How To Become A Fiction Writer: What It Is and Career Path

What is a fiction writer and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

2 min read

Quoted Expert

Bridget Carson

There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a fiction writer. For example, did you know that they make an average of $37.94 an hour? That's $78,921 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 4% and produce 5,900 job opportunities across the U.S.

What general advice would you give to a Fiction Writer?

Bridget Carson

Associate Professor of Developmental English, Independence Community College

To graduating English Majors: What's different for you entering this economy? It's you. You bring to the fore skills that you have cultivated in writing and analysis in your dive into the human condition through literature. Employers need people who can manage the sensitivity and connection of their written communications. That's you. They need people with your attention to detail. That's you. They need people with your ability to learn the world of their business culture as quickly as you do a dystopian future novel. Also, you. In a world physically distanced by an illness, you are on the front lines of connecting us with language. Suppose you want to teach or be a professional writer, excellent. But, don't shy away from learning on the job in either the Private or Public sectors, and studying English taught you how to learn and how to connect. The job title is just what you put on your taxes. Help us connect better.

ScoreFiction WriterUS Average

Salary

6.2

Avg. Salary $78,921

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level

3.4

Growth Rate 4%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity

6.7

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.36%

Asian 5.05%

Black or African American 6.16%

Hispanic or Latino 7.91%

Unknown 5.61%

White 74.90%

Gender

female 51.88%

male 48.12%

Age - 41

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 41

Stress Level

3.4

Stress level is moderate

7.1 - high

Complexity Level

8.4

Complexity Level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance

5.4

Work Life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Newest jobs for Fiction Writer in Chicago, IL

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Key steps to become a fiction writer

Explore fiction writer education requirements

Most common fiction writer degrees

Bachelor's

71.7 %

Master's

12.3 %

Associate

6.6 %

Start to develop specific fiction writer skills

Skills	Percentages
Fiction	71.37%
Non-Fiction	11.23%
Poetry	8.71%
Short Stories	8.69%

Research fiction writer duties and responsibilities

Manage arts and entertainment editorial calendar, assign stories to multiple freelancers and plan daily coverage.
Publish several works including the publication of one non-fiction title.
Curate, edit, and write for the fiction section of a small, start-up online magazine.
Co-Authore and publish a non-fiction book available on Amazon.com

Apply for fiction writer jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a fiction writer job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How do fiction writers rate their job?

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Fiction Writer reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2019

Cons

Unexpected deadlines, I guess, although it sometimes seems I do my sharpest writing in those pressured situations.

A zippia user wrote a review on Apr 2019

Pros

Set your own schedule work from home. Determine your own salary. Dictate your hours. Choose the jobs you want.