Author

Overview

Produces literary or other written work for publication or performance. This occupation requires high levels of creative talent or personal commitment and interest as well as, or in place of, formal qualifications and experience.

Skills

Most occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with a bachelor degree or higher qualification. At least five years of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualification. Some occupations in this unit group require high levels of creative talent or personal commitment and interest as well as, or in place of, formal qualifications or experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 1).

Tasks

• creating and developing ideas and themes for written works, such as novels, plays, musicals, screen productions, educational texts, information texts and multimedia products
• researching subject matter through original and secondary materials, interviews and other media
• planning, organising and writing material
• reviewing and evaluating manuscripts of novels, biographies, short stories, poems, educational texts and other books, and ensuring coherence of style and development of theme, plot and characterisation
• advising publishers about potential of works for publication and conditions of publication contract
• negotiating publication details such as royalties, publication dates and numbers of copies to be printed
• reviewing and assessing stories and other material for film, television, radio and stage productions
• directing the preparation of scripts to be read by announcers to introduce and connect parts of musicals, news, sports and special events programs

Specialisations

• Novelist
• Playwright
• Poet
• Screenwriter
• Script Writer

Related Occupations

• Book or Script Editor