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How to Become A Novelist

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What is a Novelist

A novelist writes original stories that fill a whole book. They come up with characters, build a world, and craft a plot that keeps readers hooked from start to finish.

Writing a novel takes time. Most take years to complete. Each day, novelists research ideas, write new pages, and revise what they have already drafted. When the manuscript is ready, they work with agents, editors, and publishers to get it into print.

Most Australian novelists have other jobs while they write, at least early on. They might teach, work in publishing, or freelance as journalists. Over time, successful authors may earn enough from their books to write full-time.

If this sounds like your dream, you do not need to wait. You can start writing today, connect with the Australian Society of Authors, or join a local writing group. Every published novelist started exactly where you are now.

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Career Outlook for Novelist

The outlook for Australian novelists is good, though the field is competitive. Your Career reports median weekly pay of $2,500 for Authors (ANZSCO 212211) (yourcareer.gov.au, 2024). Future demand is rated as Strong. Most published novelists work part-time in the early stages of their career.

The median age for authors in Australia is around 48 (yourcareer.gov.au, 2024). The field is majority female at about 63%. Audiobooks are a growing part of the market. The ASA 2025 annual survey found a 6% rise in audiobook rates for Australian authors. This is opening new income streams for fiction writers.

Income from creative writing alone stays low for many writers. The ASA 2025 annual survey found that 45% of full-time writers earn under $15,000 from their creative practice (ASA Annual Survey, 2025). Most novelists balance writing with teaching, editing, or other work. With persistence and skill, long-term success is possible.

On this Article

Introduction

Average Salaries

Resources

Steps to become a Novelist

Step 1: Build strong reading and writing habits

Read widely across many genres and time periods. Try to read one book a week. Write every day, even if only for 30 minutes. Keeping a journal, writing short stories, and trying new styles will build the skills a novelist needs. This is the base of every writing career, and it costs nothing to start.

Step 2: Complete a Bachelor of Creative Writing (3 years full-time, university)

Enrol in a Bachelor of Creative Writing at a university such as RMIT, Macquarie, or Deakin. The University of Melbourne offers an Arts degree with a writing major. These programs take 3 years full-time. They cover story structure, character, editing, and publishing. A degree is not required to become a novelist. But it gives you a clear path and a network of peers.

Step 3: Write and complete a full novel manuscript

Set a daily word target and work toward a complete first draft. Most first drafts take 6 months to 2 years to finish. Once drafted, revise several times and seek feedback from beta readers, writing groups, or a professional editor. The finished manuscript is your core asset as a writer. No other step matters until you have one.

Step 4: Join a writing community and seek mentorship

Join the Australian Society of Authors (ASA) for advice, contract help, and mentorship programs. Connect with your state writing centre for workshops, manuscript review, and events. These bodies support writers at every career stage. Many also run prizes and grants that can fund your next project.

Step 5: Submit to literary agents or explore publishing options

Research Australian literary agents who work in your genre. Prepare a query letter, a synopsis, and the first 50 pages of your manuscript. Most agents reply within 8 to 12 weeks. If traditional publishing is not your path, hybrid and self-publishing are strong options in Australia. Platforms such as IngramSpark let authors print and sell books nationally and internationally.

What does a Novelist do?

A novelist’s day is a mix of creative and practical work. They might start with a writing session, adding new pages to the manuscript. Then they switch to research, checking facts or reading around a topic for the next chapter. Later, they might revise earlier sections or respond to feedback from an editor. Many novelists also spend time on admin work such as managing submissions, royalty statements, or book promotion. It is a varied career, and no two days look the same.

Tasks

Novelists do more than just write. Each book is a long project with many moving parts. Here is what a typical novelist works on from day to day.

  • Idea development: comes up with original themes, characters, and story concepts to explore in a new book.
  • Research: reads widely and gathers facts to make the story accurate and believable.
  • Writing: sets daily word targets and writes new content toward a complete first draft.
  • Editing and revision: rewrites earlier drafts to improve the pacing, structure, and clarity of the story.
  • Working with editors: acts on editorial feedback from publishers or freelance editors to strengthen the manuscript.
  • Promotion and events: attends book launches, festivals, and signings to connect with readers.
  • Time management: balances writing sessions with research, admin, and other paid work, especially early in a career.

Skills for Success

To become a novelist, you need to write a lot and read even more. Reading builds your sense of story, style, and character. Writing builds the habits and skills that make a whole novel possible.

You also need patience and a thick skin. Rejections are part of the process for almost every published author. Learning to take feedback and revise honestly will speed up your growth. No other skill comes close.

On top of the craft, there is a business side. You will need to understand publishing contracts, manage your own deadlines, and promote your books. The Australian Society of Authors (ASA) can help you get started with all of this.

Skills & Attributes

  • Creativity and imagination
  • Strong written expression
  • Research and fact-checking
  • Story structure and plot development
  • Character development
  • Attention to detail
  • Self-editing and revision
  • Time management and self-discipline
  • Resilience and persistence
  • Openness to feedback and critique
  • Understanding of publishing and contracts
  • Networking and relationship-building

Average Salaries

The median weekly pay for Authors in Australia is $2,500 per week, or about $130,000 a year (yourcareer.gov.au, 2024). This covers all employed authors, including novelists. For those writing fiction full-time, income can be much lower. The ASA 2025 annual survey found 45% of full-time creators earn under $15,000 from their creative practice (ASA Annual Survey, 2025). Most novelists top up their income through teaching, editing, or other writing work.

min $50 K

max $200 K

av $130 K

About the author

Laura Atkinson - Course Finder Groups
Laura Atkinson

Laura Atkinson is an Account Management and SEM specialist at Course Finder Group with six years' experience in the Australian education sector. She works day to day with universities, TAFEs and independent training providers, which gives her a close view of how courses map to real career outcomes. She writes practical guidance on career pathways, choosing the right qualification and what to expect when moving into a new field.