becoming a writer in australia

How to become a writer or editor

Produce and revise written work including novels, articles, and digital content.

What does a writer or editor do?

Duties and tasks.

Appear in public to promote latest works.
Find places to publish works.
At times, teach creative writing courses.
Edit works for clarity, cohesiveness, and quality.
Formulate ideas for creative works.
Outline and plan the broad outlines of works.
Write drafts of stories, plays, novels, etc.

Industry bodies

Australian Society of Authors
Australian Writers Guild
The Australian Publishers Association

Related jobs

Associate editor
Book editor
Proof-reader
Resume writer
Screenwriter
Script writer
Technical writer

Discover related degrees

Undergraduate CUR-PWP-CTF

Undergraduate Certificate in Professional Writing and Publishing

Undergraduate CUR-PWP-DEG

Bachelor of Arts (Professional Writing and Publishing)

Postgraduate MAQ-EEP-GCE

Graduate Certificate of Editing and Electronic Publishing

Postgraduate SWI-WRI-MAS

Master of Writing

Discover related subjects

Undergraduate CUR-PWP121

Skills in Professional Writing

Related degrees

Bachelor of Arts (Creative Writing) (Professional Writing and Publishing)
Bachelor of Arts (Digital and Social Media) (Professional Writing and Publishing)
Bachelor of Arts (Digital Experience and Interaction Design) (Professional Writing and Publishing)
Bachelor of Arts (Fine Art) (Professional Writing and Publishing)
Bachelor of Arts (Professional Writing and Publishing) (Visual Culture)
Bachelor of Arts (Animation and Game Design)
Bachelor of Communications
Bachelor of Arts (Japanese)
Bachelor of Arts (Korean Studies)
Bachelor of Arts (Chinese)
Bachelor of Arts (Digital and Social Media)

Postgraduate MAQ-ENGX8015

Writing Creative Non-Fiction - An Introduction

Master of Creative Writing

Postgraduate SWI-PWR70001

Reading and Writing

Graduate Diploma of Writing

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Australian Writers' Centre

WRITER 579: Jillian Cantor on her gripping novel ‘The Fiction Writer'.

We’re Australia’s leading provider of writing courses and we’re so excited that you’ve found us!

Whether you’d like to improve your skills, discover a new career, or simply find your creative community , this is the ultimate place to pursue your writing passion .

People love our online writing courses because of their affordability, short duration and accessibility – a surefire way to gain new writing skills in a supportive environment.

We have something for every writer as we offer over 55 different writing course s .

Online writing courses starting soon:

With great courses comes great responsibility. Our presenters possess wonderful writing talent and experience, and they also love to teach! Meet some of them now.

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Valerie Khoo

“The Australian Writers’ Centre courses are really worthwhile, definitely for anyone who’s interested in writing and taking a more serious step toward that as a career – or even just as a hobby.”

Sarah Bailey's debut crime novel The Dark Lake was a bestseller. She followed up with the successful novels Into the Night, Where the Dead Go and The Housemate.

Discover how an AWC course can change your life!

"When I found out that my book had made it through the acquisitions process and was going to be published, I burst into tears!" – Karina May Graduate of Australian Writers' Centre, author of "Duck à l'Orange for Breakfast"

"Winning the Banjo was the day when in a single stroke all my publishing dreams came true." – Dinuka McKenzie Graduate of Australian Writers' Centre, author of "The Torrent"

"I took everything I’d learned and wrote a fourth manuscript, A Girl Called Corpse, and the rest is history!" – Reece Carter Graduate of Australian Writers' Centre, author of "A Girl Called Corpse"

“I don’t have a degree in creative writing or journalism – I wouldn't be working as a writer without taking courses at AWC”. – Jo Jukes Freelance writer, graduate of Australian Writers' Centre Freelance Writing Masterclass Program

“Enrolling in those AWC courses made all the difference in the world, the best thing I ever did!" – Al Campbell Graduate of Australian Writers' Centre, author of "The Keepers"

“I learned more in the two days I was at the AWC than in the few years prior doing self-research.” – Freda Chiu Graduate of Australian Writers' Centre, author of "A Trip to the Hospital"

“I know I never would have been published had it not been for Valerie’s support, guidance, that ‘red pen’ of hers, and her incredibly accurate feedback.”

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How to kick-start your freelance writing career in australia.

In the age of the internet, the freelance writing industry in Australia is booming. With businesses and individuals requiring content for websites, blogs, ad copies, and brand stories, the demand for skilled writers has never been higher. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced writer, platforms like Fiverr.com offer ample opportunities to monetise your craft.

How to Kick-Start Your Freelance Writing Career in Australia

The Rise of Online Platforms

Australians are sourcing freelance writing opportunities not just domestically, but globally too. Platforms like Fiverr.com and Upwork.com cater to writers at all stages of their careers, while local portals such as Seek.com.au and Freelancing.com.au are more suited for seasoned writers. For those starting out, remember to set competitive prices and upload high-quality samples. Over time, as you build your portfolio and client ratings, you can gradually increase your rates.

Four Lucrative Writing Niches in Australia

Copywriting : Crafting persuasive content to market products or services, including website copy, product descriptions, and promotional materials.
Technical Writing : Producing material that explains intricate topics in a simple manner, such as user manuals, how-to guides, and instructional reports.
Content Writing : Generating niche-relevant content aimed at ranking on search engines like Google. This encompasses blog posts, SEO-friendly website content, and engaging social media posts.
Grant Writing : Preparing structured applications to secure funding from sources like government agencies, foundations, and philanthropic organisations.

Steps to Succeed as a Freelance Writer in Australia

Step 1: Sharpen Your Writing Skills Invest time in enhancing your writing proficiency. From free resources on YouTube to paid courses on Udemy, Skillshare, and Coursera, there’s an abundance of learning material. If you’re aiming for comprehensive training, consider:

Copyschool.com
Writerscentre.com.au
Australianonlinecourses.com.au

Furthermore, practice consistently. Be it maintaining a personal blog, journal, or crafting samples, the more you write, the more refined your skills will become.

Step 2: Curate a Compelling Portfolio Your portfolio is the gateway to attracting potential clients. Start by producing samples or writing for smaller fees. Leverage platforms like Fiverr.com, Upwork.com, and Freelancing.com.au to showcase your work. For a more personalised touch, consider creating a professional website using platforms like:

Squarespace.com
Webflow.com

Remember, the presentation of your work matters. A sleek website with a custom domain exudes professionalism and builds trust.

Step 3: Forge Meaningful Connections Networking is instrumental for freelance success. Attend industry conferences, participate in entrepreneurial groups, and foster relationships with potential clients, such as business owners and e-commerce platforms. Collaborating with industries like digital marketing firms, web developers, and graphic designers can also open doors to new opportunities.

Step 4: Promote Yourself Effectively With a strong online presence on platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram, you’re poised to attract clients. Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews and regularly engage with your followers. For extended reach, consider investing in GoogleAds, Facebook Ads, and other online marketing tools. Traditional advertising might be effective, but they’re better suited for larger budgets.

Embarking on Your Freelance Journey in Australia

Though the journey of becoming a sought-after freelance writer in Australia demands commitment, the rewards are plentiful. By continually refining your skills, establishing a robust portfolio, networking effectively, and deploying smart marketing strategies, you’re set to thrive in the Australian freelance writing landscape. Whether you aspire to be a copywriter, technical writer, content creator, or grant writer, there’s a vast ocean of opportunities awaiting you.

hey, I’m Alina!

How to become a Writer

Writers plan and write literary or other written work for publication or performance. Writers may create original pieces of written work, which can take the form of poetry, novels, short stories, biographies, blogs, plays or film, radio and television scripts. They may also write for multimedia distribution.Writers may specialise in fiction writing, general interest non-fiction, journalism, children's books, educational textbooks, historical writing and transferring oral histories into written form, corporate or training videos, technical writing, magazine writing, documentation preparation, freelance editorial services, helping others to prepare manuscripts for publication, scriptwriting, documentary writing, humour, copywriting, editi

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Personal requirements for a Writer

Observant and inquisitive approach to people and their environment
Able to think and write creatively and clearly
Excellent understanding of English, particularly grammar and spelling
Concentration, perseverance and dedication

Education & Training for a Writer

You can work as a writer without formal qualifications. Skills are usually developed through practice and experience. However, you will improve your chances of employment by undertaking some associated formal training.Relevant courses can range from part-time interest courses to university degrees. As subjects and prerequisites can vary between institutions, you should contact your chosen institution for further information.Alternatively, you can become a writer by studying a degree in a related area at university. Entry to these courses usually requires you to gain your Senior Secondary Certificate of Education. Universities have different prerequisites and some have flexible entry requirements or offer external study. Contact the institutions you are interested in for more information.

Duties & Tasks of a Writer

Choose themes or subjects for written work, conduct research into the subject, assemble background material and obtain other necessary data
Plan and organise material and write the work
Revise or edit the work, making sure that the style is consistent; that there is proper development of theme, plot and characterisation; and that referencing is correct
Set out the original manuscript so that it is clear and legible (typed or word processed, for example) and submit the work to a publisher
Work with other specialists such as scriptwriters, software developers, graphic designers and illustrators, to create multimedia works.
Plans, organises and writes material.
Researches subject matter through original and secondary materials, interviews and other media.
Creates and develops ideas and themes for written works, such as novels, plays, musicals, screen productions, educational texts, information texts and multimedia products.

Employment Opportunities for a Writer

People interested in writing should consider related occupations until they are able to establish themselves in this occupation. This may be in areas such as journalism, editing, teaching and advertising.Writers are usually self-employed or work under contract. Many publications will have a bank of regular freelance contributors they rely on to provide content. Business writers may be employed by government departments and private businesses. Technical writers are usually employed under contract to publishers. New technologies have increased the expectation that writers have multimedia skills and work on personal computers, submitting their work electronically.

Specializations

par - Writers may specialise in fiction writing, general interest non-fiction, journalism, children's books, educational textbooks, historical writing and transferring oral histories into written form, corporate or training videos, technical writing, magazine writing, documentation preparation, freelance editorial services, helping others to prepare manuscripts for publication, scriptwriting, documentary writing, humour, copywriting, editing text into accessible 'plain English' form or writing text for musical works. Work may be commissioned by a book or magazine publisher, a theatre company, a film or television production company, or a radio or television station. Alternatively, work may be sold by the writer or a literary agent acting on the writer's behalf. Writers often work with visual or performance artists. In the business environment, writers can work as communication specialists. They may design training seminars or packages, facilitate workplace discussions, identify problems in documentation and conduct communication audits.

Technical Writer

A technical writer researches and writes manuals, textbooks, online user guides and other information-based material. Technical writers need to understand and explain complex technical information. They may specialise in IT, engineering, finance or help documentation.

Ghostwriter

A ghostwriter researches and writes books, articles, stories or other texts on behalf of another person. Celebrities and political leaders often hire ghostwriters to draft autobiographies.

A blogger researches and writes web content to publish online.

Average age

Future Growth

Gender Share

Average full-time

Skill level rating

Very high skill.

Unemployment

Lower unemployment.

Full-Time Share

50% full-time.

Employment Size

3,300 workers.

Employment by state

Age brackets

Education level

Related courses.

Master of Creative Writing, Publishing and Editing

The university of melbourne, master of screenwriting, master of writing for performance.

Bachelor of Sports Media

Charles sturt university.

Bachelor of Historical Inquiry and Practice

University of new england une.

Bachelor of Fine Arts (Creative Writing)

Queensland university of technology (qut).

Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Laws

James cook university jcu.

Bachelor of Media and Communication

Edith cowan university ecu.

Bachelor of Marketing and Public Relations / Bachelor of Arts

The university of notre dame australia, bachelor of sport and recreation management / bachelor of communications and media, request information update, administrative assistant, illustrator, research officer, university lecturer.

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How To Become A Writer: 10 Modern Writing Careers

Posted may 11, 2015, by vivien luu.

If English was your favourite subject in high school and you’ve nursed vague dreams of being paid for your witty one-liners or clever story arcs, chances are you’ve toyed with the idea of pursing a career in writing.

If this is the case, there’s also a high chance that when you shared those ill-defined aspirations of becoming a writer with your high school career adviser, they immediately whipped out their journalism pamphlets.

Yes, being a journo is great. But there’s so much more to professional writing than working for the fourth estate. From copywriting to video games writing, we’ve put together a comprehensive list of writing jobs for the modern wordsmith.

Click an icon below to find out more.

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The pen is indeed mightier than the sword. Hone your greatest weapon today with our range of online writing courses !

Sources: – Payscale – Australian Government Gazette – Gamasutra 2014 Salary Survey – Writerâ€™s Marketplace

Viv is a writer who enjoys researching and writing about creativity, how the human mind works, and neuro processes. She values creativity above all else and admires people who pursue their career dreams, no matter the sacrifice. In her spare time, she binges on HBO shows and epic fantasy novels.

Thanks for your enquiry

Good luck with your studies.

Writing Jobs In Australia

The role of professional writer is both a tough and rewarding career. While many people become freelance writers, many more choose the benefits of a 9 to 5 job.

This is why we’ve created this online resource for writing jobs in Australia, so that emerging and established writers can find the dream jobs they’ve been searching for.

From copywriting to editing, there’s plenty of rewarding opportunities for writers seeking to use their skills and talents for in-house positions. Simply scroll down and click on a job that interests you, to learn more, or find the answers for all your burning questions about becoming a writer in the FAQs below.

Get Exclusive Access To Our Remote Writing Jobs & Opportunities Board

3 months access to the jobs board where new paying writing jobs are added every week. Just 1 job would easily cover your subscription, and then some!

This board also lists unpaid opportunities such as awards and contests.

3 months : $7 $19 then $7 per month

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Cancel any time.

What type of in-house writing jobs can I get in Australia?

There are many types of in-house writing work available in the industry. Below are a few of the most common, though countless more exist and crossovers do occur.

Copywriting

As an essential component of marketing, copywriting involves “ strategically delivering words that get people to take action”. Copywriters write copy that informs, persuades and sells.

The job is one of varied opportunities and requires a versatile approach, since copywriters are often required to write about specialised and niche topics depending on the client they work for.

In addition to writing compelling copy, copywriters must also be experts in SEO and well versed in online marketing.

Content writing

Though similar to copywriting, concerning many responsibilities, content writing involves creating content for websites. This includes anything from articles for a corporate blog to newsletters for a website.

Great content writing is search engine optimised, interesting, well-edited, fits the company’s style guide and looks visually appealing. Most companies with a strong web presence require a content writer or a team of content writers.

For as long as companies and individuals must create books, brochures, advertisements, website content and other published materials, there will be a need for an editor .

Editors specialise in enhancing the “clarity, elegance [and] forcefulness” of any written text.

Depending on the stage of production, they must undertake 3 types of editing:

Structural editing is required in the initial drafts of a text. Editors are responsible for advising the writer on any substantial changes required and clear ways in which to improve.
Copyediting is required for later in the production process. Editors analyse the text line-by-line while fixing grammatical and spelling errors and also checking for inconsistencies.
Proofreading is the final stage of editing before publication. Editors ensure there are no more errors and the manuscript is ready for publication online or in print.

Editors also have a wider skill set which serves them well in their positions, whether as a Communications Manager or Publications Officer in a large company or as a freelancer working on manuscripts.

Knowledge of graphic design, website design and ebooks is often useful.

Screenwriting

Screenwriting is “ writing for film and television “. While the writing process may begin as an individual project, screenwriting for large projects requires a collaborative approach.

Screenwriters work with other writers, producers, directors and actors to bring a script to life. Furthermore they must write with logistical and financial limitations in mind.

For example, scripts set in remote and expensive locations have little hope of being produced by a small production team.

Journalists gather, write and distribute the news in various mediums, whether print or online. Writing is an essential component of the job, since journalists must write reports, blog posts, columns, magazine articles and various other texts.

However, the job of journalist requires a wealth of other skills. These include conducting interviews, working in high pressure situations under a tight deadline, travelling for news stories, researching recent events and navigating the legalities of defamation and copyright.

There are also many specialisations within the field of journalism, such as feature writer, columnist and news reporter.

Speechwriting

As the name suggests, speechwriters write speeches. The job of speechwriter “merges marketing, theater, public relations, sales, education and politics”.

Whether they write for large corporations or political parties, they must write speeches which use the unique and lively medium of voice to fit the objectives and brand of the speaker.

In addition to excellent writing skills, speechwriters must have the research skills to learn and use the specialised information of their field as well as the communication and collaboration skills to liaise with various members of the organisation.

Technical writing

Technical writers create information-based materials, such as manuals, textbooks and articles. These writers, most often employed by large organisations, require specialised knowledge of their industry.

Technical writers must be able to undertake intense research and analysis of information and be able to create material which consumers can understand.

How do I get started as a writer in Australia?

Becoming a writer is neither a straight-forward nor easy process. The following steps are a guide and not a guarantee for success. Starting out is the hardest part, but it’s no doubt worth it.

Research the industry

During the early stages of your career, be sure to explore the specific kind of genre or writing industry you want to work in. Whether that be print magazine, short fiction or blog, an awareness and understanding of the industry specifics will help you in the long run.

Being a writer is as much about writing as it is about reading.

Assemble a portfolio/website

In the process of development, the emerging writer will need to assemble a portfolio of work to demonstrate their abilities to potential employers. Most often this involves creating a standalone website or creating a profile on sites like Linkedin or The Loop .

If you’re creating a standalone site, you might consider using the opportunity to start a blog . If you haven’t any published work yet, don’t worry.

Blogging is one example of self publishing, while there are other many other paths for publishing material. If you’re a short fiction writer, then getting your work published would involve submitting stories to anthologies and competitions.

If you’re a nonfiction writer, consider pitching and submitting articles to your favourite online magazines.

Create profiles on freelancing websites

When you’re still starting out, try creating a profile on websites like updesk and guru . Short projects will not only help build up a portfolio but also provide experience liaising with clients.

Pitch your article ideas to online publications

Many online and print publications have established systems for accepting unsolicited submissions from emerging writers. For example, Overland Journal accepts articles year round for their online publication, as detailed on the submissions page .

To know when the opportunities arise, make sure to follow your favourite publications on social media and via their email list. Building up a portfolio of work ready for future freelancing opportunities takes time, energy and confidence to put yourself out there.

Be aware of the long waiting periods as sifting through large batches of entries takes considerable time.

What are the pros & cons of writing jobs?

Finding success in doing what you love is a spectacular feeling. The things you create, whether blog, ezine or novel, will inspire readers everywhere.
Often your workplace is your office, your home or your favourite cafe. Writing jobs, whether freelance or in-house, offer a greater versatility in hours and venue than the typical 9 to 5 job.
Submitting anything for publication, whether fiction or nonfiction, poem or play, is a process riddled with long waiting periods and rejection letters
Financial problems are a reality for many freelance writers, who must deal with an inconsistent income
The stigma, about writing being a past-time rather than a career, is still prevalent

How should I present my resume (or personal website) when applying for writing jobs in Australia?

There are many unique aspects of applying for writing jobs. However, tailoring your application and resume for each job is crucial to success in any industry.

When applying for different positions, tweak your resume to emphasise previous experience in the skills outlined on the job advertisement. In the case of writing jobs, this involves demonstrating writing skill and long term interest in the industry.

The personal website

Personal websites are excellent for many reasons and therefore should be highlighted wherever possible: on your Linkedin profile, on your social media accounts and even in your email signature.

They’re not only a form of self publishing, but they also demonstrate commitment, a strategic online presence and writing skill to potential employers.

Most often, personal websites are created:

To construct and develop an online presence
Establish expertise through providing informative articles
Create platform for freelancing opportunities
Share updates about personal growth and interests, most often through a blog
Showcase depth and diversity of skills in a portfolio

When a potential employer Googles your name, your personal website should be one of the first things listed. Your website is your chance to define your digital presence, rather than letting Google decide.

As much as a personal website can work in your favour when applying for writing jobs, they can also work against you. An outdated or visually unappealing website may convey unprofessionalism and a lack of commitment.

An outdated website will also convey to an employer the career objectives, interests and writing experience of years past, without mention of the skill and experience you have now.

While a personal website is not necessary for every emerging writer, assembling a resume indicative of your skill and experience is crucial. Most resumes contain information about:

Contact details
Career objectives
Educational qualifications
Key skills and attributes
Employment history
References/referees

Resumes for writing jobs require additional information about writing-specific experience and skill. Consider adding a few links to published material online where appropriate, with specific mention of the soft skills you developed.

For example, if you’ve had articles published for a popular blog, be sure to mention the potential readership of the website.

If you were an editor for your university’s publication, identify the responsibilities that entailed, such as providing feedback to writers, collaborating with an illustrator or graphic designer, and selecting articles for publication.

Furthermore, you might consider including a short sentence on the outcomes of previous positions, while taking care to link the outcome with the requirements of the position you’re applying for.

The phrase “quality over quantity” is true for resumes and portfolios. Most employers have too many applications to read through and don’t have time for the lengthy applications.

Being selective and concise is crucial, so make sure to take the time for all components of your application.

How much can I expect to get paid for writing work?

For in-house positions.

The exact figures for many writing jobs in Australia are hard to come by. However, journalists can expect an average salary of $49,580 per year, editors $57,701 per year and technical writers $71,209 per year.

For freelance writing

The Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance sets the minimum for writing at 80 to 90 cents per word and the national freelance award rate at “$925 for 1000 words or less, with 93 cents a word each word after”. However industry reports estimate the average pay from many publications is far lower.

Novelists receiving publication for their manuscripts can expect an advance, paid in instalments, of anything between $5000 and $300,000. This figure is dependent on several factors, including the quality of the manuscript and the size of the publishing company.

A $6000 advance, paid in instalments, is a common figure, though small independent publishers, like Sleepers Publishing, provide no advance at all.

Do you have any other quick tips I can use to make myself stand out from all the other applicants?

While there are many emerging and established writers , all have different interests and specialisations. Standing out from the crowd requires a flexible approach and an insight into personal strengths, weaknesses and goals.

Knowing what you love most and excel in will help you carve a unique path in the publishing industry. There are countless individuals trying to be someone else, yet there is one of you.

Once you’ve narrowed your focus to the avenues you most admire, put yourself out there and pitch to as many editors as you can. Deliver your work with a smile and be ready to learn and change.

Furthermore, sticking to the traditional routes of writing and publication may not necessarily be meant for you. Explore modern methods of publication, consider the online world of blogging and always write, read and connect.

Write prolifically because the best writers were the ones who put pen to paper and honed their craft.
Read extensively because understanding the industry you love, whether that be the blogosphere or the world of short fiction, will inspire and help you.
Connect with likeminded individuals. Workshop groups are often the essential space for growth, where peers provide constructive feedback to transform your writing in progress. Connect with writers, editors and publishers you admire (online and offline) and learn from them.

Even better, Writer’s Edit is an online space committed to helping new and upcoming writers have their voices heard.

Our website is overflowing with practical articles that can help you prepare a manuscript , write a compelling cover letter , kickstart your author’s blog and more.

What's it like to be an Editor?

Tasks and duties

Carrying out structural editing to make sure a piece of writing is structured logically.
Choosing the right style and language and ensuring consistency throughout a piece of writing.
Correcting language errors, such as poor grammar and incorrect spelling and punctuation.
Removing ambiguity, clarifying the author’s meaning, simplifying obscure language and bureaucratic, technical or specialist jargon.
Making a manuscript more appealing to an agent or a publisher.
Checking for any potential legal problems, such as plagiarism, ethical or moral problems, copyright infringements and defamation risks.
Liaising with or managing staff involved in the production of the publication such as the designer, illustrator, typesetter and printer.
Maintaining a record of corrections after production for use in any reprints or new editions.

How to become an Editor

1 . Complete your Senior Secondary Certificate of Education.
2 . Complete a VET qualification such as the Certificate IV in Professional Writing and Editing (22203VIC) . Alternatively, complete a bachelor degree in professional writing, journalism, communications, media studies or a related field.
3 . Read the second edition of the Australian Standards of Editing Practice developed by the Institute of Professional Editors (IPEd).

Compare your salary

Latest editor jobs on seek.

Top skills and experience requested in recent job ads

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How to Become a Freelance Writer in Australia

Last year I joined the solopreneur fraternity and became a part-time Freelance Writer as an Australian. Was it easy? Certainly not. Worth it? Questionable.

Pleasing clients is more challenging than expected as you’re writing for quality, not for quantity that I’m known for here. However, the perks can really pay off if you’re looking for income in the $120 to $200 per hour range like I accomplished.

There are a plethora of tracks that you can take to becoming a freelance writer in Australia. You can find your path to earning money from writing regardless of the particular writing talent that you have.

Things to Keep in Mind to Become a Good Writer

You can certainly create an income through writing. But before you earn through your freelance writing job, there are several things that you have to keep in mind. I will be listing those things down below, so you can have a guide if you want to start your writing career.

Treat freelance writing as a business

Sean Platt , a well-known writer said that if you want to build a career in writing, then you have to treat writing like a business.

Regardless if you are a fiction or non-fiction writer, making an income through writing means that you have to sell something. And you should not just sell; rather, you must sell something good.

You must make sure that the articles or blogs you write are all in its highest quality for it to sell. No one wants to pay for low-quality products, right? Therefore, writing good articles will help you make a sustainable career out of writing.

Embrace your learning curve

Before earning an income, the initial thing that you should do as a writer is to learn your craft. It does not matter if you write fiction or non-fiction. There are skills that are important for you to learn so you could become a good writer.

There are vast arrays of ways for you to learn. For instance, you can learn by trial and error. Learning from your mistakes is a slow way of absorbing things.

And although it may seem to be disheartening to make mistakes, its where you will learn.

You can also join courses that will help you enhance your skills as a writer. You can also learn from the experience of other successful writers who already have their own careers.

But above all, the most important thing that an aspiring writer should do is to embrace the learning curve. Although the learning process is long, it will be the only way for you to become good in your writing path.

Generate your audiences

There is an audience for every writer. Before writing whatever your topic is, you should first know how to generate your target audience.

You can generate your audience through blog writing and using social media for you and your works to become known. Yes, it may take time, but you will have an assurance that it works.

Once you have already generated your audience, you can use various social media accounts to alert them when you have a new blog.

Build your email list

As a writer, you must be able to reach your readers whenever you need them. And the best thing to reach your audience is to build a list of email addresses. Admittedly, this is a weak point for me.

Most people have a strategy of giving away something for free in return for an email address. The email list that you will be able to build will help you influence your readers to make an action.

You can send an email to the people included in your list whenever you have a new blog or you have an announcement about your website.

Choosing Your Earning Track

Like any other business, writing has different areas. It is important that you know each one before choosing the track you will take. Such will save you from the hassle of being on a track that is not meant for your ability.

To help you have a more in-depth understanding about the writing tracks that you can choose from, take a look at the list of tracks listed below:

The Blog Track

If you want to make an income from blogging, there are five fundamental steps that you can follow.

Blogging as a freelance writer Australia

The first step to making money from your blogs is to attract visitors. You can do such by regularly creating and posting valuable content to your website.

Another way to attract visitors is by having a high-quality site that they can visit. The site should be fast, easy to access, and error-free. Preferably, without ads just like my blog here.

You can create an account to various social media platforms where you can promote your blogs. Personally, social media isn’t for me. Also, you can become a guest writer on other websites.

The second step is to build an email list. You can ask for your visitors’ email addresses and offer them something for free in return. This is what you call an opt-in gift.

For the third step, you should generate the trust of your readers and followers. You can do such by giving them regular and useful content.

The fourth step, offer a product. In a writer’s case, your products are your articles. These articles must have content that can help your audience in one way or another.

Lastly, if you want to build blogs where you can get your income, you have to do this process repeatedly.

The Freelancer Track

To become a freelancer is one of the easiest ways to make money out of writing. It will not take too much of your time since you can work from home and you are your own boss. Another good thing is that when you are a freelance writer is that you can work whenever you want to.

As I said, last year is when I became a freelance writer right here in Australia. It wasn’t an income choice; I simply wanted a new experience.

Before getting into the freelancer track, the first thing that you should do is to acquire experience. You can offer your writing services to your friends and family first if you are new to freelancing.

You can also use your school projects relevant to writing as your portfolio when a possible client is asking for it.

Another thing that you can do to develop your craft is to find out any special certifications and titles held by professionals in the field of writing.

When you decide to become a freelance writer, always remember to price your works accordingly. Once you already built a solid portfolio and gained experience, you already accept paid gigs.

Decide for your hourly rate but also remember to price depending on the difficulty of your gig. You should also make sure that you are generating quality content so that your price will be reasonable.

Also, only take jobs that you are confident you can finish. You can take big projects for as long as you can produce high-quality output.

Lastly, make sure to communicate properly with your client. Your clients are your greatest source of information. This is the reason why it is important to create a good relationship with them.

Keep your clients updated about the progress of your work. Reply to their messages and emails the moment you read it and send them a draft of work before you deliver the final product.

The Copywriter Track

Copywriting is one of the greatest sources of income. If you are planning to take this track, there are things to remember. You must know that using the same text, tone, and length is not applicable across every marketing platform or channel.

Your tonality when you are writing a blog must be different when you are writing for a Facebook post or tweet.

Additionally, copywriting requires writers to be knowledgeable about the different writing tracks such as email, blog, and email newsletter copies. You should also be able to differentiate your tone and voice for each track.

For instance, email copies must be enticing whereas blog copies must be engaging. Regardless of what you are writing, the copywriter track requires you to have a more versatile writing technique. You have to be able to change your writing strategy depending on the platform and channel that you are using.

You can also ask your clients’ feedback regarding your output. This way, you will know the areas where you need to improve. You can use positive feedback as testimonials that you can show your future clients.

The Author Track

This track has two paths. You can become a self-published author or you can go along and take the conventionality of working in a publishing house.

Freelance writer Australia authoring books

Publishing houses consider not only the quality of work but also the size of an author’s audience. For this reason, I am going to focus on becoming a self-published writer.

The first step to becoming a self-published writer is to find your niche or genre. Look for a field that you are comfortable writing about. After that, develop your skills in that field.

When you already have your genre, know your target audience and understand their needs. This way, you will be able to deliver exactly what they are looking for.

In addition, always write all your thoughts down. Do a complete brain dump. Not familiar with the word? Well, brain dump means completely transferring every accessible knowledge from the brain to a storage medium.

Doing a brain dump will give you an assurance that you will not forget the things you think are relevant to your work.

When starting to write your book, always start with a compelling title. The reason for this is that the title will serve as a gateway to attracting more audiences.

Once you have your book drafted, create an appealing book cover. This, plus an interesting lead inside your book will undoubtedly get you more audiences.

When you have already finalized your book, launch it for free on different platforms. Once you notice that people are interested in your book, switch from free to $0.99. And then gradually increase to regular price.

One thing that I have learned from being a writer is that development takes time. You should exert a lot of effort if you want to succeed from whichever track you have chosen.

Regardless of the track you want to take, becoming a freelance writer is really a good source of income provided that you remain consistent.

The idea is to stick on one main track. So, know where you track you are comfortable and you will excel the most. For me, that’s blogging here and my other niche sites, and have since reduced my freelance client load down to just 1. Yes – 1 client only. (Who pays me a small fortune…)

It is good to have knowledge of all of the tracks mentioned above. But jumping from one track to another may make it a little difficult for you to establish your writing career.

If you find yourself unhappy with the track you chose, do not give it up just yet. Give it a chance for at least three months as you might just have to get used to the track you chose.

If there is not any reasonable improvement after three months, you can consider trying another track or adding a complementary skill. For instance, if you are a blog writer, consider adding a podcast or uploading videos on Youtube. This step will help you reach a wider range of audiences.

The secret to success is actually development. If you are writing too slow, then learn how to speed it up without sacrificing your work’s quality.

If you are lacking in inspiration to write, try looking at your competitors’ works on such tools as Ahrefs. This will help you develop content that can compete with theirs.

Lastly, utilize keywords. These keywords are what most people search for on the internet. Integrating it into your works will help you reach them better.

There are also SEO friendly steps to helping you rank on search engines. First, remember that you are writing for humans, not for search engines. For this reason, do not keyword stuff just to rank on Google and other search engines.

Additionally, focus on the questions that your audience will most likely ask. Addressing these questions in your content will make it more compelling and useful.

Last but not the least, break up your articles into 2-4 sentences per paragraph. You can also use bullet points to point out important information. To make it more actionable and appealing, use images and personally I use Canva.

If there’s two writers that I’ve learned a lot from, it’s Adam Enfroy and Ivan at Content Fiesta .

Do you have any comments or suggestions? Let me know by leaving them in the comment section!

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3 thoughts on “How to Become a Freelance Writer in Australia”

Do you recommend any course for direct response copywriting ?

I’ve heard good things about Sabri Suby’s course but haven’t bought it yet.

Thank you Joshua

Becoming a Writer

by AussieAuthors | Jul 29, 2019 | On Writing | 0 comments

You can’t learn to be a writer .. It’s a gift, a passion.

You need more than lessons on how to write to become an author. If you have a constant compulsion to write, to express yourself by putting pen to paper or fingers to key board, you already have something that can’t be taught. You have a passion for writing; the rest is down to commitment and making time in your life to follow your passion.

You can learn how to spell, punctuate, analyse and parse. You can learn how to edit, form sentences, paragraphs and chapters. You can even learn how to enhance the readability of your story. But to be a successful writer, you need to have a gift and a passion for telling stories. You must feel a sense of excitement and inspiration when an idea for a story comes into your mind.

If you have this passion, then just start writing. It is not a matter of learning how to write, it is then a matter of honing your craft, and the best way to hone your craft and develop your unique style, is to keep writing. If you are a reader, and most passionate writers are, you already know what good prose reads like. Read and re-read your writing. Keep changing it until you think it reads well.

Finish your projects, polish them as much as you can, then give them to someone to assess. If you are a first timer, no matter what the “Experts” say, the someone you choose can be your mum, or a relative or friend who is an avid reader. This is where you will get your first indication of the effect your writing has on others.

Firstly you must be writing for yourself not fame and fortune; then if others like your stories, it’s a bonus and it will give you the inspiration to write more.

I suppose planning your story comes under the heading of “Learning How To Write”. You will develop your own style of planning your stories, Each writer is different, there are plotters (writers who plot their stories to varying degrees) and there are pantsers (Writers who start writing and write the story by the seat of their pants). I fall somewhere in between. I like to have an idea where I’m going, but let the characters and the story take me where they want to go.

I found a free software download that I use, to be my best planning tool. You can map out the story, characters and locations before you start your story and it gives you a plan to follow. Your story will still take you places that you didn’t expect, so when it does you just change the plan. It also helps you to remember minor character’s names as they bob up in your stories or even sequels to your stories. You will find it here.

But once you get the sugar hit from the family and friends and if you have enjoyed the process, it’s time to get the experts in. Have the manuscript edited professionally and get some professional reviews. Careful who you use, research them, there are many charlatans out there, ready to take your money and leave you with something you could have done better yourself.

I find it useful to have some Beta Readers. Readers who like your genre and who you trust to be honest with you. They are hard to find, but worth the search. They are usually avid readers and do it for free.You may wish to give them a signed copy once you publish.

I’ve written four novels and have two more in progress, I think I know how to write. Now I’m working on how to write better. I guess what I’m saying is, If you have the passion, don’t let anyone or any hurdle discourage you, just write. Read and research what you can about the process and enjoy yourself, it’s very rewarding.

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How to Become a Freelance Writer

November 17, 2023 / November 17, 2023 | Leave a comment | Scroll down to content

Table of Contents

Become a successful freelance writer and you can enjoy freedom, flexibility, and a level of financial security.

Whether you want to earn money from home or are starting on your way to the top of the profession, the road to becoming a freelance writer gives you the chance to learn and perfect your craft. In this article, we’ll give you practical steps that can help you to grow as a professional wordsmith and guide you in how to find work.

Read on for tips on finding your feet in the competitive world of content creation.

How to get started

This can often be the most daunting part of setting out as a freelance writer. But there’s no secret to getting started – other than to start writing!

It helps if you already have writing samples available. If you have any previous writing work – be it blog posts, articles for a student newspaper or interest groups, or copy you’ve written for a website – put it in your portfolio and add the details to your CV. Writing examples will help you to find work.

If you don’t have any previous writing to demonstrate, fear not. In today’s digital era, there are so many opportunities to build your portfolio. You could start a WordPress blog on a subject or niche that you are knowledgeable about or have an interest in. Then there are guest post opportunities – many media and business platforms encourage guest writers. If you think you could provide interesting content for a site, find the contact details and pitch them an idea for an article.

Courses to improve your writing

Once you have some writing samples, there’s nothing to stop you from diving in and accepting work. We’ll come on to where to find work in the next section, but another consideration is writing courses.

Courses to improve your writing can be done as you take your first steps as a freelance writer. You could ‘learn on the job’; looking for voluntary and paid work, while you hone your skills by doing a course.

Eleven provides courses that allow writers to master their prose, teaching you to produce authoritative content on your topic of interest. Udemy is another hub for affordable writing courses, offering tuition on many different types of copywriting – from SEO content to blogging and creative writing. Then there is Coursera, which links you to hundreds of writing courses offered by academic institutions online.

Have a Google, and you’ll find many more writing courses catering for a wide range of budgets. Pick a course that you can time-manage as you look for writing jobs.

Register on freelance job boards

Armed with your writing samples and an engaging CV, you are ready to register with freelance job boards online. From Upwork to Fiverr and People Per Hour – freelance job boards are plentiful, and so are the writing opportunities which are posted on them.

Different writers prefer different job boards, so there is no right or wrong board to join. See what works for you. But a word of warning – it makes sense to register for no more than two or three to begin with. You don’t want to spread your efforts too thinly. Building a solid portfolio, finding work and then receiving positive feedback is how you will grow your presence on these boards. For this reason, it makes sense to develop your profile on a small number of platforms to begin with.

Remember – freelance job boards are competitive places. Writers from all around the world will be offering low rates to try and win business. While you are starting out, it makes sense to keep your rates as budget friendly as possible, in order to get work under your belt. You can always increase your rates when you are receiving more work.

Some platforms require you to bid on projects, while others allow clients to offer you work directly (this makes having an impressive portfolio all the more important).

Rather than simply bidding for as many jobs as you can, be selective. Try to pick out projects that are as closely matched to your experience as possible, and you’ll have more chance of being chosen for the work. That leads us on to niches…

Identify your niches and expand your knowledge

As we’ve touched upon above; the more you can demonstrate your experience or expertise in a particular area, the more likely you are to find work. As you find more jobs and write more content, you will naturally begin to identify your niches.

Niches include types of audiences (such as business-to-consumer (B2C) or business-to-business (B2B)), sectors (from beauty to semiconductor or healthcare), and topics (like sport, current affairs or celebrities).

If you already have an interest in a niche or have experience writing for that niche, that’s certainly a good basis upon which to target clients related to it. If you don’t have one in mind, don’t worry. As you pick up more experience writing on certain subjects, your niche will present itself.

Aside from freelance job boards, there are many content and marketing agencies that specialise in particular niches. Once you are confident your portfolio and CV are strong enough, you can reach out to these companies and send them your details. If a suitable opportunity arises, you could be a match.

Promote yourself and your service

If it’s been a few weeks or months and you are drawing a blank on work, or making slow progress, there are still plenty of ways to promote yourself and increase your visibility.

Use social media to advertise what you do, and how you can help clients achieve their business objectives through targeted content. LinkedIn is one of the best professional networking sites, allowing you to connect with potential clients and even apply for freelance writing jobs. There is also Twitter, which can be a good place to post your published work, if permitted by your client.

Use social networks such as Facebook and Instagram to let your friendship groups know that you are taking on writing work. It’s a small world, and often nothing is more valuable than a word-of-mouth recommendation.

Gain a grounding in SEO

“What does search engine optimisation (SEO) – that is, the practice of tailoring content to rank highly in Google search results – have to do with freelance writing?” you might ask.

When it comes to Google, content is king. You’ll find that the primary reason for many businesses requiring content is to support their SEO strategy. As a writer, you don’t necessarily need to be an SEO whizz. What will help, is to know the basics.

Understanding what keywords are, what they do, and how to implement them in your content, is perhaps the fundamental SEO aspect for a writer. And it certainly won’t hurt to gain a solid understanding of page elements relevant to SEO – such as meta titles and meta descriptions.

Gaining momentum as a freelance writer can be tricky initially, but you’ll find there is a ‘snowball effect’.

Take the right steps early on, and you can increase your chances of winning your first assignments. As your client base grows, ensure that you deliver your work on time, and on brief. Before you know it, you can become a sought-after commodity and forge a career as a successful freelance writer.

How to Become a Freelance Writer

Becoming a writer was something I wanted ever since I was a kid.

Meeting an author in primary school then later in high school my love for writing grew.

However, when I shared this dream with others, I was laughed at and told it’s not a real career.

Back then, motivational and female empowerment writing was what I wanted to do.

Now, I do finance, parenting and travel writing, with some female empowerment and motivational pieces mixed in.

Pacific Island Living, in flight Magazines, international magazines, websites and books are all places I write.

Travel writing is my favourite because I get to go to incredible places such as the Solomon Islands, Slovenia, Fiji, Vanuatu and more.

Freelance writing varies greatly in terms of price due to experience, qualifications, quality of work and it is highly competitive.

While it has been a great career for me, it does require some skills.

That said, if you love writing, it’s a good option as a side gig for some or full time for others.

This post may contain affiliate links to products I use. Read the disclosure here .

How do you get Started?

Firstly, do you have writing experience?

When I started freelance writing I had been blogging for almost 2 years and was an author.

I look back at the articles I wrote then and cringe when compared to my writing now.

Learn to Write Well

Doing a course e.g. Earn Money Writing will not only assist you to become a better writer but also launch your writing career.

The more you write, the better you will get especially if you get feedback.

Share your work, take the criticisms and be grateful people are pointing out things you need to change.

Use tools such as Grammarly to check your work as you go.

Seeing your mistakes underlined and having a report each week will show you areas you can improve.

Set Up Your Site/Portfolio

A self-hosted site is easy to create and worth it. You don’t need to blog every day, simply have details about you, how to contact you and your work to start with. SiteGround is the best for hosting ).

I have a full guide on how to set up a site here .

With your portfolio, include any work you’ve had published already. If you don’t have any published pieces, have “coming soon” or similar for the portfolio section and update it as soon as you get pieces published.

My travel writing portfolio can be viewed here to give you an idea.

Where to Pitch and Where to Get Paid Gigs

When starting out places such as Upwork , Freelancer and the Problogger Jobs Board can be great, however, the rates are low compared to other freelance work.

It’s often simple, quick articles people are looking for on those sites so it’s up to you to decide if the low pay for articles to place in your portfolio is worth it.

Sites such as The Write Life and Make A Living Writing both have lists of sites willing to accept content and pay you for it.

Alternatively, get active in groups on Facebook or pitch directly to sites you want to write for but make sure you read the rules and guidelines for each.

How Much to Charge as a Freelance Writer?

Do you have a degree and experience or are you just starting out?

Which country do you live in?

How much research is involved in the article?

The biggest factor in determining your rates is experience and qualifications.

Those with journalism or similar degrees and experience can command higher rates than those just starting out.

Next, Australia has higher rates than other countries, so if you live outside Australia or are dealing with international companies, be aware of this.

In the US you will likely be competing against many freelance writers willing to do content for under $100 an article.

I’m not saying this is a bad thing, but I found $50 per article was fairly common for US companies vs $200+ for Australians.

If you have a degree and extensive experience, the rates are more like $1000+ per article, especially if it involves a lot of research.

These are less common.

Read this article on how to know your worth and charge it for tips on pricing.

Sites to Check Rates

If you are an author, the Australian Society of Authors has freelance writing rate guidelines here .

MEAA (Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance) has suggestions for freelance rates (not just writing) here .

Kate Toon has great advice for working out your rates .

Know Your Rights

Before you do any work, make sure you know your rights, what the going rates are and don’t allow yourself to work for less than you deserve.

Check out this from Tracey Spicer, even she gets pitched ridiculously low rates by big companies!

Have clear terms and conditions for what the work is, how much is quoted and when payment is due.

The Thrifty Issue terms and conditions are here to give you an idea.

I love freelance writing, it is not my only source of income, though.

If I were to dedicate myself to it, I’d allocate specific time for pitching, time for writing and time to market myself, network and provide value in Facebook groups, on my own site and elsewhere.

Other Side Hustle Ideas

Freelance writing is one of my favourite ways to make money but it’s not the only one.

Check out the following for more ideas: 101 ways to make money from home 43 ways to make money as a single mother 23 ways to make money on the side in 2023 How I made $33,277.57 on the side in 12 months

This article was also quoted in The Side Hustle Revolution: Why People Are Embracing Home-Based Income . It has loads of tips on the how, what, why and everything else you need to know about side hustles!

Are you a freelance writer? What tips would you add?

For more ways to make and save money follow us on social media:

The Thrifty Issue Facebook Page The Thrifty Issue Facebook Group The Thrifty Issue Instagram

Get a $100 Bonus from ING

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15 Best Australian Authors Of All Time

Discover the best Australian authors that will give you a glimpse into Australian culture and history while entertaining you with some of the best fiction books on the market.

Although the Australian literary movement is still relatively young compared to countries in the ‘old world,’ it’s already a melting pot of brilliant fiction and non-fiction novels. The sheer size of Australia and the difference between society in the outback and the major cities means that the writers in this list all bring unique perspectives of what it means to be Australia and to live in Australia.

In this post, you’ll find authors that use compelling narratives to uncover Australia’s colonial history, culture, and tell gripping non-fiction stories. You can also check out our list of the best Urdu writers .

Popular Australian Authors

1. tim winton, 1960 –, 2. melina marchetta, 1965 –, 3. kate grenville, 1950 –, 4. richard flanagan, 1961 –, 5. helen garner, 1942 –, 6. matthew reilly, 1974 –, 7. markus zusak, 1975 –, 8. miles franklin, 1879 – 1954, 9. jane harper, 1980 –, 10. liane moriarty, 1966 –, 11. melissa lucashenko, 1967-, 12. craig silvey, 1982 –, 13. sally morgan, 1951 –, 14. mem fox, 1946 –, 15. patrick white, 1912 – 1990, the final word on the best australian authors.

Tim Winton is one of the most well-known Australian novelists. His work primarily focuses on non-fiction, children’s books , and short stories. Born in Western Australia in the second half of the 20th century, Tim Winton grew up in a suburb of Perth, and his love for the Australian landscape and incredible nature often shines through in his work.

Winton started writing early on in life. He won his first literary award, the Australian/Vogel Literary aware, in 1981 for his novel The Open Swimmer, which he wrote while studying at just 20.

His early success encouraged Winton to continue writing, and in 2008, he published Breath , his most successful book to date. The novel focuses on a cornerstone of Australian society – surfing. Breath follows the two-story of two teens growing up in the 1970s, risking their lives chasing the perfect wave.

“It’s the pointless things that give your life meaning. Friendship, compassion, art, love. All of them pointless. But they’re what keeps life from being meaningless.” Tim Winton

Melina Marchetta grew up in an Italian immigrant family in Australia. As an immigrant, she developed a unique perspective on Australian society, and her work most successful novels often explore themes of identity, community, and displacement.

Her book Looking for Alibranid is a must-read Australian novel for anyone interested in learning about Australian society from the perspective of an immigrant.

The moving story follows a young girl who attends an expensive Australian all-girls school. The protagonist, Josephine Alibranid, wrestles with her own identity as she develops a deeper understanding of her family roots.

Marchetta has been an inspiration to immigrants and women in Australia who want to break into the highest literary circles.

“But grief makes a monster out of us sometimes . . . and sometimes you say and do things to the people you love that you can’t forgive yourself for.” Melina Marchetta

Kate Grenville is a multi-award-winning Australian author who has published over a dozen successful novels covering several literary fields, including non-fiction, fiction, and biographies .

She was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize in 2006 for her best-selling novel The Secret River , which captured the literary world’s attention with its brutal tale of the treatment that indigenous Australians suffered at the hands of European colonizers.

The story’s protagonist, William Thornhill, a convict that rebuilds his life in Australia, provides an interesting medium for story-telling.

The Secret River is a brilliant way to learn more about Australia’s history, the struggles of the prisoners abandoned on the country’s shores, and the tragic impact of British colonialism on the indigenous population.

“This place had been here long before him. It would go on sighing and breathing and being itself after he had gone, the land lapping on and on, watching, waiting, getting on with its own life.” Kate Grenville

Richard Flanagan is one of the most successful Australian novelists, and his work has been recognized formally several times with prestigious literary awards.

Flanagan is the descendant of Irish convicts who were deported to Australia during the Great Famine. Since the 1990s, his work has repeatedly found itself in high demand in Australian bookshops.

His debut novel, Death of a River Guide , became a best seller for its exciting narrative of a river guide in Tasmanian being helplessly washed downstream after being thrown from his boat.

Following the success of his first novel, he published several novels before winning the Man Booker Prize for his novel The Narrow Road to The Deep North in 2014.

The Narrow Road to The Deep North tells the tragic story of prisoners of war captured by the Japanese during World War II in Myanmar. Falangan navigates the tragic chapter in Australia’s history with finesse and has been widely praised for his work.

“There are words and words and none mean anything. And then one sentence means everything.” Richard Flanagan

Helen Garner is one of the earliest female Australian authors to become a major star in the country’s literary circles. She is seen by many as a trailblazer who inspired a generation of female Australian writers in the 20th century.

She is primarily a realist writer focusing on women’s rights and sexuality. In addition, she’s also written several successful crime-fiction novels. If you’re looking to expand your crime-fiction reading list, then The First Stone and This House of Grief are two of Garner’s books that come highly recommended.

Her most well-known novel is Monkey Grip which explores 1970s counterculture in Melbourne. The novel follows the story of several problematic characters but focuses on the story of a teenage girl who falls in love with a heroin addict. Garner won the National Book Council Award for Monkey Grip.

”On Melbourne summer mornings the green trams go rolling in stately progress down tunnels thick with leaves: the bright air carries along the avenue their patient chime, the chattering of their wheels.” Helen Garner

If you want to add some thrillers to your reading list Matthew Reilly ’s novels will be right up your street.

Reilly is one of the most famous Australian thriller writers, and he’s become especially popular among fans of Lee Child and Stephen King.

His books combine high-paced action with complex plots led by heroic characters that are forced to make tough decisions under immense pressure.

Matthew Reilly has sold over 20 million copies worldwide, and his books have been translated into over a dozen languages.

The Scarecrow and the Army of Thieves is one of Matthew Reilly’s best action-thrillers. The gripping story takes place in the arctic, where a Soviet military base comes where a secret weapon is underdevelopment and comes under attack from a terrorist group.

“There’s an Oriental saying I like: “If aggression meets empty space it tends to defeat itself.” Matthew Reilly

Markus Zusak is an Australian novelist with a German-Austrian background. He was born to immigrant parents in Sydney who often told their children stories of World War II, which heavily impacted Zusak’s writing.

He has written dozens of books and won multiple literary awards, including the American Library Association Best Book for Young Adults and Queensland Premier’s Literary Award for Young Adult Fiction.

His novel The Book Thief has been translated into 40 languages and is one of the most well-known Australian novels in the world. The fiction novel is set during World War II and follows the story of a traumatized young orphan. The novel explores several themes, including power, resilience, and suffering.

What really makes The Book Thief stand out is Zusak’s decision to narrate the story through the eyes of ‘Death’ himself. After being published in 2006, the book quickly became an international bestseller, and bookshops around the world filled their shelves with copies as Zusak’s name caught traction on all continents.

If you enjoyed our round-up of the best Australian authors, we have many more articles on the best authors from around the globe. You might want to check out our list of the best Filipino authors . Or use the search bar at the top right of the page to search for authors in a country or region you are interested in.

“Imagine smiling after a slap in the face. Then think of doing it twenty-four hours a day.” Markus Zusak

Miles Franklin is one of the few female Australian novelists who was born in the 19th century, and as a result, her work went on to inspire several generations of Australian authors. She is primarily known for the novel My Brilliant Career, which she wrote at the age of 20 and published in 1901. The fiction story tapped into real-life themes that were especially present in early 20th-century Australia.

In the novel, a young woman from a poor family who dreams of becoming a writer struggles to overcome societal obstacles such as misogyny and a lack of social mobility. Miles Franklin was committed to building a pure Australian literary movement, and in 2013 her efforts were recognized when she was awarded the Stella Prize. After her death, she left all her money and possessions to be spent on establishing The Miles Franklin Award, which has been awarded to some of the best Australian writers since 1957.

“There are only two kinds of parents. Those who think their offspring can do nothing wrong, and those who think they can do nothing right.” Miles Franklin

The British-Australian author Jane Harper is part of a new generation of Australian writers who started writing at the dawn of the 21st century. Like a few other names on this list, Jane Harper is also primarily a crime writer who produced exciting and suspenseful stories.

Her novels are often set in rural Australia, making them a great way to learn about Australian society outside the major cities while enjoying an exciting crime story. She studied journalism as a young adult but reporting the news didn’t satisfy her appetite for writing, so she transferred her skills into novel writing.

In 2014 she published her first fiction novel, The Dry, which became a considerable success and drove her to become a full-time novel writer. Arguably Harper’s best book to date is The Lost Man , which follows two brothers who find their sibling dead in the outback. In the process of trying to understand their brother’s death, the pair uncover a series of disturbing secrets about their own family.

Someone can decide it’s in their best interests to agree to something, but a choice is only really a choice if there’s a genuine alternative. Otherwise it’s manipulation and it’s taking advantage.” Jane Harper

When Liane Moriarty ’s book Big Little Lies became an HBO hit, she became one of the most famous Australian writers in the world. Although most people know her for the series, the become that preceded HBO’s adaptation was already a New York Times bestseller.

The story is driven by three main characters that develop a deep bond after meeting at school. The story deals with some extremely heavy themes, such as domestic abuse, bullying, and rape. Within the dark themes and the tragic events, Liane Moriarty is able to weave in funny moments that act as an intriguing contrast to the overall story.

In 2017, three years after the book was published, HBO released the Big Little Lies series, and it quickly became one of the company’s most successful mini-series, winning over half a dozen Emmy Awards. The book sold over 10 million copies and has been translated into over 40 languages.

“Every day I think, ‘Gosh, you look a bit tired today,’ and it’s just recently occurred to me that it’s not that I’m tired, it’s that this is the way I look now.” Liane Moriarty

Melissa Lucashenko is an Australian author of Aboriginal descent who writes primarily for young adults and teens. She is the go-to author for teens and adults looking to learn more about Australia from an aboriginal perspective. One of the motivations for her to take up writing full-time was that she felt that there was very little, if any, aboriginal representation in Australian literature.

One of her most popular books is Steam Pigs , which won the Dobbie Literary Award for Australian Women’s Fiction. The story follows a young aboriginal woman Sue Wilson who leaves behind her life in the outback in favor of the big city. The story dives into the difficulties many people of aboriginal descent face in Australian society.

“Respect is a fulltime job, twenty-four seven. The way to behave in the world so that nobody’s pride gets trampled, so that anger doesn’t get a chance to ripen into disaster.” Melissa Lucashenko

The Sydney Morning Herald named Craig Silvey The Best Young Australian Novelist twice after he published his first book at the age of just 19. He was born in rural Western Australia in a small town called Dwellingup to a teacher and a librarian. At the age of 19, he published Rhubarb, which won the 2009 Indie Book of the Year Award for the fiction category.

By his late teens, it was clear that Craig Silvey was going to dedicate his life to writing, and in 2009, his second book Jasper Jones became a success winning over half a dozen literary awards and selling over half a million copies.

Jasper Jones has become a coming-of-age classic, and it amusingly follows the story of a teenage boy discovering his own self-dignity and navigating the complexity that early adulthood often brings. One of his latest books, titled Honeybee , follows the story of a transgender teen and their process of self-acceptance and discovery.

“I don’t understand a thing about this world: about people, and why they do the things they do. The more I find out, the more I uncover, the more I know, the less I understand.” Craig Silvey

Sally Morgan is a Perth-based writer and artist with an aboriginal background who often uses her talent for novel writing to tell stories related to the Aboriginal population. Her family has a fascinating history, and her sister became the first aboriginal woman to qualify as a medical doctor, while her mother grew up in a children’s home along with countless other aboriginal children who were taken from their families by British colonialists.

Her most widely-read book, My Place , is an autobiography that explores her own family’s past, touching on some painful stories and surprising details. The book was considered an important addition to Australia’s aboriginal literary base and continues to be a must-read for anyone looking to learn more about the aboriginal community in Australia. My Place is still regularly added to school reading lists for programs educating students about the country’s history.

“I came to the realisation that it was impossible to change my environment. I decided to try and change myself instead.” Sally Morgan

Mem Fox ’s background is unique. She was born in Melbourne to missionary parents, and as a result, she was educated in modern-day Zimbabwe. As a young adult, she studied drama in London and later moved to Rwanda with her husband before settling in Adelaide.

She didn’t start writing until later on in her life. As an adult, she took a children’s story writing course, and as part of one of the modules, she wrote a short story.

Her professor was impressed by the story and pushed Fox to try and get it published. After several rewrites, her original story was published with the title Possum Magic.

Possum Magic is a captivating children’s story about a possum who turns invisible and goes on various adventures. It’s considered a classic in Australia, with generation after generation reading it to their children.

“When I say to a parent, “read to a child”, I don’t want it to sound like medicine. I want it to sound like chocolate.” Mem Fox

Patrick White , a British-Australian World War II vet, is the 1973 Novel Prize winner for literature. He published a dozen novels during his career and several short story collections.

His fiction style uses a stream-of-consciousness technique that results in captivating prose, which White compliments with humor. He was born in London to Australian parents who moved back to Sydney while White was still a child. His upbringing was fairly turbulent, and he spent most of his early adulthood in England.

When World War II broke out, he was drafted into the British army and served as an intelligence officer in Royal Air Force. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in literature for contributing more to Australian literature than just about anyone else in the 20th century.

His novel Voss is based on the real-life events surrounding the life of a 19th-century Prussian explorer, Ludwig Leichhardt, who got lost in the outback. The book uses a lot of symbolism and is full of hidden messages relating to religion, morality, and philosophy.

“If truth is not acceptable, it becomes the imagination of others.” Patrick White

Australian literature experienced a boom in the 20th century, with writers contributing various styles and genres to the country’s library. Authors with aboriginal roots, like Melissa Lucashenko, have opened the world’s eyes to the lives of the Australian aboriginal population.

Liane Moriarty’s Big Little Lies became a globally watched TV show. And a new generation of writers guarantees that the 21st century will be littered with fantastic Australian novels. If you enjoyed this guide on the best Australian authors, you might be interested in our round-up of the best British authors .

Peter is an experienced journalist and tech-lover who has spent years hunting for the best writing software. He firmly believes that we all need a helping hand crossing our Ts and dotting our Is and takes great pride in sharing his opinions on the best writing software out there.

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Becoming a writer

Research output : Book chapter/Published conference paper › Chapter (peer-reviewed) › peer-review

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Research Social Sciences 100%
Writing Social Sciences 100%
Learning Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology 100%
Schools Social Sciences 66%
Success Social Sciences 66%
Children Psychology 66%
Literacy Social Sciences 33%
Teaching Social Sciences 33%

T1 - Becoming a writer

AU - Mackenzie, Noella

N1 - Includes bibliographical references.

N2 - The research findings of the Becoming a Writer project have built on previous research to increase our understandings of how children learn to write, particularly during the year before they start school and the first year of school, although children's individual writing journeys start much earlier. Learning to write is quite different to learning how to speak. Writing places both physical and cognitive demands on the user, and in most cases requires explicit instruction. There are many rules attached to conventional writing that are culturally determined and necessary for success and yet being able to write effectively is essential for success with literacy more broadly and academic learning across disciplines. In this chapter I will explore the findings of three phases of the Becoming a Writer program of research.

AB - The research findings of the Becoming a Writer project have built on previous research to increase our understandings of how children learn to write, particularly during the year before they start school and the first year of school, although children's individual writing journeys start much earlier. Learning to write is quite different to learning how to speak. Writing places both physical and cognitive demands on the user, and in most cases requires explicit instruction. There are many rules attached to conventional writing that are culturally determined and necessary for success and yet being able to write effectively is essential for success with literacy more broadly and academic learning across disciplines. In this chapter I will explore the findings of three phases of the Becoming a Writer program of research.

KW - Writing

KW - Early years

KW - literacy

KW - Early writing

KW - Research

M3 - Chapter (peer-reviewed)

SN - 9781760177638

BT - Growing up literate

A2 - Scull, Janet

A2 - Raban, Bridie

PB - Eleanor Curtain Publishing

CY - South Yarra, Australia

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Careers Guide

How To Become A Copywriter In Australia: A Complete Guide

By OzStudies Editorial Team

Last Updated: 11 Mar 23

Students want to know how to become freelancer copywriters in Australia and get good at copywriting.

Are you creative and enjoy researching, writing and working with many products and services? Then, a career as a copywriter might be perfect for you.

Copywriters are marketing professionals who research and compose written content to promote the goods or services of a client. They use creative and persuasive communication techniques to target an audience online or offline.

To become a copywriter, you don't need any formal qualifications. However, a Bachelor's degree or Certificate IV in advertising, marketing, media studies, communications, professional and creative writing, and journalism can help you launch this career quickly.

This blog outlines the required skills, qualifications, courses to study, and steps to becoming a copywriter in Australia, bringing your copywriting skills to the next level.

1. What Is Copywriting?

Copywriting is writing promotional and marketing content to influence or persuade people to act on it. This can be by making a purchase, subscribing to a channel, clicking on a link, scheduling a consultation, or donating to a cause.

Copywriting aims to increase brand awareness and motivate people to take action. The written promotions or sales copy is published either in print or online.

Some of the best examples of copywriting in Australia are:

Promotions for local restaurants

Fundraising letters from charitable organizations

Sales letters for services and products

Television commercials

Product reviews on YouTube

Short "how-to" videos on product use

Free reports or emails you receive after signup

There are many different types of copywriting:

Marketing Copywriting

Social Media Copywriting

Brand Copywriting

Direct Response Copywriting

Technical Copywriting

Public Relations Copywriting

Thought Leadership Copywriting

SEO Copywriting

Email Copywriting

2. Who Is A Copywriter?

Copywriters extensively research and create written text, ads, or handouts to promote the goods and services of a business. The content or "copy" they create includes blog posts, emails, slogans, technical documents, sales letters, speeches, website copy, or advertisement scripts.

Copywriters, also called "creative content providers," use a few words and images to capture the intended audience's attention and deliver a powerful message. They adhere to style guides to match the content's deliberate tone and advertising brief.

Copywriters work in teams at government organizations, publishing houses, public relations firms, creative agencies, and film and television studios .

Copywriters mainly produce promotional content for various outlets, such as:

Media campaigns and catalogues

Press releases

Direct mail pieces

Annual reports

Technical documents

Advertising flyers

Television plugs

Social media advertisements

Radio advertisements

Flyers

Landing pages

Sales letters

Product pages

Sales pages

3. What Does A Copywriter Do?

Plan the sales and promotional content that appeals to the intended people and compels them to buy into a business' product and services

Consult with management, marketing, and design teams, senior editors , and clients to determine the tone of voice, theme, style, and length of a copy

Study products to determine principal selling features

Create advertisements for various media applications such as radio, TV, cinema screens, newspapers, magazines, press, catalogues, billboards, displays, websites, social media, blogs, and shop displays.

Review and edit a copy for publication to comply with professional standards and style guide.

Research and write information-based content, technical content, and documentation for books, handouts, manuals, and multimedia products.

Help art directors develop ideas for slogans, product names, ad scripts, and other promotional material.

4. Required Copywriting Skills

You need hard and soft skills to succeed in this profession. Some practical skills for copywriters are as follows:

Observant

Effective Research skills

Exceptional Reading skills

Proofreading and Editing skills

Artistic and Creative

Originality

Analytical mindset

Able to pick relevant facts and highlight them

Able to write clearly

Good concentration

Technical ability to write for all types of media

Good time-management skills

Able to work under pressure

Self-motivated

Detail orientation

Planning skills

Delegation skills

Computer skills

Able to meet work deadlines

Knowledge of digital marketing strategies and SEO

5. Qualifications To Become A Copywriter In Australia

You don't need a formal qualification to become a copywriter. However, many employers look for candidates with a university qualification in advertising, marketing , media studies, communications, professional and creative writing, journalism , or English.

Some good degree options to consider are:

Bachelor of Creative Writing

Bachelor of Journalism

Bachelor of Communication

You must gain your Senior Secondary Certificate of Education in English and mathematics.

Alternatively, you can complete a VET qualification , such as a Certificate IV in Professional Writing and Editing or a Certificate IV in Marketing and Communication.

6. Steps To Become A Copywriter In Australia

Your passion for writing, experience and natural skill set all play a significant role in becoming a successful copywriter. If you aspire to become a copywriter, here is a step-by-step guide to reaching your goal.

Step 1: Get Qualified

There are different pathways to becoming a copywriter in Australia.

Complete a relevant university degree, such as a Bachelor of Creative Writing , Bachelor of Marketing, Bachelor of English and Literary Studies, or a Bachelor of Media and Advertising.

Alternatively, you can study a relevant certification/diploma course to kickstart your journey to pursue this role. Some of the recommended accredited copywriting courses in Australia are:

Certificate IV in Professional Writing and Editing

Certificate IV in Marketing and Communication.

Diploma in Professional Writing and Editing

Diploma in marketing and communication

Though a Master's qualification isn't required, it can help you stand out among aspiring copywriters in the employment market.

Step 2: Create Your Website

To make a successful career in copywriting, you must have practical experience and qualifications.

Having your website with a nice collection of your work and good testimonials can impress prospective clients and help you get jobs quickly.

Step 3: Work For Free (Initially)

You may find immense competition in the initial stages of your career. You should focus on improving your employability by gaining more relevant work experience .

An impressive copywriting portfolio can help demonstrate your writing style and skills and increase your job chances.

Some of the good opportunities to find work are:

An internship with an advertising agency to publish your writing

Work for free for your colleagues/friends

Volunteer for local charities

Step 4: Keep Practicing

It takes time to write persuasively to create advertising and marketing content. The more you read and write documents and templates, the easier it gets to become a proficient and professional copywriter.

Work for various businesses to diversify your work portfolio and improve your career prospects.

Step 5: Search for Jobs

With relevant skills, qualifications, and an excellent copywriting portfolio, you are ready to enter the professional copywriting market and seek job roles . You can work full-time, part-time in a business or organization, or freelance copywriter .

Attend networking events and conferences, and self-promote your services on your Facebook business page, Twitter site, and LinkedIn. Further, apply on job sites to expand your professional network and find work opportunities.

7. Copyrighting Courses In Australia

Do you want to know how to become a freelance copywriter ? Here are some of the best copywriting courses in Australia for those wanting to add copywriting to your suite of corporate services.

Australian Writer's Center offers four copywriting courses:

The Copywriting Essentials Course

The course is for those who want to enter this field without prior experience. The course introduces writers to this rewarding income source and helps them earn regular income from writing . This introductory course is a 5-weeks long program and requires the student to study for 3 to 4 hours per week.

The Copywriting Essentials course is ideal for novice and experienced copywriters, creative writers, entrepreneurs , business owners , freelance writers , graphic designers , small business owners, publicists, and communication teams.

SEO Copywriting

The course teaches the skills to write copy that drives maximum traffic, generates more sales leads, and increases client conversions.

Email Marketing and Copywriting

This course teaches how to create email campaigns, funnels, and landing pages to improve product sales, promote events, mention new products and discounts, and spread brand awareness.

Real Estate Copywriting

Suppose you are passionate about properties and want to develop a niche writing and regular client base in this area. In that case, this course is for you. This course teaches you how to write compelling listings of properties for sale.

The Australian School of Copywriting is another decent place to find accredited online copywriting courses to promote various businesses. Presently, the school offers three courses Learn How To Write, Get Paid To Write, and SEO copywriting .

All these courses will teach you impressive writing skills for online and offline mediums and help you become confident in your writing abilities.

Their practical and easy-to-understand courses equip you with essential skills and knowledge to write SEO copy.

Are you looking for a TAFE copywriting course? You can study Certificate IV in Professional Writing and Editing in TAFE Gippsland, Bendigo TAFE, and Federation University-TAFE.

Other Australian training institutions and universities that offer accredited copywriting courses in Australia are as follows:

Diploma in Professional Writing and Editing

Swinburne University

Easy Australia

Diploma in Marketing and Communication

RMIT University

Greenwich College

Torrens University

8. Work Conditions Of Copywriters In Australia

Copywriters spend most of their time creating creative and compelling ads and slogans. They usually work regular business hours from Monday to Friday.

Sometimes they may have to work overtime, including after work hours and weekends, to meet tight project deadlines. Copywriters work out of an office or publishing studio and may need to travel to meet clients.

59% of workers work full-time in this field. It shows plenty of part-time work opportunities. Full-time workers work standard 44 hours per week. The average age of workers working in this profession is 36 years. Around 60% of the copywriter workforce constitute females.

9. Types Of Jobs Available In Copywriting

Copywriters can work for various businesses:

Radio and TV stations

Advertising agencies

Government departments

Non-profit organizations

Service providers

Advertising departments of wholesale firms, manufacturing companies, and retail businesses

The profession also gives them the flexibility to work as freelance copywriters. Whether working in a company or as self-employed, skilled copywriters can work in the following positions:

SEO copywriter

Web copywriter

Conversion copywriter

Ghostwriter

Creative copywriter

Social media copywriter

Technical copywriter

Direct response copywriter

Resume writer

With knowledge and experience, copywriters can advance their careers to work as creative directors to oversee the work of employees in the design area or advertising managers in manufacturing or retail firms.

10. Job Prospects Of A Copywriter In Australia

Talented copywriters are in heavy demand across various businesses and brands to craft captivating messages, marketing materials, web pages, social media posts, and more.

According to the National Job Outlook website, the number of Copywriters has grown from 1,500 in 2011 to 2,000 in 2016. The intense competition for entry-level copywriter positions also indicates strong job growth in the coming years.

The top hiring industries for copywriters are Information Media, Telecommunications, Scientific and Technical Services, Professional, Arts and Recreation Services.

Though copywriters find work opportunities across all regions of Australia, Victoria and New South Wales provide the maximum employment opportunities.

11. How Do I Become A Copywriter With No Experience?

You don't need the experience to start your career as a copywriter. A good understanding of spelling, grammar, sentence structure, and proofreading could be sufficient to begin copywriting work. You can find plenty of free writing courses to help you develop your skills and build a work portfolio.

To become a freelance copywriter, start by choosing your niche and promoting your talent across professional networking websites and social media platforms. Additionally, search for copywriting jobs on job sites to increase your chances of employment.

12. How Much Does A Copywriter Earn In Australia?

The salary of a copywriter varies based on experience, designation, area of work, employer, and type of industry in which they work. The average copywriter salary in Australia is AU$60,111.

Average Salary Based on Experience

Entry-level Copywriters (< 1-year experience) earn AU$49,019

Early career Copywriters (1 to 4 years of experience) earn AU$58,535

Mid-career Copywriters (5 to 9 years of experience) earn AU$69,252

Experienced Copywriters (10 to 19 years of experience) earn AU$78,500

Average Salary Based on Location:

Sydney Central Business District New South Wales: $94,056 per year

Hawthorn Victoria: $77,502 per year

Melbourne, Victoria: $70,676 per year

Sydney, New South Wales: $62,844 per year

13. Conclusion

A copywriter is a creative, competitive, and fun career where you get paid for writing words that sell.

Online copywriting courses are a great starting point for emerging writers to become professional copywriters and enjoy this lucrative career.

Useful Links to Explore:

English Language Requirements for Australia
Cultural differences you may experience in Australia
How to find Part-Time work as a Student in Australia
Seven Tips for Students on a Budget in Australia
How to get a Scholarship to Study in Australia
Driving in Australia as an International Student
How to change your Course or Institute in Australia
The Benefits of a Professional Year Program (PYP)
A Complete Guide to Study in Australia
Types of Education in Australia
What to Study in Australia?

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My Health Career Explore your future health career!

Explore your future health career!

Becoming a medical writer

Dietetics , Medicine , Nursing , Pharmacy , The Health Industry December 24, 2014

Medical writing is the term used for a field that can include journalists who specialize in writing in healthcare and medicine as well as doctors, nurses and other health professionals who go into the areas of writing and editing.

Medical writing is a small profession, with the peak body, the Australasian Medical Writers Association having about 300 members from around Australia, New Zealand and Southeast Asia.

Check out the profiles from the Australasian Medical Writers Association to get ideas on what sort of opportunities there are for medical writers based on what these writers are doing right now.

You can also follow the story of American doctor Mandy Armitage , who left a career in clinical medicine to start a company which provides medical writing, communications and consulting. Ryan Woodrow, a UK based medical writer has shared his tips for people considering this career path.

So what are some of the tools of the trade? Michelle Guillemard, founder and editor of Health Writer Hub, has a collection of blogs for people who are thinking about becoming a health writer.

Other recent articles on My Health Career:

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How to Become a Writer/Author in Australia (2023)

Are you passionate about writing and dream of becoming a successful writer in Australia? Look no further, as this article provides a comprehensive guide on how to embark on your journey to becoming a writer (author) in Australia. As a writer, you play a vital role in delivering unique, informative, and engaging content to readers through various formats.

Whether you aspire to be a literary writer, a commercial fiction writer, a blogger, or a journalist, this guide will equip you with the necessary skills, knowledge, and steps to pave your way to success in the field of writing. From honing your observation skills and mastering written English to building a portfolio and networking with fellow writers, this article covers it all. So, let’s dive in and explore the path to becoming a renowned writer in Australia.

Choosing a Specialization

Choosing a specialization is an important first step for aspiring writers in Australia. There are various niche roles that writers can specialize in, such as literary writing, commercial fiction writing, blogging, and journalism. Each specialization has its own unique characteristics and requirements, and it’s important to choose the one that aligns with your interests and goals.

Literary Writing

Literary writing is a specialization that focuses on creating artistic and thought-provoking works of literature. It involves using literary techniques to explore and convey complex themes and ideas. Literary writers often write novels, short stories, poetry, or plays. They have a deep understanding of language and a strong grasp of storytelling techniques.

Commercial Fiction Writing

Commercial fiction writing is a specialization that focuses on creating engaging and entertaining stories that appeal to a wide audience. These writers often write novels in genres such as romance, mystery, science fiction, or fantasy. They have a keen understanding of popular tropes and conventions and know how to create compelling characters and plotlines.

Blogging is a specialization that involves writing informative and engaging articles on a specific topic or niche. Bloggers often write for their own websites or contribute to other platforms. They need to have good research skills and the ability to communicate complex ideas in an accessible way. Blogging also requires an understanding of SEO (search engine optimization) and the ability to engage with readers through comments and social media.

Journalism is a specialization that focuses on reporting news and current events. Journalists gather information through interviews, research, and firsthand observation, and then present it in a concise and objective manner. They need to have good investigative skills, a strong command of written English, and the ability to meet deadlines. Journalists often work for newspapers, magazines, online publications, or broadcast media.

Key Skills for Writers

Regardless of the specialization chosen, there are some key skills that all writers should possess in order to succeed in their craft.

Observant and Curious

Being observant and curious is essential for writers as it allows them to notice and understand the world around them. This skill enables writers to find inspiration in everyday life and to capture the details that make their writing vivid and engaging. Whether it’s noticing unique character traits or observing interesting social dynamics, being observant and curious enhances a writer’s ability to create compelling stories and articles.

Good Command of Written English

Having a good command of written English is crucial for writers. They need to have a strong understanding of grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure in order to effectively communicate their ideas. A good command of written English also includes the ability to write in a clear and concise manner, using appropriate vocabulary and tone for the intended audience. Writers should constantly strive to improve their language skills to produce high-quality content.

Disciplined and Dedicated

Writing requires discipline and dedication. Writers need to be able to set aside time for writing regularly and stick to a schedule, even when they may not feel inspired. Discipline is what allows writers to develop a consistent writing habit and to complete their projects on time. Dedication is what drives writers to continue improving their craft and to never settle for mediocrity.

Strong Research and Fact-Checking Abilities

Regardless of the type of writing being done, research and fact-checking are essential skills for writers. They need to be able to gather accurate and reliable information to support their writing and to ensure the credibility of their work. Good research skills involve the ability to find relevant sources, understand and analyze data, and synthesize information into coherent and well-supported arguments. Fact-checking is important to ensure accuracy and to avoid spreading misinformation.

Education and Qualifications

While there are no formal qualifications required to become a writer in Australia, having a solid education can be beneficial for aspiring writers. A bachelor’s degree in English, communications, or journalism can provide a strong foundation in writing skills and literary analysis. These degrees often include coursework in creative writing, literature, rhetoric, and composition.

In addition to a degree, aspiring writers can also benefit from taking relevant courses and training programs. These can include workshops on specific writing techniques, courses on the business aspects of writing, or online courses on topics such as editing, publishing, or marketing.

Steps to Become a Writer in Australia

Becoming a writer in Australia requires a combination of education, experience, and dedication. Here are some steps to help you get started on your writing journey:

Complete Education in English

If you haven’t already, completing education in English can be a great starting point for becoming a writer. This can include obtaining a bachelor’s degree in English, communications, or journalism, or taking relevant courses and training programs. Education in English provides a strong foundation in writing skills, literary analysis, and critical thinking.

Develop a Habit of Daily Writing

Developing a daily writing habit is crucial for improving your writing skills and building a body of work. Set aside a specific time each day to dedicate to writing and stick to it. Even if you don’t feel inspired, challenge yourself to write something. This habit will help you develop discipline and creativity.

Seek Work Experience

Seeking work experience in the writing field can provide valuable hands-on experience and help you build a network of contacts. Look for opportunities such as internships, volunteer positions, or freelance gigs. These experiences can help you gain practical skills, learn about the industry, and build a portfolio of work.

Build a Portfolio

A portfolio is a collection of your best writing samples that showcase your skills and style. As an aspiring writer, it’s important to start building a portfolio early on. Include a variety of pieces that demonstrate your versatility and ability to write in different genres or formats. You can include samples from work experience, personal projects, or writing exercises.

Network with Other Writers

Networking with other writers can open up opportunities for collaboration, mentorship, and professional growth. Attend writing conferences, workshops, or local writer’s groups to connect with fellow writers. Engage in conversations, share your work, and seek feedback. Building relationships with other writers can provide support and valuable insights into the industry.

Utilizing Online Resources

The internet provides a wealth of resources and communities for aspiring writers. Take advantage of these online platforms to enhance your writing skills and connect with other writers.

Writing Communities and Forums

Online writing communities and forums provide a space for writers to share their work, receive feedback, and engage in discussions on various writing topics. Websites such as Reddit, Goodreads, or Scribophile offer opportunities to connect with other writers, participate in writing challenges, and join critique circles.

Writing Blogs and Websites

Many established writers and experts in the field maintain blogs or websites where they share valuable insights, tips, and resources. These blogs can be a great source of inspiration, advice, and practical guidance on different aspects of writing. Some popular writing blogs include “Writer’s Digest”, “The Creative Penn”, and “Goins Writer”.

Technical Workshops and Webinars

Online technical workshops, webinars, and courses provide an opportunity to enhance your writing skills and learn from industry professionals. These workshops often cover specific topics such as plot development, character building, or editing techniques. Websites such as Udemy, MasterClass, or Coursera offer a wide range of online writing courses taught by experienced instructors.

Participating in Writing Competitions

Writing competitions offer aspiring writers a chance to showcase their skills, gain recognition, and potentially win prizes. Participating in competitions can also provide valuable feedback on your work and help you improve as a writer. Here are some steps to follow when participating in writing competitions:

Benefits of Writing Competitions

Writing competitions offer several benefits for aspiring writers. They provide an opportunity to have your work evaluated by experts in the field, receive feedback, and gain exposure. Winning or placing in a competition can also enhance your resume and build credibility. Additionally, writing competitions often have monetary prizes or publication opportunities, which can be a stepping stone to success.

Research and Choose the Right Competitions

There are numerous writing competitions available, so it’s important to research and choose the ones that align with your goals and style of writing. Consider the competition’s submission requirements, judging criteria, and reputation. Look for competitions that are reputable, have a transparent judging process, and offer feedback to participants.

Preparing and Submitting Entries

Once you have identified the competitions you want to participate in, carefully review the submission guidelines and requirements. Pay attention to word limits, formatting instructions, and any specific themes or genres. Prepare your entries by revising and editing your work to ensure it meets the competition’s criteria. Follow the submission instructions and meet the deadlines.

Developing a Strong Writing Habit

Developing a strong writing habit is essential for consistent and productive writing. Here are some tips to help cultivate a strong writing habit:

Set Writing Goals and Deadlines

Setting clear and achievable writing goals is crucial for staying motivated and focused. Determine how much time you want to dedicate to writing each day or week and set specific goals, such as completing a certain number of words or finishing a chapter. Break down your goals into smaller tasks and set deadlines to keep yourself accountable.

Create a Writing Routine

Establishing a writing routine can help you make writing a regular part of your life. Find a time and place where you can write without distractions. Create a comfortable and inspiring workspace and eliminate any distractions that may hinder your focus. Stick to your routine as much as possible, even when you may not feel motivated.

Practice Freewriting and Brainstorming

Freewriting and brainstorming exercises can help stimulate creativity and generate ideas. Set aside time to engage in freewriting sessions, where you write continuously without worrying about grammar, structure, or content. This process can often lead to unexpected insights and breakthroughs. Use brainstorming techniques such as mind mapping or listing ideas to generate new concepts or approaches for your writing.

Continuous Skill Improvement

To succeed as a writer, it’s important to continuously improve your skills and stay updated on industry trends. Here are some strategies to enhance your writing abilities:

Read and Analyze Great Writing

Reading great literature and analyzing the work of accomplished writers can provide valuable insights and inspiration. Pay attention to the use of language, storytelling techniques, and character development. Analyze the structure and flow of the writing and think about how you can incorporate these elements into your own work.

Take Writing Workshops and Courses

Participating in writing workshops and courses is a great way to learn new techniques, receive feedback on your work, and connect with other writers. Look for workshops or courses that focus on topics you want to improve on, such as dialogue, plot development, or editing skills. These workshops provide an opportunity to learn from experienced instructors and receive constructive criticism.

Join Writing Groups and Critique Circles

Joining a writing group or critique circle can provide a supportive community where you can share your work, receive feedback, and improve your writing skills. Engaging in discussions with other writers can provide valuable insights and perspectives on your work. These groups often offer workshops, writing challenges, and opportunities for collaboration.

Seeking Publication Opportunities

After developing your writing skills and building a body of work, you may want to explore publication opportunities. There are various avenues for getting your writing published in Australia.

Traditional Publishing

Traditional publishing involves submitting your work to publishing houses for consideration. If accepted, the publishing house will handle the editing, printing, distribution, and marketing of your work. This route often requires finding a literary agent to represent you and negotiate publishing contracts on your behalf. Traditional publishing can offer wider distribution and increased visibility for your work.

Self-Publishing

Self-publishing allows writers to independently publish their work without going through a traditional publishing house. Authors are responsible for editing, formatting, and marketing their own books. Self-publishing can offer more control and higher royalties, but it also requires a significant amount of time and effort to produce a polished and marketable product. Platforms such as Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing and IngramSpark provide tools and resources for self-publishing authors.

Writing for Magazines and Newspapers

Writing for magazines and newspapers can provide opportunities to get your work published and reach a wider audience. Research and identify publications that align with your writing style and interests. Read their submission guidelines and pitch your ideas or submit completed articles. Writing for magazines and newspapers can help you build a professional portfolio and gain exposure.

Building an Online Presence

In today’s digital age, having an online presence is important for writers. Here are some strategies to build an online presence:

Creating a Website or Blog

Creating a website or blog allows you to showcase your work, share your writing journey, and engage with readers. Include a portfolio of your best work, an about page, and a contact page where readers can reach out to you. Consider regularly updating your blog with new content or sharing writing tips and insights to attract and engage readers.

Engaging in Social Media

Social media platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook can be powerful tools for connecting with readers and promoting your work. Choose the platforms that align with your target audience and focus on building a following. Share snippets of your writing, post updates about your projects, and engage with your audience through comments or direct messages.

Launching a Newsletter or Email List

Launching a newsletter or email list allows you to directly connect with your readers and keep them informed about your writing projects, upcoming events, or new releases. Encourage readers to sign up for your newsletter through your website or social media platforms. Provide valuable content and incentives to keep them engaged and interested in your work.

By following these steps and continuously honing your skills, you can begin your journey to becoming a successful writer in Australia. Remember that writing is a lifelong process, and it’s important to stay dedicated and passionate about your craft. Embrace challenges, seek feedback, and never stop learning and growing as a writer.

Mfonobong Daniel

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