Employment of writers and authors is projected to grow 6 percent from 2010 to 2020, slower than the average for all occupations. Despite slower-than-average employment growth, online publications and services are growing in number and sophistication, spurring demand for writers and authors with Web and multimedia experience. Some experienced writers should find work in the public relations departments of corporations and nonprofit organizations. Others will likely find freelance work for newspaper, magazine, or journal publishers, and some will write books.
Strong competition is expected, given that many people are attracted to this occupation. Competition for jobs with established newspapers and magazines will be particularly strong because the publishing industry is projected to become smaller. Writers and authors who have adapted to online media and are comfortable writing for and working with a variety of electronic and digital tools should have an advantage in finding work. The declining costs of self-publishing, the growing popularity of electronic books, and the increasing number of readers of electronic books will allow many freelancer writers to get their work published. Some job openings will arise as experienced workers retire, transfer to other occupations, or leave the labor force.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition