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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Author

💰 $ - $

WritingContentPublishing

🎯 Role Definition

An Author is a professional writer responsible for conceiving, drafting, revising, and delivering original written content across formats — novels, nonfiction books, articles, scripts, whitepapers, web content, and technical documentation. This role requires strong storytelling, research, manuscript development, editorial collaboration, audience awareness, and the ability to meet publishing and marketing deadlines. Successful candidates demonstrate mastery of voice and structure, familiarity with publishing processes (agenting, submissions, contracts), and the capacity to optimize content for readership, discoverability (SEO), and commercial success.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Content Writer / Copywriter transitioning to long-form work
  • Journalist or Reporter with feature experience
  • Blogger or Freelance Contributor building a portfolio

Advancement To:

  • Senior Author / Published Author with multiple titles
  • Acquisitions Editor or Commissioning Editor at a publishing house
  • Content Director, Creative Director, or Literary Agent role

Lateral Moves:

  • Ghostwriter for executives and public figures
  • Content Strategist or Editorial Consultant

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Conceive, pitch, and develop original long-form manuscripts (novels, memoirs, nonfiction books, guides) from concept through final draft, including comprehensive outlines, chapter-by-chapter development, and polished submissions for agents or publishers.
  • Research thoroughly to support narrative accuracy and credibility, fact-check sources, maintain research files, and synthesize complex material into accessible prose for target readers.
  • Produce high-quality, publication-ready written works on deadline, maintaining consistent tone, pacing, structure, and voice across chapters and projects while managing multiple concurrent writing assignments.
  • Draft and revise articles, essays, blog posts, op-eds, and short-form content optimized for online discoverability (SEO best practices, keyword integration, meta descriptions) as part of author platform and marketing strategy.
  • Collaborate with literary agents, editors, publishing partners, and proofreaders to refine manuscripts, respond to editorial direction, negotiate contract terms, and finalize text for print and digital publication.
  • Prepare book proposals, query letters, synopses, and sample chapters tailored to literary agents and publishers, including market analysis, comparable titles, and author platform details.
  • Develop and maintain an author brand and audience engagement plan, including social media content, newsletters, author websites, and community outreach to support book launches and ongoing visibility.
  • Perform structural and line edits to improve narrative arc, character development, clarity, and flow, and implement copyedits to ensure grammar, syntax, and house style adherence before submission.
  • Manage version control and manuscript organization using professional tools (Google Docs, Word, Scrivener, versioning systems) and coordinate with designers and production teams on layouts and cover copy.
  • Conduct interviews and source primary quotes when required for nonfiction, profile pieces, or journalism-based books, handling sensitive or proprietary information with discretion and ethical standards.
  • Adapt writing to multiple formats (audio scripts, podcast episodes, short form social content, long-form ebooks) and collaborate with multimedia teams to repurpose content for broader distribution.
  • Create marketing copy for book descriptions, press releases, author bios, back cover blurbs, and promotional materials that convert readers and align with the publisher's positioning.
  • Lead or participate in beta reader programs, solicit and synthesize reader feedback, and apply iterative revisions to strengthen narrative engagement and market fit.
  • Negotiate and manage subsidiary rights, translations, and licensing opportunities in coordination with agents and rights managers, supporting global publishing strategies.
  • Keep abreast of genre trends, reader preferences, and market performance metrics to inform creative decisions and align manuscripts with commercial opportunities.
  • Maintain strict confidentiality when ghostwriting or handling unreleased client material, ensuring client tone and intent are faithfully represented in the final text.
  • Create and maintain detailed content calendars and production schedules, coordinating milestones with editorial teams, marketing, and publicity to ensure timely launches.
  • Provide accurate and timely copy for press kits, media interviews, podcast appearances, and speaking engagements, and prepare talking points to reinforce book themes and author messaging.
  • Mentor junior writers, interns, or writing groups, offering constructive editorial feedback, development guidance, and professional writing best practices when requested.
  • Ensure compliance with legal and ethical standards, including copyright law, libel avoidance, proper attribution, and permissions for quoted and reproduced material.
  • Develop and deliver compelling book proposals and sample chapters for contests, grants, and fellowship applications to secure funding, residency opportunities, and publication advances.
  • Track editorial and sales performance using analytics and reader insights, and iterate marketing and content plans based on measurable engagement and conversion metrics.
  • Build and maintain relationships with reviewers, book bloggers, librarians, booksellers, and literary communities to amplify reach and cultivate reviews, endorsements, and pre-orders.
  • Participate in readings, book fairs, panels, podcast interviews, and other public-facing events to represent the work and engage with target audiences and media.

Secondary Functions

  • Support editorial and marketing teams with ad-hoc copy requests, content repurposing, and rapid revisions during promotional campaigns.
  • Contribute to the organization’s content strategy by proposing series ideas, serialized content, or cross-platform storytelling opportunities to increase audience retention.
  • Collaborate with designers and production teams to create accessible layouts, select cover imagery, and review typesetting proofs for readability and brand consistency.
  • Assist in developing pricing, distribution, and promotional models for self-published and hybrid publishing projects.
  • Participate in sprint planning or editorial calendars for serialized or subscription publishing models, aligning content delivery with audience expectations.
  • Provide subject-matter expertise and consult on technical accuracy for nonfiction projects, coordinating with external experts when necessary.
  • Help maintain and refine the organization's style guide, tone of voice documentation, and editorial standards for consistency across authored content.
  • Support rights and permissions administration by locating sources, securing releases, and documenting citation provenance for public use.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Expert-level storytelling craft: narrative structure, pacing, scene construction, character development, and thematic cohesion across long-form works.
  • Advanced research and fact-checking skills with ability to synthesize primary and secondary sources, maintain citation records, and present verifiable claims.
  • Manuscript development and book proposal writing — creating persuasive query letters, synopses, market positioning, and comparable-title analysis.
  • Proficiency with drafting and collaboration tools: Microsoft Word (Track Changes), Google Docs, Scrivener, and familiarity with version control and export formats (EPUB, MOBI, PDF).
  • SEO writing and content optimization for web publishing: keyword research integration, headings, meta descriptions, and on-page best practices to increase discoverability.
  • Copyediting and proofreading expertise, including mastery of AP, Chicago, or house style guides and strong grammar, punctuation, and syntax control.
  • Experience with content management systems (CMS) such as WordPress or Ghost for publishing and site maintenance.
  • Familiarity with publishing workflows: submissions, editorial timelines, production, rights management, and distribution channels (print, ebook, audio).
  • Knowledge of digital marketing and analytics tools (Google Analytics, email platforms, social media analytics) to measure audience engagement and inform promotion.
  • Ability to prepare audio-ready scripts and collaborate with audiobook narrators and producers; familiarity with ACX or audio production workflows a plus.
  • Competence in metadata creation, keyword tagging, and book description optimization to support discoverability across retailer platforms.
  • Basic contract literacy for publishing agreements, rights negotiation, and royalty structures or experience working with literary agents.

Soft Skills

  • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, conveying complex ideas clearly and persuasively to editors, agents, and readers.
  • Strong attention to detail and quality orientation in all aspects of writing, editing, and publication.
  • Creative thinking and originality with a consistent capacity to generate compelling story ideas and unique angles for nonfiction.
  • Time management and discipline to meet tight deadlines and juggle multiple projects with competing priorities.
  • Resilience and receptiveness to feedback — able to iterate quickly on editorial notes and criticism.
  • Collaborative mindset to work productively with editors, designers, marketers, and external contributors.
  • Self-motivation and entrepreneurial drive to grow author platform, seek publication opportunities, and manage freelance business logistics.
  • Empathy and audience awareness to write to reader needs and adjust tone for different demographics and formats.
  • Problem-solving skills for navigating publishing challenges, scope changes, or research roadblocks.
  • Professional integrity and confidentiality when handling sensitive information or ghostwriting assignments.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor's degree in English, Creative Writing, Journalism, Communications, or equivalent professional writing experience and a demonstrable published portfolio.

Preferred Education:

  • MFA in Creative Writing, MA in Journalism, or advanced degree in a relevant field; formal training in literature, nonfiction craft, or technical writing is a strong plus.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • English Literature
  • Creative Writing
  • Journalism
  • Communications
  • Technical Writing
  • Comparative Literature

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 2–7 years of professional writing experience, including published work in magazines, journals, blogs, or books; demonstrated ability to complete long-form projects from concept to publication.

Preferred: 5+ years of authoring experience with at least one traditionally or self-published book (print or ebook), a track record of successful pitches to agents/publishers, measurable audience engagement growth, or professional ghostwriting/commercial writing experience.

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