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Who is a Author?
The pen is mightier than the sword ~ Anonymous
In a career as an author, individuals produce well-crafted pieces of work for people to read, learn and enjoy. The author's job description includes working closely with words and using the basics of the language to stimulate the reader’s imagination, teach and capture his or her interest. There are many types of writing as well as in education, arts, business, professionals, and journalism. With so many different types of books and published literature available in the world, there are so many different types of writers writing them.
Individuals in author's career path require creativity with thought and imagination to put the words in a way that describes an opinion or a scenario. Students can pursue a Bachelor of Arts in English to become an author. If you want to build a career as an author, then you must be able to weave your words in such a way that readers dwell and imagine the story in their minds.
Here, we will discuss the details of a career as an author such as is author a good career, how to become an author in India, author roles and responsibilities, author qualification, what education is needed to become an author, author skills and author eligibility.
Author in a Nutshell
Individuals in an author's career path are someone who chooses a field to write in and can go about it according to his or her wish. It is considered one of the most careers for writers. Being an author and writing something which breaks all possible records is entirely in the hands of an individual.
It is one of those careers where one gets to ‘be his or her own boss’. Not only an author could also be a freelancer or could do the job as a hobby or passion. Careers for writers are not just limited to writing novels or poems but also include several other career options like screenwriter, copywriter, playwright, and so on and so forth.
Quick Facts for Author
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Industry
Entertainment, Media
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Suitable for
Male, Female, Others
A candidate who wishes to become an author can do so irrespective of his or her gender. The field of writing is not gender biased and all genders get an equal opportunity to pursue it. A career as an author is a desk job where an individual is not required to put in any kind of physical labour. Therefore, one can pursue a career in writing no matter which gender he or she belongs to. An individual's gender does not affect him or her to opt for a job as a writer.
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Any special needs
Yes
An individual with a strong language, good writing skills as well as has a creative mind can be an Author. It does not matter if he or she is physically fit or not. A career as author is more of a desk job where he or she does not have to put in physical effort. One might have to go out for research or for finding inspiration in order to write but that is not a problem for anybody with special needs. Anyone can opt for a job as a writer.
Table of Contents for Author
What is the role of Author?
Are you wondering what are the author roles and responsibilities or how to become an author in India? then we have covered this all for you. In this section, we have described what authors do. The author job description is to choose an area of writing. One could either write fiction and use his or her creativity or could be a non-fiction writer.
Once that is done, a famous author chooses a subject to write on which is followed by research in order to add important facts as well as credibility to the written piece. Using appropriate sources and citations helps to gain credibility in the career as an author from the readers and the editors. After getting feedback from a famous author the author has to re-work the draft depending on the suggestions.
Choosing the subject
The author roles and responsibilities is to choose a subject of interest as well as make a choice of the book to be fiction or non-fiction. Something which he or she can write about either due to the kind of knowledge one has or because of experience, or maybe could gather information through. Choosing an appropriate subject is the first and the most crucial part of a career as an author in order to write about it.
Types of a Author
There are various careers in writing in India. One can choose to opt for a career novelist, non-fiction writer, journalist or screenwriter. We have provided below the major author career options or types of an author with their job descriptions.
Novelist: A novelist is a person who writes long stories. Depending on the genre, a fairy tale can have between 80,000 and 200,000 words, so this type of author should be able to plan and execute his or her work. This requires dedication and patience along with the ability to think creatively enough to captivate the reader into reading something that
Non-Fiction Writer: A non-fiction writer is a person who writes in a special field. This could include technical writers and academic writers. A non-fiction writer is able to take large amounts of information and break it down so that the important text can be read. A non-fiction writer writes about a specific area delivering the content to a specific target audience. This type of writing requires realistic observation and research.
Article writer: An article writer is someone who writes a short piece, for example, a food article, product review article or a travel essay. One will write various magazines, using precise and point, language to make the article informative and enjoyable to read. Having specialised knowledge is excellent, as essays are often needed in medical, technical or commercial journals.
Online Author: An online author is a person who is accustomed to visiting and writing articles or short stories on websites and blogs. The internet is a great way to provide an amateur writer with a store for showcasing creative work, enabling him or her to learn and improve their writing skill level as one rises to the top of his or her career as an author. Read further to know how to become an author in India.
What is the workplace/work environment of Author like?
The workspace for a job as a writer is very subjective in nature. Individuals who opt for a career as an author write their drafts sitting on a desk. But for example, if the famous author is a travel-based author then one will have to travel to the places in order to write about it, or if someone is a journalist then one will have to go to different places in order to find leads for writing a story.
The writer and author's job description is to write but there is a lot of background work that has to be done in order to write about a certain topic or subject and this can require an individual to even go out and do research. To put their ideas into words, they need a typewriter, computer system, smartphone or tabloid. Writing has been digitalised over the years. If you want to build a career in writing in India, you must know a pen and paper can do wonders but the further process requires it to be digitalised for publications.
Does Author require travelling?
Not Likely
The job of an author can or cannot involve travelling depending on the type of writing he or she does. For example, if an individual is a fictional novelist then he or she will not have to travel in order to write about something fictional. Individuals in author's career path can write about it sitting at home. But, on the other hand, if someone is writing a non-fiction book based on travel then one will have to go and explore the places that he or she wants to write about.
Employment Shifts
Full Time, Part Time, Work From Home
The shift timing in a career as an author can fall under a certain category if he or she is working for a company. It can be a 9-to-5 job. But if someone is a journalist or a novelist, the working hours are not fixed. It depends more on deadlines as well as the situations taking place around the globe (in the case of a journalist). There are no specified shifts in such cases.
Employment Nature
Contractual, Permanent
The employment can be both permanent as well as contractual in nature for a career as author. Some companies may form a contract which can be ranging between two to three years in length. It varies from company to company. Whereas it is a field where an individual can work for himself or herself or as a freelancer and in that case the work can be contractual in nature.
Work Place
Home Office, Office
An author can work in an office, go out for research in the field or even travel around to gather information for his or her write-up. It is very subjective in nature. Individuals in author career path work as a travel journalist, his or her work would not be fixed, it would be all about travelling. But, on the other hand, a novelist who works for himself can work in his or her house and has the choice of going out for research as and when required.
Presence in Geographical Area
Rural, Semi-urban, Urban
Individuals who opt for a career as an author can work in any type of geographical location, especially if he or she works for his own. But if one works in a big company then it is most likely that he or she would have to work in an urban location.
Time Pressure
Likely
The job of an author is to write content for his or her audience. For freelancers or journalists, there are several deadlines that one has to work on almost on a daily basis. Individuals in technical author career path get to choose when they want to work and for how long.
Overtime Details
Individuals in author career path might have to work for extra hours in cases of emergencies (in the case of journalists) but for a novelist, it is entirely up to him, how he wants to divide his work.
Weekly Hours of Work
Min 40 Hours
Individuals in technical author career path have to work for 40 hours a week if he or she is working for an organisation or company. But, if one is working for himself then he or she can choose his own working hours depending on what suits him the most.
How to become a Author?
Steps to become a Author
If you are someone who loves to write novels, poems, essays and create literary work then a career as an Author is best suitable for you. If you are someone who wants to interact or engage your readers with your creative writing and looking for the details on how to become an author in India then, we have mentioned below some of the steps for how to become an author in India.
What are the skills and qualities required to become a/an Author?
There are several author skills. We have mentioned below major author skills that provide you support in building a career in writing in India. You may also opt for writing courses nearby you to develop writing skills. There is enormous scope in the booming online writing markets. Here we will discuss how to become an author.
Writing Skills: Individuals who opt for a career as an author must be able to write well in order to convey feelings and emotions and communicate with readers. It is one of the most important skills required by an author to be able to do well in his or her career. It is not a skill one can adopt overnight. It takes time for an individual to be able to learn the skill of writing. In order to be a good writer, one must read a lot of literature specifically in the language he or she wants to write.
Flexibility: Several authors and writers need to be able to adapt to new platforms and software programs, including the various Content Management Systems (CMS). Since technology keeps advancing with every day passing by, one needs to be up-to-date with it in order to deliver the task that is assigned to him or her without facing many problems while doing so.
Creativity: In order to captivate one’s reader it is important that the author should be able to develop new sites, characters, or new, interesting ideas, or situations in his or her write-up so that one could create something new. There is already so much written, in order to stand out an author must be creative.
Critical Thinking: Individuals in the author's career path must be proficient in thinking and understanding new concepts, and conveying them in written form. There are several topics that an author may have to write about which may or may not be the individual’s area of comfort. Therefore, one must think critically about how to still go about writing on a subject like that.
Determination: Individuals in technical author career path sometimes may have to work on projects that take years to complete. For example, a freelance writer who is paid for each assignment must show perseverance or in the case of a novelist who has to write thousands of pages in order to complete his or her book has to come up with a proper plan along with the determination to carry out the work.
Social Understanding: Individuals in the author's career path must understand how readers react to certain genres of writing in order to connect with the audience. At the end of the day, a writer writes for the people who make society. Therefore, understanding them and finding ways to connect with the reader through one’s writing is an important skill that an author must possess in order to do well in life. Read further to know more about how to become an author in India.
Also Read: Career as a content writer
Which certifications and internships can be helpful in becoming Author?
We have mentioned below certifications that individuals may opt for who want to establish a career as an author.
| Certified Content Writer | Digital Tools for Writing, Authoring and reviewing manuscripts |
| Academic Writing | How to Write a Novel: Writing the Draft |
Internship Availability
Several internship opportunities are available in this career in writing in India. Different companies and organisations, with appropriate abilities and competencies, employ interns who can write for them in order to become an Author in future. There are plenty of internships available for someone who wishes to opt for a career in writing in India. Internships are of both paid and unpaid types. The norms and requirements differ for each and every organisation or industry.
Interns day to day job includes writing articles, e-books, podcasts, sales copy, and researching the topic for which they are required to write. One can explore internship opportunities through online hiring portals. The individuals get hands-on experience through internships. Higher-education colleges and private airlines, therefore, provide internship opportunities.
What is the job outlook for Author?
If you possess the creativity of words and have art to narrate stories giving it an interesting twist and turns then building careers for writers are the right choice for you. There are various opportunities for writers and authors. Careers for writers can be seen as an emerging field that is growing day by day.
After the Internet became a major means of delivering this information, almost every company or organisation has become involved in hiring authors who could write for them. It has become a major and very important step in advertising and marketing. With the growth and competition, being an author is possible for someone who has great perseverance to work and make a big profit. One can also make huge profits in the online writing markets with the application of SEO. Scroll down to read how to become an author in India and author skills.
Frequently Asked Questions for Author
Que. How long does it take to become an author?
Ans.For an individual who wants to become an author after taking up a degree and some experience, it can take around four years for him or her to become an author.
Que. Who is the richest author in India?
Ans.Malayali author Benyamin was declared as the richest author of India for the year 2019.
Que. What are the highest paying jobs in the field of writing?
Ans.The top three jobs that pay the highest in the industry are technical writer, Editor, and Magazine writer.
Que. How much do Indian authors earn?
Ans.The Author salary in India ranges between Rs 1.0 Lakhs to Rs 9.5 Lakhs with an average annual salary of Rs 4.0 Lakhs.
Que. Is author a good career in India?
Ans.Yes, author is a good career in India as this career has many job opportunities in various sectors. Author can also work as editors, proofreaders and content developers for books, magazines, newspapers, and online publications.
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Questions related to Author
Question : Given below is a short passage followed by some items based on the passage. First, read the passage and answer the items based on it. You are required to select your answers based on the contents of the passage and the opinion of the author only.
More than eight months after the national lockdown was announced in late March, urban India is learning to live with the Covid-19 pandemic. In fact, indicating a positive outlook for the future, many survey respondents in a recent survey say they plan to return to pre-lockdown levels of shopping, personal grooming, going to cinemas and socializing as pandemic fears continue to recede.
The survey findings highlight that the suppression of consumer demand because of fears of job losses and salary cuts could be coming to an end. Increasingly, urban Indians are showing increased confidence about the future of the economy. This could be an indicator of the possible 'pent-up demand' that several economists have been talking about - a demand that could be unleashed once a vaccine is developed and distributed, or when there are signs of the pandemic's spread reducing to negligible levels or vanishing totally.
Around 65 per cent of respondents said they had settled into new routines, or that they saw signs of the situation improving, or they had come to terms with the pandemic and were moving on with their lives. And since the survey was conducted before the news of the successful trials of the Pfizer vaccine for the coronavirus was announced, it is likely that the consumers are now even more positive in their outlook about the future.
Question:
What, according to the passage, is the reason behind the decline in consumer demands?
Option 1: Dearth of vaccine till date
Option 2: Professional insecurity
Option 3: The intention of saving up money.
Option 4: Careful attitude of the general public
Correct Answer: Professional insecurity
Solution : The correct option is 2 i.e Professional insecurity.
Explanation
Let's examine the opening sentence of the second paragraph:
'The survey findings highlight that the suppression of consumer demand because of fears of job losses and salary cuts could be coming to an end.'
- From the preceding sentence, it can be inferred that the author believes professional insecurity is to blame for the suppression of consumer demands. Because of this, "Professional insecurity" is the right response.
Answer laterQuestion : Which of the following novels is based on the Member of Parliament (India), Phoolan Devi, and written by the author Roy Moxham?
Option 1: Outlaw: India’s Bandit Queen and Me
Option 2: Lilavati’s Daughters
Option 3: Spy Princess
Option 4: The Woman Who Knew Infinity
Correct Answer: Outlaw: India’s Bandit Queen and Me
Solution : The correct option is Outlaw: India’s Bandit Queen and Me.
The book "Outlaw: India’s Bandit Queen and Me" was written by Roy Moxham. In this book, Roy Moxham examines the cultural and historical background of India's Bandit Queen, Phoolan Devi, and offers his reflections on her life. The book sheds light on Phoolan Devi's dacoit experiences, her eventual surrender, and her foray into politics.
Question : Direction: Read the following passage and answer the questions given after it.
The science of climate change is more solid and widely agreed upon than you might think. But the scope of the topic, as well as rampant disinformation, can make it hard to separate fact from fiction. Here, we've done our best to present you with not only the most accurate scientific information but also an explanation of how we know it. Climate change is often cast as a prediction made by complicated computer models. But the scientific basis for climate change is much broader, and models are actually only one part of it (and, for what it's worth, they're surprisingly accurate).
For more than a century, scientists have understood the basic physics behind why greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide cause warming. These gases make up just a small fraction of the atmosphere but exert outsized control on Earth's climate by trapping some of the planet's heat before it escapes into space. This greenhouse effect is important: It's why a planet so far from the sun has liquid water and life! However, during the Industrial Revolution, people started burning coal and other fossil fuels to power factories, smelters and steam engines, which added more greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. Ever since human activities have been heating the planet.
Question:
What inference can you draw from the passage?
Option 1: The author is trying to provide information about the changes in the ecosystem
Option 2: The author is trying to provide information about the changes in the rainfall pattern
Option 3: The author is trying to provide information about the climatic changes
Option 4: None of these
Correct Answer: The author is trying to provide information about the climatic changes
Solution : The correct answer is option 3.
Explanation:
'The author is trying to provide information about climatic changes,' is the correct answer.
Important Points
- It is clear from reading the entire passage that the narrator is concerned with climate change and its causes.
- As a result of the preceding line, it is possible to conclude that the author is attempting to provide information about climatic changes.
Question : Directions: Words given on the left side of (::) are related by some Logic/Rule/Relation. Select the missing word/word pair on the right side of (::) from the given alternatives based on the same Logic/Rule/Relation.
Plumb line : Mason :: ?
Option 1: Stethoscope : Sculptor
Option 2: Saw : Carpenter
Option 3: Author : Pen
Option 4: Warrior : Sword
Correct Answer: Saw : Carpenter
Solution : Given:
Plumb line : Mason :: ? (This depicts the relation between the tool and the profession that used this tool. Like, plumb line is a tool used by Mason.)
Let's check each option –
First option: Stethoscope : Sculptor; A stethoscope is a tool for a doctor, and a chisel is a tool for a sculptor in the art of sculpting. Therefore, pairs are not related to each other.
Second option: Saw : Carpenter; A saw is a tool commonly associated with carpenters.
Third option: Author : Pen; An author uses a pen as a tool to write, but the order is not according to the question.
Fourth option: Warrior : Sword; A warrior typically uses a sword as a weapon, but the order is not according to the question.
So, only the second option follows the same pattern as followed by the given pair. Hence, the second option is correct.
Question : Directions: Words given on the left side of (::) are related to each other by some Logic/Rule/Relation. Select the missing word/word pair on the right side of (::) from the given alternatives based on the same Logic/Rule/Relation.
Pen : Author :: Gun : ?
Option 1: Soldier
Option 2: Tailor
Option 3: Mason
Option 4: Farmer
Correct Answer: Soldier
Solution : Given:
Pen : Author :: Gun : ?
Like, an author uses a pen to write.
Similarly, a soldier uses a gun in a Warfield.
Hence, the first option is correct.
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Did you know?
Fact 1
As early as 2014, 57% of marketers already considered custom content as their top marketing priority.
Fact 2
William Shakespeare gave english language phrases like fair play, in a pickle, green-eyed monster and many such phrases that are used till date.
Fact 3
In India an author on an average gets 7.5 per cent of his book’s royalty.
Fact 4
Johannes Gensfleisch zur Laden zum Gutenberg printed the first ever pressed book, the Gutenberg Bible, in 1453.
