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
Job prospects for 2024-2028
Job prospects
All of Québec
All of Québec
Total jobs for 2023
All of Québec
All of Québec
Gender distribution
All of Québec
- 59.2% Female
- 40.8% Male
- 59.2% Female
- 40.8% Male
Job types
All of Québec
- Full time
- Part time
- Full time
- Part time
Yearly wage on 2020
All of Québec
All of Québec
Other characteristics
All of Québec
- None
All of Québec
- None
Sectors of activity
All of Québec
-
NAICS 7133% of jobs
-
NAICS 5119% of jobs
-
NAICS 5418, 541912% of jobs
-
NAICS 54157% of jobs
-
NAICS 914% of jobs
-
Others25% of jobs
All of Québec
-
NAICS 7133% of jobs
-
NAICS 5119% of jobs
-
NAICS 5418, 541912% of jobs
-
NAICS 54157% of jobs
-
NAICS 914% of jobs
-
Others25% of jobs
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
Master’s degree
Placement rate: 50%
44.4% of graduates pursue further studies
Drama
Bachelor’s degree
Placement rate: 53.2%
25.5% of graduates pursue further studies
Master’s degree
Placement rate: 100%
English literature or English, language of instruction
Master’s degree
Placement rate: 56.5%
21.7% of graduates pursue further studies
Linguistics
Bachelor’s degree
Placement rate: 38.8%
57.6% of graduates pursue further studies
Master’s degree
Placement rate: 83.3%
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