This survey picked literary jobs as being the most desirable to have in Britain with author the top pick. I obviously can see why it would come out on job, it having been my dream job for a long time, but I wonder how many of the 60% that picked it did so because they have fantasies of JK Rowling like popularity and wealth? Perhaps it was the idea of one becoming one of the 1% of authors who make millions at this job that attracted them to it. I wonder if it would be more beneficial for them to play the lottery instead?!
I did make me smile though to know that I’m getting the opportunity to do something that so many other people seem to what to do. Although it’s not my sole job at the moment (and may never be!), it’s very exciting to achieve something I’ve been working towards for years. And that’s key really – although being an author may seem like a dream job for so many, it takes as much hard work as some of the lower chosen careers on the list and it’s arguably a lot harder to break into publishing than it is to break into other industries although they probably pay a lot better.
But that’s why publishing will always be desirable – it allows people to work with what they’re passionate about: books! Whether you write them yourself or work to help get books made and on the shelves, you do it because you get to work with something you’ve probably loved since you were little. And that’s why despite the hard work, the knock-backs and the potential of not making that list 1% of superstar authors, we want this job.
Seeing your book on a bookshelf one day would really be a dream come true.
Is being an author your dream job?
Victoria
xoxo
Wow, those are quite the statistics! I would also be interested to know more about why so many consider it a dream job – what are the motivations? It certainly does take a lot of hard work, but if you’re motivated by the right reasons, it’s all worth it in the end. Congratulations on living your dream 🙂
I completely agree – being able to follow your dream is a great feeling and worth all the angst that came before 🙂 Thank you lovely x
Cool post.
A book proposal essentially is a business/marketing plan; publishers expect most authors to hawk their own books and thus require Internet numbers as a strong marketing component. One’s books must sell across multiple categories to be viable. Publishing is tough unless authors are celebrities, high-level journalists, well-known business personalities who have a strong personal brand, or a smart cookie who knows how to parlay S&M into a Fifty Shades of Grey franchise.
The self-publishing revolution has thrown more books in the mix—the good, the bad, and the ugly. Between 600,000 and 1 million books are published every year in the US. On average, a published book sells fewer than 250 copies.
The idea of publishing a book stirs up starry-eyed dreams. However, it is a serious, indeed risky, business, no matter how great or limited the author’s craft. Nine out of 10 restaurants fail in their first year. The lack of book success is as intimidating as that stat.
So that’s my take from across the big pond. Yes, I am a lunatic chasing the top dream.
Haha I think all us writers may indeed be crazy! Good luck in chasing your dream!
It’s definitely my dream job, but wasn’t even on my radar 5 years ago!
I am amazed at your survey. Writer would be way down the list in the US. I think most view it as a passion or hobby, not a career where a person could support themselves.
I think there are two camps – those who don’t see it as a real job and the others who think you must be a millionaire! Maybe there’s no middle ground 🙂
I would love love to be a published author!!
Good luck, if you can dream it you can do it!
Being a writer is almost always a very uncertain life. Rowling and Stephen King are indeed the one percent — the opposite of typical.
I have a friend who has been a professional writer since 1972, award-winning and successful, and there have been a lot of ups and downs over the years. For a while he had to start a business, because his writing wasn’t selling.
Yep I think you have to go into it prepared for the ups and downs and knowing it’s unlikely you’ll become rich and famous, just do it because you love to write!
I’d love to be a florist!