Job market information
Finding out about literature
The literature industry is part of the creative and cultural industries, represented by the Creative and Cultural Skills Sector Skills Council, which also includes: craft; cultural heritage; design; music; performing arts; and visual arts. The creative and cultural industries currently employ 678,480, people, of which 24% are based in London. There are 74,640 businesses in the creative and cultural industries, of which 87% employ less than 10 people.
The literature industry includes areas of work, such as: aspiring writers; novelists; poets; playwrights; editors; agents; translators; critics; and the literature development sector. The industry is relatively small and historically its activity has been funding‐driven, with many organisations dependent on core funding from public or charitable sources. Work is carried out by organisations employing low numbers of staff and a relatively high proportion of freelancers, or people employed on short‐term contracts.
Key facts:
- There are 74,395 people working in the literature industry, of which:
- 69% are authors and writers
- 31% work in artistic and literary creation
- Employment levels increased by 8% between 2004 and 2006.
- There are 19,985 businesses, of which 95% employ less than 50 people.
- 48% of the literature workforce is located in London and the South East.
- The industry contributes £2.1 billion to the UK economy.
- 65% of the literature workforce is self‐employed, 33% work part‐time.
- There is little difference between the qualification levels of men and women.
- Women are likely to earn less money than men (57% of the women earn less than £20,000 per year, compared to 43% of men).
- 67% of those working in the industry have a level 4 or higher qualification. Jobs in the industry include: author, critic, editor, education staff (arts), promoter and writer.
Entry and progression
There are a range of industry endorsed courses (both at undergraduate and post‐graduate), training schemes (non‐accredited courses) and vocational qualifications available. Developing business skills and an understanding of the industry is vital in order to be able to profit from writing. A wide range of careers in publishing, editing and education are also possible and being able to demonstrate transferable skills improves employment opportunities. There are relatively few opportunities for career progression within the industry.
For job specific entry requirements, take a look at our job profiles.
Workforce statistics
| Number of UK employees: |
74,395 |
|---|
| Number of UK employers: |
19,985 |
|---|
| Gender: |
54% male |
46% female |
|---|
| Age: |
40% of the workforce is under 40 years |
14% is aged between 35-39 years |
|---|
[N.B. Data from Creative and Cultural Skills Workforce Survey, 2009.]
Employment trends and future prospects
The artist as educator is increasingly seen as vital in the industry. There is a clear link between art and education as a form of occupational therapy, with authors, poets and storytellers involved as educators most typically in schools, but also in facilitating community and prison workshops.
Key drivers of change in the industry include:
- Technology has shortened the necessary steps required for a literary artist to develop their creative work to a finished creative product. For example, an author can self‐publish a book or a poet can record a DVD.
- The development of new markets and technology has opened up the accessibility of the literary arts to a wider group.
Skill requirements and shortages
Generally, skills involved in the technical or production side of the industry are becoming more and more important. The fragmentation of key markets in the publishing industry has led to the need for additional skills, which can involve editing, proof reading and marketing. Future skills for the industry include: editing; creative writing skills; professional skills (now encapsulating previous professional skills and education skills); fundraising (at all levels, from entry to senior); transition skills; and IT/digital.
Occupational trends
Across the creative and cultural industries, employment in professional, associated and technical roles will increase by 26% over the next few years, compared with 15% across the UK. 39% of creative and cultural employers state that all occupations will maintain their current importance. Fundraising is expected to be of increasing importance in the cultural heritage industry and creative writers are expected to be important to success in the literary arts industry.
National and regional data
Northern Ireland – There are 11,640 people working in the Northern Ireland creative and cultural sector. 2% of the UK literature workforce is located in Northern Ireland. Literature in Northern Ireland contributes £11 million to the UK economy. More than 99% of the literature workforce is white and 72% of the workforce is male. 70% of the literature workforce in Northern Ireland is self‐employed.
Scotland – There are 45,420 people working in the Scottish creative and cultural sector. 5% of the UK literature workforce is located in Scotland. Literature in Scotland contributes £52 million to the UK economy. 95% of the literature workforce is white and 46% of the workforce is male. 66% of the literature workforce in Scotland is self‐employed.
Wales – There are 24,060 people working in the Welsh creative and cultural sector. 3% of the UK literature workforce is located in Wales. Literature in Wales contributes £27 million to the UK economy. More than 99% of the workforce is white. 56% of the Welsh literature workforce is self‐employed.
[N.B. The data for the following regions are for the creative and cultural sector as a whole.]
East Midlands – There are 44,380 people in the sector workforce in the region, representing 7% of the UK sector workforce. There are 3,950 creative businesses in the region, of which 92% employ less than 50 people. 35% of the workforce is self-employed. 63% of the workforce is male. 95% of the sector workforce is white and 54% are under 40 years.
East of England – There are 63,700 people in the sector workforce in the region, representing 9% of the UK sector workforce. There are 6,710 creative businesses in the region, of which 93% employ less than 50 people. 37% of the workforce is self-employed. 66% of the workforce is male. 95% of the sector workforce is white and 46% are under 40 years.
London – There are 164,690 people in the sector workforce in London, representing 24% of the UK sector workforce. There are 21,600 creative businesses, of which 93% employ less than 50 people. 51% of the workforce is self-employed. 58% of the workforce is male. 84% of the sector workforce is white and 56% are under 40 years.
North East – There are 19,680 people in the sector workforce in the region, representing 3% of the UK sector workforce. There are 1,330 creative businesses in the region, of which 90% employ less than 50 people. 38% of the workforce is self-employed. 63% of the workforce is male. 96% of the sector workforce is white and 53% are under 40 years.
North West – There are 59,580 people in the sector workforce in the region, representing 9% of the UK sector workforce. There are 5,660 creative businesses in the region, of which 91% employ less than 50 people. 34% of the workforce is self-employed; the majority of who are in arts and music. 62% of the workforce is male. 95% of the sector workforce is white and 55% are under 40 years.
South East – There are 98,170 people in the sector workforce in the region, representing 14% of the UK sector workforce. There are 12,300 creative businesses in the region, of which 93% employ less than 50 people. 43% of the workforce is self-employed. 59% of the workforce is male. 97% of the sector workforce is white and 47% are under 40 years.
South West – There are 60,690 people in the sector workforce in the region, representing 9% of the UK sector workforce. There are approximately 5,000 creative businesses in the region, of which 93% employ less than 50 people. 47% of the workforce is self-employed in arts, design and music. 59% of the workforce is male. 98% of the sector workforce is white and 46% are under 40 years.
West Midlands – There are 40,300 people in the sector workforce in the region, representing 6% of the UK sector workforce. There are approximately 5,000 creative businesses in the region, of which 91% employ less than 50 people. 31% of the workforce is self-employed, which is the lowest regional figure. 58% of the workforce is male. 91% of the sector workforce is white and 49% are under 40 years.
Yorkshire and the Humber – There are 45,900 people in the sector workforce in the region, representing 7% of the UK sector workforce. There are fewer than 4,000 creative businesses in the region, of which 90% employ less than 50 people. 40% of the workforce is self-employed. 60% of the workforce is male. 97% of the sector workforce is white and 53% are under 40 years.
Salary levels
Pay scales in this industry are variable, so the following only provides an indication of the wage structure of the current workforce:
- Less than 1% earn more than £41,000 per year
- 20% earn between £29,000 ‐ £41,000
- 29% earn between £20,000 ‐ £29,000
- 17% earn between £10,000 ‐ £20,000
- 34% earn less than £10,000
Literature salaries do not compare particularly well to other sectors, either outside or within the arts field.
Career paths
Further sources
Produced Sept 2010, using Creative and Cultural Skills AACS LMI report (Jun 2010)
