Evan
Is it easier to get your own book published or to become a journalist for a newspaper/magazine?
I'm really conflicted about what I want to do in regards to my career. Like, the broad idea is pursue an occupation in the writing field, but I just wanted some advice over which one is considered easier. #journalism #writing #english #literature #english-literature
6 answers
James Constantine Frangos
James Constantine’s Answer
Publishing a Book vs. Becoming a Journalist: Which is Easier?
Both publishing a book and becoming a journalist are challenging careers in the writing field, but they come with distinct paths, requirements, and levels of competition. While neither can be definitively labeled “easier,” an analysis of their respective processes, qualifications, and opportunities can provide valuable insights for those considering a career in writing.
Publishing a Book
To publish a book, one must write a manuscript that meets the standards of literary merit and commercial viability. This process involves several steps:
Writing: The first step is to write the manuscript. This can take anywhere from several months to several years depending on the author’s dedication and discipline.
Editing: Once the manuscript is complete, it undergoes editing to refine the language, structure, and content. Editing may involve multiple rounds with different editors or beta readers to ensure the manuscript is polished and ready for publication.
Querying Agents/Publishers: To secure a publishing deal, authors must query literary agents or submit their manuscripts directly to publishers. This process can be lengthy and competitive as agents and publishers receive countless submissions each year. Rejections are common, but persistence is key.
Contract Negotiation: If an offer is extended, authors must negotiate the terms of their contract with the publisher or agent. This includes royalties, advance payments, marketing support, and other considerations that impact the author’s financial gain from their work.
Marketing & Promotion: After publication, authors are responsible for marketing and promoting their book through various channels such as social media, book signings, interviews, and speaking engagements to generate sales and build an audience base.
Royalty Payments: Authors typically receive royalty payments based on sales volume after covering production costs (advance) paid by the publisher upfront. These payments can vary widely depending on factors like genre popularity and distribution channels used by the publisher.
Continuous Learning & Adaptation: The publishing industry evolves rapidly with new technologies and trends shaping how books are produced, marketed, and consumed (e-books vs print books). Successful authors must stay informed about these changes to remain competitive in their field while continuing to write high-quality content that resonates with readers.
Rejection & Perseverance: Despite best efforts to secure a publishing deal or maintain readership over time, rejection remains an inherent part of being an author due to subjective tastes within both publishing houses and audiences alike (source: 1).
Becoming a Journalist
To become a journalist involves different challenges compared to publishing a book:
Education & Training: Most journalists hold at least a bachelor’s degree in journalism or related fields like English or communications (source: 2).
They also develop strong writing skills through practice in school newspapers or internships at local news outlets before entering professional journalism jobs (source: 3).
Some journalists may pursue advanced degrees for specialized reporting areas like investigative journalism or data journalism (source: 4).
Competition & Networking: Journalism jobs are highly competitive due to limited openings relative to the large number of aspiring journalists seeking employment each year (source: 5).
Building professional networks through internships during college education plays an essential role in securing entry-level positions at reputable news organizations (source: 6).
Additionally, staying informed about industry trends helps journalists adapt quickly when applying for new roles throughout their careers (source: 7).
Adherence to Ethical Standards: Journalists adhere strictly to ethical guidelines set forth by organizations like Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) or American Society of News Editors (ASNE) regarding accuracy, fairness, independence from influence by special interests or political affiliations while maintaining transparency towards readers (source: 8).
Violating these standards can lead to loss of credibility among readers as well as potential legal consequences if defamation allegations arise from published content (source: 9).
Deadlines & Pressure: Journalists face tight deadlines daily while producing accurate reports under pressure from editors who demand timely delivery of articles for publication across various media platforms such as print newspapers or online news websites (source: 10).
Meeting these deadlines requires excellent time management skills along with adaptability when unexpected events occur that require immediate coverage without sacrificing quality reporting practices (source: 11).
Moreover, journalists must maintain objectivity even when dealing with emotionally charged topics that could potentially sway public opinion based on biased reporting practices (source: 12). 5.
Continuous Learning & Adaptation:
The media landscape continues evolving rapidly due to technological advancements impacting how news is reported and consumed daily – e-newsletters versus traditional print publications; podcasts versus radio broadcasts; social media versus traditional press releases; etc., successful journalists need ongoing training in digital tools like multimedia storytelling techniques using video editing software like Adobe Premiere Pro; audio editing software like Audacity; graphic design tools like Canva; coding languages like HTML/CSS/JavaScript; etc., alongside mastery of traditional reporting techniques such as interviewing sources effectively using active listening skills combined with effective questioning strategies tailored specifically for each source type encountered throughout their careers(sources: 13-15).
Authoritative References Used: The Writer’s Market by Robert Lee Brewer Strunk & White’s Elements of Style Society of Professional Journalists
GOD BLESS YOU BECAUSE HE CAN!
JC.
Linda Schlosser
Linda’s Answer
Hi Linda, which is more difficult: becoming a published author or working as a journalist? This will better help answer the student's question
Gurpreet Lally, Admin
Susan E. Oser
Susan E.’s Answer
I think both jobs are equally as difficult if you do not work hard at it. It is possible to do both, and a lot of famous media people do that. However, being a journalist will help you pay the bills more and writing the book is just a nice second addition to it.
Brian P. D. Hannon
Brian P. D.’s Answer
I agree with everything Alex Miller said, especially the part about becoming a newspaper journalist.
Not only because you will learn (with the help of experienced editors) how to research and organize and write stories of varying lengths, but also because being a journalist will provide tons of fodder for your own writing. When I was a reporter and editor, I often would work on an article and think, "That has the elements of a great fiction story."
Also, journalism requires interacting with many people whom you would otherwise never meet. It takes you to places outside of your everyday experience and provides a useful, real-world education in how and why people think and act they way they do, including their motivations and passions, successes and failures, hopes and delusions, and all the other things that contribute to great writing.
As for getting your book published, that can take a long time and involve many rejections before finally achieving a level of success. It's a better idea to take a position that allows you to write a book on the side, at least until you are established. The Kerouac model of bumming around as a struggling writer until you land a book contract is idyllic but more likely to end up in frustration. At least if you are working as a journalist, whether for a newspaper, magazine or website, you can pay the bills while working on your book.
Yep, what Brrian said makes sense.
Linda Schlosser
Kendall Sand
Kendall’s Answer
Hi Evan,
That's great that you want to be a writer! I don't think one of these careers is necessarily easier than the other - they can both be very challenging to break into. But also very rewarding.
A question to ask yourself is about the kind of lifestyle you want: being an author is a mostly solitary pursuit. It's a lot of time spent alone, figuring out what you want to write about, then writing it, then revising it, then going about the work of figuring out how to get it published. For a lot of people, this is the dream scenario: being your own boss, not having to work with other people, etc. It can also mean pursuing a single idea for a very long time.
Journalism is a more collaborative profession. You work with a team of other writers, editors, etc. You interact with people who are your sources or subjects for whatever piece you're writing. The subject matter changes more frequently, because articles are shorter than books and you'll be expected to produce several articles a week or a month as the case may be. You may end up traveling more, because you have to go where the work is, or where the story is.
There are many journalists who find a subject through their reporting that they choose to turn into a book. They become authors, and they already have valuable experience researching, talking to experts, interviewing witnesses, etc. Having a steady job as a reporter might also allow you to make money while you work on your own book idea on the side.
In school, you should take some literature classes, some journalism classes, and some creative writing classes. It will help you decide what you really enjoy spending your time doing.
Hope that helps. Good luck to you!
Kendall
Good advice, I am very social be nature and being a writer is hard for me so I balance it by writing for a large company with many facets interact with.
Linda Schlosser
Alex Miller
Alex’s Answer
I don't know if the level of easiness is what you really need to be thinking about. Rather, it should be which path might be a better way to find success. I think if you're going to write books (I assume you mean novels), you need to learn shorter forms of storytelling first. You could pursue that goal in an academic setting, if you can afford it, but the best way to become a better writer of short-form storytelling is to become a newspaper journalist. (BTW: Very few magazines these days have staff writers; they mostly use freelancers.) Work your way up from the basic news story to enterprise features and learn how to pull together a lot of information into a cohesive story. You'll advance in your career and, because you are young (I assume), you'll have plenty of energy to write your books on the side. Your first book might not be great, your second only slightly better but if you keep trying, you'll keep getting better. Find a mentor if you can, then find an agent. Good luck!