Creative writing careers can take many forms. Some roles focus on original creative work, while others use writing, editing, communication and storytelling skills in publishing, media, education, arts organisations, charities, commercial settings or digital content. For many people, a writing career is a portfolio career. This means combining different types of work, both within the creative industries and outside of the creative industries.
Writer, author or creative practitioner
Writers create original written work. This might include novels, short stories, poetry, scripts, plays, screenplays, creative non-fiction, essays, memoir, lyrics, comedy, children’s books, young adult fiction, audio drama, narrative games, blogs, articles or other written forms.
Many writers are self-employed, freelance or project-based. Some are represented by literary agents or work with publishers, producers, theatres, magazines, broadcasters or commissioners. Others develop their work independently through competitions, open submissions, small presses, online platforms, live events, workshops, residencies, fellowships and self-initiated projects.
A writer’s work may include:
- Fiction and prose: novels, short stories, flash fiction, literary fiction, genre fiction, children’s writing, young adult fiction, memoir and creative non-fiction.
- Poetry and spoken word: page poetry, performance poetry, spoken word, poetry commissions, readings, workshops, publications and live literature.
- Playwriting and theatre writing: stage plays, monologues, adaptations, devised work, community theatre, theatre for young audiences and musical theatre book writing.
- Screenwriting and audio writing: film, television, radio drama, podcast drama, comedy, animation, audio storytelling and adaptation.
- Lyrics and songwriting: lyrics for songs, musical theatre, performance, spoken word, collaboration with composers or producers, and work with musicians or theatre-makers.
- Games and interactive narrative: dialogue, branching narrative, worldbuilding, character development, quests, lore, scripts, in-game text and narrative design.
These areas often require more than writing ability alone. Writers may need to edit and redraft, pitch ideas, respond to briefs, research, collaborate with editors or producers, meet deadlines, understand rights and contracts, build audiences and manage freelance or portfolio careers.
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Publishing, editing and literary roles
Publishing and literary roles support books, writers, readers and literary culture. They may include editorial assistant, commissioning editor, copy-editor, proofreader, literary agent assistant, rights assistant, publicity assistant, marketing assistant, production assistant, bookseller, literary scout, literary festival assistant or publishing assistant.
These roles suit students who enjoy books, writing, editing, organisation, communication and working with authors or readers. Some roles are highly competitive, so experience through student publishing, internships, volunteering, bookshops, literary festivals, blogs, reviewing, proofreading, editing or society activity can be useful.
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Copywriting, content writing and UX writing
Copywriters, content writers and UX writers use writing to communicate clearly with audiences, customers or users. They may work in agencies, charities, publishing, media, technology, education, start-ups, public sector organisations or in-house communications teams.
This work can involve campaign copy, web pages, articles, newsletters, product content, social media, brand tone of voice, SEO, email marketing, user journeys, app copy, scripts, speeches or content strategy. It can suit writers who enjoy creativity, clarity, audience awareness and writing to a brief.
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Journalism, criticism and reviewing
Journalists, critics and reviewers write about news, books, theatre, film, television, music, games, culture, politics, society, sport, science, lifestyle or specialist subjects. They may work freelance, in newsrooms, for magazines, websites, broadcasters, newsletters, podcasts, cultural organisations or independent platforms.
Creative writing students may be drawn to arts journalism, literary criticism, theatre criticism, film reviewing, long-form journalism, narrative non-fiction, interviews, essays or cultural commentary. Building a portfolio of published or self-initiated work is important.
Literary festivals, arts administration and programme roles
Literary organisations, festivals, theatres, arts centres, writing development agencies, charities and cultural organisations employ people to support programmes, events, workshops, residencies, prizes, outreach, fundraising, marketing and administration. Roles might include arts administrator, programme assistant, festival assistant, events assistant, literature development worker, producer, project coordinator, learning assistant or community engagement officer. These roles can suit students who enjoy writing, books, performance, events, organisation and working with people.
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Teaching, workshops and community writing
Some writers teach or facilitate writing in schools, universities, adult learning, prisons, charities, libraries, community organisations, arts centres, literary festivals or online. This may involve creative writing workshops, mentoring, tutoring, outreach, public engagement, school visits, writer-in-residence work or higher education teaching.
School teaching usually requires a teaching qualification. Teaching in higher education often requires postgraduate study, publications, professional writing experience or a combination of these. Freelance workshop facilitation may require safeguarding awareness, planning, inclusive facilitation skills and experience working with different groups.
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