Kinds of Writers

Writing Types / Kinds of Writers

People interested to be writers as a career have different paths to choose from since there are many types of writing, practically from any scripted endeavours. In fact, it’s not just for book publishing or newspaper production, but writing is present in practically anywhere – in political speeches, cartoons, documentary, evening news. Anywhere that employ the art of words.

Many writers in fact write more than one type of writing! A writer can be a freelancer writing fiction and nonfiction, articles and other kinds of writing. Indeed, the art of the written word is used in an incredible number of writing types, in mainstream jobs like technical writing, business or academic writing, and/or creative pursuits, like novel writing or fiction writing.

What are the types of writers?

Although the list is not exhaustive, the most common types of writers have been included, and each briefly described.

• Academic Writers -  Those who write for scientific journals and college or university publications. Basically, they write articles for journals and/or encyclopedia, but unlike other writers, they don’t write for money directly. Academic writers consider it an honour or prestige, which is more than the monetary value. Some academic writers do it to advance their academic careers. They usually come from the academia as professors, teachers and/or scientists. Therefore their articles an/or books published are end result of years of studies or research with the writers’ field of discipline.

• Article Writers  -  Writers writing nonfiction topics or news items. They are usually specialists of their own topics and write for many magazines. Nowadays many freelance writers also write online content articles. Aside from knowledge of the topics they write about, they write in a concise manner and confidence of the language in terms of grammar, structure and spelling. There is a market for competent article writers both in print and online.  An example of an online media with numerous topics in various sections is Suite101.com.

• Business Writers – They are writers  who work for commercial business for business readers. It is like any other type of article except it has rules to language skills and relevant business knowledge and experience. Usually, the writers are professionals in the league of the readers. Business writing can be done by both staff writers and freelance or contracted writers.

• Columnists -  They are writers  who usually follow and comment on trends rather than news. Columns are  a basic item in magazines, newspapers  and newsletters. The good class of columnists is usually syndicated, and their columns can appear in many newspapers. They usually write new article every week for the same column. In big newspaper and magazine publications, there are usually battery of staff or contracted journalists with established name who regularly supply the column.

• Copywriters -  Usually, marketing pitch is written in order to sell something and normally a good marketing ‘copy’ or text sells more products than a mediocre copy. Therefore, copywriters are often paid well, in fact, they are known to be the best-paid writers in business.  Their most important value is their ability to stir or evoke interest on a product whilst retaining the prospective customer’s trust. They are usually hired by sales and marketing areas for promotions and adverts purposes.

• Freelance Writers -  They are writers who make their living serving different clients at a time. They have no full-time writing project or engagement for only one clientele. They could write for several publishers in print or online. Freelance writers are usually self-employed and/or contract. They can also be working from home with the freedom to choose their own time. But this freedom comes with a price as it could greatly affect their income a lot, unlike other jobs on a full-time basis.  This is not to discourage new or upcoming writers, but in reality, its often the seasoned or veteran freelance writers that can make a decent living from it.  New writers will have to establish themselves first before they can prove their worth from the playing field of the freelance writing world. With perseverance, hard work and passion for writing, and you have enough money to live by whilst learning the ropes of the writing world, there’s no reason not to succeed eventually.

• Ghost Writers – They write as anonymous and have specialized in writing for other people as if they are these persons. Their customers can be anyone, mainly  people with high profile. As regards writing books, ghost writers must plan the book with the customer including researches and interviews, where necessary.  The work is challenging to be able to capture the customer’s writing style. The ghostwriter is not suppose to reveal his or her work in the book.

• Grant Writers -  In their special way, they are copywriters as their specialized skill is to write applications for grants from governmental and private institutions. These institutions hand out cash for various purposes. This type of writing requires substantial knowledge of law and business language. They are often paid well since the decision of the grant provider is based on this application. If they are positive with their grant writing, then they will real a large financial result. Big organizations that rely on their income on grants often employ grant writers as staff writers. There is a place for competent freelancers in the business if they have very good knowledge of grant writing.  Many grant writers are masters in business and lawyers.

• Journalists – They are writers working in the national and local newspapers and magazines that are read everyday by thousands of people everyday.  Their one “must” rule:  Keep the deadline!  Working as a journalist normally requires a college degree in journalism, but there’s a place even in those staff for people with eye for news and the skills to communicate them effectively.   The greatest challenge of a journalist is that writing news are normally outdated so fast and can’t be resold. Many journalists are freelancers who live by the quality of their work. Part-time journalists can make a respectable side income, and experienced journalist are usually able to make a living.

• Medical Writers – They are specialized writers writing scientific documentation. Working with doctors, scientists, and other subject matter experts, they write documents that describe research results, the product use and other medical information. They also ensure that the documents comply with regulatory or guidelines in terms of content, structure and format. Basically, established in the pharmaceutical industry, medical writers are demanded to produce well-written , standard-compliant documents that professionals in the science world can easily read and understand. Pay can be good particularly in large pharmaceutical companies and other established science organizations.    
  

• Nonfiction Writers -  They include technical and academic writers.  What’s most evident is they have the ability to put into writing loads of researched information within a specialized topic or subject and turn it into an organized text for the readers.  Nonfiction writing requires fact checking and research, and importantly, nonfiction writers have sufficient knowledge of what they are writing about.  Sometimes they write in collaboration with other writers, or with a publisher.  Often, publishers are willing to help plan the book outline.  For nonfiction writers working with a few narrow fields, most of them will work with a publisher one book at a time, pretty much like novelists.     
  

• Novelists -  They write novels, long stories, in fiction genre.  They are mainly known as authors. Their virtue is their ability to write and complete their book with approximately 200,000 word count or more.  Novelists keep track of the plot’s progress and the characters’ development that requires a lot of planning and patience, seemingly endless drafts, before their manuscripts reach the publisher.  The verdict could be rejection or acceptance, the trying times of future novelists, making a “name” for themselves in the writing world.    
  

• Online Writers, Website Writers or Website Content Writers – Website or online content writers are freelance writers who write mainly for the internet, websites and e-zines. Others have no experience in print writing. Nowadays many seasoned freelance writers are successful bloggers. Online writers write articles, poetry, short story and can also be book writers.  In general, the pay is lower compared to print writing. For amateur writers, the online world provides them with an outlet for their work and allow the more serious ones to progress as they hone their writing skills.  It is possible to make a modest living writing for the paying online markets, however, experienced freelance writers may work profitably for the more lucrative market.  Recently,  online market has been vast, and opportunity wide. Unfortunately, many low-class markets get work from online writers for free.

• Play Writers  (Playwrights) – Known to be glamorous writers, the potential for fame is greater than for making an income of it. There is a highly limited number of theatrical ensembles, therefore the market for many plays can be limited in a year. To get a script accepted, it is essential to live in the right place and the right connections in the theatre business. Amateur theatre companies might accept the occasional manuscript. Radio is a market, if a hopeful beginning playwright can get in.   
  

• Poetry Writers – Poets in general are usually considered the lowest paid writers in the writing business. Even if many read and/or appreciate poetry, it’s simply difficult to sell. Some poetry websites and online magazines purchase occasional poems for small amount, however, the majority of writers who write poetry can’t really call it “paid work” unlike other types of writing.   
  

• Resume Writers – They are a specialized business writers in career or coaching who help other people present themselves, in particular, those looking for jobs and are willing to pay. These writers work as consultants or in resume-writing companies. A resume writer’s job is to take information given by the customer, interview the customer to find more information, and then prepare the result to focus on the customer’s best sides and most important accomplishments, laid out in the resume.  The purpose is to land that job for the customer.  In business community, the resume writer is usually paid well as long as they are well-versed with the business language.

• Reviewers – They are expected to have very good knowledge of the subject they are reviewing. The pay for freelance reviewers isn’t that lucrative, however, some events critics may get something better. Many websites get free reviews not necessarily done by professional reviewers but enthusiasts, although some freelance writers get an occasional review jobs. Established and reputable newspapers and magazines have staff reviewers or contracted reviewers who are experienced with the job.   
  

• Screenwriters (Scriptwriters)  – They write scripts for films and television. If the movie or TV show becomes popular, scriptwriters can make a lucrative income, as well as gain popularity. However, to get a script accepted for production, networking  is very important. That’s why many screenwriters often live in Los Angeles where Hollywood is, to be near the people who call the shot like producers, directors, and all other influential people in the movie and television industry.  
  

• SEO Content Writers  -  They provide writing for websites for the purposes of Search Engine Optimization (SEO).  Their writing help online businesses rank higher in search results.  SE optimization is to ensure that websites show up first in the first page or top list of Google search results.  Clients employ SEO content writers for the following reasons: they are plain busy, they prefer to hire specialist writer who know about SE optimization, and clients are just not writers.  SEO content writers make effective use of search engine tools. Their are factors for best results, including keyword density, keyword placement, cost per click (CPC), page views, and more. SEO content writers ensure that online clients websites rank higher in search results through optimized writing. This is why clients are willing to pay good money for SEO content writers.  SEO content writers are plugged in to web design. They know about the trickle down effect of their writing when they are crawled by spiders.

• Songwriters – They are not paid much for the songs (texts)  they write. Often songwriting is merely a sideline. Few make a living by selling directly to musicians. Some songwriters are also musicians and therefore the customers are recording studios.  Some of them make it big when they align themselves to well known music artists who may want to buy the material from them, or a regular songwriter.     
  

• Speechwriters – It’s a fact that many leaders, including corporate executives and politicians are not good at writing their speeches. Speechwriters can help them especially for large audiences. These type of writers know where to place the punches, jokes and messages in the right place.  Some writers can be hired as permanent staff, while others as contractors, on a case by case basis speeches.  They can command high pay if they are sought after especially by prominent politicians and executive officers of multi-national corporations. 
  

• Staff Writers -  They are writers on either permanent or contracted full-time bases. Their employers may be a large publishing house on newspapers & magazines,  and all other types of companies with a large section for writing, documentation/or written communications.
  

• Story writers – They are highly creative group of writers who specialize in writing short stories of one or more fiction genres. Normally, the work is not financially rewarding but if they make it to popular national magazines and become high-profile writers, they can command a higher pay.  Known authors often start as short story writers. And even if they become novelist, many writers continue to include short story writing in their portfolio. 
  

• Technical Writers – They research and write user and reference documentation for computer systems, write technical and functional specification documents, write hardware manuals and technical descriptions, write policy and procedure documents, and edit and format documents.  
  

• Translators – They translate a piece of writing or manuscript into another language. Translators are usually freelancers. Some major news publishing houses need translators for urgent work. The pay rates are usually per completed page and the translator is expected to deliver the same quality of language as the author of the original work to be translated. Although some publishers may come back to their translators with further jobs, in general, a translator is fortunate if her name is found in the cover of the work they have translated.  Also, not everyone will agree that translators are writers in the real sense.

Latest Update: February 6, 2012.