51111
Canada Good
Authors and writers (except technical)
Authors and writers plan, research and write books, scripts, storyboards, plays, essays, speeches and other non-journalistic articles for publication or presentation. They are employed by advertising agencies, governments, large corporations, private consulting firms, publishing firms, multimedia/new-media companies and other establishments, or they may be self-employed.
Employment Outlooks
Economic Region Outlooks
Select your region(s)
Choose up to 3 regions to see employment outlooks. This occupation has data for 72 economic regions.
Salary Information
National wage data for this occupation
Entry-level
CA$25.48
/hr
Typical
CA$36.81
/hr
Experienced
CA$53.00
/hr
Average: CA$38.61/hr
91.8% of workers in this occupation receive non-wage benefits
Source: Job Bank Canada. Wages may vary by region and experience.
Examples
Illustrative Examples
- advertising copywriter
- copywriter
- essayist
- interactive media writer
- literary writer
- novelist
- playwright
- poet
- script writer
- speech writer
- writer
All Examples
- ad writer
- advertising copywriter
- advertising writer
- author
- biographer
- blogger
- content creator - writing
- content writer (except technical)
- copywriter
- crossword puzzle maker
- designer and script writer
- dialogue writer
- dubbing dialogue writer
- essayist
- feature writer
- fiction writer
- ghost writer
- humorist-author
- interactive media writer
- lexicographer
- literary writer
- multimedia author
- multimedia script writer
- multimedia writer
- new media writer
- novelist
- playwright
- poet
- publicity writer
- radio writer
- rewriter
- screen writer
- script and dialogue writer
- script writer
- serial story writer
- serial writer
- short story writer
- speech writer
- sports writer - novels and books
- storyboarder
- teleplay writer - screenwriter
- television writer
- Web content specialist
- writer
Main Duties
Main Duties
- This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- Novelists, playwrights, script writers, poets and other creative writers
- Conceive and write novels, plays, scripts, poetry and other material for publication or presentation
- May conduct research to establish factual content and to obtain other necessary information.
- Content writers (non-technical)
- Write e-copy, blog posts, e-books, podcasts and other forms of Web-based content
- Conduct research on a variety of topics to inform writing and may consult with clients to determine the goals of the writing.
- Copywriters
- Study and determine selling features of products and services and write text for advertisements and commercials.
- Authors and writers may specialize in a particular subject or type of writing.
Requirements
Employment Requirements
- Copywriters usually require a university degree or college diploma in French, English, marketing, advertising or another discipline.
- Creative writing programs are offered by universities and colleges.
- Talent and ability, as demonstrated by a portfolio of work, are important hiring criteria.
- Membership in a guild or union related to the occupation may be required.