Authors, Editors, and Writers

Job description

These individuals conduct research and write papers for publication or presentation. They are self-employed or in:

  • Publishing houses
  • Advertising agencies
  • Companies

Environment

  • Controlled ambient temperature

Main tasks

Novelists, Playwrights, Screenwriters, Poets, and Other Writers

  • Imagine and draft various texts (novels, plays, scripts, etc.) to be published or presented.
  • Conduct research to gather authentic information and details, as appropriate.
  • Collaborate in the various stages of the editorial process, as appropriate.
  • Become involved in promotional activities (e.g. book signings), if applicable.

Advertising Copywriters

  • Study and highlight the commercial characteristics of products and services.
  • Draft texts for advertising or commercial announcements.

Advancement and mobility

  • These individuals may specialize in a particular subject or literary genre.

Hourly wage

The hourly wage is calculated by averaging wages from 2022 to 2024.
Minimum
$25.00
Median
$36.00
Maximum
$49.00

Job prospects for 2024-2028

Les 2 champs de sélection ci-dessous vous permettent de comparer 2 régions. Les données des régions seront automatiquement mises à jour à la sélection. Par défaut, la province de Québec est sélectionnée pour la première région.

Job prospects

All of Québec

Non available

All of Québec

Non available

Total jobs for 2023

All of Québec

6,000

All of Québec

na

Gender distribution

All of Québec

Not available.
59.2% Female
40.8% Male

Not available.
  • 59.2% Female
  • 40.8% Male

Job types

All of Québec

Not available.
Full time
Part time

Not available.
  • Full time
  • Part time

Yearly wage on 2020

All of Québec

$50,800

All of Québec

Other characteristics

All of Québec

  • None

All of Québec

  • None

Sectors of activity

Training and requirements

Formation

Most training programs are offered in French only.

University

Cinematography or film studies
Bachelor’s degree

Placement rate: 70.9%

13.4% of graduates pursue further studies

More on graduates’ employment situation
Master’s degree

Placement rate: 50%

44.4% of graduates pursue further studies

More on graduates’ employment situation
Drama
Bachelor’s degree

Placement rate: 53.2%

25.5% of graduates pursue further studies

More on graduates’ employment situation
Master’s degree

Placement rate: 100%

More on graduates’ employment situation

Sometimes required

  • The submission of documents illustrating talent and creativity may be required.
  • Membership in a professional association related to the profession may be required.

Main skills and characteristics

Skills

  • Data collection
  • Reading comprehension
  • Written expression
  • Active listening
  • Oral expression
  • Critical thought
  • Judgment and decision-making
  • Solving complex problems
  • Information processing
  • Coordination
  • Time management
  • Social perception
  • Persuasion
  • Active learning
  • Result evaluation

Abilities

  • Written comprehension
  • Written expression
  • Oral comprehension
  • Verbal skills
  • Near vision
  • Originality
  • Idea generation
  • Awareness of issues
  • Information organization
  • Deductive reasoning
  • Speech clarity
  • Inductive reasoning
  • Speech recognition
  • Selective attention
  • Classification

Knowledge and attributes

  • Knowledge of the French language
  • Autonomy
  • Sense of responsibility
  • Spoken and written bilingualism (French and English)
  • Versatility
  • Rigour
  • Sense of initiative
  • Attention to detail
  • Capacity for synthesis
  • Knowledge of communication and media

Interests

  • Draft, communicate, and inform
  • Work in the arts, culture, music, or leisure
  • Create, design
  • Carry out research
  • Self-employment

Personality profiles (RIASEC)

Artistic
People with this profile prefer to express their emotions and thoughts through various art forms. They like to use their imagination.
Investigative
People with this profile prefer relying on theoretical knowledge before acting. They like observation, analysis and problem solving.
Social
People with this profile prefer to be in contact with others, in particular to entertain, help or teach them.

Official name of the NOC 51111

Authors and writers (except technical)

Job titles

  • Author
  • Writer
  • Ad writer
  • Fiction writer
  • Script and dialogue writer
  • Rewriter
  • Playwright
  • Multimedia author
  • Biographer
  • Teleplay writer - screenwriter
  • Storyboarder
  • Blogger
  • Advertising copywriter
  • Copywriter
  • Designer and script writer
  • Crossword puzzle maker
  • Content creator - writing
  • Dialogue writer
  • Dubbing dialogue writer
  • Literary writer
  • Essayist
  • Humorist-author
  • Short story writer
  • Poet
  • Sports writer - novels and books
  • Feature writer
  • Content writer (except technical)
  • Speech writer
  • Serial story writer
  • Interactive media writer
  • Multimedia writer
  • New media writer
  • Radio writer
  • Television writer
  • Multimedia script writer
  • Screen writer
  • Web content specialist
  • Lexicographer

Skill type

Art, culture, recreation and sport

Last update: January 29, 2026

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