Author

You'll need a high level of writing skill and talent to be successful. To develop your skills, you could study for a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in a subject, such as:

• creative writing
• communication and media
• English language or literature
• creative and professional writing
• journalism

You could also do a postgraduate writing course to get into this career.

To work as a technical author, you'll usually need a higher education qualification in the subject you want to write about, for example engineering, technology or healthcare.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
• a degree in any subject for a postgraduate course

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• student finance for fees and living costs
• university courses and entry requirements

You can do several things to develop your writing skills and learn more about the world of publishing. These include:

• joining writers' groups in person or online
• entering writing competitions
• blogging on websites

You may be able to apply directly for technical writing jobs in industries, such as engineering, computing or scientific research, if you've got the relevant background and qualifications.

Experience in journalism could also help you to get into areas like travel or broadcast writing.

You could work in TV or radio as a scriptwriter. BBC Writers and Channel 4 Talent Schemes have information, advice and workshops on writing and submitting scripts.

You may be able to publish and sell your work without formal training or qualifications, if you're exceptionally talented and have original ideas. A literary agent may be able to help you with this.

Career tips

You'll need:

• creative ideas that will sell
• good research skills
• the ability to express ideas in a style suited to your intended audience

You'll also need to have confidence in your writing, be able to accept criticism and remain positive.

You'll need a portfolio of your work to show to employers and commissioning editors.

Further information

You'll find more advice about careers in writing through the National Association of Writers Groups.

The Poetry Society and Writers & Artists have more details on writing competitions.

Writers & Artists also has industry advice on being a writer and submitting work for publishing or self-publishing. It publishes the Writers’ and Artists’ Yearbook, which has information on literary agents, publishers, newspapers and magazines.

You can get information about a career in technical writing from the Institute of Scientific and Technical Communicators.