Authors and writers – NOC : 5121

Unit Group

5121 Authors and writers

Authors and writers plan, research and write books, scripts, storyboards, plays, essays, speeches, manuals, specifications 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.

Example Titles

advertising copywriter

copywriter

essayist

interactive media writer

literary writer

medical writer

novelist

playwright

poet

scientific writer

script writer

specifications writer

speech writer

technical writer

writer

View all titles

Main duties

The following is a summary of the main duties of some occupations in this unit group:

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.

Technical writers

Analyze material, such as specifications, notes and drawings and write manuals, user guides and other documents to explain clearly and concisely the installation, operation and maintenance of software and electronic, mechanical and other equipment.

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.

Employment requirements

Technical writers usually require a university degree in the area of specialization, such as computer science or engineering.
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.

Classified elsewhere

Editors (5122)
Journalists (5123)
Professional occupations in advertising, marketing and public relations (1123)
Song writers (in 5132 Conductors, composers and arrangers )
Translators, terminologists and interpreters (5125)