketing and copywriting. Moreover, he is an avid traveler and always tries to learn something new. Learn more »

12 Best sites to find creative writing jobs

Creative writing jobs vs. other writing jobs, the basics of creative writing jobs, types of creative writing jobs, how to land creative writing jobs, building a creative writing career.

BIG NEWS! We just released The Freelance Files , a collection of professional done-for-you email scripts, contracts, invoices, and more for smarter freelancing. The first 50 customers, save 50% with this link .

Landing creative writing jobs is a dream of many people around the world: high pay, flexible hours, interesting assignments… What’s not to like?

The hardest thing about taking the leap and starting a creative writing career is that it’s very unclear where to start.

Where do you even find jobs and projects? What skills should you possess? What kind of salary can you expect?

We will answer all of these questions and more in our comprehensive guide to creative writing jobs. Read about some of the best sites where you can land a job , tips for successful applications and possible fields you can work in.

You might also want to review our guide on how to make money writing once you’re done with this article.

1. ProBlogger

ProBlogger is a writing platform that has its own blog section with tips and tricks for writing. At the same time, it features one of the most versatile creative writing job boards out there.

To start applying for creative writing jobs on ProBlogger, simply sign up and provide some of the details about your experience and expertise. As soon as you confirm your application, you will have an opportunity to start taking up jobs.

2. Freelancer

Freelancer.com is a versatile platform where writers of all niches can find extra work.

You can filter project and contest announcements according to your interests and track creative writing jobs by receiving notifications when a new project comes up.

If you consistently provide top-quality service and get great reviews, you can also join their Preferred Freelancer program and get access to exclusive creative writing jobs.

3. SolidGigs

Sign up for this direct-to-your-mailbox job listing service to save your hard-earned hours for what matters most. They help find the best online gigs for you, and all you have to do is apply.

Not just a creative writing jobs site, SolidGigs provides a library chock-full of resources to improve your business. Pretty sweet!

Similarly to Freelancer, Upwork is a freelancing platform that gathers clients looking for a service and writers, designers, programmers and other experts.

The job application process is structured in the form of bidding: when a job posting becomes available, you can bid with your rate, cover letter, milestone requests and other questions for the client.

You can also create a specialized profile that will attract clients who are looking for creative writing experts.

iWriter is another writing platform which functions a bit differently than those we have previously mentioned. Instead of bidding on projects and waiting for your application to get accepted, you simply pick up a topic that a client requested.

Topics can widely range and you can accept only those you are interested in. After you accept a project, you will have a certain amount of time to submit it on iWriter’s platform.

The payment for your articles depends on your experience and ratings. If you consistently receive great ratings and you do a lot of work on the site, you will be eligible for high-value writing projects which are available only to premium writers.

6. Freelance Writers Den

This one is very popular among US-based writers. Freelance Writers Den is an online writers’ community where users can simultaneously learn how to increase their income and visit the job board for new gigs.

The job postings are collected and published by the FWD editing team, along with applications made over the site. The site guarantees a junk-free job board with loads of attractive and interesting creative writing jobs.

However, the job board is visible to members only, so you will need to sign up first if you want to start taking up Freelance Writers Den projects.

7. FlexJobs

FlexJobs is focusing on providing an all-encompassing job platform for all remote-friendly jobs: from writers to IT professionals and customer support experts.

Unlike some of the other platforms that we’ve mentioned, FlexJobs gigs are not exclusively freelance, but they present employment (both part-time and full-time) as well. The only condition is that a job can be done fully remotely.

After you sign up and access the job board, simply use the filter to highlight only those creative writing jobs that you’re interested in.

8. WritersWork

Just like its name says, WritersWork caters specifically to writers, so it’s not like some other huge platforms with loads of professionals from all industries (which can be a good thing and a bad thing).

The site is not only a job board, but a very extensive collection of information and tips any writer can wish for. It’s a great resource for building your brand and business and making a living solely from writing.

After taking a look at some of their blog posts and info packages, hop on over to their carefully-selected job board to find epic creative writing jobs!

9. Constant Content

Constant Content works as a writing marketplace where clients can ask for services they need and find writers who will fulfill them. Similarly to iWriter, you will be able to apply to jobs as a writer after you go through their application process.

After you get accepted, you will get access to all sorts of creative writing jobs. Of course, you have the opportunity to take up only those gigs that you find interesting or worth your while. This allows a great degree of flexibility and freedom, which are known to be jet fuel for creativity.

Medium is a bit different than the majority of writing platforms. It’s a publishing tool that you can use to post your articles, stories and essays publicly, but you can also earn from your creative writing.

The monetization of your writing is done through their Medium Partner Program. Once you sign up, your stories will become eligible to earn money.

For example, if a Medium subscriber “clapped” only to your article, you would get USD 5 from that clap. If a subscriber clapped to 500 others, you would receive USD 0.01 from that subscriber.

11. All Freelance Writing

Founded in 2006, AFW is an online writers’ community where you can find loads of resources to get you started on your path as a creative writer.

There is a job board where you can view current open projects and you can also post your profile and let clients come to you.

Next to that, you will also find a rich collection of articles and eBooks focusing on the writing process, which you can use to perfect your craft and learn how to turn your hobby into a lucrative business.

12. SalesFolk

If you’re interested in crafting awesome email campaigns, promotional material and other marketing building blocks, SalesFolk is the right address for you.

It’s specialized for creative writers who want to work in marketing and help clients increase sales through the power of words.

There are thousands of categories and niches in which modern writers can work in. Next to creative writing jobs, there are also technical writing, scientific writing, grant and proposal writing and much more.

So, how is creative writing different than other writing jobs?

Throughout history, literature has been the synonym of creative writing. But now, the definition has significantly expanded.

In our digital world, the realm of creative writing is not as narrow as literature and fiction anymore. We now consider the field and industry of creative writing as large as ever, covering a wide array of categories and employing hundreds of thousands of experts around the world.

What separates the creative writing process from other writing jobs is that technical writing is based on facts and source reviews.

Take journalism, for example. Even though a journalistic article is a result of someone’s process of creativity and imagination, it’s still grounded in actual, checkable facts. Another piece, such as a column, that incorporates subjective thinking and opinions could be considered creative writing.

Skills and education

For many aspiring creative writers out there, the question of whether they are good enough is among the burning ones when first starting their career.

Of course, many people have a knack for writing and the ability to tell stories in a compelling way, but is it enough?

Well, it’s a great basis to start with, but in order to skyrocket your career, you will need much more than a talent for writing. The creative writing market is more competitive than ever and it’s important to develop skills that will set you apart from other writers.

Education can be a great asset, but you don’t need to have a degree to become a creative writer. Some clients prefer to see a university-level education, while others simply don’t care.

A great base for developing your career would be an education in, of course, Creative Writing, Literature, Linguistics, Communications, Media Studies and other Humanities.

Just like any other job, the salary can wildly differ from one writer to another. The rate for your writing pieces will depend on, of course, the client, your experience, your skills and many other factors.

You will usually see the price offered alongside the project description, so you’ll know what to expect. When there is no price listed, you should use your own standards that you usually charge other clients.

Of course, when you first start, the pay will be much lower than after you have already been working for 2 years. However, just like you start any job at a junior position, you have to approach creative writing with the same mindset.

Copywriters are very sought-after in today’s economy. From eCommerce websites to business advertisements, every company needs someone who will present their work in a captivating way and attract new leads and customers.

Copywriters usually write ad copy, slogans, and promotional texts. If you are interested in marketing and psychology and their connection to words, copywriting is the right job for you!

Story writer

A story writer is a job that closely resembles the traditional notion of copywriting. Here is where you can let all your ideas and creativity loose, develop characters, storylines and narratives.

Clients look for stories for many different purposes, and not just independent publishing. Sometimes, companies require stories as part of their brand messaging.

In this case, your task will be to develop a storyline on the history of the company and its mission and vision.

Screenwriter

Another very creative profession, screenwriting has blossomed due to the increased demand for video content. Of course, you will not start by screenwriting for Hollywood blockbusters, but who knows, you might just end up there!

“In general, companies use screenwriters to produce text for their promotional videos, campaigns, animations and other forms of multimedia content. It’s a very lucrative writing field with thousands of projects being posted every day,” says Kathy Thompson, a creative writer at SupremeDissertations .

eBook writer

Creative writing has fully exploded with the advent of Kindle and eBooks. Now, everyone has the chance to sell their own book , be it fiction, non-fiction, self-improvement, biography…

An eBook has slightly different requirements and formats that a physical print book. That’s why you will first have to look into some basics of formatting for eBooks .

You can either self-publish or work for a client that will buy the rights to your eBook. In any case, first, you need to do a cost-benefit analysis and see what’s more efficient for you.

Speech writer

When we hear the term “speech”, we usually think of State of the Union or Urbi Et Orbi, but the fact is that speeches are happening every day, across all sectors and industries.

Be it a conference, seminar or a company gathering, it’s expected that top executives hold a speech to serve the purpose of motivating their employees or presenting the company to investors.

At the same time, many execs are not very skilled in speech writing, so they resort to hiring a speech writing expert who will help them get their point across. This is where creative writers come in!

Corporate branding

Every company needs corporate branding in order to start operating, and creative writers are part of the effort to craft a message that will resonate with potential customers.

Corporate branding relates to everything from the company name to the mission and vision statement.

Content writer

Content writing is a field that covers many categories, but some sub-categories imply creative writing.

Sometimes, clients and companies need a blog post that will promote their brand in a unique, compelling way.

Travel writer

With the travel industry growing faster than ever, it’s no wonder that all sectors related to it are growing as well: from travel websites and forums to gadgets and travel accessories sales.

Many companies are now looking for travel writers who will present destinations and attract new tourists. You can work with a travel agency or directly with the city or country that’s trying to promote itself.

Ghostwriter

Even though ghostwriting jobs can be highly creative and lucrative, they’re not the favorite choice of creative writers who want to get famous. Why? Because every ghostwriter completely hands over the rights to their text and agrees never to be mentioned as the creator.

If this is something you’re okay with, ghostwriting is a great way to earn a lot of money with creative writing, especially if you’re ghostwriting for best-selling authors.

Children’s writer

Children’s books and videos are an evergreen industry that’s been constantly growing for decades.

If you have a good understanding of a child’s worldview and you’re able to “get down to their level”, writing books for children would be perfect for you! It’s also a way to escape reality and teleport back to those happy days of childhood and innocence.

On job boards and professional writing sites, there is a limited space for information where you can explain why you’re best for a job. Follow some of these tips to increase your chances of landing your next creative writing gig:

Write an awesome personal introduction

Your personal profile introduction is a crucial component of your presentation. Think of it as your personal brand message: convey to the reader (potential client) what you do, how you do it and why you do it well.

Prepare a portfolio

Most clients will ask to see what kind of work you’ve done before. This is not only to check your experience, but to see whether your style and tone of voice match their brand.

On most writing platforms, you can upload a portfolio of the work you are most proud of. If not, you can develop a simple portfolio website where you will feature your best work.

When bidding for a project or submitting an application, you can simply direct the client to that website.

Try writing short samples

Put yourself in the client’s shoes: how can you tell that a writer will be up to the task and be able to provide a satisfactory end result?

With nothing to rely on except a shiny portfolio and a personal introduction, clients have to gamble and trust that a writer’s experience will guarantee successful work.

So, if you want to prove to the client that you’re able to provide exactly what they need, consider writing a short sample of 100-200 words based on their project requirements. This way, they will see whether you will be able to carry it out to the end.

If you have a talent for writing, a creative writing career can be a path for connecting a passion with work. In order to succeed, you will have to put in a lot of time and effort into perfecting your craft and consistently provide high-quality outputs.

You will also have to work hard on attracting new clients, especially if you work as a freelancer. A good place to start is by signing up at one of the websites that we listed above and see what the offers are.

Keep the conversation going...

Over 10,000 of us are having daily conversations over in our free Facebook group and we'd love to see you there. Join us!

Freelancing Growth

Written by Marques Coleman

Contributor at millo.co.

Marques Coleman is a blog writer at EssayAssistant and specializes in marketing and copywriting. Moreover, he is an avid traveler and always tries to learn something new.

Marques's Articles

At Millo, we strive to publish only the best, most trustworthy and reliable content for freelancers. You can learn more by reviewing our editorial policy .

A Seriously Long List of Jobs That Involve Creative Writing

Who says you can’t make any money from creative writing?

Okay, so a lot of people. But they’re wrong. If you’re a creative writing major, have a degree in writing, or simply identify this skill as the best thing you’ve got to offer the world, there are a ton of ways to build a career with your talents.

In fact, writing skills are way more valuable than your Uncle Richie realizes (or whichever relative scoffed at your dreams last Thanksgiving). Anyone with a gift for words has the ability to communicate vital information, motivate others into action, and help others feel seen and understood.

The survival of many industries depends on their ability to connect with human beings. They need brilliant wordsmiths. And here’s the really exciting part: not everyone can do what you do as well as you can do it.

So no, being a writer does not mean you’re sentenced to a life as a “starving artist.” 

That said, some creative writing jobs are easier to snag than others. There’s also a difference in pay across different writing gigs. Some jobs will be easier to fill with AI in the future, and—the important detail—some will be more in line with your vision for your writing career. 

So here’s a comprehensive list of opportunities and considerations to help you narrow down your focus. You’re about to find out:

• What writing jobs are out there
• The skills you need to land work in the creative writing field
• Which industries are looking for folks like you
• What type of education or experience you need to get started

Let’s start by taking a look at your many, many options.

Career Opportunities in Creative Writing

Before we launch into this very long list of creative writing jobs, I’d like to clarify the term “freelance writer.”

A freelance writer is a contractor. Rather than hiring them on as employees, an individual or business hires a freelance writer to complete specific tasks within their area of expertise. 

If you choose to work as a freelancer rather than an employee, you’d be your own boss. You’d set your own rates, determine your own schedule, and decide which projects to take on and which to skip. You’d also be free to work with as many different clients as you’d like.

The downside is that you don’t get benefits like paid time off, health insurance, and employer contributions to your retirement fund. You’re responsible for paying quarterly taxes directly to the government, as no one withdraws them from your paycheck. 

Depending on the specific creative writing career you’re building, you might also need to look into professional liability insurance or setting up an LLC. These topics get complicated and vary according to where you live, so I’m not even going to try to give you advice on any of that. It’s better to consult your accountant, mentor, and/or fellow freelance writers in your area.

The main thing I want to convey is that if you choose to freelance, you have to think of yourself as an actual business. That’s what you are after all. It comes with a lot of freedom and extra responsibilities. So weigh your options carefully.

One more quick note:

Salary Ranges Are Tough to Nail Down

I’ve included an average salary range for each of the job descriptions below. These ranges are huge and the numbers are almost meaningless. I put them there because if I were you, I’d want to see them so I could at least get a sense of the income one might make from these different writing jobs.

But the standard salary for each job can vary widely depending on the size of the company hiring you and the cost of living in your (or their) area.

The income range gets massive when you add freelancers to the mix. A rookie freelance copywriter who’s just building their portfolio and client list might make $20,000 in a year. Meanwhile, an in-demand freelance writer could make well into six figures and out-earn an in-house copywriter.

So use the salary information I provide to get a general idea of what’s possible. For more concrete numbers, check out job listings in your area and talk to people who already do the kind of work you want to do.  

And what kind of work is that? Let’s decide! Here are a ton of ways you can make money as a writer.

Content Writing Jobs

Content is all the media that encourages consumers to engage with a brand—blogs, videos, social media, podcasts, you name it. Creative writers like you and I might prefer to think of those things as art, but in business-speak, it’s content.

And as a professional content writer, you’ll have to ride that line between creativity and capitalism. After some looking around, you should be able to find an employer or client who wants you to bring some creative vision to your work. But you’ll also have to care about which creative strategies get buyers to bite. 

More on that in a bit, though. For now, here are the most common content writing jobs.

Content Writer

A content writer focuses more on long-form writing that builds a relationship with the target audience. In other words, content writing is less about making a sales pitch and more about being helpful and conveying the brand’s personality.

Common content writing tasks include:

• Email newsletters
• Articles and blogs
• Case studies

Average Salary: $40,000-$70,000 per year

A copywriter is more involved with the kind of creative writing that says, “Hey, you should spend money on this.” They compose things like:

• Website copy
• Landing pages
• Print and online ads
• Sales emails
• Sales pages and mailers

In many businesses, the content writer and the copywriter are the same person. But if you freelance as a copywriter specializing in one specific area—sales emails, for example—get familiar with the other materials your client is putting out to make sure your sales copy builds on the relationship they're already building through content.

Average Salary: $60,000-$120,000 per year

Technical Writer

Technical writing is basically “how-to” writing. It includes:

• Instruction manuals
• Explainer video scripts
• White papers
• Spec sheets

Technical writing might be your jam if you’re great at grasping complex concepts and clarifying them for the rest of us. It’s truly a magical writing skill that involves simplifying and being thorough at the same time. 

If you can pull that off, it’s only a matter of time before you’re considered an irreplaceable rockstar in someone’s business.

Annual Salary: $60,000-$90,000 per year

Social Media Writer

You’ll sometimes see social media fall under the umbrella of content writing, but it’s also its own position in many businesses.

As you can probably guess, a great social media writer comes up with brilliant captions that engage audiences on social platforms. But there’s more to it than that.

To do this job well, you have to be on top of social media trends so you can jump on challenges and hashtags while they’re still fresh. You also need to understand which customer segments are more likely to be on which platforms and how to engage with them.

Depending on the size of the company you’re working with, there’s a good chance you’ll also have to come up with the visuals and create the videos that accompany your brilliant captions.

If you love social media, you’ll be in heaven. If you don’t, you probably won’t be able to fake it. 

Average Salary: $50,000-$80,000 per year

Journalism and Media Jobs

In this category of creative writing jobs, we’re looking at everything that has to do with news and mass communication.

I know. That includes a lot. So let’s get to it.

A journalist investigates, researches, and writes the news for print and/or online publications. That’s a tidy little sentence to describe a writing job that involves a lot of specialized skills and a strict code of ethics.

While journalism absolutely belongs under the heading of “creative writing careers,” it’s an area where you can’t get fast and loose with your creativity. Journalists are responsible for revealing the truth to the public. Ideally , they do this without guiding the reader’s opinion or embellishing actual events. 

The ability to compose engaging articles that inspire thoughtful questions without pushing an agenda is a remarkable skill in and of itself. Successful journalists also tend to be curious, driven, resourceful, and fast writers.

This is one of the few writing jobs where having a degree (usually in journalism) is relatively important, especially if you hope to work for a notable publication. 

Average Salary: $60,000-100,000 per year

Broadcast Writer

A broadcast writer prepares the news for television, radio, and online media. In other words, they take all the deets about what’s going on in the world and turn them into scripts to be read by news anchors.

Like a journalist, a broadcast writer faces the challenging task of conveying information in an unbiased way. They also need to be adept at writing pieces intended to be read aloud—scripts that flow naturally for the speaker and can be quickly understood by the audience. 

Much like journalists, broadcast writers must be able to work quickly, often under pressure. If you like the idea of being in front of the camera yourself, this creative writing career path can include conducting interviews, attending press conferences, and reporting the news.

Average Salary: $40,000-$100,000 per year

Scriptwriter

A scriptwriter is anyone who writes a script for a play, movie, radio show, podcast, video game, or television show. Scriptwriters who write plays are called playwrights, movie writers are more commonly called screenwriters, and television writers are best known as—get this—television writers.

Playwrights and screenwriters almost always work on a freelance basis. Much like traditionally published book authors, they work with a literary agent and are constantly trying to sell their next project.

Television authors also need representation, though they’re usually hired onto the writing staff of a TV show as an employee. There is such a thing as freelance television writing where a writer steps in to pen a single episode of a show, but this practice isn’t as common as it used to be.

All of these jobs have the potential to be deeply fulfilling for a creative writer. They come with fun challenges like learning how to tell a great story purely through visuals and dialogue. 

Keep in mind that—much like becoming a successful author—it takes a long time to build a solid career in this field. There are a lot of gatekeepers and frequent rejection .

Film, theater, and television are also much more collaborative art forms than book publishing. Whatever you write, you have to be prepared for producers, directors, set designers, sound designers, actors, and editors to put their fingerprints on it, too. It’s entirely possible that the end product will be quite different from what you imagined.

In other words, if you’re precious about your work, this might not be your field.

Average Salary: $40,000-$80,000 per year

Publishing and Editing Jobs

Feel like your true home is in the book world? Then you’re looking for something in publishing.

When we think about creative writing jobs in publishing, we usually think of authors first. After all, that’s the dream for a lot of creative writers. But it’s no secret that authorship comes with rejection, requires a ton of patience, and doesn’t always cover the bills.

The good news is, you can still build your career around books even if you’d prefer to pass on all the uncertainty that comes with being an author. This field has plenty of other opportunities to flex those creative writing skills.

But we’ll get to those in a moment. First, let’s look at the best-known writing job in publishing.

As I mentioned before, authors are almost always freelance writers. This means that whether you plan to publish traditionally or self-publish, you have to think of yourself as a business.

Publishing traditionally means working with a publishing house to release your book into the world. This process usually involves finding an agent who then pitches your book to publishers and negotiates a book deal for you. We have a guide to the entire process right here .

Self-publishing means you produce and market your book yourself. This publishing model has boomed in both popularity and earning potential in the past decade and change. You must have an entrepreneurial spirit to succeed on this publishing path, though. You can learn more about it here . 

Whichever path they choose, successful authors build platforms and a following through channels like social media , email newsletters, and speaking engagements. Those platforms help them develop relationships with readers, give them more visibility, and make them more appealing to publishers.

You also need to some degree of sales smarts, whether you self-publish and take on the full responsibility of marketing your book or you decide to publish traditionally, which requires creating a compelling book pitch that gets agents and publishers onboard.

Average Salary: I can’t even give you a range in good conscience. So many factors influence author earnings, and only a small percentage of authors make a living on books alone. I recommend checking out this article for a clearer understanding of what you can make as an author. 

As Doug can tell you , there are several kinds of editing you could do, including:

• Developmental editing
• Line editing
• Sensitivity reading
• Fact-checking

Each type of editing evaluates a different aspect of a written work. These options also allow you to zero in on your greatest strength as a creative writer. Are you the sultan of story structure ? You might be interested in developmental editing . Are you a research rockstar and a stickler for accuracy? Maybe fact-checking is for you. 

This is a job you can do as an employee of a publishing house or as a freelancer. If you go the freelance route, you’ll likely be working with a lot of indie authors.

Average Salary: $60,000-$80,000 per year

Copy Editor or Proofreader

Copy editors are magical beings who have the kind of superhuman focus that allows them to catch tiny issues like grammar errors, misspelled words, inconsistencies in story details, and the like.

It’s true that AI is getting better and better at catching these mistakes. That’s why Dabble uses ProWritingAid to power grammar, spelling, and style checks. It helps creative writers prepare a draft that isn’t utterly riddled with errors.

But at this moment in time, we still can’t count on AI to catch nuanced errors, recognize clever word play, or appreciate an author’s deliberate decision to shirk old grammar rules. We still need human eyes to do this job.

Often confused with a copy editor, a proofreader is the very last person to review a book, and they look for any and all errors. If there’s a missed typo, a messed up margin, or a wonky image, they’ll flag it. Think of them as quality control.

As you likely guessed, both jobs require you to be extremely detail oriented.

Average Salary: $50,000-$90,000 per year

Literary agent

You probably associate this career path with sales more than creative writing. But the literary agents who succeed are the ones who understand what makes a book great . 

This job is best suited for someone who’s ready to do a ton of reading and enjoys rubbing elbows. You can expect to spend plenty of time on the phone, in lunch meetings, at publishing events, and in pitch meetings. You have to be good at building relationships and love talking books. 

What many creative writers don’t realize about agents is that their job also involves giving feedback on current projects and helping their clients talk through new ideas. The advice of a good agent can mean the difference between a book deal and a manuscript that never graduates beyond PDF status. 

Keep in mind that it takes time to succeed in this career. As a literary agent, you’ll make 15% of what your authors earn from their books. Expect some lean years as you build your client list.

Average Salary: $50,000-$70,000 per year

Book Reviewer

As a creative writer, you’re probably great at explaining why books work. You have smart things to say about character development , plot structure, and pacing. And if you’re a fast reader—and would love to make reading part of your creative writing career—you’d probably enjoy being a book reviewer.

Book reviewers do exactly what you think they do: they review books. Many choose to specialize in a specific genre or two. Specializing can be an effective strategy when it comes to building a name for yourself and giving readers a reason to value your opinion. It’s a way of establishing yourself as a genre expert.

Just note that this isn’t an easy career to just plop into. While you can find job listings for book reviewers, there aren’t many of them. Most people who do this for a living start by writing reviews on a freelance basis or even for their own blog/social media platform.

As you build your portfolio and reputation, you can submit your reviews to other publications, monetize your own review website/podcast/vlog, or possibly land a job as an in-house reviewer for a magazine, newspaper, or online platform.

Average Salary: $20,000-$80,000 per year

We already covered what a copywriter is, so I won’t go too deep on the subject here. I just want to make sure you know that it’s possible to do copywriting work within the world of publishing.

Publishing houses have copywriters on staff to handle things like press releases, media kits, author bios, social media content, and marketing materials.

In this role, you’d be able to enjoy the stability of a marketing-focused creative writing job while still getting to think about books all day. Not too shabby.

Average Salary: $50,000-$120,000 per year

Advertising and Marketing Jobs

If you’re on the lookout for creative writing jobs that make your value as an employee easy to quantify, advertising is the place to be. 

The goal of all advertising is to persuade your audience to make a purchase or take some other action that benefits the business you work for. 

Modern technology makes it easier than ever to track the success of your ad copy and marketing campaigns, which means you often have access to numbers that demonstrate what the return on investment is when someone hires you.

Now, all this might sound very cold and business-y, but this is an area where creative writers thrive because your goal is the same as it would be if you were writing a novel or screenplay. You’re trying to find the best words to connect emotionally with your audience.

Not everyone can do that. You can.

Let’s take a closer look at the different ways you can do that.

Advertising Copywriter

Oh, look! We’re talking about copywriters again. Since we’ve already covered this, I’ll give the abbreviated explanation for the article skimmers.

An advertising copywriter writes copy (go figure) advertising a product or service to potential buyers. This includes anything that could potentially lead to a purchase, including:

• Marketing emails
• Print or online ads

Brand Strategist

If you already know what a brand strategist is, you might be surprised to see this position appear on a list of creative writing jobs. Brand strategists don’t write as much as they, well, strategize brands.

This person is responsible for conducting market research, analyzing trends, creating buyer avatars, planning campaigns, and overseeing the production of marketing materials. 

Depending on the size of the marketing team, a brand strategist might also write copy and content. But what makes this career a decent option for a creative writer is the storytelling aspect.

Brand strategists are responsible for translating the business’s message into a story that resonates with buyers. They also need to understand their consumer on a deeper level—a skill that comes more naturally to someone who’s spent time studying character development.

Creative Director

Much like a brand strategist, a creative director looks at the big picture of a company’s marketing efforts. What story is being told? How can they best use the creative resources available to tell that story in an emotionally compelling way?

The creative director leads all the creative professionals on a marketing team, including copywriters, designers, and social media content creators. They make sure everyone is on the same page, telling the same story and communicating the same message.

Average Salary: $120,000-$200,000 per year

Content Marketing Specialist

Remember when we talked about content writing? This is that, plus some added responsibility.

While a content writer is usually told what to write, a content marketing specialist is the person who decides what type of content will be most effective for the business. 

They strategize content like emails, blog posts, videos, and social media depending on which formats and messaging are most likely to help buyers connect with the brand. 

This person also selects the SEO and analytics tools to help them make sure their strategy is effective. They watch the results closely and regularly optimize their content marketing efforts to get better performance.

And yes, a content marketing specialist might also write some or all of the content themselves.

Skills Required for Creative Writing Jobs

I tried to give you some sense of the skills required to stand out in each of the creative writing jobs we just went over. 

Nevertheless, if you’ve found something that interests you, I strongly suggest researching it further and connecting with someone who’s already killing it in that field. Get a sense of what it means to excel and you’ll be in a good spot to pursue your creative writing career seriously.

If you’re still not sure where you want this journey to lead, no problem! Follow your curiosity and let yourself gravitate towards the work that excites you. In the meantime nurture the following skills essential for every creative writing career.

Writing Skills

Okay, so I’m not exactly dropping a bone-rattling truth bomb here. Of course you need strong writing skills to build a career as a creative writer. You know that. That said, some writers underestimate the importance of building on the skills they already have. 

This is an issue I think tends to plague young writers the most. We catch wind of the fact that we’re “good writers” from teachers and peers and get attached to the idea that a good writer is something we already are. Like inherently.

I know I wasted a lot of energy in my early adult years worrying about whether or not people thought I was a talented writer instead of working to continuously become a better writer.  Ongoing improvement is how you’ll stand out from the crowd, especially as you zero in on the type of creative writing you want to do. 

If you want to be a copywriter, find a mentor and start a course on copywriting. If you dream of being a bestselling author who makes a living from books alone, join a writing group, attend writing conferences, and download this free e-book on writing a novel that rocks.

Keep sharpening those writing skills, no matter how exceptional you already are.

Research and Analysis Skills

Research and analysis sounds like a skill set that only applies in marketing and technical writing. But in all creative writing jobs, research and analysis have the same goal: understanding what it takes to connect with an audience.

Now, if you become a screenwriter or a novelist, you might not pore over metrics the way you would if you were a brand strategist. What you will do (hopefully) is consume a ton of art in your genre to understand what works.

Constantly refresh your understanding of what speaks to readers, which trends are hot, and why current bestsellers are selling so well. It’s also important to stay on top of new developments in the publishing industry and strategize your career accordingly.

And if you plan to be a self-published author, your research and analysis skills will help you make important marketing decisions.                                                                                                                              

Creativity and Imagination

If there’s one area where you have a leg-up on AI, it’s this one. Everything AI creates comes from ideas and structures that already exist. As an adaptable, creative human being, you can find unique ways to express ideas that haven’t been explored before.

This skill is essential for all the creative writing jobs we’ve discussed. The best ad writers figure out how to write copy that stands out from the competition. Great editors help writers tap into their own original voices. Even in technical writing, imagination is crucial for finding new ways to simplify complicated topics.

Communication and Collaboration Skills

There are no writing jobs that allow you to compose brilliance alone in your cave and release it into the world with no input from anyone else. 

You have to be open to feedback, and in ultra-collaborative fields like screenwriting, you must be ready for the possibility that your vision won’t often be everyone’s top priority. (It hurts, I know.)

If you’re still working on building your collaboration skills, I can offer a few suggestions.

One is to make a habit of identifying what’s important to you about every project you work on. What’s motivating you? What are your goals? When you can answer those questions, you’ll be more confident gently pushing back on things you care about and more open to offering compromising when it comes to less important issues.

Another tip is to cultivate a genuine appreciation for what others can contribute. As a writer who regularly wrestles with a stubborn, foot-stomping ego, I often return to this interview with Dolly Parton for a reminder of the kind of artist I want to be—someone humble enough to celebrate when another person makes my good thing better.

And of course, working with people you respect helps boost that collaborative spirit, too.

Finally, clear communication is absolutely essential. Make sure you know what clients, employers, or team members expect from you. Also manage their expectations by being frank about your availability, timeline, and expertise.

Adaptability and Time Management

Most writing jobs involve deadlines and your reputation as a reliable writer hinges on your ability to meet those deadlines. That means you’ve got to get good at managing your time.

This can be especially difficult if you’re a freelance writer, because there’s no one dictating your schedule. There’s just today, a deadline in the future, and all this space in between that can be whatever you want it to be.

Time management takes practice, and a quick Google search will take you to loads of suggestions for making the process easier. You can try time blocking , the Pomodoro Technique , deep work strategies … test whatever you think will do the trick.

For me, the most effective method is to remember two things. First, I need to maintain my reputation as a reliable writer if I want to pay my rent and gradually increase my income. Second, I don’t want to be stuck at my desk when my husband comes home from work or friends are inviting me out on the weekend.

Those two limits help me draw time boundaries on that wide-open calendar and keep me motivated to stick to it.

Even as you create structure for yourself, however, you have to keep in mind that things might change. A client might shift direction. A project could fall through. You might find yourself partnering with a collaborator on something you thought would be a solo situation.

It’s important to know your own work boundaries so you don’t get walked on. But being adaptable (within reason) is also crucial for building positive, long-term professional relationships.

Industries That Hire Creative Writers

We’ve examined your professional opportunities by looking at the most common creative writing jobs. Now let’s take a look at them by industry.

If you’re already in the workforce, you might discover that there are writing jobs within your current industry—jobs you never even knew were there. If you’re in school pursuing something other than a creative writing major, you might discover that you can totally flex your wordsmith skills in your field of study.

And if you still have no idea how you want to put your talents to work, this list might help you uncover some less obvious job opportunities.

Entertainment Industry

You already know that the entertainment industry needs scriptwriters. You can probably guess that there’s a need for copywriters in those massive marketing departments, too. 

But there’s also song writing, video game writing, script reading/analysis, and script consulting. Every single thing you see on TV has a writer behind it—usually an entire writing staff —including award shows and reality television.

You can even get hired to rewrite or “punch-up” someone else’s script. 

Publishing and Journalism

We covered the big writing jobs in this industry earlier, so for now, I’ll just add this:

As technology advances, these creative writing careers are more accessible than ever. You develop specialized skills online, build your own platform, and publish your own work. It’s entirely possible to forge your own path in these industries that used to be heavily guarded by gatekeepers.

That’s not to say it’ll be easy to make a name for yourself, nor is it to say that I think everyone with a Wordpress account should feel free to market themselves as a journalist. 

What I mean to say is that if you want a career in these traditionally intimidating fields, there’s space for you. There are more ways than ever to learn what you need to learn and create what you want to create.

Advertising and Marketing

Again, we’ve talked about these writing jobs, so I’ll just tell you a quick story.

When I first moved to Los Angeles, I took an improv class (it’s mandatory here) with a woman who was a freelance namer. That was her whole job. She named products for major companies and made a whole entire L.A. living doing it.

While I can’t help but wonder if AI has taken over her job yet, it’s an important reminder that writing skills are worth a lot in marketing. The right words are straight-up gold . 

Education and E-learning

Creative writing is a teachable skill. If you enjoy guiding others, teaching might be a solid career option for you. You could teach creative writing in a formal education environment (you’ll need a degree), at a local community center, or even online.

The education world also needs creative writers to put together written materials like textbooks, discussion guides, glossaries, and study guides. You could even write scripts for educational videos.

This is an area of creative writing that doesn’t get a lot of attention, but there’s an increasing demand for it. Not only do modern students turn to the Internet for information and homework help, the digital world has made self-directed learning easier than ever. You can find an online course for almost anything from auto repair to world literature. 

What’s great about this industry is that it allows you to combine your passion for creative writing with your interest in another subject. Plus, there’s the business about inspiring curious minds and all that.

Nonprofit Organizations

If you’re intrigued by the challenges of a job in marketing but want to feel like your work serves a greater purpose, consider writing for a nonprofit.

You’d be doing many of the same things you’d do for a for-profit business: email marketing, advertising, blogging, video creation, and the like. The goal is similar—you want to get the word out about the organization and create a positive association in people’s minds.

But there’s also a strong fundraising element, since that’s how a nonprofit stays afloat (and covers your paycheck). This means you can also expect to write grant proposals and oversee donor communications. 

You can do all of this as part of the team or on a contract basis. Grant writing in particular is a good option if you’re looking to set up shop as a freelance writer.

Corporate Communications

Corporate communications is an oversized novelty umbrella that covers a lot of stuff. Simply put, this term refers to the many ways a corporation communicates its mission, goals, successes, and functions to everyone. 

Seriously, everyone . The public, employees, shareholders, partners… every person who exists.

Now, if you work with a small startup, “corporate communications” could be your entire job. For larger companies, however, you’re more likely to work in a specific department. You might be on the marketing team or you could be responsible for internal communications like employee manuals and reports.

Bottom line: if you’re dreaming of a creative writing career in the corporate world, the job opportunities are definitely there.

Career Development and Education Options

You know what creative writing jobs are out there. You know what skills these different industries are looking for. What about education? What kind of training do you need in order to land the job and crush it?

It depends on the specific job as well as what kind of time and money you have to invest in your creative writing education. 

The good news is that you don’t have to rack up insane student loans in order to make a good living as a writer. There are certain positions where a degree is mandatory, but there are plenty of hiring managers who don’t care where you got your creative writing skills as long as you have them.

And it’s never been easier to find training as a writer. Let’s look at your options.

Degree Programs in Creative Writing

If you plan to get a four-year degree to boost your knowledge as a writer, you might be eyeballing a creative writing major. This area of study is most useful if you plan to become a fiction writer, screenwriter, poet, or the like.

If you’re mapping out a career that’s a little more predictable and a little less “artsy,” consider majors like journalism, communications, technical writing, or marketing.

Industries that are most likely to have a mandatory college degree requirement include journalism, academia, and large corporations or nonprofits.

If you plan to go into entertainment or work as a freelance writer, a formal education can help you develop essential skills. Although—real talk—many of those skills can be learned through the less expensive educational avenues we’re about to go over. 

Many folks who earned creative writing degrees will tell you that the biggest benefit of their program was the network it provided when they left college. That’s no small thing, but it’s also not what we think we’re going to college for. 

Writing Workshops and Online Courses

You can easily find live workshops, online courses, and writing groups to help you sharpen your skills or develop new ones. 

This option is a good compromise between a formal education and fully self-directed learning. There’s often a fee, but it’s tens of thousands of dollars less than you’d spend on a creative writing degree. There’s a structure to keep you on track but you don’t have to show up at a physical location multiple times a week for months at a time.

Whatever type of creative writing skill you want to work on, a quick Google search will help you find courses you can take. You can also search the course selection at sites like Coursera , Udemy , and Masterclass .

Finally, a lot of folks who sell online writing courses offer free webinars as a way to get you on their mailing list and pitch their full program. If you don’t feel like you have a clear enough goal to invest in an entire course, these webinars provide a great opportunity to pick up some basic insights and start practicing new skills.

Networking and Professional Associations

Look for networking events and professional associations specific to the field you wish to enter. You absorb so much information just by being around experts and peers, plus you’ll have access to seminars, boot camps, training programs, and more.

Many organizations also hold or participate in conferences. These conferences provide learning opportunities that not only sharpen your creative writing skills but also educate you about your chosen industry. If you don’t have the travel budget, you can attend many conferences online at a discount.

And don’t forget to build your own little network of creative writers! Even fiction-focused communities like Dabble’s Story Craft Café are full of writers who rely on more predictable writing work like copywriting and communications to pay their rent. These are great places to share information about building creative writing careers of all kinds.

Building a Portfolio and Gaining Experience

Finally, we learn best by doing. As you pick up new advice and information through your chosen educational channels, put that insight to work immediately.

Offer to write the press release for your cousin’s startup. Ask a strapped-for-cash nonprofit if they’d be interested in letting you write your first grant proposal on their behalf. Create a blog that allows you to showcase the kind of content you hope to one day get paid to write.

These things help you build a portfolio to show prospective clients or employers. They also give you an opportunity to learn from your mistakes, get feedback early, and discover the challenges that are unique to different writing jobs. 

The faster you experience those things, the faster you learn and the sooner you’re ready to make a living as a creative writer.

Writing is an in-demand skill. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. If you dream of paying your bills with your words—either as a full-time job or a side hustle—you absolutely can. It may take patience, diligence, and a lot of learning, but the work is out there.

The last bit of advice I’ll offer you is to find a community of writers who have your back. No one understands the journey like another writer. You can count on your network of fellow wordsmiths for moral support, job leads, feedback, and more.

If you’re still in the process of finding those friends, join us at the Story Craft Café—especially if fiction is part of your writerly aspirations. The community is free to join and a great place to talk craft, share your work, and stay productive with daily word sprints. Follow this link to get started.

Abi Wurdeman is the author of Cross-Section of a Human Heart: A Memoir of Early Adulthood, as well as the novella, Holiday Gifts for Insufferable People. She also writes for film and television with her brother and writing partner, Phil Wurdeman. On occasion, Abi pretends to be a poet. One of her poems is (legally) stamped into a sidewalk in Santa Clarita, California. When she’s not writing, Abi is most likely hiking, reading, or texting her mother pictures of her houseplants to ask why they look like that.

SHARE THIS:

TAKE A BREAK FROM WRITING...

Read. learn. create..

What's the defining line between sci-fi and fantasy? There's actually a lot more to it than magic versus technology.

Does science fiction alone feel too limiting for your vast imagination? Do you feel like your fantasy world could use a dash of futuristic technology?

Prose describes how you write your book, and it can be challenging to get right. So, in this article, we cover what makes good prose.

73 Creative Writing Jobs to Make Money With Your Hobby

All my life I’ve enjoyed writing. In high school, I would write poems in my spare time.

You know – teen angst and all.

In University, I took creative writing classes and loved it all.

It wasn’t until I had my twins that I realized there was a way to get paid for your writing.

It’s with writing jobs!

But, specifically – creative writing jobs. I started my path as a freelancer when my twins were little and I was a stay-at-home mom.

These writing  jobs changed my life for the better . I can write for clients, and clients come to me seeking my services. It’s the best of both worlds.

If you’re reading this and love to write and want to know if your passions can be monetized, I have something for you.

I get emails from wonderful people who want to freelance who ask me if their hobbies are profitable. I hesitate in responding because if you don’t know, my journey as a freelance writer lead me to business writing.

I write for online businesses . Most of my projects are blogging jobs. I write lead generation content for small businesses.

And I absolutely love it!

But, did you know that you can also make money with creative writing jobs ? These are hobbies like gardening or gaming.

Imagine writing about the things you love to do – those hobbies, crafts, or music lessons you spend time on – can make you money?

And the best part – no creative writing degree needed!

Although my focus is on small businesses, not publications or magazines, I truly want to help anyone interested in freelancing that there are ways to side hustle some income.

So, let’s get to it.

The first part shares with you creative writing jobs and the second part shares with you twenty-one freelance jobs websites you can use to find a remote job.

73 Creative Writing Jobs

Did you take art in high school?

How about art history in college? The arts is a popular hobby for many of us.

Whether it’s the act of painting, drawing, or teaching about art history, many of us can relate to art.

And you know what? There are creative writing jobs in the arts! The job description for art jobs usually entail a deep knowledge about art, art history or an aspect of art medium.

Many magazines in the arts hire freelance writers.

What’s great is you don’t have to comb through a job listing for these gigs!

Here are ten of them.

1. Visual Arts News

This magazine is Canada-based and focuses on the Atlantic Canadian art and their artists.

Not only do they have a magazine, but also a podcast with great interviews of up and coming new Canadian artists.

They post popular stories in their magazine are:

• Exhibition reviews
• Artists profiles

This magazine provides a pitch template and offers suggestions on what they want.

If your submission is accepted , payment is between $100-$150.

2. Polymer Arts

This publication focusses on polymer clay artwork, and their audience is artists, collectors, and galleries.

They stress that Polymer Arts wants to show the people that this form of art isn’t kids art; it’s a skilled and high caliber piece of work.

Writing gigs for this magazine want new writers focus to pitch these topics:

• Materials and tools
• Testing and reviewing new products and tools
• Featuring one artist
• Gallery reviews
• Business/marketing that appeals to the working artist
• Personal experience
• Essay style
• Broad issues in the polymer community

There no need to be a technical writer for this publication.

If your submission is approved , you will be compensated. It’s unspecified, but other creative writers have mentioned up to $.10/word.

3. Canadian Art

This is a contemporary publication that is seeking exciting, visual and a critical perspective from Canadians.

This is not an academic publication; they want the untold stories here.

There are two types of freelance jobs – digital articles and print writing.

Digital articles pay $.50/word and print pays $.75/word.

Read through their editorial guidelines to ensure your pitch gets approved.

Cabinet prides themselves in being the the fine arts and culture magazine.

They enjoy any subject matter as long as it demonstrates how our everyday life is strange, unique or artificial.

Cabinet appreciates the unorthodox—daring theses, unfashionable stances, minute observations, forgotten cultural practices, and found documents.

This magazine focuses on contemporary art ideas and does not accept articles that focus on one artist or their work, or review articles or news articles about art exhibitions.

If your story is accepted , you will be compensated. Payment for this creative writing job online is unspecified.

Art21 doesn’t have a submissions section for their website.

But, they do have freelance jobs as I’ve read other writers being hired by them. This magazine publishes quarterly and has a big digital section and is part of literary magazines you might read.

If you want this freelance writing job, then you have to pitch the editor your story idea. This means doing a bit of digging on their website and social media. Find the right contact person to pitch your story.

There is compensation – one freelancer quoted $.13/word.

ArtNews is the most popular and most widely read magazine in the world.

If you love art, then you know about this magazine!

And according to writers, freelance jobs for ArtNews pays up to $.80/word and pays within a month .

To help ensure your pitch to the editor gets read and approved, make sure to check out this article on Contently from the ArtNews editor.

She provides actionable advice to help you pitch your story in the best way.

Simply submit your idea to the editor and wait !

Artsy supports artists from all over the world. They are the premier platform for collecting art and discovering beautiful art.

They have a database of over 1 million galleries, works of art, art fairs and over 100,000 artists.

There is no submission page on this site, which means it’s a good idea to network with the editor and develop an ongoing relationship. Other writers who landed this freelance job have been paid between $.30-.40/word.

To pitch your idea, find the right contact person here .

8. ArtForum

Artforum is an international monthly publication that focusses on articles and reviews of contemporary art.

Again this magazine does not specify a submission page. So, to get paid for this job, you will probably have to contact the current editor – David Velasco.

As for compensation, many writers have been paid and happy with the process. The average payment is $.32/word. You might want to have a job alert for this publication.

9. Communication Arts

Communication Arts is the leader in the creative industry. Their trade journal is the largest creative magazine around which means your ideal client might read this publication.

Their publication caters to artists, graphic designers, photographers and anyone involved in the visual communication industry.

Their submission page stipulates a variety of topics you can write about such as business, creativity, emerging design, and culture.

What is great about freelance jobs with Communication Arts is they provide 1:1 help and support in the editing process. They provide extensive feedback to help make your piece the best it can be.

Writing is compensated with a highly competitive rate, but it’s unspecified.

10. Kcet Artbound

The Kcet network is primarily a television network in Southern California, but they do have a website with a blog for a remote job in writing in the Artbound section.

The Artbound section of Kcet strives to reveal the analysis of how art today is affecting our society and culture.

Kcet Artbound has won many Emmy’s and awards for its innovative content.

As one freelancer put it:

“[Kcet Artbound is a] delightful publication for freelancers!”

These types of creative jobs you might get hired for is like an 800-1000 word criticism piece or review in the arts & entertainment coverage. If you’re a copywriter, this gig can also be up your alley.

Since there is no submission page for writers, you have to do some investigations to find out the editor and network with them to pitch your ideas to.

Ahh! Gardening and horticulture/farming is a huge hobby for many people. As well, it’s a great business too.

From hydroponics to vegetable gardening or natural pesticides for organic farming there is no shortage of article ideas.

The job outlook for this entertainment niche is high since everyone is remote working or at home.

Most of these freelance creative writing jobs are magazine based that are high paying and can help build your portfolio as a new freelance writer.

Here are seven gardening freelance jobs.

11. Horticulture Magazine

Horticulture magazine is one of the best gardening magazines for beginner gardeners and for very serious gardeners.

This publication covers spotlights of gardens and nurseries around, gardening designs, and informative pieces on products and accessories for gardeners.

There is no formal submissions page, so make sure to visit their contact page to email the editor your pitch idea.

Writers who have written for Horticulture were paid up to $500 for their piece.

12. Fine Gardening

Fine Gardening covers mostly landscape designs, various plants and harvest information for fruits and vegetables.

They are recognized for their extensive library of plants, and their plant information is highly detailed that would delight any botanist.

They have an award-winning blog with great advice and information for gardeners.

To pitch your idea, contact the Fine Gardening editorial department on this contact page.

If your submission is accepted, they generally pay $.44/word for an 1800-word feature .

13. American Horticultural Society

If gardening is your passion you will love writing for the American Horticultural Society as your first freelance job.

They cover everything from innovative garden designs, plant conservation, heirloom gardening and more.

This publication also likes articles on how to construct a simple garden or how to demonstrate using certain gardening tools and products.

Please only submit your idea and not the entire article. If accepted, pay is between $300-$600 for 1,500-2,000-word features .

14. Green Prints

Green Prints is a wonderful mom-and-pop owned magazine. They share a wonderful story on their About Us page so make sure to read it!

This publication shares real stories from real gardeners. They have dubbed themselves as the “The Weeder’s Digest.”

They love submissions that cover the stories behind gardening and sharing that with their audience.

If your submission is approved, top payment for online creative writing jobs in this magazine is $150. Poems are published 4x a year and pay $20 .

15. Modern Farmer

Modern Farmer is a cutting-edge publication that explores the foods we eat and cook. The articles covered cater to chefs, farmers, cooks, and families.

They want submissions that are global and political in nature. While compensation isn’t mentioned or specified, writers have been paid for submissions .

This is a great way to create a writing samples and land a freelance writing opportunity.

It’s varied, but the top pay is $1.33/word for a 750-word piece .

16. Successful Farming

Successful Farming covers a lot of content mediums – radio, talk, magazine, and TV – which reaches a broad and large audience.

If you landed this creative job as an aspiring writer, you could be sure that your content can reach more than one type of audience.

This publication covers a wide array of topics:

• Farm management

With the most up-to-date information for farmers and the farm industry, this is one of the best publications out there. While there is no submission page, this would be a cold pitching opportunity where you will have to connect with the editor.

You can try using social media or toot around their website to find the contact information.

They do pay for content, and once your piece is approved, the pay is around $.64/word. They do pay for unique images (up to $50) .

Your piece will go through a round of editing, but the process is more helpful than critical.

17. Capper’s Farmer

This magazine is distributed quarterly and values what grandmothers taught their families. Articles cover the tried-and-true methods your grandparents taught you.

From cooking to crafting to gardening and more, Capper’s Farmer shares the homesteading way of living.

Their submissions page stresses that they prefer submissions based on rural living such as on farms or ranches. They do pay for your article, but the pay is unspecified .

Cars/Automotive Industry

Many people are car enthusiasts. They visit car shows or like to tinker around on their classic car or are mechanics.

Whatever it may be, if you have an affinity for riding motorcycles or just love cars, you can find a freelance job in your hobby as a content writer.

There is no need to enroll in a writing program for these creative gigs.

Let’s look at 9 writing freelance jobs so you can start making money.

18. Popular Mechanics

Popular Mechanics is  the  automotive magazine there is.

This publication has been in circulation for over 100 years and covers the most innovative inventions in the automotive industry.

Their message is clear – they want to provide automotive information in an easy-to-read format.

While they don’t have a formal submission page, they do hire freelance writers. One writer was paid $.25/word for 1300 word feature article .

Other writers state that Popular Mechanics pays between $50-$150 for online content and upwards to $1,000 for print in their magazine .

19. Autoblog

Autoblog is an automotive news publication that covers new and used cars as well as industry news, tools, and car reviews.

While they do have a submissions page , the pay on this page is low – based on pageviews and capped at $50.

To find profitable freelance writing jobs for this publication, you need a referral – someone that writes for this blog or knows the editors for this site.

One content writer used this method and was paid $.37/word for a 1750-word criticism review piece .

20. Autonotebook

Autonotebook covers a variety of automotive content.

The main categories are:

• Best of…

One thing I noticed when looking at this freelance job is that the blog hasn’t been updated for a couple of years. I would ensure first that they still want content. This can be a good pitch too – i.e. how new content can help them reach a bigger audience and grow their SEO and traffic.

Their submission page is sparse , but does say they pay using PayPal. So this is a worthwhile gig to have.

21. Motocycle Mojo

Motorcycle Mojo is a Canadian publication that publishes 10 times a year. They enjoy and cover real-life experiences and pride themselves in the personal and storytelling angle their magazine has.

Their magazine covers all types of motorcycles, history, touring and travel/destination content. They also cover book and product reviews and some vintage pieces.

Their write for us page stressed that they prefer submissions over queries. They also want the freelancer to provide previous samples and samples of their photo taking ability.

They have to mediums – print and digital and requires the freelancer to approve their piece being published to both mediums.

They accept 600-800 word for small stories and upwards of 2,000 words for travel features. This gig does pay, but payment amount is unspecified .

22. Road & Travel

Road & Travel is an online magazine aimed at upscale women. This is not a motorsports magazine; rather, it covers travel, safety and personal topics for women drivers. Content is gender neutral, however.

Road & Travel aim to educate consumers on purchasing, renting or leasing cars or RVs, care maintenance, green vehicles and more.

They accept blog articles of up to 300 words and feature articles of up to 1200 words. Payment is based on the editor and freelancer .

23. AAA Midwest Traveler

AAA Midwest Traveler is a bimonthly publication for residents of Missouri, Illinois, southern Indiana, and eastern Kansas.

This publication is meant to provide their AAA members information on travel, auto safety and features and tips about their AAA membership.

To submit your story , send a query to the editor between January-April. They work 6-months in advance, and a copy of the magazine you wrote for is mailed to you.

A 1200 word feature goes for $400, and if your story is picked up by their sister publication, that’s another $150 .

Wheels was my first legit remote writing job and started my writing career. I was ecstatic and over the moon that I no longer had to look on content mills to find a project.

Wheels is a division of the Toronto Star newspaper and they provide up-to-date and useful information on the automotive industry as well as the entertainment aspect of owning a vehicle.

I wrote articles from the perspective of a mom/woman.

There is no formal submission page. This freelance job was posted on a job board saying that you didn’t even need strong writing skills, but networking and warm pitching can help you land this gig. Find the editor for online content and connect with them!

I wrote 800-word pieces for $100 . Article ideas were pitched to me, but I did most of the blog topic pitching.

25. Elephant Insurance

If you have a love of the car, did you know you can pick up a freelance job in the automotive insurance industry?

Search for automotive insurance companies online and check to see if they have a blog or email list. If they do, there’s a good chance they hire freelancers for content writing.

Elephant Insurance has a blog with different writers. This is another clue that they probably have freelance jobs.

26. Gasudeansas

Gasudeansas covers a wide range of car topics but mostly enjoys car protection content.

Their submission page mentions they are open to any topic related to cars and that they will respond to your pitch in a timely manner.

They do pay for articles, but it’s unspecified how much .

Cultural Topics

From women equality to politics and more, cultural topics relates to the ideas and customs of society.

If you took a class in high school or a creative writing program in university that opened the doors to cultural studies, did you know you can get paid to write in this niche topic?

Let’s look at 9 creative writer jobs in creative nonfiction topics.

27. Roads & Kingdoms

Roads & Kingdoms set to inform and inspire travelers.

They mostly cover food, travel, and politics.

They enjoy articles that explore deep storytelling, are original and inspire their readers to take action. If you’re a grant writer, this could help you with building your writing portfolio.

If you are interested in writing for them, Roads & Kingdoms has provided a post on how to pitch to them . They seek ideas that stand out from the crowd. Reporting is also part of some of their content – such as a long-form feature for their Dispatched by Bourdain series.

A long-form feature –up to 5,000 words – goes for $1000 and a piece of web content runs $250 .

28. Briarpatch Magazine

Briarpatch Magazine covers politics and culture from an original and insightful grassroots perspective.

Critical commentary is their bread and butter, and they fiercely reject corporate media and strive for independence and equality.

They are a bimonthly publication and offer submissions for journalists and freelancers.

If you are interested in this remote writing job, they do want a story idea to be pitched.

They accept:

• current events
• electoral politics
• grassroots activism
• economic justice
• gender equality
• political importance

Make sure to check out their guide on how to pitch to Briarpatch before you submit your piece.

This job opportunity does pay for submissions. Anywhere from $100 for short reviews or blog posts to $300 for research-based articles of 2500 words .

29. High Times

High Times covers cannabis cultivation and legalization.

The alternative health market is a high-paying freelance writing niche. According to Ashley Eneriz:

More outlets are needing writers who are well-versed in the cannabis market to talk because the industry is a huge money maker. Cannabis was projected to make $10B this year , which will increase to $22B by 2022.

As well, I have had several prospects email me for my writing services to help them market their Cannabis products:

High Times strives to uncover the truth and provide the most up-to-date information about the cannabis market.

Their submission page mentions they enjoy pitches and story ideas of around 1200 words but does not specify a rate.

Freelancers though have worked with High Times and are generally paid $.40/word for an opinion editorial project .

You don’t need strong writing skills for this writing gig either!

Paste covers all types of pop culture topics like politics, public relations, comics, books, music, and TV.

With a large and of over 400,000 devoted readers, Paste is the go-to place for what is happening in our world right now.

They are looking for highly original and unique story ideas that the editors of Paste have never even though of or heard of.

Their writer’s guidelines require a proposed subject, length and some samples of your writing ability.

They do pay for submissions, but it’s unspecified. However, other writers have quoted up to $.10/word .

Founded by the acclaimed Elie Wiesel known for his memoir Night , and editor Leonard Fein, Moment is grounded in Jewish living in the States.

Each of their topics covers the perspective of Jewish history and information. Having work experience is a plus for this publication.

From Arts & Culture to Politics to Jewish World and Israel, Moment’s rich content is celebrated all around.

Moment publishes 6 times a year and if you wish to write for Moment, make sure to submit time-sensitive stories at least 6 months in advance.

Their submission guidelines advise you email your query to the editor. Your pitch idea needs to be fleshed out with an outline too. While you can submit the completed story, they prefer the query.

The do pay freelancers, but it’s unspecified on their submission page. However, writers who had their pieces published on Moment were paid $.20/word for a 1,500-word review or criticism piece.

32. Reader’s Digest Asia

Reader’s Digest is a general-interest family style magazine.

The Reader’s Digest Asia covers culture and arts as well as a variety of lifestyle topics like home & garden, health, travel, jokes, and true stories. They like a writer with a creative idea for this publication.

The Reader’s Digest Asia website gets over 100,000 pageviews a month, meaning that many potential clients can see your article.

Their submission page shows the type of article they seek and the payment they offer:

• My Story – 800-1000 words of an interesting true story. $250 USD
• Kindness of Strangers – 100-150 words of unexpected kindness, generosity or an account of something that changed your life. Up to $150 USD
• Anecdotes and Jokes – Submit your original jokes, comics, cartoons or anecdotes. Pay is $50-$100 USD .
• Your Deepest Wish – Share your deepest desires and compelling wishes. Don’t hold anything back. Pay is $200 USD .
• Smart Animals – 300 words of a tale about unique pets. Pay is up to $100 USD .

Salvo calls themselves, a magazine of society, sex & society .

In essence, Salvo aims to debunk cultural myths with a Christian worldview.

This is a magazine of the Fellowship of St. James who want to uphold Christian views.

Their submission page details what they want and don’t want. They don’t want overtly religious pieces of content or have scripture. Your article should focus on the secular young adult audience.

They enjoy informative articles with a cheeky attitude.

Articles of 600-2500 words for a blog post and are paid at a rate of $.20/word .

34. Bitch Media

Bitch Media is a publication that aims to encourage a feminist response to mainstream culture.

Bitch Media is an online and print magazine that also has a podcast.

Their content is filled with a striking visuals (probably from a graphic designer), a strong voice in feminism and they don’t shy away from confronting contradictory information in life.

Bitch Media explores a variety of feminist topics which include:

• Questioning gender roles
• Art and Culture

Their submission page stresses they seek “discussion-provoking critical essays.” If you pitch to the magazine component, you will be compensated if they approve your pitch.

Payment: $700-$1000 for features, $350 for dispatches, and between $150-$700 for culture stories .

35. ADDitude

ADDitude is a magazine for parents, health care professionals, teachers and anyone that supports a child with ADD (attention deficit disorder).

Professionals write most of their content, but they do welcome parents, teachers, and others with first-person accounts with children with ADD.

There are two types of freelance jobs you can look into – the print magazine or blog.

The print magazine is paid and it seems like the blog content is not paid.

You can send a query or your entire article via email.

For print magazine submissions , payment is based on the length of your article, the expertise level and quality of your writing skills.

In general, they pay $.20/word for article submissions .

Christianity/Religion

The Christianity niche is a big niche online. From mom bloggers writing about faith to services, magazines, and publications that share faith-based content, if you want to write in this vein, you can.

You might even have taken a creative writing course in faith that can help you with writing magazines.

Let’s look at 4 religious publications with some awesome creative writing jobs.

36. Christianity Today

Christianity Today spreads the love of the gospel as a way to help transform lives and bring hope to everyone.

Their publication receives over 5 million Christian readers a month.

They cover modern Christianity topics and are interested in interviews, reviews, opinion pieces, and unique Christian living.

They are not affiliated with any denomination as their audience is primarily made up of evangelical Christians.

Their submission page is highly detailed on how to pitch to them, what they want for content and how to submit your pitch.

They also say not every accepted pitch is bought (or paid for). They can reject your accepted pitch at any time. While they don’s specify payment, when they pay for creative writer gigs, they pay up to $.16/word .

37. Religion News Service

Religion News Service is considered one of the largest source of spirituality and religious news.

They hope to inform and inspire their audience to make informed decisions based on their beliefs and convictions.

They mostly cover current events in religious news and also has press releases and a podcast.

They don’t formally have requirements for submissions but do have a form to fill out if you want to submit a story.

They don’t disclose if they pay for articles, but writers have been paid up to $.29/word for a news story.

38. Religion & Politics

Religion & Politics is a publication of the John C. Danforth Center on Religion & Politics at Washington University in St. Lois.

This is an online news magazine focussed on the two topics that hushed in culture – religion and politics!

They strive for better communication around religion and politics and how it shapes our culture.

Differing political and religious views are encouraged and required when writing for them as this is a strong writing skill to have. if you

Each piece is in-depth, taking into historical and contextual elements and analysis from the writer.

Their submission page is sparse and only mentions to pitch a detailed description of what you want to write about and email it to their editor.

There is no mention of pay, but they do pay for creative writing jobs up to $.26/word for a 1900 word feature piece .

39. The Christian Science Monitor

The Christian Science Monitor is a news magazine that tries to shred the political spins down to the underlying truth.

Their approach is to bless all men and what people have to say. This magazine is owned by the church and does adoptive the views of the First Church of Christ.

Their submission page states they view new writer’s work on spec and want to see the quality of your writing first before they accept your pitch. But there is no technical writing involved.

While they don’t pay for your first submission, if they like your work and if you write for them, they will commission you to write and will pay for that article – whether they publish it or not.

And while they don’t tell you their rate, other writer’s have been paid up to $.27/word .

Camping/Outdoors

Some creative writing opportunities for you if you have the skill!

Are you an outdoorsman or woman?

No matter what time of year or what the weather is, if you have a weekend or a few days, you grab your camping supplies and you hit the road.

And you don’t need to be a creative writing graduate to pitch camping stories to magizines!

And if you decide to become a freelance writer , those camping trips will be a regular thing for you and your family!

So, let’s look at camping gigs for some cool creative writing jobs.

40. Backpacker

Backpacker is a print and digital publication that covers hiking, gear, skills and more.

Their readers are experienced backpackers or hikers so any topics for this publication should be verified, informational and credible.

To get a feel of what they want from freelancers, go ahead and read a few issues or their blog.

Their submission page states that they are only accepting web articles and for new freelancers, they suggest you pitch your entire article to smaller jobs in their departments/categories:

• Done in a day

They also state that they have themes and will give you the theme when they hire you.

On their submission page, they state that they pay anywhere from $.40/word to $1.00 a word for written content .

41. Bay Nature

Bay Nature isn’t truly a camping topic, but it does explore nature, science, plants of Northern California.

The San Francisco population is their audience and want to use their magazine to help them explore and learn about the natural world.

A lot of their focus is conservationism, preserving biodiversity, and understanding climate change and how it affects Northern Californians.

They do not have a submission page, but they do have a contact page with emails for general queries.

I do know that they do pay for articles – up to $.80/word for a 2500 feature .

42. Backcountry Digital

Backcountry Digital is a camping marketing agency.

They help camping businesses with online marketing by using SEO strategies, PPC strategies and content marketing strategies.

This means that their clients might need writers for their content team. Using this method can help you with a writing gig on this website.

I don’t know their freelance job rates, but make sure to reach out to them.

43. Outdoor Canada

Outdoor Canada is a magazine that seeks researched articles on living in the Canadian outdoors.

They are big on fishing and hunting pieces of content on their website.

They enjoy different types content like:

• Entertaining features
• In-depth reporting

On their contributor page they state that they pay between $100-$400 for  articles for qualified applicants .

44. Western Woods & Waters

Western Woods & Waters is a hunting news magazine for Western Canada.

They enjoy content about the Canadian outdoors and controversial subjects regarding anglers and hunters.

They do accept product reviews along with their outdoor advice.

They have different creative writing jobs – 700-word columns on outdoor activities and feature articles + image pack.

On their submission page, they state they pay writers $100 for column articles and $150 for feature + image pack articles.

45. Paddling Magazine

Do you enjoy canoeing?

If you know all about paddling and life on the rivers, then Paddling magazine might help with landing an awesome freelance job in your hobby.

The type of articles they seek are:

• Profiles of influential people in the canoeing industry
• Travel stories about canoeing
• How-to articles
• Family camping

Their submission page does not state pay, but I do know you can earn up to $.20/word for an article .

46. American Forests

One of the oldest quarterly magazines around (first issue was in 1895), American Forests highlights our nation trees and forests for outdoor enthusiasts.

They also cover forest policy, h0w to care for trees at home, controversial forestry issues and individual profiles of those that made a huge impact in the forest industry.

They want a comprehensive submission that includes a detailed topic discussion, the sources you intend to use, your writing experience and a sample of your writing.

They pay on average $.69/word and they seek anywhere from an 800 word piece to a 2,000 word piece.

This puts the pay from $550-$1300! 

47. Green Lifestyle Magazine (AUS)

This magazine wants to help you reduce your carbon footprint, but still have you live the live you want and deserve.

Their magazine highlights environmental concerns by presenting problems and solutions for every day issues. They also write about the latest food, fashion, products and more.

They expect well-researched content that is fact-checked over and over again to provide the most up-to-date and most accurate information to their readers.

If you want to write on this magazine, send a one-page proposal of your topic idea, your sources, what approach you will take for this article, and if you intend to use photographs or illustrations.

They seek feature articles from anywhere between 800 words to 2,500 words. Payment ranges from $150 to $1500 (AUS).

48. Tenderly

Tenderly is a magazine on Medium, which is a friendly radical vegan magazine.

They seek to inspire vegans, future vegan, vegetarians and those interested in learning more about veganism.

If you want to write for Tenderly, email the editor your pitch . Your pitch should include the proposed headline and a few sentences describing your short story. You can submit multiple stories in your pitch but make sure you also include your writing samples.

Content length varies from 500 words up to 5,000 words and payment start at $200.

49. The Bold Italic

This is a San Francisco Bay online magazine on Medium. They cater to life in the Bay area.

Their magazine carries the free-wheeling spirit of San Francisco and the Bay area.

They seek unexpected local stories, either reported or personal.

They enjoy all types of perspectives – joyful or sad, niche or broad and serious or light-hearted.

They seek personal essays, in-depth reports, trends, unpopular opinions, cultural commentary, personal profiles, “not-basic” listicles, and beyond SF.

To submit your idea, email the editor your proposed headline and a few paragraphs of your short story idea. Also include the relevancy to your story and why their magazine would benefit from your story.

If you’re never written for them, include your social media profiles and a short bio.

Compensation is between $200-$300 per story.

Around 85 million families own a pet!

It’s a booming industry for products, but also for creative writers! There are some jobs for creative writing in this niche! Let’s see how.

50. Dogs Naturally

Dogs Naturally covers a wide array of topics for dog owners and professionals in the pet industry.

Most of the content covers holistic health, nutrition, vaccines and some controversies in pharmaceutical therapies.

They do want writers that follow the same philosophy as them – holistic and homeopathic care – so they can authentically write about TCVM practitioners or natural pet health products.

While their submission page doesn’t state pay for their content, I do know you can earn anywhere from $50-$200 for an article .

51. Bark Magazine

You can pitch for their print magazine or do an online submission.

Make sure to check out their content as they don’t want duplicate pieces on their site or in their magazine.

Each article should have a journalistic approach (no memoirs) and include the sources you intend to use.

You are allowed to write your article in the dog’s POV.

To submit your idea, email the editor your topic, sources and any other relevant information they seek.

Compensation – according to Medium – is $.67/word.

52. The Chronicles of Horses

This national bi-weekly magazine focusses on hunters and jumpers, foxhunting and steeplechase racing.

They also print sports news, horse care and profiles of popular horse people. You do need some academic writing skills since this is niched to a specific animal and sport.

You can pitch your idea as a news story or feature article.

You can send your idea to the email on their submission page and they may accept or reject your article.

Compensation varies depending on the type of article you write for them. News stories are around 1,500 words and payment is anywhere from $165-$200.

Feature articles are between 1,500 – 2,500 words and payment is between $150- $400.

Websites for Freelance Jobs

Here are 21 f reelance job websites to find the perfect freelance job for you! Many of them have creative writing jobs, freelance jobs, remote jobs and more.

• ServiceScape
• Working Nomads
• Mediabistro
• Journalism Jobs
• Skip the Drive
• Online Writing Jobs
• Whisper Jobs
• Cision Jobs
• Workhoppers
• We Work Remotely
• Authentic Jobs

More Freelance Jobs for Writers

This list will continue to grow.

I found that this will be a huge comprehensive list that takes weeks to research and write.

So, I felt instead of not publishing it as half did and letting it sit on my computer for months until I continue to write about more freelance jobs, I thought I’d publish as is and add when needed.

In the future I will try to add more creative freelance job niches.

Over to you –

Are you excited about the potential of monetizing your hobbies?

Share this post with your friends!

Leave a reply cancel reply, 29 comments.

26 Creative Writing Careers

by Melissa Donovan | Aug 4, 2022 | Creative Writing | 164 comments

Creative writing careers — they’re out there!

If creative writing is your passion, then you’d probably enjoy a career in which you could spend all day (or at least most of the day) pursuing that passion.

But creative writing is an artistic pursuit, and we all know that a career in the arts isn’t easy to come by.

It takes hard work, drive, dedication, a whole lot of spirit, and often, a willingness to take big financial risks — as in not having much money while you’re waiting for your big break.

When we think of people who make a living through writing, novelists and journalists come to mind immediately. But what other jobs are out there for folks who want to make creative writing the work that puts food on the table?

The Creative Writing Career List

Here’s a list of creative writing careers that you can consider for your future. I’m not making any promises. You have to go out and find these jobs yourself, but they do exist. You just have to look for them and then land them.

• Greeting Card Author
• Comic Book Writer
• Copywriter (business, advertising, marketing, etc.)
• Writing Coach
• Screenwriter
• Songwriter (Lyricist)
• Freelance Short Fiction Writer
• Web Content Writer
• Creative Writing Instructor
• Legacy Writer (write people’s bios and family histories)
• Critic/Reviewer
• Ghostwriter
• Article Writer (write, submit, repeat)
• Video Game Writer
• Personal Poet (write personalized poems for weddings, funerals, childbirths, etc.)
• Speechwriter
• Write sleep stories
• Blogger (don’t tell me you don’t have a blog yet!)
• Creative Writing Consultant
• Specialty writer (food, travel, fitness, etc.)
• Write guided meditations

I’m not saying you’re going to make a lot of money with some of these creative writing careers. You might have to earn your creating writing income part-time or on the side. But if you do what you love, the money (i.e. the success) just might follow. You’ll never know unless you try, right?

Do you have any creative writing careers to add to this list? Share your suggestions by leaving a comment.

164 Comments

I find it so difficult to consolidate my thoughts when it comes to career paths. I know this is only a short post with some fairly obvious suggestions, but I really have to say cheers for arranging them in a way that means I can go “Oh yeah. I could do that. Or that..”

Baffled in the world of writing.

Thanks, GrapeMe. I’m sure there are many more creative writing career paths, and hopefully some folks will stop by and add their suggestions. What I wanted to do with this post was present some starter ideas for career building. If you’re in school or have a full-time job, then these are great ways to get your feet wet, and you never know where these jobs will take you! Good luck to you!

Great post!

I can tell you from personal experience that it IS possible to make a career in creative writing. My dream was to launch an on-line store where I could showcase and sell e-mail subscriptions to my collection of short stories. Additionally, I wanted to foster other short story writers by sponsoring short story contests.

Now, nearly three years later, LongShortStories is happily chugging along like The Little Engine That Could, bringing the best in short fiction to an ever-widening appreciative global audience.

It does take patience and perseverence, along with a huge leap of faith in yourself and the reading community at large, to create and maintain such an ongoing venture.

Am I successful? Yes. Am I rich? Yes, if by that you define success and richness as living out one’s creative dream. For that, I am so grateful to my loyal readers and contest entrants who see the power in the short story form.

Go for it, I say!

Wayne C. Long Writer/Editor/Digital Publisher

That’s one of the reasons I wanted to present this list — you never know where it will lead if you just start by dipping your toes in the water. And I think for those of us who are creative or artistic, there’s a true need to engage our creativity even if it’s not our full-time work. And if we can bring in a little extra spending money doing something we love, all the better!

Hi Wayne Hi. Felt great to see your view and understande your perspective,on this important and required art. Writing is something which will indeed shape the future have already writen poems, want to publish them. Am a Multiple Sclerosis patient would appreciate support in my persuit to make my work visible.

I’ve heard of most of these, except personal poet. Of course, the creative job (though not about writing) that I wonder most about is: who gets hired to design those patterns on paper towels?

I’ve been to several websites for personalized poetry. Actually, that’s something I briefly considered doing many years ago, but ultimately I chose another path. Funny you mention the paper towel patterns, because I have wondered the same thing many, many times!

Probably a clever little robot..

Children’s book author. 🙂 I completely agree with you that there is usually a way to turn your passion into a successful career, even if it involves looking for unconventional routes to do what you love.

Yes, those unconventional routes are the ones forged by pioneers, people who were compelled to follow their dreams. Reminds me of the saying, “Do what you love and the money will follow.”

Nice list, Melissa.

I routinely participate in two of the twenty on your list. However, I would be hard pressed to call either a career. More of a labor of love, compulsion, passion than a reliable way to pay the bills — even though I participate daily. Still, I am incredibly fortunate. I would not change my vague professional choices for anything. Best of success to all who tackle anything on the above list.

Thanks, Devin. I believe that if we combine our passion with a desire to make a living doing what we love, anything is possible. Best of luck to you!

I couldn’t agree more. I mostly just do what I love and somehow the bills get paid. believing in yourself is also very helpful — of course there is no reason not to.

Mrs. Melissa Donovan,

I wanted to write for theater newsletter a friend created.

She gave me the opportunity and not a thought would come to me.

Not a theater professional but I like theater and felt I had something to say about it.

Upon returning a few theater books to the library, I got lost in a Exploring Theater Playwriting, a topic jumped on me Rules of etiquette.

Finally, I have the first draft.

I need guidance to help me orient myself with writing and I hope to find it online. This list is a good start. I scrub toilets for a living, can’t help but read and write before and after work. Words, concepts and definitions are very important to me, can’t imagine not pursuing writing soon, yet I need to sell it too somehow. Custodian/janitorial work speaks for itself, words require a lot more compelling.

Great list of creative writing careers, Melissa. To this list, I would like to add:

1. Letter writer — writing personal and business letters for clients. 2. Resume writer

…and you’re right. If you do what you love, the money frequently DOES follow!

Thanks, Christine! These are great additions to the list. Resume and cover letter writing are especially notable because one can make a good living in that field. However, I’m not sure it constitutes as creative writing so much as business writing. In any case, definitely worth mentioning!

I’m not quite sure what I would want to do in the writing field. I don tknow because so many of them I think I could do well in. I am so grateful for this list because it shows a very organized way of showing so many possibilities in this creative field.

If you try different forms, styles, and genres of writing, you’ll eventually find the one that fits! Good luck to you!

Melissa. I hope I could maybe get into non fiction writing or even journalism.

Good luck. Just keep writing and submitting, and you’ll get there.

Im just a 12 year old girl who wants to know what I want to do with my life when I get older. All of my other friends know exactly what they are going to be, but I wasn’t sure. So, I went and looked on some websites about jobs that have to do with writing, and this website gave me a very good idea of what I want to be, a song writer because I also love singing. Thanks! 🙂

Songwriting is an excellent career. I love that songwriters get to be creative, work with lots of other artists, and are immersed in music but don’t have to deal with the spotlight and publicity (unless the songwriter is also a star). Nice career choice! Good luck to you.

I am too and my parents have recently asked me what I may have wanted to be and I didn’t even know so it kinda scared me and I have recently realized I like to write stories.I know how this economy works though with the unemployment and it makes me wonder if a writing career would work.I love to write though,am I crazy or something?

At twelve years old, there is no reason to be scared if you don’t know what you want to be when you grow up. You have plenty of time! Lots of people start college without declaring their field of study, and lots of people start college thinking they’re going to do one thing and then change halfway through. But if you really love writing and want to pursue it, then there’s no better time to start than right now. No, you’re not crazy. Writing is a wonderful adventure. Also, you are living in the best possible time in history to be a writer. There are tons of wonderful opportunities available to writers that we did not have ten or twenty years ago. I wish you the best of luck, Thatgirl!

Melissa, I’m a former high school English teacher who realized a few years into teaching that writing was what I really wanted to do. I have a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in education but am trying to change careers. I’ve been working on a YA novel and have been getting EXTREMELY frustrated. I have to say I found your post on accident but have found it to be very inspiring. Thanks for surge of reassurance that it can be done!

You’re welcome! I think it’s wonderful that you’re working on a novel and normal that you’re frustrated. Just keep at it and the frustration will eventually pass. You’ll find that in a battle of willpower, commitment wins out over frustration every time.

I really want to write and it has always been a favorite passtime of mine. If i am not writing I feel empty inside like something is missing. The problem is I am scared to take that ‘leap of faith’ and make a career out of it. Instead, I search for everything else to become in life just to run from the truth that writing has been and always will be my destiny. It started back in high school when I was told writers don’t make much money. I let that get in the way of what I could be now and I quit. Now, I see writers that are better and are doing better than I am and I get jealous because I feel I am a better writer than them all!! Then I realize that talk is cheap without evidence to back it up. Can anybody offer a advice or words of encouragement for me to finally persue my one and only true love and happiness in life?? It would be greatly appreciated. Thank you..

Well Skyi, I personally don’t think jealousy is going to get you anywhere. If you obsess over comparing yourself to your peers, you will be in a constant state of negativity. Also, you should keep in mind that regardless of how well you write, you are not entitled to success, especially in a field that you chose not to pursue. I think your best course of action would be to accept that you are where you are right now because of the choices that you (and you alone) made. Once you accept responsibility for your life, you can set a new course and start pursuing a career in writing. It’s never too late to become a writer. Stop focusing on what other writers are achieving and concentrate on writing the best you can. The only way to be a writer is to write.

Hey Melissa,

I think your website is great! I ran by it by mistake and really found the info helpful. I am venturing out into my writing career and can use all the info I can get my hands on. I do have a question: I have started a career and have ppl supporting me in this career but I am for certain that writing is where I belong and want to do. How do I make the transistion smoothly and let my supporters down easily? 🙂

Thanks in advance for the advice,

Thanks for your kind words. Your question confuses me. Why would you be letting your supporters down if you transition to writing as a career? If they are truly your supporters, it won’t be a let-down at all.

Wow! Is all I can say..I honestly thought that I was in this boat all by myself! Like you, I have ping ponged myself between careers and have always found my way back to writing. I mean literally I have been a secretary for over five years, graduated with a assoicates business degree, taken cosmetology courses and actually done freelance makeup artistry and STILL I find myself unhappy. I had to really sit myself down and think of what I was taking myself through…it didn’t make any sense for me not to pursue my passion; the one thing that I enjoyed most whether I was sad, mad, happy, etc. I have been writing since the tender age of six from poems to short ficition stories, won many rewards for my writing while I was in elementary through middle school. When I reached high school, I didnt want to be labeled as a “geek” and compared my life to peers which led me to where I am today. Don;t get me wrong, my life is not horrible; I have a good job and work with ppl that I am respected by but I know that life can be more fulfilling and better if I was to just do what in the heck I want to do! lol. It’s easier said than done and I know EXACTLY where you are coming from.

Like Melissa has mentioned, don’t spend your time comparing your life to others; your path to success is truly in your hands. 🙂 I wish the very best for you.

Thank you for this list! My dream career though is to be a show/concept writer for a theme park like Disney. There are stories for each ride and I would love to be one of the minda behind them.

Wow, writing a theme park ride would be a pretty awesome job. That never even occurred to me as a creative writing career. Thanks for adding it, Ren!

Hi Melissa, I’m coming up to my last year of high school and I’m trying to think of a career path. I love to write, but I’m not sure what the best way to start. What I would like to do the most is writing lyrics, and if not that poetry. However, I don’t think I would be able to. Do you know how I can get my writing out after college? How difficult was it for you? How did you start making a career out of your writing? What helped you the most? Thank you for your time, -Jessica

I believe it’s pretty difficult to make a living writing lyrics and/or poetry. But there are some careers in those areas, and just because it’s a challenging path doesn’t mean you shouldn’t pursue it. As a lyricist, you will need to partner with musicians, so building a network of musicians and learning about the music industry would be a good start. I understand that some slam poets are now making a living in poetry, but their form requires live (and recorded) performances, something not all writers are crazy about. (Search for “slam poetry” or check out IndieFeed Performance Poetry podcast for more info.) You can also write poetry for greeting cards (you’ll have to do a little research on how to get work in that field).

A good start for a poet like yourself is to take some poetry workshops, which will help you understand whether your work is publishable. But you should also submit your poetry to journals and literary magazines. Visit their websites, check their submission guidelines, and then send them your work. That is how you start.

I made a career out of writing by studying creative writing at university, which gave me the skills (and more importantly, the confidence) to start my own blog and copywriting business.

What helped me the most? Writing a lot and reading even more.

Good luck to you!

Thank you so much for this list. This will be my last year in high school before I start collage, and my dream has always been to be a writer, but sadly I have always been told that writing doesn’t pay very good unless your amazingly good. The comments as well as the posting, has given me hope about having a job in writing.

One could argue that few careers pay well unless you are amazingly good. I would further qualify that to say you don’t even have to be good, just hardworking and driven. There are plenty of viable career opportunities in writing. It’s probably easier to make a good living as a technical or scientific writer than as a novelist (assuming you acquire the proper training in those fields), but if you are sufficiently motivated, you can succeed at whatever you want.

I’ve always loved writing and video games. Me and some of my friends would literally sit and talk for hours about ideas for video games we had and would start writing them down. Even before graduating from high school, I’ve been trying to find a path that would allow me to become a video game writer. It’s been three years since I graduated from high school and I’m still left without answers. I went to college for two years for secondary English education but it just didn’t interest me the way writing for video games do. A few days ago, I went to Pittsburgh University of Greensburg and talked with a professor there to see what I should do if I want to become a video game writer. Once again, I was left without answers. She pretty much told me that she had never heard of such a thing before. Please, if you could provide me with any information, anything at all, I would greatly appreciate it.

I would suggest studying creative writing with a focus on fiction. Another good option might be screenwriting. Video games are stories, so you would want to develop writing skills in general and storytelling skills specifically. You might also take some courses in programming or application development. That’s not my area of expertise, so I can’t be more specific. You best bet is to find someone who writes for video games and ask their advice.

I came across this on accident. I was looking for different options to take for a career path on writing. I have not written much in my life. When I was in middle school and in high school I used to write in my Journal a lot. I had a couple friends who wrote poems and short stories I thought they were good and I wanted to try too. I wrote in my journal about many different things, but it never seemed satisfying to me. I was too embarassed to show everyone what I could write. So I continued to write secretivley. I stopped writing, and 2 years later when I felt as if my whole life was nothing I started writing again, and now I feel alive! i still don’t think my writing is the best but it has made me feel so much better about myself.I started writing a novel. My fiance is excited for me and wants me to follow my dream and do what I want to do. When I came across this I felt like someone was nudging me. Thank you so much! This has inspired me entirely!

Thank you for sharing your writing experiences. I’m so glad you found Writing Forward inspiring. I know what you mean about coming across something that gives you a little nudge. All my life, I’ve experienced little nudges and they have always pointed me toward writing (even way back when I had my sights set on other career paths). Those little nudges really make one wonder about destiny.

I’m one of the few that lived the dream, earned money from writing and hated it! It sounds terrible, but writing for money sucked all the joy out of the creative process for me. I loved to write for school and my unpaid internship (I have a Bachelor’s in English), but the minute I needed to pay bills with my writing, the whole process felt like a soul-suck. Suddenly it wasn’t enough to write when the inspiration hit throughout the week (when my best writing happens anyway), but I had to be witty and original at the snap of a finger. Yet it wasn’t enough to be witty: you have to care about what sells, what different editors think “good” writing even is and follow contradictory style guidelines. It wasn’t that I wasn’t used to these things, but now if it didn’t happen or I didn’t sell, my power goes off. I had panic attacks every time I sat down to write. I had to go back and get a traditional job.

But if I’m out of it, why search this stuff a month and a half after admitting defeat? It’s because I love the art of writing: the creative process, the big dreams of those starting out, the insights others have, the glory of a sentence fashioned just right after five pages of terrible ones. The monetary aspect destroyed that for me. Just goes to show, it’s not for everyone. To anyone that wants to write for a living, be willing to work long hours, open to constant criticism and have a plan B.

Hi Michelle. I would say there’s a big difference between commercial writing and creative writing. Commercial writing means you’re writing for payment rather than to express your own ideas. I can certainly understand how writing commercially zaps creativity or feels like a soul-suck. I’ve experienced it myself. But I hope you’re still pursuing your creative writing. In fiction and poetry, I believe the best writing comes from the heart and is not driven by money or the marketplace.

I am a senior in high school and plan on going to college to major in journalism. However, I do not know exactly what field of work to go into. I was thinking about writing for People’s Magazine. I know it seems far-fetched, but hey, it’s my dream! Do you know how a person might have a chance at writing for a such a successful magazine??

Jamie, it sounds like you have decided which field of work to go into (journalism). More specifically, it sounds like you want to write for a Hollywood gossip publication. There are probably many opportunities in that area, not limited to People Magazine. For example, there are tons of websites that focus on celebrity news, and you could also work as a writer for one of the entertainment news shows (like ET or Inside Edition). That’s definitely not my area of expertise, but it sounds to me like you’re already heading in the direction that’s right for you.

Thanks for the comment! I am not exactly positive that I want to write for People Magazine, but I do know that I want to write. What do you do for a living (if you don’t mind me asking)? I would love to write for any company, really. I just like to write. I am interested in entertainment. Which is why I want to write for a magazine. But, writing for something a little more discreet is fine too.

I’m a web designer and copywriter by trade. I help small businesses build effective online marketing campaigns. My livelihood is somewhat supplemented by the work I do here on Writing Forward. I’m also working on a couple of big writing projects (a novel and a book of creative writing exercises). The exercises book will be out soon and available here. The novel could take years! There are many opportunities for writers; you just have to find them.

That is really neat! I just want to do anything to make my family proud! I love to write! 🙂 I can’t wait to gain a higher education. Thanks for taking the time to read my comments and commenting back!

It fills my heart with hope to see a young person so excited about education. Something tells me that you’re going to do quite well, Jamie.

Hey, i found this while looking for it, oddly enough. I am currently attending college and in pursuit of a Creative Writing degree, I am about two years in! with almost completed half of my courses for my four year, I still have some question’s as most. My concentration will be in Technical writing, Grants and contracts, but i will be writing on the side to keep the creative spark. I was curious, however, if you could point me in the direction of a detailed description of a day in your shoes as a copy write. i would much oblige Thnx again.

That would be a lengthy essay indeed. I will say this: every day is different. Also, most of my time is not spent writing. It’s spent on marketing and taking care of administrative tasks.

Liberating thought: even if writing does not provide a full living, it can provide enough of one to let a person withdraw from the pressure to move upward in another career. A decent-paying day job plus supplemental writing can add up to as much or more income as a hated rat race job.

I agree 100%. For many writers, it’s an outlet for creativity or it supplements their income — small things that have a big, positive impact on quality of life!

Melisa, Thanks for the list. I am a writer who intends to find my feet more in the art of writing. I am inspired by the list. My contribution is, if you love to write anything at all, start writing. You can’t imagine where it might take you. God bless you.

Thank you for your inspiring words.

hi I would like a career in writing but I just dont know what to do. I was into journalism but had a talk with a journalist a few weeks ago and got really discouraged. I have a blog and write short stories. But I just dont know what to do in my life. I am 18 years old and would like to stop wasting time and money in lectures I am not going to use. Currently I am doing a course on media production and I’m liking it. But it is like there is something missing. When I write I feel whole.

Many eighteen-year-olds have no idea what they want to do. It sounds like you know you want to write; you just need to figure out what form. College is a great place to figure that out. You can take classes in different types of writing (fiction, journalism, business writing) and find what fits. If you’re drawn to journalism, I don’t think you should give up on it just because one journalist discouraged you. Talk to more journalists, take some journalism classes, and do a little citizen journalism. Experiment and stick with your studies!

I am a short story writer, and a poet. But I am only 13. Trying to hook myself into this early <3

I started writing when I was thirteen too. Stick with it!

I will! Haha, even my boyfriend likes my writing.

That’s good. It’s important to have a support system. Try to find others who will appreciate and support your writing, too. Good luck!

I’m having a hard time finding a career path. I’m still in high school, but it’s not going too well.

My odd circumstances are going to leave me in dire straights soon, where I can either choose to drop out of high school and get my GED or go through with two more of high school. (I’m a senior, kind of. I left public school for home school, and it’s not working out. For myself or my mother.) So, I figured that now would be the best time to find a career path that is both logical but suited to my creative side.

Is there any security in being a creative writer? I mean, this list is comparatively small when you look at more practical things like nursing degrees or business degrees. I understand that the big blow up in internet culture, creative writing via blogging is becoming a fast hit with book publishers, but how likely is it that creative writing will be a degree that I can support myself (and/or a family) on?

In this day and age, I don’t think there is true security in any career field. Perhaps there never has been. Careers in the arts have a reputation for being harder than other careers, but I am not sure I believe that to be true. I think these careers are different in that you usually don’t have an employer, benefits, etc. You are hustling rather than working set hours for a regular paycheck. In my experience, people with self-discipline and drive create their own job security (in any field). Also, there’s a kind of competition in the arts that doesn’t exist in many other industries.

In terms of your education, my advice would be to finish high school. However, I’m not privy to the details of your circumstances. I just think there is a greater value in getting a diploma alongside your peers.

Nobody supports themselves on a degree. You can get a degree in astro-engineering and end up homeless. Success is the result of making smart choices, working hard, internal drive, external support system, and luck. You might find yourself eventually making a choice between living a more secure, conventional life and pursuing your dream of becoming a career writer. Sacrifice of one kind or another is inevitable.

My cousin has his undergrad degree in English and MFA (master’s in fine arts) in creative writing. He’s taught technical writing in college and now works at home as a contractor for corporate companies (tech writing.) He recently finished the first draft of his sci-fi novel by saving up and taking a few months off at a time. And, yes, he certainly is not a starving artist.

I am studying creative writing and education, both of which are terribly impractical, income-wise. But it’s possible to make a decent living if you’re passionate, dedicated and willing to take day jobs that you won’t necessarily enjoy.

See, I just don’t think these fields of study are impractical, especially studying education (we will always need teachers). With all the budget cuts, a career as a teacher might look improbable right now, but these cuts only apply to public schools. There are many other opportunities for teachers and places where their skills can be used.

Thank’s Melissa for the encouragement.I will surely look into that.This blog page of yours is really helpful for all the aspiring writers.

I read the article and I loved it. I am an aspiring author (Junior in highschool), and wish to one day publish a succesful fiction novel, like many others. I always knew I wanted to write, but I was told constantly that it would not suit for a career, and that healthcare and buissness were far better choices, money-wise. I am aware that sacrificing wealth over happiness is a nessecity in this pathway, but I am not so interested in wealth. My love for writing and spreading messages to inspire people, and even entertain is what I strive for. I realize it is hard to make a successful fiction novel. I will forever write them, but I need a job that will at least get me by. I’m not so sure which would be best for a fiction novelist. I was leaning more on article writing, but that is more technical, I believe. I was inspired by the coments and your responses. Recently, I firmly decided to go with creative writing, but the desicion to pick what to do is dificult. I will continue writing, and hopefully, I’ll make it one day. 😀

You sound like my kind of writer, Karolina.

I once heard someone say that money can’t buy happiness, but it can buy comfort. Well, many writers find comfort in the craft. I wish you the best.

Hi there guys! I’ve really enjoyed reading everyones opinions and experiences. I could really do with some advice of my own- I’ve always considered myself a creative soul; I’m a songwriter, have written screen plays and am currently working on my first novel. My major passion in life is professinal wrestling (eg.wwe), I currently write a wrestling blog and love the idea of one day writing creativtly for the tv shows. Having scouted my dream job with wwe, I learnt that they require applicants to have a ba degree in creative writing or a similar field aswell as experience in scriptwriting for tv. I am 22 yrs old and looking to settle down with my girlfriend however the idea of finally going to uni and gaining the skill set to at least improve my writing has big appeal. I realise my chances of ever workibg in such a niche field are slim and would settle for any work in which I could contribute to a creative process, but is uni with all its costs and time it takes to complete worth it?

I majored in creative writing in college, and I definitely think it’s worth the time and money, especially if you plan on a career in creative writing. If the job that you’ve got your eye on requires a BA, then you should certainly pursue it if you can. Dream big!

This is a wonderful post and I thank you for it. I have been struggling over the last few years when it came to finally making a decision in regard to what I want to do with my life. This has definitely given me a few ideas and I will be getting the ball rolling as soon as I possibly can! :]

Thanks, Lisa-Marie. I’m glad you got some ideas out of this post, and I wish you the best of luck in your writing future!

I recently just started a hobby of writing, they’re fictional based stories, but i was inspired by real events in my life & though the stories i write are fictional, they are realistic to a certain extent as well. Guess you could consider them historical fiction &/or drama & suspense stories. I’m kind of new at writing & i don’t know very many people that are well to do writters, so I’m kind of on my own. I was wondering if anyone had any ideas of where i should start?

There are plenty of writers on the internet, and you can easily connect with them. You can search for writers’ groups. Look for writers on social media. Start a blog. Writers love to discuss the craft and share information, and the web makes it easy. If you’d prefer to do something in person, check your local community college for creative writing classes and workshops or poke around and see if you can find a writer’s group that is accepting new members. Best of luck to you, Matt.

OK, thank you !!

You’re welcome.

Hello Melissa! Thanks for this list.. I’m an English major with a Creative Writing minor, and lately I have been struggling to make a decision about my future career(s). I write poetry but my main focus is writing fantasy/mystery fiction, and I’d like nothing better than to just write novels for the rest of my life. However, I know I may never be able to support myself by doing just this. I’ve been stressed out lately thinking what career I could get into, but technical writing doesn’t appeal to me and I don’t have a burning desire to teach. This list reminds me that I have more options than I thought!

That’s great, Monica! I too majored in creative writing (at my school, it was called a concentration). I’ve also found that most employers appreciate a worker who has strong writing skills. I got more than one promotion and/or raise because of my writing when I was an office worker! I wish you the best of luck!

I have always aspired to become a published author, and now that I am in the last years of my life I find myself wanting to have a writing career more than ever. All my life I have worked hard to make a living to raise my family, the physical demands of my jobs have paid their toll on me, and I think it is about time I settled down and did something I could enjoy. I have always excelled in the creative arts, from writing to acting to art, but have never held a job in which I could use these talents. Following is a list of the creative writing jobs I could do from your list: Greeting Card Author, Advertising (Creative), Freelance Short Fiction Writer, Columnist, Video Game Writer (includes storytelling/fiction!), I would also like to get a few novels published. I can also draw just about anything-ultimately I would like to get my own stories published- with not only my creative writing, but my illustrations as well. I have written several books and have ideas for many more, but because I have to make a living I have been unable to get anything published because the cost is too much. In other words, because I have had to take physically demanding jobs that paid little wages I have never had the capitol to get started. I have sent out many submissions and have entered many contests, but made little ground in the creative field. I want to write, I’m good at it, and I just need to find a way to get my work noticed-this has been very difficult. I would merely like to make a living in something I’m good at and I have a driving desire to do. Is there any advice you can give me, or any contact information for agents and publishers who might be interested in helping out a new author?

Hi Tim. It sounds like you’re passionate about art and writing. I’m not sure how much you’ve submitted your work, but I would say keep at it. If you have a lot of completed material, you can polish it and just keep submitting it. Chances are that eventually, your work will be accepted. You might also want to start a website to build a readership and audience. A professionally designed site will be an expense, but you can start with a free platform like WordPress.com. You can use your site/blog to post your writing and your art. You can also self-publish and build your own readership. However, I would note that running your own website is time consuming, and there can be a lot to learn in terms of marketing, so you might want to pick up a couple of books or hire someone to help you with the process. I wish you the best of luck!

Wow! Thank you so very much for creating this list! I actually haven’t really thought of doing some of the jobs listed on here. I’m only 20 years old and I’m finding it EXTREMELY hard to make it in the writing business! However, I am pursuing my dream and I am planning to do whatever it takes to make it. Thank you ever so much Melissa!

Many blessings to you,

Good luck to you, Nada!

I wish to be a writer some day.I am currently working in a IT company which offers a decent pay.But I have always loved writing since my school days even though I eventually graduated in Engineering.I want to make a career switch and pursue a career in writing.I now the pay is not that great in writing but then arts is always difficult.I want to take a shot at it and live my dream.I am very apprehensive about the future and don’t know how to tell it to my parents.I keep a blog for short-stories and poems.

Most writers start their careers while they have full-time jobs. You can definitely ease into a writing career. If you can get paid for a few freelance projects, get a blog and audience going, you’ll be able to lay a solid foundation for a future career. Best of luck to you!

Hello, my name is quadree Breeland and I am a 19 year old college student in Delaware and I am looking to transfer to Columbia college in Chicago. I might not be the greatest writer but I love it. I have written 2 full short scripts. One is a police procedural and the serial killer who kills people with their own video games. Literally and the other is a thriller about a guy who quit the CIA because of problems with his father and a Russian terrorist comes back to try and kill him and anything around him. I love writing and I am very creative. My dream career is to write the dialogue, story, or the missions in video games. Basically, I wanna write for games. I know I won’t get a job like that as soon as I get out of college, but I have no problem applying for a job as a comic book writer, game or film reviewer, or writing for a web series. Im not really a novelist, but I wouldn’t mind taking a job like the ones I stated above when I graduate. I guess all I want is a reply with school advice and career advice. I am trying to find a good blog or site to post my stories at. I’m trying to find schools for me with film, or writing in the entertainment industry. I’m trying to find schools with dorms, clubs, and a good social life. You know, parties and stuff.

You have some great story ideas that would work well for scripts or video games. I would suggest that you try to find an internship with a company that produces video games. If you do that while you’re still in school, you’ll have a much better shot at landing a job in your chosen field when you graduate. Good luck to you!

Blogging sounds interesting and fun, but I don’t know how to pinpoint a topic to dedicate a blog to! I’m not an expert at anything and don’t do much of a hobby that I think could carry out well as a blog. Any ideas, suggestions, etc?

Hi Rachel. You could always write a personal blog in which you share your personal stories, ideas, and experiences. You can also do a photo or art blog. You do need some central theme or topic to write around.

When I was purusing an art undergraduate degree in philosophy and graduated in 2009, I had no idea that a career in the liberal arts can be this tough. My hobby of writing has started upon graduation, and had been looking for work that can utilize my writing skills ever since.

I have seen job posts that requires a degree in journalism if were to pursue staff writer, but no mention of a degree in philosophy.

I came across your website and like what you blog about.

Thanks, Katherine. Yes, it’s tough to get these jobs, and many work best as second jobs or extra income. Part of what determines whether you can land these positions is your skill level. It’s all about practice and getting in those 10,000 hours. Keep at it!

I want to add Medical Writing/Editing to this list. Although some may think that it is not “creative writing”, it can be very creative depending on the type of medical writing that you do. Medical Regulatory writing is more factual, but consumer medical/health writing can give you the chance to be creative and factual at the same time. Medical Writers/Editors are paid very well ($45,000 to $100,000) and you do not have to be a medical professional to write about health topics.

Resources to learn more about medical writing:

American Medial Writing Association

Hi J. I appreciate that you mentioned medical writing, but when we differentiate between business, academic, and creative writing, medical writing definitely does not fall under the creative category. It is a form of scientific writing. Copywriting (what I do) requires a lot of creativity but it’s still not creative writing; it’s a form of business writing. However, I’m glad you mentioned it, because for creative writers, there are a lot of opportunities in the field of business, scientific, and technical writing. While some of these careers may require education in their respective fields (and some may not), they are industries where one can make a good living as a writer.

Thank you SO MUCH for creating this article!

But isn’t making a career in writing only just … too dangerous. Because I’ve always wanted to be a novelist but I also want to make a (possible) career in the medical department. So I was thinking isn’t having a “back-up” plan better? And if so does it have to be from the same branch?

I wouldn’t call creative writing a dangerous career choice. There’s no reason you can’t study medicine and write. You could even be a medical writer. You might look into majoring in medicine and minoring in English. There’s nothing wrong with having a back-up plan, and no, it doesn’t have to be in the same discipline.

Thank you, Melissa, for this wonderful post. I have a BA in Creative Writing and really wish I had done more during uni to try out different writing careers, as internships seem extremely hard to come by for graduates. Any words of wisdom on how a graduate might gain professional experience in a particular writing field, short of going back to school?

Well it depends on which writing field — fiction, poetry, journalism? One thing you can do is submit your work to professional magazines and journals and build up your writing credits. You have a blog (that would have been my next suggestion). Get your work out there; that’s the best way gain experience.

I would really like to try my hand at journalism, but I’m starting to think the only way to do that (as a graduate without experience in the field) is to offer my services for free. But I also like your suggestion about submitting to magazines. I once read “Do good work. Then put it where people can see it.” Exposure is definitely something I need to work on! Thank you again.

Thanks, Julie. Writing is one of those careers where you may have to do some free work or take an internship to prove yourself before landing a paid gig. Musicians have to do the same thing. They play for free (or for pennies) — sometimes for years — before they start getting paid. Submitting to magazines is a great way to get experience and get paid since they often buy articles based on merit. Good luck to you, and keep writing!

Thank you so much for making this website, and I can see that you are very dedicated to helping people pursue a writing career. I’m a junior in highschool, and I have considered many careers, but whenever I thought i knew what I wanted to do, deep down I knew it wasn’t. I finally figured out why I’ve been unable to pick a career, and it’s because I absolutely love to write. I would write all day, everyday if I could. I just thought that writing was a hobby, and I couldn’t make a career out of it. I now know that I can make a career out of writing, and this is what I wish to pursue in college. Only problem is that my parents want me to be a doctor or something, but this doesn’t interest them. All they care about is me making enough money, but I feel that money isn’t everything, and I would rather do what I love, and be happy. I have faith in myself, that someday I can be a sucessful writer. I just wish my parents could see that this is what I love to do. By reading all your posts on this website, it has really helped brighten my day, and it has shown me that I’m not alone, and that I can do what I love, if I have faith in myself. thank you

You’re welcome! I’m glad you found strength and inspiration here, and I wish you the best of luck with all your writing and education. Keep writing, no matter what!

“Now, I’m not saying you’re going to make a whole lot to live on with some of these creative writing jobs but if you do what you love, the money (i.e. the success) just might follow.”

Therein lies the problem with this article. That’s not how writing works; “success” is not synonymous with “the money.” The vast majority of novelists could not live completely off their book sales, and I can think of no short fiction writers who could make that claim. Don’t even get me started on poets; getting published in the most highly regarded journals in the country leads neither to fame nor fortune. 

Writing isn’t accountancy or business management. You don’t get into creative writing to fulfill some sort of career desire. You do it because you feel compelled to write, because you have something to say. It is the effective communication of the idea that defines success, not the money attached. 

The problem with your comment, Jane, is that is disregards the title of the post that it criticizes. Young and new writers often ask me about whether they can make a career out of creative writing. This article answers the question can I make a living doing what I love (writing)? You may feel there’s something wrong with that, but I don’t. In fact, I admire people who pursue their passions and attempt to turn them into viable careers. People do need to eat.

“You don’t get into creative writing to fulfill some sort of career desire. You do it because you feel compelled to write, because you have something to say. It is the effective communication of the idea that defines success, not the money attached.”

I don’t think anyone has the right to tell other people why they should write or how they should define success. You and I come from a similar place since these ideas reflect my own personal feelings about writing, but I would never tell someone else what constitutes a valid reason for writing or how they should define their own success. There are, indeed, people who get into writing to fulfill a career desire and who define success by how much money they make.

“The problem with your comment, Jane, is that is disregards the title of the post that it criticizes.”

It does indeed, because it’s a faulty premise. Let’s look at your list: there are very, very few novelists who are able to live completely off their royalties, and I don’t know of any short fiction writer anywhere who could make that claim. As for “personal poet,” even professional poets who win the country’s best prizes don’t “make a living” from their poetry sales. Calling these “careers” would be misleading.

But notice how many novels, shorts stories and poems get published every year. My point was that writing is a field not exclusive to professionals. Anyone can write a novel with the possibility of publishing, but it is disingenuous to call this a “career” when it’s not a main source of income for most.

“There are, indeed, people who get into writing to fulfill a career desire and who define success by how much money they make.”

Writing is not economics or finance, it’s a process of communication. Using this communication tool as a money-making strategy would involve telling people what they want to hear. There are descriptions reserved for those who only tell others what they want to hear.

Jane, you seem to be more interested in looking for minute points to argue rather than grasping the full intent of this post. There are plenty of novelists and other creative writers who have built full-time and part-time careers with their work. I happen to know “personal poets” who subsidize their income by writing personal poetry. Might I suggest that you open your mind to the possibility that the people you know and experiences you’ve had are not definitive? You are merely presenting your opinions and personal experiences as facts, and they are not facts.

I don’t care if a writer’s work is a main source of income, a part-time source of income, or if it doesn’t lead to any income at all. My job here is to encourage writers to pursue their dreams and that includes trying to make a career out of their writing, if that is what they want to do. I never said that writing is economics or finance. I said that some writers get into it as a career (James Patterson is an example — he himself says he’s a better marketer than writer). If you think such people are hacks or sellouts, then that is your opinion. I have my own opinions about it, but I don’t go around publicly judging other writers because I have not walked in their shoes. I do not know what is in their hearts. And neither do you.

“Using this communication tool as a money-making strategy would involve telling people what they want to hear. There are descriptions reserved for those who only tell others what they want to hear.”

There are also descriptions reserved for people who go around the internet stirring up malicious arguments and for people who lack manners. I neither appreciate nor welcome your insinuations. Such insults, however cloaked in wit, will only get you banned from commenting here. I built Writing Forward to be a positive, uplifting space for writers to explore their craft. It’s a shame that you’re so pessimistic about other people’s potential and what is possible for aspiring writers.

Thank you for your ideas in writing career paths, it gives me some things to think about. As a child and in my teen years I used to write short stories. However, as an adult I have lost that creative side and find that I am empty and in need to be creative. I have considered pursuing a MA in creative writing with hopes that I can find that creative side of again. I feel, however that spending the time and money on this degree may not deem worthy because it is incredibly difficult to obtain a job that pays well enough to keep the bills paid. Do you have any suggestions?

Yuly, I don’t think anyone can tell you whether it would be best for you to pursue writing on your own or to get an MA. If you are disciplined, I think you can do it on your own. If you need a lot of direction, guidance, and support, then an MA program might be better for you. Either way, you can pick up plenty of books to inspire you. When I’m uninspired and need to get more creative, I usually go through creative writing exercises and prompts, which always get my ideas flowing again. Good luck to you!

I’m in the 8th grade, and it seems that whenever something is needed, such as a testimony of my school, a farewell speech for a retiring teacher, or a greeting at an event, my name always seems to come up. Then I get a phone call, saying what is needed and the deadline. I’m glad to do it, and obviously I don’t charge anything. However, if adults always think of me, a kid, when they need something written, surely other people will do the same when I’m older. Is my reasoning off, or is that a possible job opportunity?

If the school is calling on you for writing, then that is certainly a testament to your writing abilities. It’s a good indicator that you are a talented writer, and yes, I would say that if you enjoy writing, these are all signs that writing might be a good career option for you.

I just completed my engineering(Civil Engineering). I have absolutely no aptitude for that subject. I did it due to pressure from family. Now, its my career. My life. I feel its high time I take a stand. I have great passion towards writing. I have thereby, developed decent writing skills. So, I would like to pursue a career in the same. Right now, I need some place to start and venture into the world of writing. That’s exactly where I need help!

I have to admit that I honestly don’t understand why some families pressure kids to pursue one particular career. I guess I can empathize when it’s a family tradition (five generations of doctors or something like that) but I can’t get behind it at all. I think each person should pursue what’s in his or her heart. Do what you love!

What if their not sure what they want to do or where their passion lies? What should they do?

Every person has to find his or her own path. If I wasn’t sure about my passion, I’d try lots of different things until I found it.

I agree. Kids should decide for themselves. And where are the guidance counselors in all this?

Maybe some schools don’t have guidance counselors or the kids simply aren’t going to see them.

I’ve experinced the delima’s first hand similar to you,concerning family and friend’s who where great math major’s but couldn’t get through college without the English major’s writing their paper’s?I was the English major who didn’t even finish my assocites in literature because I couldn’t do Algebra.Yet my god given passion is english and the art’s ,and especially writing.All I can say is ,especially in are high tech world today,pursue what your gifted at,and if it’s writing ,do what your heart’s telling you,don’t be like so many and waite till your 50ty,you can still do it,don’t let friend’s and family say different,one dedicated art person that does give a dam.

There is a lot to learn by getting a degree, so I’m sorry to hear that you didn’t finish your associate’s in literature. However, there is a lot you can learn about the craft by simply reading and studying on your own. With or without a formal education, it takes a lot of work to make it as a writer. Good luck to you.

I’m a college student and I need some advice for a journalism career career. I love the entertainment industry as a whole. Video Games, movies, tv shows, celebrities, and music. I am currently in school for journalism and I just need help what kind of journalist I should be. I’ve already looked into entertainemt journalism and I live that. Writing articles/pieces about the entertainment industry looks like an awesome job. But what do entertainment journalists focus on. Do they just focus on being on the red carpet all the time or writing articles about celebrities all day? Do entertainemt journalists write articles about Video games, movies, tv shows, music, and other celebrity stuff. Should I become a freelance journalist? I guess my dream job is to write articles or do reports for ign in New York or another entertainment company with an office. Maybe a staff position?

Or maybe I should try games journalism? But dont entertainment journalist write about video games too? I’m a gamer and I would love to write about the newest games or movies coming out or do reviews.

I’m not an entertainment journalist (or a journalist for that matter), so I cannot give you career advice, but you might try reaching out to an entertainment journalist who can answer some of these questions for you. Good luck!

I am currently studying for a PhD in Creative Writing and I have to say that this is one of the most accurate lists I came across. What is good for aspiring writers to keep in mind, especially those with CW degrees, is that writing is a craft. It’s very practical, so unlike history, philosophy or literature degrees a writer has transferable skills. If you are a writer looking to make some money while writing a novel or a collection, you can offer editing and proofreading services. Becoming a content writer is a profitable pathway as well. A lot of companies look for skilled writers to produce their online articles and they usually pay well. And for the more daring, there is online publishing. Is not a guaranteed route but it gives you a boost of confidence; no matter how much you make, it’s good to know that somebody paid to read your work.

Thanks, Stephanie. I’ve taken the online and self-publishing route and haven’t looked back.

Just a little quibble: A history degree does produce transferable skills related to research and analysis, writing, word processing, etc.. It’s not “just learning names and dates.” 😀

Thinking about chaning careers. Although I got my B.G.S – General Studies and and a Masters in Management – I took a lot of creative wirting classes in college and it is something that I think I could be good at. This might be a good place to get some ideas on getting started. Thanks!

You’re welcome, and good luck to you!

i am doing engineering first year..i took the decision as i have always been quite good at maths and stuff..but i started writing last year simply for the passion that was ignited by some great novels and i am totally a novice in it..yet i like it a lot. So right now i am in a dilemma which career path i should take…one thats based on my interest but im not so good at(writing).. or the one in which i am good at(maths,science)??

I think most young people struggle with this same dilemma. Unfortunately, nobody can tell you which life path is best for you. You must find that answer within yourself. I do think that you can pursue both science and writing (you could, for example, become a science writer). You can also study writing and become better at it. It’s up to you.

I want to get into freelance writing in the entertainment industry. I love writing and I’ve looked into copywritimg and story producing. Any advice or any writing careers I should take on?

The best advice I can give you is to study writing and the entertainment industry. If you want to write entertainment news, you might want to major in journalism at a university. For screenwriting, you can major in film studies at many universities. Get to know the industry and keep working on improving your writing. There are also tons of resources you can get if you don’t go to university. Start with the “Writing Resources” section here at Writing Forward, then head to your favorite bookstore and search for books on your field of interest. Good luck!

wow! you guys really love writing. Me too but I’m taking up pre dentistry right now but i really love writing much more. Actually i just wanna try this course but i think i’m not gonna continue because writing is really my passion and i’d love to pursue it. my parents don’t know any of this yet and i’m planning to tell them..any advice for me guys? thanks to whoever answers this.. 🙂

One thing to keep in mind is that you can study dentistry and writing. You can choose writing courses for your electives and set aside a little time each day for your writing. As far as changing your studies, I believe that each individual has to find his or her own path. Once you find your path, I think you should follow it, because I believe one of the worst fates is a life of regret. Hopefully, the people in your life will be supportive, although unfortunately, that’s not always the case. Ultimately, only you can make this decision. It is a big one. Take your time to think about it. Consider talking to a career counselor, who should be open-minded and objective.

Okay, so I’ve been thinking about the popular question, “what do I want to be when I grow up?”. Writing has been my passion for as long as I can remember, and I LOVE books. Seriously. If I wasn’t on a competitive, year-round swim team, I could read all day. I have been thinking about jobs that circle around the actual “writing” idea, if you know what I mean. I’ve considered being an editor, since I love books, but I’m not quite sure what an editor does. Any ideas?

Editors do some writing but their main function is to make editorial decisions. Their duties vary depending on where they work. A magazine editor, for example, decides which stories go into each issue, which one gets the cover spot, and will also assign articles to the writers. An editor at a publishing house makes decisions about which books to publish. Editors also actually edit, meaning they review the writers’ work and make changes to improve it. I don’t know for sure, but I would think (hope) that someone would start out as a writer before becoming an editor. I suggest using Google to learn more about different careers for editors.

First of all, thank you for this post and all your replies. It’s very good of you to reply to everyone who needs direction. So, my dilemma is that I will be commencing my masters degree in September and lately I’ve been thinking of pursuing a creative writing masters instead.

I’ve just finished my undergraduate degree in communications and I was deputy editor and features editor of the monthly university arts magazine, which I absolutely loved and learned so much through. My undergraduate thesis was in the form of a creative writing novella, which was roughly 18,000 words. I had always wanted to try my hand at fiction writing and by completing the thesis I became fully aware how much I enjoyed it. I also received very positive feedback from lecturers.

Once I finished my undergraduate degree, I applied for and received a place on a masters in public relations, which I think I would enjoy as it’s media related. However, as mentioned, I’ve been seriously considering giving up the PR masters and applying for the creative writing one instead. My issue is that I am torn between a course that’s practical and could very well lead to a successful career, and a prestigious CW course that I’m highly interested in but may be quite impractical in the long run. I have this dream of travelling and writing novels (long shot I know) and a CW masters could help me bring my writing skills and ideas to the next level. So, I guess I’m asking if you think a CW masters is necessary in becoming an author?

And what would your opinion be on switching courses into CW or staying with the original choice? Would it be more wise to stick with PR (which I’m currently interning in) and try do some writing on the side? My only problem is, with writing I feel I need guidance, direction and deadlines. I may find it hard to do it on the side, especially when the majority of my energy would be going elsewhere.

Any info/advice would be great 🙂 And sorry for the long post.

No, you definitely do not need a CW masters to become an author. My guess is that most published authors don’t have masters. I once heard a bit of advice from an author (can’t remember who) that I thought was sound. She said if you’re self-driven and will do your writing and study the craft on your own, then you don’t need a masters. One of the benefits of a masters program is that it forces you to write and learn. If you do that on your own, you don’t really need the coursework (unless you want it for prestige). Having said that, my guess is that there is value in a masters program, in being immersed in writing and literature and surrounded with other writers, even for those who are self-driven.

Nobody can tell you what to study. It’s a classic dilemma: follow your dreams or do the “smart thing.” Only you know what is the right path for you.

I just graduated with a BA in creative writing about 5 months ago, and I’ve been applying for jobs in the creative field like crazy. I’ve applied for practically every advertising firm in the Chicago area and I’ve heard back from two of them. I don’t know if it’s because I lack experience, or the economy is just that bad. I’ve tried applying for jobs out of my field, but it’s still no dice. I hope I can find something extremely soon, as I’m near desperation at this point. I really hope there’s hope, so I don’t regret getting a BA in creative writing : (.

I held office jobs for several years after earning my BA in creative writing. Since I had a degree in English, my employers often gave me writing assignments (including editing and proofreading), which helped me build my experience. It doesn’t happen overnight. Get a job to pay the bills and keep writing. Eventually, you’ll find your path. Good luck!

Erm hello Melissa.. I actually want to do Creative Writing since I love writing, but I also want to do History since I love both. However my parents object to both and want me to pursue some medical degree or something. Can you erm like give me some points to argue my pitiful cause since I don’t really think I’m into doctoring since I’ve got a slight phobia of blood and ever since Biology dissecting stuff had never exactly been my thing?? I hope it’s not too much to ask.. thanks in advance

I am just going to be straightforward about this, because I get a lot of emails and comments from young people like yourself whose parents are pressuring them into some career they abhor. I believe that each of us knows in our hearts who we are and what we want to do with our lives. If you have a phobia of blood, then it’s blatantly obvious that a career in medicine would be completely inappropriate for you. Now, if you had that phobia but desperately wanted to be a doctor, I would encourage you to get over it. But since that’s not what you want, why should you torment yourself? I understand why some parents advocate certain careers for their kids – they associate success with money and prestige. I do not. I equate success with happiness. And I believe that once we become adults, it is our own responsibility to find our happiness. So, once you are an adult, it’s up to you to find your path and follow it. Do what you love.

What is the difference between journalism and creative writing? I am still not very sure even after researching on the net. I have a dilemma on which course to take. I want to be a novelist but that might take years to complete a book. So, what my mother advised is that I should get a stable job that ensures my survival while I work on the book first. Which one should I do?

Journalism can fall under creative writing. For example, if you wrote a literary nonfiction book on a specific person or subject, it could be both journalism and creative nonfiction. Journalism is one of those forms that has become a bit gray. Originally, journalism meant reporting on the facts, objectively. Nowadays, a lot of journalism is heavily colored by the author’s personal views and ideologies. A novel is creative writing and not journalism at all; it is fiction where journalism is fact-based.

I think getting a stable job while writing your first book is a pretty smart way to go. Do you even have a choice? I mean, unless someone is willing to support you while you write your book, you’re going to need a job to pay the bills.

I have always had a passion for writing, but never had confidence to let anyone read any of my work. I do not have a fancy education, but I do have an amazing imagination! The work I did when I was younger my mom found and was amazed by my story. I do enjoy wrting poetry and short stories. During the development of my son, I wrote in my journal Letters to Baby. As the pregnancy developed things were less than peferct and not very positive. I stopped writing my Letter’s to Baby because it was sad things written. I only wanted my child to know he was loved from day one no matter where life took us. The baby is now 10 yrs old and so much has inspired me to write again. I started a story that I hold dear to my heart and I am super excited about it. I dont expect publishing ever, but I would like to get an outside opinion from someone in the industry that could give me tips and tools to help my creativity develope. I also would like to know some avenues I can go down to continue writing for fun and just to get things out of my mind. I am sure it is hard to make a living writing, but if I can make a little something to put away for a rainy day that would be great! Any help and suggestions would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks!!

I would actually recommend that you take a creative writing class or workshop. An in-person one would be best, but if you’re too busy, try to find an online course (community colleges are great for this). This is an ideal way to connect with other writers while getting mentoring from someone who is experienced (the teacher), and you’ll find that many other writers share your insecurities. Make sure you vet the class first to make sure it’s credible. You might also want to research the instructor a little.

Another option would be to find a local writing group, but that may be more challenging since writing groups often arise out of established relationships. However, there are some open writing groups, especially online and in larger cities.

Your first hurdle will be to work on your confidence and worry more about strengthening your work than what other people think. Everybody starts somewhere. As long as you’re willing to work at it and improve your skills, it does not matter where you are now with your writing.

I am a discouraged writer in need of some information. I have been writing for a little over a year and I have had some success. I have been nationally published, being a staff member on one magazine start-up, an editor-in-chief of one failed start-up magazine, and I am a staff member for an online magazine for which I publish an article every three months. I have also been published on a few other informational websites. Additionally, I have ghost written close to 200 articles on a low paying website.

The problem I have faced (which has caused me to stop writing now for several months) is the total lack of pay I have received for my efforts. So many will ask you to write; however, they do not want to pay a reasonable rate for your craft. This is the only problem that I face as per my writing. I thoroughly enjoy writing, but I cannot continue to write for such low pay. Any tips, advice, what have you, would be appreciated. Otherwise, I will have to give up writing and move on to something else. Thanks.

I had the same problem when I first started freelancing. Then I realized that the reason I was getting low paying gigs was because I was accepting low paying gigs. The better paying jobs are harder to find, and in my case, I started my own website and business to attract clients and set my own rates. This involved a lot of marketing to get my own clients, and they are business people rather than content farms. However, there is a caveat: the writing must be at a professional level to warrant higher rates.

Hello Melissa,

Thanks for responding. I haven’t accepted a low paying writing job in some time now, nor have I used any content farms. I can market well as I am a singer songwriter, and I have made good progress with it in that realm. My writing is always professional and of the jobs I have found they have paid well. However, it seems as though it is near impossible to find enough well paying writing jobs to make ends meet. Anyway, again, thanks for responding and for your suggestions. Best of luck to you.

I wish I had some solid advice to give you, but I don’t know enough about your business and marketing strategies. There are plenty of self-employed and freelance content writers out there. I’m sure a lot of them struggle to make ends meet, but plenty of them have found considerable success. When I first started, I did my best to seek out successful writers and examine their approaches so I could learn from them. Getting your own website and operating as a business (or professional consultant) makes a huge difference.

I was just having this discussion with a friend a while back about how people get locked into three options when they write and that’s it. There are so many other opportunities out there if you know where to look for them. You just have to be open and aware of what is really out there.

Thanks for sharing this, I am glad this came along at the right time. Maybe I’ll send this over her way today!

You’re welcome! I’m glad you found this article helpful, Matthew.

I saved this article months ago when I was in a funk, but I forgot to read it afterwards. Reading it now has made me think. Looking back at it, I’ve been writing for many years, ever since I was 13, and I’m 23 now. I’ve went to college twice, graduated both times successfully, but throughout that time I stopped writing fiction. I kept my ideas, but I never finished the stories.

I haven’t been lucky in finding a job ever since I graduated and the ones I did find were still out of reach, I went back to my writing because I needed to do something. Anything to get my mind clear and my thoughts straight like I used to because I became frustrated with myself. When I decided to go to college I had clear plans, but once I finished things didn’t go my way and I realized that I already had something that I should have never let go, my writing. Now I’m looking into finishing my ideas and self-publishing them. I’m glad I came back to this article and read it thoroughly this time.

I’m motivated now more than ever to focus on my true calling. It may be tough, but it’s the only thing I have ever done that made me truly happy even when things around me weren’t good. I think I’m gonna try writing my ideas separately in the form of a series of short stories/chapters/volumes since I’m not good at writing long works of fiction. Is there any advice that you can give me? I would love to write a story for a webtoon, but I’m not that good at drawing and I don’t know how to ask an artist for help.

Hi Lyric. Many of us take time off from writing. Sometimes it’s because we’re busy with a new job. Other times family obligations keep us from our writing. Occasionally it’s some other hobby. Thankfully, writing is always here for us, and we can return to it any time. I’m glad you did.

Its so good to read through the interests in writing and thank you for the informative comments. I have self published a poetry book that people can use in their cards, tributes. on blurb.com called Handy Verse for Occasions with a possum on the front. I am working on my children’s stories and acitivities and will self publish in September this year. and I am blogging the challenge on madonnamm7.wordpress.com I had written the stories many years ago and did not have as much motivation and my husband encouraged me and I was inspired by the movie Julie and Julia (Meryl Streep) and started the year challenge.

Regards Madonna Weaver

That’s wonderful! I love the title Handy Verse for Occasions .

I have the most obscured dreams. I’d love to print a book with short stories of them. How may I accomplish that?

You might want to look into self-publishing through KDP or CreateSpace. Good luck!

I knew I wanted to write since I found out I like putting thoughts and ideas on paper. I kinda have it down, but I am struggling. Putting your thoughts and ideas is not easy as it looks, but that won’t stop me. I’m writing a book, but I just can’t seem to get past the first 10 paragraph. How do I focus my intent?

A lot of writers struggle with discipline. We get stuck and wander away from a project, we get lured away by some other idea, or life just gets in the way. The only way to focus…is to focus. Force yourself to do the work. I’ve known a lot of writers who got good results by adding writing to their daily schedule. Every day, at the same time, you sit down, and that’s your writing time. It could be twenty minutes or it could be two hours. And you do the work.

Thanks for the ideas. Given the current pandemic, being creative is something I need to look at more to try and get some additional income. Have published one collection of short stories but needing to do more.

You’re welcome, and good luck with your creative efforts!

In the past I have self published a poetry book people can put in their cards etc and also a book of children’s stories with Activities through Blurb.com I am writing a novel based on truth now. All the best to everyone in their writing. Regards Madonna Weaver

Thanks for sharing some of the opportunities you’ve carved out for yourself. These are great!

I have a creative writing career that I would like to add to your list. What about a Technical Writer? We have two technical writers employed in our company and I chat with them on a daily basis. It is a great job with above-average earning potential. Thanks for allowing me to post here.

That’s a great writing job, but it’s technical, not creative. Creative writing encompasses fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction. Great career though!

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

• Writer: How To Create New Opportunities In Your Writing Career | Writer’s Relief - […] Twenty Creative Writing Career Opportunities […]

Submit a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Subscribe and get The Writer’s Creed graphic e-booklet, plus a weekly digest with the latest articles on writing, as well as special offers and exclusive content.

Recent Posts

• Punctuation Marks: The Serial Comma
• Getting Creative with Essay Writing
• Tips for Crafting Language
• The Writer’s Journey: A Must-Read for Storytellers
• A Selection of Journal Prompts from 1200 Creative Writing Prompts

Write on, shine on!

Pin It on Pinterest

The analyses and opinions presented on Career Cloud are our own. We may receive commissions from purchases made after visiting links within our content.

The 14 Best Writing Jobs 2024

Table Of Contents

Quickstart guide to landing a writing job, 14 best writing jobs, 1. content writer, 2. copywriter, 3. grant writer, 4. technical writer, 5. creative writer, 7. journalist, 9. scriptwriter, 10. speechwriter, 11. proposal writer, 12. ghostwriter, 13. transcriptionist, 14. translator, what is a writing job, how to get a writing job, pick a type of writing, educate yourself, practice, practice, practice, network constantly, pitch and apply, requirements and skills for working a writing job, best places to find writing jobs, ziprecruiter, frequently asked questions , what careers can i have in writing, what writing job makes the most money, how can i get paid from writing, are writing careers in demand, the bottom line.

You’ve got a way with words, so you’re hunting for a writing job. Fortunately, demand for writers is steady, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that it will grow by 4% by 2031. That means there are plenty of opportunities for you to earn a living by putting pen to paper (or keystrokes to a computer screen). We’ll share the 14 of the best writing jobs, so you can land your dream position fast!

Why are you scrolling for jobs, when you should be working on YOU?

Reclaim time and build confidence to move your career forward, on your terms.

• Update your resume. Investing a little money to have a professional resume writing service polish up your resume can be the edge you need. Check out our guide to the best resume writing services to get started today.
• Network. Take time to connect with other people. If looking for support, consider joining a community of like-minded people. The Break Community is filled with individuals looking to change the way they think about work.
• Search for writing jobs on ZipRecruiter. If you are looking for a writing job, we recommend searching on ZipRecruiter. ZipRecruiter is free for job seekers and you can apply for jobs with a single click! You can also upload your resume to their resume database so that recruiters can find you.

Discover Your Dream Job

Find jobs near you and apply with 1 click! New jobs posted daily.

Let’s dive into the best writing jobs. Please note that all salaries listed below reflect the annualized national average for full-time employment. You could earn more or less depending on your location, experience, or if you perform the work as a freelancer.

Median National Salary: $84,151/year

Education Required: Bachelor’s degree in English or a related discipline

Job Growth 2022-2032: 13% 

Job Duties: As a content writer, you’ll create various informational or entertaining pieces of content for web or print. For example, you may write blog articles, whitepapers, brochures, emails, and more.

For more information, check out our content writer job description .

Median National Salary: $76,412/year

Education Required: Bachelor’s degree in English, Communication, Marketing, or another related area

Job Growth 2022-2032: 8% 

Job Duties: As a copywriter, you’ll craft convincing messaging that compels your reader to take a specific action, such as sign up for an email mailing list or buy a product. You could write copy for websites, social media posts, email newsletters, and other places the business attempts to sell to its audience.

Median National Salary: $66,107/year

Education Required: Bachelor’s degree in English or a similar field

Job Growth 2022-2032: 8%

Job Duties: As a grant writer, you’ll write proposals to help your organization get the funding it needs to carry out its mission. You may also reach out to previous donors or help organize fundraising events.

Median National Salary: $81,001/year

Education Required: Bachelor’s degree and some technical knowledge

Job Growth 2022-2032: 6% 

Job Duties: As a technical writer, you’ll create documentation that communicates complicated information clearly to a layperson. You may write how-to guides, instructional manuals, or reference materials.

Median National Salary: $62,185/year

Education Required: Bachelor’s degree in English, Creative Writing, or a similar discipline

Job Growth 2022-2032: 0%

Job Duties: As a creative writer, you’ll flex your writing chops by crafting compelling works, like novels, short stories, essays, poems, and more. If you’re an entrepreneur, this could look like writing and selling self-published books.

Median National Salary: $62,275/year

Education Required: None

Job Duties: As a blogger, you’ll write blog articles to inform, entertain, or inspire your readers. Your ultimate goal will be to write posts that rank in search engine results so that they get a lot of visitors and generate revenue for the blog owner via ads and affiliate marketing.

Median National Salary: $60,979/year

Education Required: Bachelor’s degree in Journalism or a related discipline

Job Growth 2022-2032: -9% (decline)

Job Duties: As a journalist, you’ll interview sources, sift through research, and write about relevant news stories. You may cover politics, sports, local events, and more.

Median National Salary: $64,031/year

Education Required: Bachelor’s degree in English, Communication, or Journalism

Job Growth 2022-2032: -5% (decline)

Job Duties: As an editor, you’ll review, enhance, and improve the written works of other writers. You’ll be on the lookout for grammar and punctuation issues (also known as proofreading). You’ll also ensure each piece flows logically and engages the reader.

Join The Break Community

Median National Salary: $61,384/year

Education Required: Bachelor’s degree in Communications or English

Job Duties: As a scriptwriter, you’ll write compelling plots and dialogues to entertain, amuse, or inform an audience. You might work on projects for plays, television shows, or movies.

Median National Salary: $72,832/year

Education Required: Bachelor’s in English, Journalism, or Political Science

Job Growth 2022-2032: 6%

Job Duties: As a speechwriter, you’ll convey the intended message of your speaker in a way that captivates their audience. You may write speeches for celebrities, politicians, or other important public figures.

Median National Salary: $81,248/year

Education Required: Bachelor’s degree in Communication, English, or Business

Job Duties: As a proposal writer, you’ll write proposals to help your employer or client win new business or funding opportunities, such as grants. You may work for a non-profit organization, a for-profit company, or the government.

Median National Salary: $55,000/year

Education Required: Bachelor’s degree in Journalism or English

Job Duties: As a ghostwriter, you’ll create written works on behalf of someone else, taking on their voice and tone. You may write articles, books, public relations material, or other content.

Median National Salary: $47,067/year

Education Required: An associate’s degree or certificate may be required for medical transcription

Job Growth 2022-2032: -7% (decline)

Job Duties: As a transcriptionist, you’ll listen to and transcribe audio recordings. You’ll then convert your notes into useful reports for the reader.

If you want to get started as a transcriptionist, check out our guide to the best transcription jobs for beginners .

Median National Salary: $57,200/year

Education Required: Bachelor’s degree in a foreign language, business, or communications

Job Growth 2022-2032: 20% 

Job Duties: As a translator, you’ll rewrite information in another language. You may work for a hospital, school, courthouse, or other setting.

A writing job is a role where you express an intentional message through the written word to produce a desired effect. For example, as a copywriter, you’ll describe a product’s benefits in a way that entices a consumer to buy it. Or, as a technical writer, you’ll write detailed instructions illustrating how the reader should use and care for their new product after purchase.

For most writing roles, you can either do them as an employee of a company or as a self-employed freelancer . Generally, you can earn more money freelancing than you can as an employee. However, when you’re self-employed, you’re responsible for providing your own health insurance, paid time off, retirement benefits, and other perks.

Note: You may want to try your hand at several different writing jobs to find the one that works best for you or diversify your income streams.

If you’re new to the field, follow these steps to get a writing job:

Decide which type of writing interests you the most. Then, you can create a plan to get started in that career.

Once you know what you want to do, you can acquire the knowledge, skills, and credentials you need to get hired. This step may include pursuing a degree, taking online courses, or working with a coach or mentor.

Related: Best Freelancing Courses

The more you practice writing, the better you’ll be at it — and the more likely someone will pay you to do it. You can start by writing on your own blog, submitting guest posts to other blogs, or taking on a volunteer writing gig. Over time, you’ll build a portfolio and collect testimonials, which will help you land paid work.

Warning: Don’t work for free for long. You deserve to get compensated for your efforts!

You never know who can open a door for you, so you should always look to expand your network. Business owners or company leaders may be able to hire you. More experienced writers could provide mentorship and job leads.

For more tips, check out our guide on how to network .

Once you’ve started a portfolio and have built some rapport within your network, you’re ready to go after the job you want. You can apply to positions you see posted online. Or, you can approach your connections to pitch your services.

You’ll need a few qualifications and many skills to succeed in a writing job. Here are the most essential:

• Education: Typically, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree to get a writing job. However, some roles don’t require formal education.
• Experience: Employers generally like to hire experienced writers. But you may be able to land a writing position by presenting well-crafted samples created specifically for that job application.
• Writing: While writing is a skill you can hone with practice, you must be a decent writer to break into the profession.
• Editing: You must be able to proofread and polish your work.
• Researching: Well-written pieces are accurate, and accuracy comes from conducting thorough research.
• Interviewing: The best writing tells a story. You must know how to get that story from your sources and subjects.
• Project management: Writing is a process, and you may need to simultaneously juggle multiple projects at various stages of completion.
• Creativity: Being creative will help you develop compelling written works, whether you write fiction or nonfiction.

Ready to search for writing jobs? Before you start applying, make sure your writing resume is polished and reflects your writing skills. If you need help with your resume, check out the best resume writing services.

ZipRecruiter is another popular job board that allows you to search and apply for open roles. You can filter your results and set up job alerts to receive an email whenever a new position you may be interested in gets published on the site.

For more information, read our ZipRecruiter review .

LinkedIn is a great place to start or further your writing career. You can set up a comprehensive professional profile, advertise that you’re for hire, search and apply for jobs, and network with potential employers, clients, and colleagues.

For more information, read our LinkedIn review.

Indeed is a robust job board, so you should have no problem finding writing opportunities here. The platform lets you post your resume and search and apply for roles directly on the site.

For more information, read our Indeed review .

You can have various careers in writing. Options include but aren’t limited to copywriting, content writing, technical writing, grant writing, and novel writing.

Pay for writing jobs varies widely, but content writing, copywriting, and technical writing are some of the most lucrative paths you can pursue.

You can get paid from writing by freelancing, becoming a staff writer, publishing books, or blogging.

Yes, there is a steady demand for writers that's expected to grow by 4% within the decade.

You should be ready to apply for your next (or first) writing job. But, if you’re feeling a little uncertain about your resume, we encourage you to reach out to one of our picks for the best resume writing service for guidance. Then, you can head on over to ZipRecruiter and hit that apply button with confidence!

Laura Gariepy

Laura Gariepy is a freelance writer and business coach to new and aspiring freelancers. She runs an online resource hub called Before You Go Freelance. Before launching her company, she earned an MBA and enjoyed ten years in the HR profession. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and an MBA in Human Resources from the University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth.

Grit In Action: How Danielle Cobo Transformed Challenges Into Triumphs

60 Leadership Interview Questions To Ask Your Candidates

Want to build an unbreakable career.

Trade Schools, Colleges and Universities

Join Over 1.5 Million People We've Introduced to Awesome Schools Since 2001

Trade Schools Home > Articles > Jobs for Writers

23 Awesome Jobs for Writers That Offer Real Opportunities

By Publisher | Last Updated September 7, 2022

Here's a news flash: Good jobs for writers really do exist. You can parlay your love of the written word into a paying gig. The truth is that the technology, media, entertainment, public relations, marketing, publishing, and advertising industries all need people who can craft high-quality content. The range of possible writing careers is far broader than you might expect.

But, as with any creative field, it can be difficult to pinpoint opportunities. That's partly because writing jobs, in contrast to other occupations, don't follow a set formula. (If you want to become an engineer, you get an engineering degree. If your goal is to become a nurse, you complete a nursing program. But if you dream of becoming a writer, the path you need to take isn't nearly as clear-cut.)

That's why we've compiled a list of 23 jobs for many types of writers across many different fields. We've also included some tips on how to find legit freelance writing opportunities. And if you're wondering how to support yourself while getting established, you might want to check out our suggestions for day jobs that let you write on the side.

• 23 jobs for writers
• How to find legitimate freelance writing jobs
• The pros and cons of ghostwriting
• Day jobs for aspiring writers

Salary information is based on May 2021 data from the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program and the Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH) .

Jobs for Writers

1. Content strategist

Content strategists combine strong writing and communication skills with analytical thinking and marketing know-how to plan, create, and manage online content that achieves specific business goals. They apply principles of search engine optimization (SEO) and study analytics to figure out what kind of content is working (and what kind isn't) so that they can adjust their strategy accordingly. Training in journalism, communications, or technical writing can be a good first step toward this career.

• Median salary: $133,380

2. Communications director

Overseeing various types of corporate communications and making sure the public views your company in a favorable light requires a blend of top-notch writing and marketing skills. In this role, you establish the communications goals of a company and develop branding and style guidelines for press releases, articles, newsletters, email campaigns, advertisements, and other marketing materials. This is a high-level position that requires several years of experience; be prepared to work your way up.

• Median salary: $119,860

3. Technical writer

A key skill for any technical writer is the ability to take complex technical jargon and turn it into plain English. These writers design and develop software manuals, user guides, technical specifications, and other complex documentation. A big part of the job involves drawing useful and relevant information out of software developers, engineers, and other professionals, so solid interpersonal skills are essential. Of all jobs in writing, this one has one of the best outlooks: It's expected to see faster-than-average job growth between 2020 and 2030, according to the OOH.

• Median salary: $78,060

4. Proposal writer

A common fixture in consulting firms and sales departments, proposal writers prepare documents related to pricing, marketing, and product design. They assess requests for proposals (RFPs) and develop responses to help their employers win new business and secure contracts. To succeed in this role, you need excellent organizational and writing skills as well as an eye for detail and a solid understanding of how your company can meet the needs of potential clients.

5. Grant writer

Crafting proposals to secure financial support for foundations, non-profit agencies, and other organizations is a responsibility that falls to grant writers. They are a key part of the fundraising staff in many places. Grant writers are in charge of identifying funding sources and developing written materials that target each potential donor. Flexibility is important; some donors expect a one-page document, while others look for much lengthier proposals.

6. Web content writer

Many companies need writers who are highly skilled in researching and writing digital content like blogs, articles, and landing pages. You might be required to conduct online research or interview subject matter experts to gather information. Having some knowledge of search engine optimization (SEO) techniques is very helpful.

• Median salary for a writer or technical writer: $69,510 - $78,060

7. Speechwriter

It's not just politicians and government officials that rely on speechwriters: You could also work for business executives, notable celebrities, or public relations firms. To do this job effectively, you need to be able to write persuasively about policies or principles that you may not always agree with. A degree in journalism, communications, or political science is a good place to start. Joining Toastmasters or observing debates can also be good training.

• Median salary: $69,510

8. Screenwriter

Do you dream of creating the next Hollywood blockbuster? Screenwriters are the creative energy behind films and television shows. You could adapt a novel for the big screen, write an episode of an established show, or develop an original movie script from scratch. You need to understand the basic structure of a screenplay as well as how to create interesting characters and write peppy dialog. You also need to be open to constructive criticism: Making revisions is how screenwriters spend most of their time.

9. Novelist

When people think of careers in writing, this is often one of the first that comes to mind. If you can create compelling characters that people want to know more about, and put them in unique situations that force them to tackle a problem or undergo a change, you might have what it takes to make it as a novelist. It's not enough to have a great idea; you also need to develop an outline and work out plot points, dialog styles, and character arcs. Traditionally, novelists have worked with literary agents to market and sell their books, but self-publishing is an increasingly popular option.

10. Advertising copywriter

Creating captivating copy for print, online, television, or radio advertisements is another way to put your writing skills to good use. The ultimate aim of an advertising copywriter is to make people want to buy a particular product or service. Whether you're creating slogans, billboards, radio jingles, or social media ads, you need to be able to say a lot with just a few words. Internships can be a good way to get started in this field.

11. Marketing communications specialist

• Median salary: $63,920

12. Book editor

Suggesting changes and improvements to a manuscript that an author has slaved over for months or years requires tact and diplomacy as well as editing skills. Book editors are responsible for shaping and developing a manuscript to get it ready for publication. Your job is to bring a fresh eye to a piece of text and work with the author to strengthen the fundamentals and structure of the story. Many editors work for publishing houses, but going out on your own as a freelancer is also possible.

• Median salary: $63,350

13. Copy editor

Copy editors are the quality assurance technicians of the writing world. They carefully read through a piece of written material to root out spelling errors, grammar problems, and style inconsistencies. While a book editor deals with the big-picture structure and form of a story, a copy editor gets into the nitty-gritty details and makes sure the text aligns with editorial guidelines. In some cases, copy editors are also responsible for fact checking. You'll likely need an English or journalism degree to snag a copy editing job.

14. Public relations specialist

Cultivating relationships is key to the success of a public relations specialist. After all, you need to be on good terms with journalists, editors, bloggers, and other content producers in order to effectively control and manage the public image of your client or company. The ability to convey a message clearly and succinctly will serve you well in this field. Internships are a great way to get your foot in the door of many public relations firms.

• Median salary: $62,800

15. Social media specialist

More and more companies are realizing they need to maintain a social media presence, which means lots of opportunity for writers who know how to tailor messages to the demographics, text limits, and content styles of platforms like Facebook and Twitter. You could find yourself blogging about the latest high-tech gadget or analyzing metrics on the company's audience and views. Training in marketing or communications can be helpful.

• Median salary: $49,900

16. Translator

If you can write fluently in more than one language, you can seek work as a translator. And you may not have to look far to find opportunities: Employment in this field is expected to grow 24 percent between 2020 and 2030. You could work in areas like law, healthcare, publishing, and education. You need meticulous attention to detail to do this kind of work. Just remember: It won't be your job to make changes to (or improve upon) the text.

• Median salary: $49,110

17. Columnist

Columnists are basically unshackled reporters: They're paid to give a subjective opinion on current events. As a columnist, you're expected to offer persuasive and reasoned opinions and perspectives on anything from city council's latest traffic bylaw to the current state of the U.S. economy. Many columnists also write books or serve as experts on radio and TV talk shows. You need several years of experience in your niche (e.g., politics, humor, fashion, sports, whatever) to be considered for a columnist role.

• Median salary: $48,370

18. Journalist

Whether you focus on TV, radio, print, or the Web (or more likely a combination of those), you will spend much of your time as a journalist searching out newsworthy information and turning your findings into articles, scripts, and podcasts. Most journalists start with entry-level writing jobs as general reporters, but with experience you could work your way into a niche like sports, business, science, or the arts. News can break anywhere, anytime, so be prepared for a non-traditional schedule.

19. Film critic

Being a film critic involves more than just getting to watch movies for free. You get to frame your thoughts as an informative review that draws people in. That means you need to have a thorough understanding of the filmmaking process. You also need to have solid interviewing skills and a knack for finding unique angles that make your story stand out from the crowd, so getting some journalism training will serve you well.

• Median salary: $48,370 for all reporters

20. Proofreader

Proofreaders are the last line of defense for a piece of content. They make sure there are no errors in the grammar, spelling, spacing, or margins of a document. In the publishing world, proofreading is the final step after the copy edit is complete. Proofreaders also check that the table of contents is formatted correctly and that any photos have appropriate captions. A degree in English or journalism can give you the skills you need for this job.

• Median salary: $43,940

21. Greeting card writer

More than 75 percent of people buy greeting cards based on the connection they make with the text, according to the Greeting Card Association . Whether you're creating a funny happy birthday message or a compassionate get-well card, you need to craft concise verses that touch people's emotions. The key is to come up with something that a broad spectrum of people can relate to. Playing around with rhymes, allusions, and metaphors can be good practice.

22. Travel writer

For wordsmiths with wanderlust, a career as a travel writer may be what's needed to satisfy those creative and nomadic urges. You could develop a wide range of content, from guidebooks and magazine features to blogs and how-to-travel articles. Coming up with original and interesting ways to describe a destination can be a real challenge. This is almost entirely freelance work, which means self-promotion is a big part of the job.

23. Ghostwriter

A ghostwriter is an "invisible" contributor to a piece of content. You write it; your client gets to claim the credit for it. As a ghostwriter, you could be writing corporate blogs, putting out social media updates in a celebrity's name, or transforming a client's ideas, research, or life stories into a book. Ghostwriting can lead to many opportunities, though the field is not without controversy.

• Average earnings: Rates vary enormously

How to Find Legitimate Freelance Writing Jobs

Whether you're a newbie looking for your first paid gig or an experienced professional seeking a bit of side business, going freelance may be right up your alley. But finding legitimate job postings can be a challenge. We've listed a few sites here that gather and post solid opportunities. (And most of these sites won't charge you anything to access their listings.)

• JournalismJobs.com features reporting, writing, and editing jobs.
• Mediabistro lists freelance jobs in areas ranging from magazines to marketing.
• All Freelance Writing includes opportunities for bloggers, journalists, and technical writers.
• Morning Coffee lists jobs related to copywriting, blogging, translation, and journalism. (Sign up to receive the free weekly newsletter or check the online jobs section that's updated daily.)
• ProBlogger features writing jobs in a huge variety of niches.
• Freelance Writing Jobs offers listings for grant writers, copywriters, journalists, and content writers.
• FlexJobs has listings for copywriters, technical writers, news writers, and more, though you do have to pay a fee to see the details of the listings.

Always be sure to read the fine print before you apply for any project. Some sites offer their listings for free but take a cut of any earnings you receive. And beware of content mills that expect writers to churn out articles at a breakneck pace for absurdly low rates (sometimes as low as one cent per word). It's up to you to do your research and decide if an opportunity is right for you.

The Pros and Cons of Ghostwriting

Does the idea of writing under someone else's byline intrigue you? A growing number of executives, politicians, celebrities, and notable professionals are hiring ghostwriters to turn their thoughts into a marketable form of content. Working as a ghostwriter can be a great way for aspiring writers to polish their skills and make some money. But before you decide to become a pen-for-hire, you need to understand the pros and cons.

• You can write about any or all topics without worrying about being publicly judged on the quality of your work, since your name is not attached to the content. If you have an established reputation in a particular niche, ghostwriting in another area can let you experiment without damaging your public brand.
• You get a chance to step into the lives of fascinating people who have reached the pinnacle of their professions.
• You can often charge more for ghostwritten copy precisely because of the lack of recognition you receive for the work. Plus, you usually get paid up front instead of having to wait on royalties from sales.
• Promoting the book is not your responsibility (and sales make no difference to you if you received a one-time payment up front), so you can just move right on to the next project.
• No byline generally means you can't use your work in your portfolio, which obviously makes it difficult to demonstrate your writing chops to potential clients. You can end up relying on your existing clients to refer you to future business, which doesn't always happen.
• Letting someone else take credit for your work can be demoralizing. You will likely have to sign a non-disclosure agreement that specifies you can never imply that the name on the cover isn't the person who actually authored the book. You might even have to watch your client explain to an interviewer how he or she went about writing the words you so painstakingly crafted.
• If the book becomes a best-seller or wins a Pulitzer, you get no part of the royalties or rewards.

Some writers view ghostwriting work as a simple business transaction and wholeheartedly recommend it. Others feel it's unethical to allow someone to purchase content and pass it off as their own. Make sure you do your research before getting involved so that you fully understand the deal.

Day Jobs for Aspiring Writers

Getting established as a writer takes time, but you probably still have bills to pay. You might want to consider a side job that won't stress you out but will still let you have plenty of time to work on your craft. Here are a few suggestions:

• Retail stock clerk: Unloading trucks and putting items on shelves is physical work, but it's often done at night or in the early morning, leaving you time for creative pursuits.
• Cab driver: This is a fairly low-stress career that lets you choose your own hours. Plus, you can get great material for stories as you meet people from different walks of life.
• Security guard: You might be able to write during long stretches of downtime, especially if you work night shifts.
• Bartender or restaurant server: You can make extra money from tips and meet lots of colorful characters who might inspire your writing.
• Office cleaner or housekeeper: This kind of work keeps you physically active without draining your mental resources.
• Tutor or writing coach: You can keep your creative juices flowing by helping others polish their prose.

Write Your Next Chapter

Now that you know that plenty of jobs for writers are out there, it's time to think about how you can best prepare to take advantage of those opportunities. Do you have the skills you need for the job you want? Vocational colleges and trade schools offer career-focused training for all kinds of occupations that involve writing. So explore convenient programs near you by entering your zip code into the search tool below!

Related Articles

Where do you want to study?

What do you want to study?

What's your {{waterMark}} code?

"I recommend using Trade-Schools.net because you can find the program that you are interested in nearby or online. " Trade-Schools.net User

Popular Searches

• Creator Pass
• Creative Calling

See all search results

photo & video

money & life

self improvement

entrepreneurship

art & design

fundamentals

craft & maker

food & home

needlecraft

jewelry design

music & audio

• Photo & Video
• Money & Life
• Art & Design
• Craft & Maker
• Music & Audio

2,000+ classes ranging from fundamentals to advanced techniques.

• Free Photography Classes
• Fundamentals
• Adobe Lightroom
• Adobe Photoshop
• Adobe Premiere Pro
• Final Cut Pro X
• Post-Processing
• Adventure & Sports
• Documentary
• Family & Lifestyle
• Food Photography
• Glamour & Beauty
• Newborn Photography
• Portrait Photography
• Street photography
• Wedding Photography
• Aerial & Drone
• Mobile Photography
• Speedlights
• Videography
• Camera Guides
• Canon Tutorials
• Nikon Tutorials
• Sony Tutorials
• Money & Finance
• Self-Improvement
• Time Management
• Communication Skills
• Leadership & Management
• Business Basics
• Creative Inspiration
• Entrepreneurship
• Freelancing
• Online Business
• Social Media
• Color Theory
• Illustration
• Design Inspiration
• Design Projects
• Design Thinking
• Graphic Design
• Logo Design
• Adobe After Effects
• Adobe Illustrator
• Adobe InDesign
• Calligraphy
• Hand Lettering
• Mixed Media Art
• Paper Craft Ideas
• Scrapbooking
• Stamp Making
• Cake Decorating
• Floral Arranging
• Holiday & Party Crafts
• Interior Design
• Cross-Stitching
• Fabric Crafts
• Fashion Design
• Surface Pattern Design
• Upcycling Ideas
• Jewelry Design
• Marketing & Sales
• Audio Engineering
• Music Business
• Songwriting
• Sound Mixing
• Studio Pass
• Ableton Live
• Avid Pro Tools
• Electronic Music Production
• Guitar Recording
• Learn to DJ
• Live Sound Mixing
• Recording Drums

Home > photo & video

25 Creative Jobs & Careers for Creative People

Creativity is far from just a skill; it’s an essential part of an identity. Why settle for a career that doesn’t allow creative individuals to shine? Creative people deserve equally creative careers — and yes, there are dozens of creative jobs that don’t require a degree! 

Whether a self-taught photographer or a classically trained painter, rest assured that jobs for artistic people do exist. Today, we’ve gathered 25 of the top creative careers and jobs for creative thinkers, from photography and videography to creative writing and arts and crafts. 

Photography & Videography Careers

1. photographer.

Creatives with photography skills can share their gifts across a wide range of industries. As one of the many creative jobs that don’t require a degree, most photographers can discover professional work with a polished portfolio and general photography experience. 

A few examples of photography creative careers include:

• Product photographer
• Wedding photographer
• Newborn photographer
• Real estate photographer
• Photojournalist

Check out our full Photography Careers Guide for more photography career options.

How Much Can a Photographer Make?

The general yearly salary for a photographer averages $43,114 per year but can vary depending on professional experience. Even those just beginning their photography career can find entry-level photography assistant positions. These opportunities can help set novice photographers on a strong path for career growth, potentially leading them to start a photography business.

2. Videographer

Though a career in videography may require a bit more equipment than photography, it’s an awesome freelance or employment opportunity for creatives with a love for visual arts in motion. Videography skills are often highly requested across numerous industries for purposes including but not limited to advertisement commercials, music video production, and product marketing. 

How Much Can a Videographer Make?

As of 2022, the average videographer’s salary sits at around $68,703 per year . It can range from $56,668 per year to $85,611 per year, depending on education and prior experience. Those of us looking to jumpstart our videography career can lock in some general videography knowledge and research local entry-level positions or apprenticeship programs. 

3.Photo Editor

Jobs with photography don’t all happen behind the camera. If you have the skills to edit photos , you are extremely hireable. There is a lot of work in the field, whether that’s through freelancing gigs (which, thanks to digital photography, can be done entirely online) or with an ad agency. While you may not be taking the photos directly, you will stay engaged with the art and the questions that surround its technique.

4. Film Producer

For those with a deep love for videography and the visual arts, plus a desire to take on a management-focused career, a creative career in film production is the way to go. These creative individuals are responsible for managing various stages of film production, ranging from early development to post-production on everything from small indie films or highly anticipated blockbusters. 

Roles as a film producer often require a bit more experience and knowledge to help land a position. The current average salary for a film producer is $70,319 per year . Some positions offer upwards of $135,000 per year, depending on skills and experience. 

5. Video Editor

Falling under the field of videography, video editors are responsible for editing recorded footage used in movies, television shows, company commercials, and online videos. Many businesses will seek video editing services on a project-to-project basis, making this a great freelancing opportunity for those with strong video editing abilities. 

The average base annual salary for a video editor is approximately $38,850 per year. However, a video editor typically prices their professional services based on their experience and specific skills, which can significantly influence final income amounts. 

Design Careers 

6. Graphic Design 

Rather than capture art with a camera, a creative career in graphic design allows an artistic individual to create the art themselves. A graphic design career offers great freelance and employment opportunities, from developing gaming graphics to crafting custom company logos.

How Much Can a Graphic Designer Make?

The current salary average for a graphic designer is approximately $50,710 per year . With many graphic designers beginning their careers through self-taught online instruction , designers who continue to enhance their skill sets have a chance of securing higher-paying positions and projects.

Graphic designers who expand their expertise through continued education and ongoing experience can land more advanced roles. For example, the salary for senior designers averages $82,384 per year , and product designers earn an average of $102,237 per year .

7. Web Design

Like graphic design, a creative job in web design also offers fantastic freelance and employment opportunities for those with an eye for art. This creative career pairs personal website design tools, including WordPress and Adobe Dreamweaver, with technical web development language skills, like CSS, Java, and Python, to create websites that are equal parts functional and visually appealing.

How Much Can a Web Designer Make?

For those with an established portfolio, web design offers great self-employment opportunities due to the project-to-project nature of this profession. However, the average annual salary is also $67,916 per year , so it’s crucial for web designers to stay up to date with current web design trends and skills , as many preferred web design tools and processes regularly update and change. 

8. UX Design

User experience (UX) design positions partner the skills of a web designer with the ability to make cloud-based programs and websites user-friendly. UX designers hone their skills to program and alter the functions and layout of a website or program to support customer satisfaction and accessibility.

How Much Can a UX Designer Make?

UX design positions average a yearly salary of roughly $98,816 . Unlike other creative jobs that don’t require a degree, these jobs also require some college education.

People just beginning their UX design career path and those without college experience often start by teaching themselves UX design topics and skills. 

9. Fashion Design

Apart from the digital aspect of creative design, fashion design offers robust creative potential for those interested in designing all types of clothing and accessories. This highly prized and competitive niche offers huge employment opportunities with various fashion brands. We can also consider freelance design opportunities to create a proprietary clothing brand . 

How Much Can a Fashion Designer Make?

Due to fashion’s varying nature in price and popularity, salary amounts fluctuate with a current average of $75,810 per year . However, those who enter the entrepreneurial space of fashion design can experience far beyond average salary amounts dependent on personal success. 

10. Interior Design

Interior design is a highly desired job for artistic people that offers excellent employment opportunities with design firms. Interior designers are responsible for using their keen eye for aesthetics to create visually appealing residential and commercial interior spaces with a curated selection of wall colors, furniture, and other design elements. 

How Much Can an Interior Designer Make?

The average annual interior design salary is roughly $52,034 , with previous experience and education qualifications potentially affecting this amount. Many design firms often request educational design experience. Yet rising interior designers can get a taste of industry expectations through online education . 

11. Art Director

Securing a role as an art director is built for those seeking a bit more of a management position. Art directors are responsible for overseeing the visual design aspects of a media campaign and often manage and mentor entry-level designers. 

How Much Can an Art Director Make?

Art director roles are considered senior-level positions and offer an average annual salary of $100,890 . Due to the high level of this position, companies seeking an art director often require multiple years of experience and a bachelor’s degree in an art and design subject. 

12. Jewelry Design 

Those searching for creative jobs that don’t require a degree may want to consider jewelry design. While major jewelry companies may offer design assistant positions, many people opt to design jewelry through their own small businesses. 

In fact, the booming popularity of e-commerce has enabled jewelry design entrepreneurs to sell their work directly through online marketplaces such as Etsy.

How Much Can a Jewelry Designer Make?

Jewelry designers hold an average annual salary of $42,501 . However, those who tap into the entrepreneurial space of jewelry design may see a much higher wage. 

13. Motion Design

As one of the top jobs for artistic people, motion designers leverage graphic design skills to create web, television, and film content with animation and visual effects that put their art into motion. Motion designers will often work alongside various marketing and production companies to help craft animated commercials, trailers, and mobile app openings. 

How Much Can a Motion Designer Make?

Many motion designers work freelance and offer their skills on a project-to-project basis and can make an average of $60,703 per year , depending on professional experience and portfolio presence.

Music Careers

Visual arts may not be for everyone. Some of us have a deep passion for music production, which we can develop into creative careers as well.

14. Music Producer

Music producers are responsible for leading the creative and technical development of music recordings ranging from a single song to an entire studio soundtrack. Producers work hand-in-hand with those in the music business , managing songwriters, audio engineers, and artists as a team to help craft an awesome audio project. 

How Much Can a Music Producer Make?

Because of the expansive level of industry success a music producer can encounter, yearly salary amounts can average anywhere from $70,326 per year to upwards of a multi-million dollar amount. 

15.Start DJ ‘ing

For those who enjoy entertainment and are looking to take their music career outside of the studio, entering the professional DJ space may be the answer. From mastering the machine to getting the scratching down pat, DJing involves numerous music mixing skills that we can use to host parties, work on a radio station, and create custom medleys. 

How Much Can a DJ Make?

A professional DJ’s salary averages $58,267 per year. Yet, as with most careers in music, the exposure level and demand for services can significantly impact a DJ’s salary. 

16. Audio Engineer

An audio engineer is responsible for the numerous mechanical and technical components of sound, whether it’s for music recordings, television shows, or even video game sound reels. A creative ear is essential, as responsibilities include recording, editing, and reproducing enjoyable audio files. 

How Much Can an Audio Engineer Make?

The current average annual salary for an audio engineer totals $51,774 per year . This income can climb upwards of $136,500 per year with added experience. For those looking to enter the field, online audio engineering classes can offer excellent insight into the skills needed to become successful. 

17. Sound Mixer

Often referred to as production sound mixers, sound mixers lead the process of capturing, editing, and uploading audio for television, film, and music operations. Sound mixers are often responsible for overseeing the entire audio production team, which makes for the perfect creative career for those seeking a management position in the music industry. 

How Much Can a Sound Mixer Make?

A professional sound mixer can earn an average annual salary of $62,809 or more, depending on the level of experience and general industry education.  

Arts and Crafts Careers 

18. Painter

Some of us love to paint but have never considered it as a potential career path. Yet professional painters can sell their work, commission their paintings to corporate or private collections, and work on specific projects to make money. Likewise, those who can demonstrate strong painting skills can also teach art classes or workshops.

The yearly salary for an artistic painter truly cannot be averaged to a general amount. As with many artistic career routes, yearly income amounts will rely on the artist’s success and the exposure they receive. Another contributing factor is whether painting is a side hustle or a full-time freelance gig. 

19. Illustrator 

Another option for those of us with a passion for drawing is to become an illustrator. With both freelance and employment opportunities available, illustrators play a huge role in all things that require physical drawing.

How Much Can an Illustrator Make?

Illustrator careers can stretch from magazines and children’s books to fashion design and advertisements. Depending on skill level and general level of experience, illustrators can earn an average annual salary ranging from $21,500 to $131,500.

20.Online Craft Seller

For us creatives who create pottery or macrame plant hangers, there are online opportunities to sell our artwork — and even take special requests from customers looking to use our skills to create something custom. The trick is to master the art of running an online craft shop like in a platform like Etsy or similar platforms.

Like painters, online craft sellers can earn a wide range of salaries. Creative individuals can benefit from learning craft business basics , like establishing a personal shop, to create endless opportunities to share their skills with the world and also turn a profit. Plus, a personal shop with traction can quickly turn a side gig into a full-time self-employed operation. 

Creative Writing  Careers

21. Copywriter

In terms of creative writing career paths, copywriting tends to take the cake. From blog writing for big companies to creating website copy and product descriptions for small businesses, copywriting skills are present just about anywhere there’s text. 

Copywriting offers great freelance, side-hustle, and employment opportunities, with many successful writers sourcing their guidance strictly from creative writing classes .

How Much Can a Copywriter Make?

The current average salary for a copywriter is $54,184 per year . This amount can increase with industry experience, client caliber, and skill.

22. Ghostwriter

Ghostwriters are the solutions for thought leaders and various industry professionals who want to write a book or start a blog, but simply don’t have the writing skills. Though ghostwriters do not receive a byline (credit) for their work, they still receive payment for each piece they author.

Many successful ghostwriters have a background in copywriting and other creative writing fields. Others hone their skills through self-education. As ghostwriters often operate independently as freelancers or side hustlers, yearly pay varies based on the number of projects and their cost.

23. Social Media Marketer

Individuals with both creative writing and social media skills who don’t want to take on long-form copywriting or ghostwriting projects may consider social media marketing. Social media marketers use platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and now Tiktok to create, upload, and manage content that attracts and engages customers. 

How Much Can a Social Media Marketer Make?

As with many creative writing careers, social media marketers can freelance or opt for a full-time position with an average salary of $56,423 per year. One way to learn the basics and jumpstart a career in social media is through online classes. 

24.Journalist

A career in journalism is a perfect match for those who have a passion for storytelling and staying connected with hot topics and global news. Journalists allow creatives to hone their writing skills to educate and inform readers on various topics through newspapers, magazines, or online publications. 

Many professionals possess a degree in journalism. However, a degree is not always necessary if aspiring journalists can demonstrate previous work samples.

How Much Can a Journalist Make?

The average starting salary for a journalist is $41,968 per year , and career growth depends on the employing publication.

25. Technical Writer

For those seeking creative careers that involve a challenge, try technical writing. Technical writers are responsible for transforming complex and difficult-to-digest topics into something all readers can understand. Technical writers often create product guides, medical manuals, and other documentation to be used as a reference following a product purchase or service request. 

How Much Can a Technical Writer Make?

Due to the high-grade nature of this writing, the average salary for a technical writer is approximately $69,234 per year . With both freelance and full-time opportunities available, technical writers can score creative jobs by demonstrating robust knowledge in a particular niche.  

Types of Career

Not all creative careers will require a 9 to 5 job. Before diving into the individual job types, consider the multiple types of careers that offer creative direction.

Freelance Creative 

Freelance work is often not referred to as a job but rather as self-employment or a personal business. Instead of being employed by a single company or organization, freelance professionals offer their creative skills as a pay-per-service to various individuals and companies. 

Likewise, freelance creative professionals can also take on contract work. This allows a creative to sign an agreement with a company to complete a project over a designated amount of time. But it does not deem the creative as an employee of that entity. 

The demand for creative freelance work is always growing with platforms such as Fiverr , which offers creatives opportunities to sell their work such as graphic design, voice acting and more. 

Talented and experienced freelance creatives can also take on much bigger endeavors and produce complete campaigns and projects for big brands, if you are one of them you can offer your time and skills in platforms like WorkingNotWorking .    

Employed Creative 

Creative skills are in demand in many different industries, such as advertising, fashion, architecture, music and more. Companies are looking for talented individuals who can fit into positions such as design, photography, copywriting, editing, illustration, etc. and some may eventually move into management roles. 

Creative management jobs allow creatives to use their skills to guide both the company’s creative processes and the employees’ artistic processes.

Creative managers — like art directors — often control higher-risk creative and decision-making abilities. Depending on the specific management position at hand, creatives may need to demonstrate proof of education and experience to gain the role.

Creative Side Hustle

Not all creatives are ready to leave their current job just yet, and that’s okay — that’s what a side hustle is for. A side hustle allows artistic people to use their skills as a service without committing to an entire business venture. 

Writing, photography, and graphic design are just a fraction of the creative professions that make money as a side hustle while offering flexibility for those balancing a full-time job. Here are 25 different creative careers that can start as a side hustle and blossom into a full-time career.

CreativeLive has thousands of high quality free lessons, and also streams classes for free 24/7. Subscribe for access to the full CreativeLive library on your own schedule .

Shop Related Classes

Workflow, Time Management and Productivity for Creatives

Lisa Congdon

Fundamentals of Photography

John Greengo

Adobe Photoshop CC: The Complete Guide

Ben Willmore

Nasa Koski FOLLOW >

Nasa Koski cut her teeth in filmmaking through her climbing & mountaineering adventures in the Pacific Northwest. Carrying a camera into the wilderness ignited her passion for storytelling through photos and film. Her short films have toured worldwide and won awards at Banff Mountain Film Festival, 5Point Film Festival, and more. She is the Creative Director of Social & Brand at CreativeLive.

You may also Like

25 photography careers you can make money with.

Photography is an extremely flexible profession. While most other jobs are limited to a small handful of potential career paths,…

5 Ways to Build Habits and Crush your Summertime Goals

Summertime is upon us. Long days, warm weather, and relaxation are the expectation. But what if we took a different…

How to Start a Photography Business in 2022

Starting a photography business is not what it once was. Instead of letting their talent speak for themselves, creatives must…

15 Ways to Take Better Portrait Photographs

This article will cover several tips and tricks to improve your portrait photography. What is Portrait Photography? From the Mona…

16 High-Paying Jobs for Creative People in 2024

As a kid, you might have imagined yourself thriving in jobs for creative people—perhaps as a painter or a rockstar. But as you grow up, it might seem like your only choices are careers that put you in front of a spreadsheet all day instead of a canvas or a cheering crowd. 

When you’re a naturally creative person, job searching can feel extra challenging. It’s easy to feel like any job that isn’t obviously artistic will force you to either give up an important part of yourself or settle for a low salary—but luckily, that just isn’t the case.

The internet and the numerous technological revolutions we've witnessed in the past few decades have opened a new plethora of roles—some of which we couldn't have dreamed of existing 20 to 30 years ago.  Now, not only are there plenty of jobs out there that let you bring your creative side to work, but many of them are also high-paying. Curious? Below, you’ll find a list of 16 good paying jobs for creative people.

What does “creative job” mean?

Creative work typically involves using a lot of imagination and innovation to develop something—from images and sounds to physical items—and often requires collaboration.

“The truth is that every job can be creative,” says career coach Nina Sasson . “Being creative is about harnessing your attention. You can use your attention to create and build anything no matter what job you have.”

There are obvious choices, including copywriting and graphic design , but no two paths to a creative career are alike. Everything from data analysis to marketing to software development can be creative—it all depends on your perspective.

Management and training roles offer a lot of creative opportunities for individuals who are outgoing, have strong communication skills, and are able to think through problems in unique ways. 

“Effective leaders apply their creativity to bring out the unique potential in those they lead,” says Anne Jacoby, founder and CEO of Spring Street , a consulting firm that specializes in helping to develop creative workplace cultures.

What counts as a “high-paying” job?

For the purposes of this list, we’re defining high-paying jobs as those whose average salary is above the median household income in the U.S., which was $74,580 in 2022 , the latest year with available data.

You’ll also want to think about your level of experience going into the job search. Some of the roles below are mid-level or senior-level positions, so if you’re just starting out, you may want to look at entry-level jobs in those areas. While a junior role may have a lower salary to start, you’ll be on the path to a high-earning position.

So what are these high-paying jobs for creative people?

Read on to learn what each role does and how to break into the industry, plus average salary ranges and relevant open jobs on The Muse that you can apply to right now.

1. Agile Coach

Average salary : $132,544 Salary range: $92,000–$175,000

An agile coach typically works with a specific team, often software developers or product engineers, to help them manage long-term projects and work more effectively as a group. 

Agile coaching requires a unique blend of creative skills—you need to be organized and good with visuals (there are often a lot of flowcharts and task boards involved!), but you also need high emotional intelligence. This is a great role for people who are natural leaders, mentors, and problem-solvers.

To get into this field, it's important to be well-versed in agile workflow methodologies, an approach to project management that helps cross-functional teams work together more effectively. 

For example, you might use Scrum or Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) methods. There are certifications available, including Scrum master certifications and project management courses, but you can also break into the field through on-the-job experience, especially at a smaller company.

Find agile coach jobs on The Muse

2. Social Media Director

Average Salary : $85,940 Salary range: $49,000–$147,000

A social media director is responsible for developing the strategies a brand will use to reach their customers through social media platforms. They day-to-day involves a combination of overseeing content channels, managing a team, analyzing performance of past and current efforts, and presenting data to demonstrate the success of social initiatives.

This is one of the best jobs for creative people who have a broad range of inventive and analytical skills. It requires a strong aesthetic sensibility, photo and video editing skills, copywriting, and sometimes even on-camera talent, but it doesn’t stop there. Social media directors also need to be strategic thinkers who can analyze and present data as easily as they can make new online friends.

So if you actually understand how the TikTok algorithm works and your camera roll has dozens of perfectly edited photos just waiting to be posted, you should probably consider working in social media. 

You might need to start as a social media coordinator or in another entry-level marketing job and work your way up to the manager level before you can become a director, but you’ll have a great time doing it. 

Find social media director , social media manager , social media coordinator , and other social media jobs on The Muse

3. UX Designer

Average Salary : $78,894 Salary range: $56,000–$113,000

In a UX (short for user experience) design role, you’ll be shaping how customers engage and interact with the product that your company makes. That can mean very different things for different businesses, which is one of the most exciting aspects of the field. 

At a software development company, you might be figuring out how users will go through the flow of adding items to their cart and checking out virtually, while at a retail business, you might be determining the best way to set up a physical checkout counter.

Some UX design roles are more visual, involving the creation of prototypes and wireframes, while others are focused more on writing copy and content for apps, websites, and physical spaces. Regardless, a problem-solving mindset and a constant desire to make things work better will set you up for success as a UX designer. 

You’ll also need to be good at research and testing, since you’ll want to go straight to the source—your product’s users—to better understand how to make it work for them. If you're seeking jobs for creative people at home, this might be a good alternative since it typically only requires a computer and internet connection. 

Find UX designer and other user experience jobs on The Muse

4. Product Designer

Average Salary : $91,176 Salary range: $61,000–$136,000

Product design can apply to everything from designing packaging, furniture, and toys to creating new software and digital products. In short, product designers shape the things that we use on a daily basis, from apps and web platforms to sneakers and headphones. This role is a good fit for anyone with strong drawing and drafting skills, especially if you’re interested in creating physical products. 

You’ll also need to work with cross-functional teams—collaborating with engineers, salespeople, and marketers—and find creative solutions that take into account engineering, budget, and other considerations. Product design can also be a great way to get into software or app development.

UX design and product design can be very similar, especially in the tech world. One main difference is the perspective: While UX designers are focused on making a product easy to use, product designers are primarily concerned with taking a concept or an idea and turning it into a product that people will want to buy, though they also have an interest in making their creations highly functional. 

Find product designer jobs on The Muse

5. Creative Director

Average salary : $96,498 Salary range: $53,000–$165,000

Creative directors often straddle a few different artistic fields. What a creative director actually does depends on the industry, but the general responsibilities are to shape the aesthetic direction and messaging of a brand. 

If you work in-house for a fashion company, you’ll be determining the visual look and feel of everything from the clothing to the retail spaces to the e-commerce platforms, while the creative director at an advertising agency will oversee the visuals, words, sounds, and anything else that might go into ads for a number of different clients.

As a creative director, you’ll typically be responsible for managing a team of other creative individuals, so great leadership and communication skills are a must. And it’s worth noting that this is not an entry- or mid-level role. You’ll need to work up to this job, but there are a lot of ways to get there, such as copywriting, graphic design, or marketing strategy roles.

Find creative director jobs on The Muse

6. Operations Director

Average salary : $92,776 Salary range: $51,000–$162,000

Operations directors are like the CEOs of the business unit they’re in charge of, managing day-to-day functions including staffing, scheduling, budgets, and business negotiations. Operations can encompass HR, management, finance, marketing, and more, so operations directors typically touch every area of the business. 

Even though it may not seem creative at first glance, it’s a role that really plays to the strengths of creative leaders with a strong business sense, since you'll need to be able to solve problems on a daily basis, manage cross-functional teams, run meetings, and make smart hiring and professional development decisions.

One of the best parts about this high-earning role is that the primary qualification you need to grow into it is experience—anyone with a strong work ethic, good management skills, and an understanding of finances can get there. Almost any entry-level position can set you on the operations road if you find that you’re passionate about it, but roles like office manager and operations coordinator are good places to start.

Find operations manager , operations coordinator , and office manager jobs on The Muse

7. Software Developer

Average salary : $78,197 Salary range: $56,000–$114,000

A software developer writes code to build new pieces of software (or to update or add new features to existing software). Software developers are constantly using creative skills, from problem-solving to creating visually appealing user interfaces. It’s a role that requires strong analytical skills, since you’ll often be starting with a user problem or need and then reverse-engineering a solution.

And yes, being a software developer also draws on creativity. “Creative thinking shows up across a variety of jobs that require strategy, analysis, and the distillation of complex ideas,” Jacoby says, and these tasks make up a lot of a software developer’s role.

Solid coding skills are a must, but you also need to be good at seeing the big picture and understanding how individual components interact to create a functional system. Software developers will often find themselves working with teams of other developers and focusing on small components of a larger project. 

A degree in computer science is always helpful for anyone looking to become a developer, but if you’re a self-taught coder, many companies will hire you without one.

Find software developer and other software jobs on The Muse

8. Senior Copywriter

Average salary : $81,906 Salary range: $57,000–$109,000

Copywriting is one of the most straightforward creative careers out there. It’s perfect for anyone who loves to write and come up with clever catch phrases or slogans. You might work for an agency, where you’ll have multiple clients, or as an in-house copywriter, where you’ll focus on creating content for a single company. 

Expect to write anything and everything from website copy to Instagram captions and the text that goes on printed collateral like posters and brochures, all with the goal of educating customers about the brand you’re working for or promoting the products or services they sell.

This is a great role for people who love working as part of a creative team, since copywriters often work closely with designers, social media managers, product teams, and even executives. Senior copywriters tend to work on larger products or oversee teams of more junior copywriters. 

A degree in English or creative writing is helpful if you’re trying to get your foot in the door as a junior copywriter and work your way up to higher-level (and better paying) roles. 

Find senior copywriter and other copywriter jobs on The Muse

9. PR Manager

Average salary : $77,152 Salary range: $51,000–$112,000

If you're looking for business jobs for creative people, public relations can be a lucrative field for people who find creativity in storytelling. PR managers are responsible for getting the word out and fostering a certain perception about a company, brand, product, or individual. 

Your day-to-day might be spent strategizing with other team members to figure out the best way to get a new lip gloss into the hands of a beauty editor or to get social media influencers to try a new restaurant. 

You’ll write a lot (think emails, press releases, and invitations), but you might also plan events and experiential brand activations, oversee digital campaigns, work with influencers and social media teams, and more.

To become a PR manager, you’ll need to work your way up from an entry-level position—perhaps a PR coordinator or assistant—and there’s a lot of room to keep growing in this field to director levels and beyond. It’s perfect for people with strong written and verbal communication skills. 

Degrees in business, marketing, and English or creative writing can all be helpful when you’re looking to break into the field. 

Find PR manager , PR coordinator , and other public relations jobs on The Muse

10. Training Manager

Average salary : $74,686 Salary range: $50,000–$110,000

A training manager is in charge of figuring out how to teach employees the skills they need to succeed in their roles, which means it’s another great fit for people with outgoing personalities and strong communication habits. 

This role can involve initial training and onboarding as well as continuing education over the course of an employee’s time with an organization. At some companies, training managers will need to travel to different locations, ensuring that employees are taught in a consistent manager.

Part operations, part HR, training managers need to be able to think on their feet, and understand how to teach the basics of a wide variety of job functions. They often create lesson plans, write and design training materials, and put together presentations—all of which can be great creative outlets. There’s the possibility to grow into regional or director-level roles, which means more opportunities to get a higher salary, too. Organizations hiring for training roles might be looking for a degree in communications or a related field, or they might be interested in candidates who have a degree that’s relevant to what their specific business does. 

Find training manager jobs on The Muse

11. Business Development Manager

Average salary : $80,896 Salary range: $50,000–$132,000

Business development managers are responsible for helping a company find more revenue streams. They might identify new markets to sell into, pursue partnerships with other companies, and form strategic alliances to help their organization meet financial goals.

Expect to spend a lot of time meeting with existing and potential clients and partners, as well as brainstorming and executing on creative ways to attract new clients, partner with other businesses in ways that will benefit both sides, and bring big projects across the finish line. 

“Creativity is a huge asset when negotiating and considering what may persuade your counterparty,” Jacoby says, and business development managers will need it when discussing deals externally and suggesting new strategies internally.

This kind of role requires strong social and public speaking skills—which might include creating and giving presentations—as well as research, analysis, organization, and writing skills. You’ll need to work in an entry-level role such as business development associate or representative before you can snag the manager-level salary and title. 

Find business development manager , business development associate , business development representative , and other business development jobs on The Muse

12. Email Marketing Manager

Average salary : $78,257 Salary range: $55,000–$108,000

Expect to flex a ton of different creative skills in this role, from copywriting to graphic design and strategy. Email marketing managers are responsible for figuring out the most effective way to communicate with current, past, and potential customers via email, and as anyone with an email account knows, businesses send a lot of emails.

Email marketing managers need to have solid writing skills and at least a basic understanding of graphic and layout design, even if you’ll mostly be working within templates. You’ll also need strong analytical skills, as the role requires A/B testing and analyzing data from past campaigns to see what is and isn’t working. If you studied business, marketing, or similar, and are hoping to flex both creative and quantitative skills, this might be a great path for you. 

Because email marketing can be a significant source of revenue for many businesses, it’s also a relatively high-paying job within marketing teams, though you may have to work your way up from an email coordinator or a generalist marketing coordinator or assistant role. 

Find email marketing manager , email marketing coordinator , and other email marketing jobs on The Muse

13. Art Director

Average salary : $75,538 Salary range: $51,000–$114,000

It's hard to talk about creative jobs for creative people without mentioning art directors. An art director is responsible for supervising and defining the visual style of projects. This involves articulating the visual narrative and storytelling to effectively communicate the creative vision.

As an art director, you can work across various industries and project types—including magazines, social media, television and film production, commercials, short stories, music videos, and even live performances.

It requires a degree in design, visual arts, or related areas, as well as previous working experience in this field or a similar one. You'll also need strong communication skills and a collaborative mindset since you will likely be part of a large team.

Find art director jobs on The Muse

14. Senior Interior Designer

Average salary : $75,380 Salary range: $58,000–$102,000

Do you love watching house makeovers on Queer Eye and Property Brothers? Perhaps you have a passion for interior design. This is one of the best jobs for creative people who enjoy expressing themselves through their spaces.

The main responsibility of an interior designer is to make indoor spaces more functional and, of course, beautiful. You'll need to be good at turning ideas into a concept and then using the right tools to make it real.

An interior designer can work solo or with architecture firms. They offer their services to different entities, such as companies, individuals, or even government agencies. To break into this field you'll probably need a degree in interior design, interior architecture, arts and design, or something similar.

Find interior designer jobs on The Muse

15. Senior Animator

Average salary : $89,582 Salary range: $51,000–$113,000

If you're fascinated by the movies studios like Disney and Pixar create, where not a single real person appears on screen, that's all thanks to the work of animators.

An animator is the professional behind all the movements and expressions you see in animated characters—not just in movies but also in video games, animated series, and even commercials.

In the beginning of your career as an animator, the annual salary is unlikely to exceed $62,000. However, a senior animator can earn around $90,000 and beyond. The average pay will vary depending on the field you're in, as well as your location.

Besides creativity, this role requires research, critical thinking, an innovative mind, and communication skills. Most companies expect a degree in computer graphics or related areas, along with a deep knowledge of animation software.

Find senior animator jobs on The Muse

16. Content Creator

Average salary  varies depending on platform monetization programs and paid partnerships

This list of high-paying jobs for creative people wouldn't be complete without mentioning content creation. Nowadays, content creators and influencers can make a living—and even become wealthy—by working full-time on the internet.

It's an interesting career route for creative minds who desire a profession outside traditional corporations. The money content creators make typically comes from paid partnerships with brands and sponsored content. Earnings in the beginning tend to be low and usually increase over time as you build an audience that not only follows you but also engages.

Companies like YouTube and TikTok have monetization programs to encourage creators to produce content on their platforms. To make money, your content must meet the specific criteria of each hub. If you're seeking good jobs for creative people without degrees, this could be a perfect fit. After all, you won't be working for a company, but for yourself. 

It's important that you dedicate time perfecting your filming, editing skills, and communication skills. You can easily find online courses to help you on this journey.

Find content creator jobs on The Muse

No matter which career path you choose, make sure to be well-prepared to enter the job market. As you can see from this list, many high-paying creative jobs require not only degrees but also expertise in specific tools and a range of strong hard and soft skills. To seize these opportunities, consider pursuing education in your chosen field and seeking entry-level positions to gain experience, build a portfolio, and start networking.

Earning A Master’s In Creative Writing: What To Know

Updated: Nov 1, 2023, 1:51pm

Do you want to create written work that ignites a reader’s imagination and even changes their worldview? With a master’s in creative writing, you can develop strong storytelling and character development skills, equipping you to achieve your writing goals.

If you’re ready to strengthen your writing chops and you enjoy writing original works to inspire others, tell interesting stories and share valuable information, earning a master’s in creative writing may be the next step on your career journey.

The skills learned in a creative writing master’s program qualify you to write your own literary works, teach others creative writing principles or pursue various other careers.

This article explores master’s degrees in creative writing, including common courses and concentrations, admission requirements and careers that use creative writing skills. Read on to learn more about earning a master’s degree in creative writing.

Why You Can Trust Forbes Advisor Education

Forbes Advisor’s education editors are committed to producing unbiased rankings and informative articles covering online colleges, tech bootcamps and career paths. Our ranking methodologies use data from the National Center for Education Statistics , education providers, and reputable educational and professional organizations. An advisory board of educators and other subject matter experts reviews and verifies our content to bring you trustworthy, up-to-date information. Advertisers do not influence our rankings or editorial content.

• 6,290 accredited, nonprofit colleges and universities analyzed nationwide
• 52 reputable tech bootcamp providers evaluated for our rankings
• All content is fact-checked and updated on an annual basis
• Rankings undergo five rounds of fact-checking
• Only 7.12% of all colleges, universities and bootcamp providers we consider are awarded

What Is a Master’s in Creative Writing?

A master’s in creative writing is an advanced degree that helps you develop the skills to write your own novel, poetry, screenplay or nonfiction book. This degree can also prepare you for a career in business, publishing, education, marketing or communications.

In a creative writing master’s degree program, you can expect to analyze literature, explore historical contexts of literary works, master techniques for revising and editing, engage in class workshops and peer critiques, and write your own original work.

Creative writing master’s programs usually require a thesis project, which should be well-written, polished and ready to publish. Typical examples of thesis projects include poetry collections, memoirs, essay collections, short story collections and novels.

A master’s in creative writing typically requires about 36 credits and takes two years to complete. Credit requirements and timelines vary by program, so you may be able to finish your degree quicker.

Specializations for a Master’s in Creative Writing

Below are a few common concentrations for creative writing master’s programs. These vary by school, so your program’s offerings may look different.

This concentration helps you develop fiction writing skills, such as plot development, character creation and world-building. A fiction concentration is a good option if you plan to write short stories, novels or other types of fiction.

A nonfiction concentration focuses on the mechanics of writing nonfiction narratives. If you plan to write memoirs, travel pieces, magazine articles, technical documents or nonfiction books, this concentration may suit you.

Explore the imagery, tone, rhythm and structure of poetry with a poetry concentration. With this concentration, you can expect to develop your poetry writing skills and learn to curate poetry for journals and magazines.

Screenwriting

Screenwriting is an excellent concentration to explore if you enjoy creating characters and telling stories to make them come alive for television or film. This specialization covers how to write shorts, episodic serials, documentaries and feature-length film scripts.

Admission Requirements for a Master’s in Creative Writing

Below are some typical admission requirements for master’s in creative writing degree programs. These requirements vary, so check with your program to ensure you’ve met the appropriate requirements.

• Application for admission
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
• Transcripts from previous education
• Writing samples
• Letters of recommendation
• Personal statement or essay

Common Courses in a Master’s in Creative Writing

Story and concept.

This course focuses on conceptualizing, planning and developing stories on a structural level. Learners study how to generate ideas, develop interesting plots, create outlines, draft plot arcs, engage in world-building and create well-rounded characters who move their stories forward.

Graduate Studies in English Literature

Understanding literature is essential to building a career in creative writing. This course prepares you to teach, study literature or write professionally. Expect to discuss topics such as phonology, semantics, dialects, syntax and the history of the English language.

Workshop in Creative Nonfiction

You’ll study classic and contemporary creative nonfiction in this course. Workshops in creative nonfiction explore how different genres have emerged throughout history and how previous works influence new works. In some programs, this course focuses on a specific theme.

Foundations in Fiction

In this course, you’ll explore how the novel has developed throughout literary history and how the short story emerged as an art form. Coursework includes reading classic and contemporary works, writing response essays and crafting critical analyses.

MA in Creative Writing vs. MFA in Creative Writing: What’s the Difference?

While the degrees are similar, a master of arts in creative writing is different from a master of fine arts in creative writing. An MA in creative writing teaches creative writing competencies, building analytical skills through studying literature, literary theory and related topics. This lets you explore storytelling along with a more profound knowledge of literature and literary theory.

If you want your education to take a more academic perspective so you can build a career in one of many fields related to writing, an MA in creative writing may be right for you.

An MFA prepares you to work as a professional writer or novelist. MFA students graduate with a completed manuscript that is ready for publishing. Coursework highlights subjects related to the business of writing, such as digital publishing, the importance of building a platform on social media , marketing, freelancing and teaching. An MA in creative writing also takes less time and requires fewer credits than an MFA.

If you want to understand the business of writing and work as a professional author or novelist, earning an MFA in creative writing might be your best option.

What Can You Do With a Master’s in Creative Writing?

Below are several careers you can pursue with a master’s in creative writing. We sourced salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Postsecondary Creative Writing Teacher

Median Annual Salary: $74,280 Minimum Required Education: Ph.D. or another doctoral degree; master’s degree may be accepted at some schools and community colleges Job Overview: Postsecondary teachers, also known as professors or faculty, teach students at the college level. They plan lessons, advise students, serve on committees, conduct research, publish original research, supervise graduate teaching assistants, apply for grants for their research and teach subjects in their areas of expertise.

Median Annual Salary: $73,080 Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree in English or a related field Job Overview: Editors plan, revise and edit written materials for publication. They work for newspapers, magazines, book publishers, advertising agencies, media networks, and motion picture and video production companies. Editors work closely with writers to ensure their written work is accurate, grammatically correct and written in the appropriate style for the medium.

Median Annual Salary: $55,960 Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree in journalism or a related field Job Overview: Journalists research and write stories about local, regional, national and global current events and other newsworthy subjects. Journalists need strong interviewing, editing, analytical and writing skills. Some journalists specialize in a subject, such as sports or politics, and some are generalists. They work for news organizations, magazines and online publications, and some work as freelancers.

Writer or Author

Median Annual Salary: $73,150 Minimum Required Education: None; bachelor’s degree in creative writing or a related field sometimes preferred Job Overview: Writers and authors write fiction or nonfiction content for magazines, plays, blogs, books, television scripts and other forms of media. Novelists, biographers, copywriters, screenwriters and playwrights all fall into this job classification. Writers may work for advertising agencies, news platforms, book publishers and other organizations; some work as freelancers.

Technical Writer

Median Annual Salary: $79,960 Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree Job Overview: Technical writers craft technical documents, such as training manuals and how-to guides. They are adept at simplifying technical information so lay people can easily understand it. Technical writers may work with technical staff, graphic designers, computer support specialists and software developers to create user-friendly finished pieces.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About a Master's in Creative Writing

Is a master’s in creative writing useful.

If your goal is to launch a career as a writer, then yes, a master’s in creative writing is useful. An MA in creative writing is a versatile degree that prepares you for various jobs requiring excellent writing skills.

Is an MFA better than an MA for creative writing?

One is not better than the other; you should choose the one that best equips you for the career you want. An MFA prepares you to build a career as a professional writer or novelist. An MA prepares you for various jobs demanding high-level writing skills.

What kind of jobs can you get with a creative writing degree?

A creative writing degree prepares you for many types of writing jobs. It helps you build your skills and gain expertise to work as an editor, writer, author, technical writer or journalist. This degree is also essential if you plan to teach writing classes at the college level.

• How To Become A Journalist
• How To Become A News Anchor
• What Can You Do With A History Degree?
• What Can You Do With A Journalism Degree?
• Writing Careers: 6 Jobs To Check Out
• Where Can You Complete An Online Art Therapy Master's Program In 2024?
• Where Can You Earn An Online Art History Master's Degree?
• Best Online Creative Writing Degree Programs
• Best Online English Degrees
• Best Master's In English Online Programs
• Best Journalism Schools Online
• Best Master's In Math Education Online
• Best Online Master’s In History Degree
• Best Online Master’s In Interior Design
• Best Online Master’s In Journalism Programs
• Fashion Merchandising Degrees
• Earning A Creative Writing Degree
• Earning An English Bachelor’s Degree
• Earning A Bachelor’s Degree In History
• Bachelor’s Degrees In Journalism
• Earning A Bachelor’s Degree In Music
• 9 Types Of Music Degrees, Plus Concentration Options

Where Can You Complete An Online Art Therapy Master’s Program In 2024?

Where To Earn An Online Photography Degree In 2024

Best Master’s In Math Education Online Of 2024

Best Online Master’s In Music Education Of 2024

Best Online Master’s In History Degrees Of 2024

Best Online Master’s In Journalism Programs Of 2024

Sheryl Grey is a freelance writer who specializes in creating content related to education, aging and senior living, and real estate. She is also a copywriter who helps businesses grow through expert website copywriting, branding and content creation. Sheryl holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications from Indiana University South Bend, and she received her teacher certification training through Bethel University’s Transition to Teaching program.

Sr Technical Writer

Our fast-paced, creative, and collaborative environment is seeking a self-starting professional who can jump in with both feet to contribute to the overall education of our internal and external customers. Reporting to the Director, Product Education, the Senior (Sr.) Technical Writer is responsible for developing a variety of technical and user guides that includes but is not limited to online help content, user guides, job aids, product release notes, implementation and technical integration guides, data flow/system architecture diagrams and support decision trees, for a SaaS company in the healthcare industry. The Sr. Technical Writer interviews subject matter experts to develop and update materials and must be skilled in using the online Help authoring tool, MadCap Flare. The Sr. Technical Writer works closely with product managers, system developers, quality assurance engineers, implementation consultants, and integration engineers to understand and create deliverables.

At GHX we believe in fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills.

Key Responsibilities:

• Exhibits proficiency in writing technical documents, user instructions, data flow diagrams, proposals, and release communications
• Plans, develops, organizes, writes, and edits content for online Help, product guides, job aids, implementation guides, release notes, and web content for internal and external customers
• Assumes responsibility for managing one or more product areas
• Researches and gathers technical and background information for inclusion in product documentation
• Participates in product development and reviews to ensure GHX software products are easy to use
• Contributes to the design of a comprehensive documentation and technical writing program that effectively communicates how to integrate, implement and use GHX solutions
• Conducts needs analysis with internal stakeholders to identify teams’ needs
• Works with technical staff to develop documentation requirements
• Participates in user interface design reviews, as requested
• Manages the translation process for education deliverables, as requested
• Research industry best practices and advise management of process improvements that could save time and money
• Collaborates with internal stakeholders, including product management, implementation and development teams, to ensure a smooth and timely transition of information out to customers
• Leads special projects related to the development of online educational content
• Determines methods and procedures on new assignments and may coordinate activities of other personnel
• Ability to contribute different thoughts, ideas and viewpoints that lead to greater innovation on projects and cross-functional collaborative efforts. 

Key Skills/Competencies:

• Proficient in MadCap Flare Help authoring tool
• Experience with source control solutions (MadCap Central, Perforce, SourceSafe)
• Proficient in standard Windows-based applications (Word, PowerPoint, Excel)
• Experience with collaboration software (Confluence by Atlassiasn)
• Proficient in screen-capture technology (SnagIt, MadCap Capture, Snipping Tool)
• Experience with a flowcharts or diagrams tool (Lucidchart, Visio)

Required Education, Certifications, and Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in a related discipline, or combination of education and equivalent work experience
• 7+ years of experience in related field
• Excellent writing, editing, and communication skills
• Excellent interviewing skills
• Customer-driven attitude and demeanor
• Proficiency and knowledge of working with various types of systems and system interfaces
• Ability to quickly synthesize new technology and present it in a concise, meaningful manner
• Ability to think independently and solve problems with minimal supervision
• Strong organization, leadership, and project management skills
• Able to work in a team environment with all levels of personnel
• Comfortable learning new systems and system interfaces quickly
• We are looking for someone who is proficient in the role requirements, but who also brings a unique perspective and diversity of thought to our team.​ GHX encourages candidates from underrepresented groups to apply and is dedicated to providing equal opportunities for qualified applicants.

Preferred Qualifications:

• eCommerce or web-based application experience
• Familiarity with web-conferencing solutions like Zoom or GoTo Meeting 
• Language translation knowledge (for example, English to German)
• Healthcare industry, supply chain, or purchasing experience preferred but not required

Estimated salary range: $78,000 - $104,000

The base salary range represents the anticipated low and high end of the GHX’s salary range for this position. Actual salaries will vary and will be based on various factors, such as candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies and proficiency for the role. The base salary is one component of GHX’s total compensation package for employees. Other rewards and benefits include: health, vision, and dental insurance, accident and life insurance, 401k matching, paid-time off, and education reimbursement, to name a few. To view more details of our benefits, visit us here: https://www.ghx.com/about/careers/

 #LI-Remote #LI-KL

GHX: It's the way you do business in healthcare Global Healthcare Exchange (GHX) enables better patient care and billions in savings for the healthcare community by maximizing automation, efficiency and accuracy of business processes.

GHX is a healthcare business and data automation company, empowering healthcare organizations to enable better patient care and maximize industry savings using our world class cloud-based supply chain technology exchange platform, solutions, analytics and services. We bring together healthcare providers and manufacturers and distributors in North America and Europe - who rely on smart, secure healthcare-focused technology and comprehensive data to automate their business processes and make more informed decisions.

It is our passion and vision for a more operationally efficient healthcare supply chain, helping organizations reduce - not shift - the cost of doing business, paving the way to delivering patient care more effectively. Together we take more than a billion dollars out of the cost of delivering healthcare every year. GHX is privately owned, operates in the United States, Canada and Europe, and employs more than 1000 people worldwide. Our corporate headquarters is in Colorado, with additional offices in Europe, Illinois, Florida, and Nebraska.

Disclaimer Global Healthcare Exchange, LLC and its North American subsidiaries (collectively, “GHX”) provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, genetic information, disability, veteran status or any other status protected by applicable law. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any status protected by applicable law. This EEO policy applies to all terms, conditions, and privileges of employment, including hiring, training and development, promotion, transfer, compensation, benefits, educational assistance, termination, layoffs, social and recreational programs, and retirement.

GHX believes that employees should be provided with a working environment which enables each employee to be productive and to work to the best of his or her ability. We do not condone or tolerate an atmosphere of intimidation or harassment based on race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, genetic information, disability, veteran status or any other status protected by applicable law. GHX expects and requires the cooperation of all employees in maintaining a discrimination and harassment-free atmosphere. Improper interference with the ability of GHX’s employees to perform their expected job duties is absolutely not tolerated.

Apply for this Job

Pre-Employment Statement

At GHX, we value belonging and believe in fostering an environment where a diversity of perspectives can thrive. This core value is a pillar of our business and critical to our success. Your responses will be used (in aggregate only) to help us identify areas of improvement in our process. Your responses will not  be associated with your specific application and  will not  in any way be used in the hiring decision.

Enter the verification code sent to to confirm you are not a robot, then submit your application.