Author Courses
Authors create and publish books, developing original ideas into stories, and can be self-published or work with agents and publishers.
AI Exposure
High
AI exposure data adapted from Felten, Raj & Seamans (2021). Shortage data sourced from Jobs and Skills Australia (2024).
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How do I become a Author
Get qualified to work as a Author with a course recognised across Australia. Speak to a training provider to learn more.
Estimated fee
From $27,942
Study mode
Blended, On Campus, Online
The Bachelor of Arts (Creative Writing) allows students to express thoughts and feelings through writing, exploring avant-garde, cross-genre, and experimental forms. Students critically engage with contemporary theoretical and philosophical schools of thought, gaining knowledge in areas like fiction, poetry, non-fiction, theatre, and screen. This course nurtures lateral thinking and imagination, skills valuable in sectors like corporate communications, publishing, editing, and marketing. It prepares stude...
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Estimated fee
From $27,942
Study mode
Blended, On Campus, Online
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Estimated fee
From $37,500
Study mode
Blended, On Campus
The Bachelor of Arts (Literary Studies) caters to enthusiasts of literature and creative writing. It introduces students to diverse cultural and historical contexts, encompassing renowned contemporary and historical literary works. Students will gain a deep comprehension of literature's cultural, historical, and societal significance, understanding literary movements, themes, and theories. This course enhances critical writing skills, emphasizing the interplay between language, literature, and culture.
Career opportunities
Estimated fee
From $37,500
Study mode
Blended, On Campus
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Estimated fee
From $30,816
The Bachelor of Creative Arts (Creative Writing) focuses on refining writing skills to ensure clarity and strength, encouraging imaginative expression to impact readers. This course covers various areas including poetry, editing, multimedia, commercial writing, theatre, short stories, and novels. It also explores innovative literary forms. Emphasising the exploration of the human condition, this degree prepares writers to entertain, educate, and delve into what it means to be human across multiple writing disciplines.
Career opportunities
Estimated fee
From $30,816
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Duration
6 months - 24 months
Study mode
On Campus, Online
The Graduate Certificate in Creative Writing equips students with the skills to create compelling works across diverse genres for various audiences and markets. This course encourages critical thinking about the craft of writing and applying techniques in crafting both fiction and non-fiction. It also provides the opportunity to practice the art of storytelling, emphasising experimentation and innovation. Ideal for aspiring writers, this course fosters the development of creative writing skills and nurtur...
Career opportunities
Duration
6 months - 24 months
Study mode
On Campus, Online
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Related career opportunities
Browse occupations related to Author.
Common questions
How much do Authors earn?
There are no clear salary figures for Authors in Australia at this time. They earn money from book sales as well as royalties and payments from publishing companies. Independent authors create revenue through self-publishing and running workshops, courses, and retreats. Some authors take on writing assignments for newspapers, magazines, literary journals, and online publications.
What are the job opportunities for Authors?
There are approximately 3,300 dedicated book authors working in Australia right now.
How do I become an Author?
You don’t need a specialist qualification to become a Author, you just need to publish a book. However, the Certificate IV in Professional Writing and Editing and the Diploma of Professional Writing and Editing are excellent introductions to the Australian publishing industry and will help you develop professional-level writing and editing skills.
All aspiring Authors should consider the Bachelor of Arts (Profesional Writing) or Bachelor of Creative Writing. Both of these qualifications will develop your skills in both fiction and non-fiction writing. Some authors have specialist qualifications in their preferred genre: law, criminology, social science, community development, psychology, health and medicine, education.
Source: Australian Government Labour Market Insights 2023
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Learn from industry experts, gaining practical skills to thrive in the fast-paced world of entertainment. Pathways for domestic and international students.
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Unleash your passion for storytelling and uncover the power of the written word in journalism and writing.
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More information
Authors are professional writers who write books for publication and sale, either fiction or non-fiction. They develop their original ideas into a storyline, pitch an agent or publishing company, then write the book. Alternately, emerging and self-published authors write the book first, and then look for ways to have it published.
As an author you could be creating an outline for a new novel, pitching a book idea to your publisher, writing a chapter of your book, carrying out preliminary research, editing a draft, sending a completed manuscript to your agent, reviewing proofs for book cover art, attending a book signing at a writer’s festival, speaking at a industry event, or just writing your heart out before the kids get home from school.
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