Jobs as a creative writer can be in either fiction or non-fiction. Many positions in various industries, such as publishing, advertising, and entertainment, are available within these two main types of writer jobs. Some of these creative writing jobs are full-time employee positions, while others are freelance or independent contractor positions.
Rather than working as onsite employees, freelance creative writers typically work as independent contractors from home for one or more clients. The work could be long-term or short-term. Articles, press releases, blogs, website copy, ads, reports, and other types of work may be available as freelance creative writer jobs. Although some of these jobs or projects may require face-to-face meetings, many of them are fully telecommuted, with all work done via the Internet. Email, phone, conference calls, or any combination of these methods can be used to communicate with freelance writers and clients.
Although there are still freelance commercial or jingle writers in the entertainment industry, creative writing jobs may require more face-to-face interaction. Some freelancers specialize in writing bios and press releases for musicians and other artists to promote their work. Others may work for fashion magazines, writing celebrity gossip blogs or covering shows and other events. Other entertainment industry creative writers create fiction works such as television shows or films.
Freelancers, as well as part-time and full-time employees, write for publications that are either online or require on-site work. Writing feature articles or smaller “filler” pieces like lists, quizzes, or puzzles could be part of these jobs or projects. Fiction work, such as short stories, may be included in publishing creative writer jobs. Newspaper creative writing jobs are frequently full-time or part-time onsite, though some publications accept freelance work for weekend living or other lifestyle sections.
Advertising creative writers, also known as copywriters, work on a freelance basis onsite or offsite. They create original advertisements for the Internet, print, broadcast, and other media. Some advertising copywriting jobs combine copywriting with graphic art or web design.
Greeting cards, ebooks, playwriting, and poetry are examples of other types of creative writing opportunities. Some authors ghostwrite books for people who want their name on the cover but don’t want to write it themselves. It’s also possible to hire a ghostwriter to write a website or other articles. Others consider writing their own books to be a form of creative writing. Some authors prefer to write fiction, such as novels, while others prefer to write non-fiction books about topics in which they are knowledgeable and passionate.