1

Book Writer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Technical Writer

Alexandria, VA · On-site

$80K - $110K/yr

PC is seeking an accomplished technical writer and content developer to support our business development and marketing teams in growing our book of business across the East Coast. This individual ...

PC is seeking an accomplished technical writer and content developer to support our business development and marketing teams in growing our book of business across the East Coast. This individual ...

PC is seeking an accomplished technical writer and content developer to support our business development and marketing teams in growing our book of business across the East Coast. This individual ...

Experience as a Volume Lead, Book Boss, or Lead Proposal Writer. * Deep understanding of proposal strategy, evaluation criteria, and competitive positioning * Strong command of technical and ...

Communicate book inventory issues to management in a timely manner. * Leverages resources, tools ... Excellent verbal and written communication skills. * Ability to be on your feet for long periods of ...

New

Bookstore Associate

Dulles, VA · On-site

$17.13/hr

Communicate book inventory issues to management in a timely manner. * Leverages resources, tools ... Excellent verbal and written communication skills. * Ability to be on your feet for long periods of ...

... written work which indicates the number and sequence of machine operations required to complete the work and maintain dimensional accuracy in accordance with instructions provided At Lakeside Book ...

Sportsbook Manager

Danville, VA · On-site

$65K - $75K/yr

JOB SUMMARY Responsible for the management and efficient operations of the Sports Book department ... Mentor employees to help them become better ticket writers. * Drive and motivate the staff to ...

JOB SUMMARY Responsible for the management and efficient operations of the Sports Book department ... Mentor employees to help them become better ticket writers. * Drive and motivate the staff to ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Book Writer information

See Virginia salary details

$11

$24

$42

How much do book writer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 18, 2026, the average hourly pay for book writer in Virginia is $24.08, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.37 and $27.64 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges book writers face when working with editors during the publishing process?

Book writers often encounter challenges such as incorporating editorial feedback while maintaining their creative vision and voice. Balancing revisions with tight deadlines, adapting to different editorial styles, and handling constructive criticism professionally are also common hurdles. Successful writers approach these challenges as collaborative opportunities, viewing editors as partners in refining and elevating the manuscript to meet publishing standards.

What is the difference between Book Writer vs Editor?

AspectBook WriterEditor
Primary RoleCreates and develops original content for booksReviews, revises, and improves written content
Required SkillsCreative writing, storytelling, researchEditing, grammar, attention to detail
Work EnvironmentIndependent, authoring projects, publishing housesPublishing companies, editing firms, freelance
Common CertificationsWriting courses, literary degreesEditing certifications, language proficiency

Book writers focus on creating original content and storytelling, while editors refine and improve existing manuscripts. Both roles often collaborate in the publishing industry, but their core responsibilities differ significantly. Understanding these distinctions helps clarify career paths and job expectations in the literary field.

How do I become a book writer?

To become a book writer, develop strong writing skills through practice and reading widely, and create a portfolio of your work. Many writers pursue a bachelor's degree in English, creative writing, or related fields, and consider joining writing groups or workshops for feedback. Building a publishing network and understanding the submission process can also help in getting published.

How much do book writers make?

Book writers, or authors, typically earn royalties that range from 5% to 15% of the book's retail price, with income varying widely based on sales, reputation, and publishing method. Many authors supplement their income through advances, speaking engagements, or freelance writing, and success often depends on experience, genre, and marketing efforts.

How many books do I need to sell to make $100,000?

As a book writer, earning $100,000 depends on the book's royalty rate and price. For example, with a typical 10-15% royalty on a $15 book, you would need to sell approximately 67,000 to 100,000 copies. Success often requires building an audience and marketing skills to increase sales volume.

What does a book writer do?

A book writer, also known as an author, is responsible for creating content for books, which can include fiction, non-fiction, or other genres. They develop ideas, conduct research, outline stories, and write drafts before revising and editing their work to prepare it for publication. Book writers may work independently or with publishers, and often collaborate with editors and literary agents to bring their manuscripts to print or digital formats.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Book Writer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Book Writer, you need strong writing ability, creativity, research skills, and a solid grasp of grammar and storytelling techniques, often supported by a background in literature or communications. Familiarity with word processing software, editing tools, and publishing platforms is common in the field. Persistence, self-motivation, and openness to feedback help writers stand out and improve their craft. These skills are essential for producing compelling, well-structured content that resonates with readers and meets industry standards.

What is the 90 10 rule for authors?

The 90/10 rule for authors suggests that 90% of a book's success comes from marketing and promotion efforts, while only 10% depends on writing quality. As a book writer, focusing on marketing strategies can significantly impact sales and readership growth.
Infographic showing various Book Writer job openings in Virginia as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 11% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $50,086 per year, or $24.1 per hour.
Manager - Festival Of The Book

Manager - Festival Of The Book

University of Virginia

Charlottesville, VA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 9 days ago


University Of Virginia rating

7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 35 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

182nd of 555 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Manager, Virginia Festival of the Book
Virginia Humanities is the state humanities council, dedicated to helping Virginians share their stories and connect through history, culture, and ideas. The Virginia Center for the Book-part of Virginia Humanities-serves as the Commonwealth's affiliate of the Library of Congress Center for the Book and fosters statewide literary culture, reading, and community engagement through year-round programming, partnerships, and the annual Virginia Festival of the Book.
Position Summary
The Manager of the Virginia Festival of the Book supports and reports to the Director of the Virginia Center for the Book in developing and delivering high quality literary programming to the Virginia Festival of the Book and other Festival lead-up initiatives including statewide events throughout the year, as well as the National Book Festival in Washington, D.C. This role requires strong communication skills, project management abilities, statewide relationship building, and familiarity with the publishing ecosystem. The Manager organizes key projects and activities related to the Festival, including logistics, assisting with managing partnerships and statewide engagement, and implementing programs. The Manager also represents the Center independently at select statewide events and meetings and contributes to overall Virginia Humanities initiatives.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Program Development
  • Collaborate with the Center for the Book Director, Virginia Humanities' staff, and other stakeholders to curate authors and programs for the Festival as well as year-round Center for the Book events.
  • Assist the director in creating and scheduling panel discussions and programs based on book themes or other literary ties for Festival events.
  • Manage venues, AV, and other logistics for the Festival other year-round lead up events.
  • With the director and other Virginia Humanities staff, determine interlocutors to interview authors and special guests.
  • Oversee author needs such as hotel bookings, comp tickets, and participation in special events.
  • Stay informed on publishing developments via Publishers Weekly , Publishers Marketplace , and related industry sources.

2. Partnerships & Community Engagement
  • Help build and sustain partnerships with nonprofits, publishers, bookstores, community groups, and statewide literary collaborators.
  • Manage offsite and onsite sales with booksellers for all Center for the Book events.

3. Submission & Selection Management
  • Oversee the annual book submissions process for authors and publicists, including outreach and ensuring submission completeness.
  • With the director, conduct initial review of all submissions and oversee managing review committees and evaluations.

4. Communications & Media Coordination
  • Manage bulk and individualized author, moderator, and special guest communications, including media requests for author interviews.
  • Assist with identifying authors to feature in Virginia Humanities or Center for the Book interviews; conduct or assign interviews as needed.
  • Create e-newsletters and coordinate with VH Communications team for social media posts

5. Data, Reporting & Evaluation
  • Deliver post program reports to publishers and publicists, including attendance, bookseller data, and other metrics.
  • Plan and implement strategies for collecting survey, participant, and event evaluation data to measure and report the Center for the Book's metrics and impact.
  • Support and refine internal program databases.

6. Statewide Outreach & Public Representation
  • Support the director in representing the Center independently at statewide events, meetings, and community engagements to expand Festival visibility and partnerships.
  • Assist with conducting statewide outreach-virtually and in person-to strengthen relationships across the Commonwealth and bring attention to the Festival.

7. Volunteer Coordination
  • Oversee recruiting, scheduling, training, and supporting volunteers, interns, and event ambassadors, as well as all volunteer communications.

8. Program Administration, Budget Support & Technology
  • Oversee budget tracking, program expenditures, and documentation.
  • Work with VH finance team to ensure all payments are made in a timely fashion.
  • Maintain organized, accurate program records, evaluation materials, and administrative documentation.
  • Learn and effectively use agency technology platforms, including CVENT and other event management, communication, and data systems.

Required Qualifications
Education
  • Bachelor's degree

Experience
  • 3 years experience in one or more of the following:
  • Literary programming, book festivals, or cultural event planning
  • Publishing (editorial, publicity, author relations)
  • Public library or statewide humanities based program work
  • Nonprofit program management or community partnership development

Preferred:
  • Bachelors or higher degree in Library & Information Science, Literature, English, Creative Writing, Public Humanities, Communications, or a related field.
  • Deep understanding of the current publishing and literary landscape and a thorough knowledge of fiction, poetry, and non-fiction, including youth literature.
  • Experience developing partnerships with libraries, educators, and literacy organizations.
  • Experience coordinating statewide initiatives or representing an organization publicly.

Additional Requirements
  • Strong communication and organizational skills. Comfort with public speaking and communicating with audiences of varied sizes.
  • Ability to be flexible, adaptive, and solution-oriented when facing setbacks or quickly-changing program needs.
  • Some frequency of weekends will be required for events and special projects fall-spring. In addition, must be available for the Virginia Festival of the Book each spring and National Book Festival each August or September.
  • Valid driver's license (due to statewide travel)
  • Must be able to lift up to 40 pounds.

To Apply:
External applicants Apply here. Internal applicants may search for R0085095 and apply for jobs on the UVA Internal Careers website .
Complete an application online with the following required documents:
  • CV/Resume
  • Cover letter
  • A Writing Sample Using the Below Prompt:

Create a hypothetical Virginia Festival of the Book panel discussion involving three books that have been published or that are coming out in 2026 or 2027. Write a program description and title in the style of the event descriptions on the 2026 Virginia Festival of the Book Schedule , located at vabook.org.
Upload all materials into the resume submission field, multiple documents can be submitted into this one field. Alternatively, merge all documents into one PDF for submission.
Applications that do not contain all required documents will not receive full consideration.
References will be completed via UVA's standardized process Skill Survey. A total of five references will be requested via SkillSurvey during the final phase of the interview process.
This position reports to Virginia Humanities' Director, Center for the Book. Compensation Range: $65,000 - $70,000 commensurate with education and experience.
This is an Exempt level, benefited position. This position is a restricted position and is dependent
upon project need, availability of funding, and performance.
Working Conditions
Virginia Humanities maintains a hybrid work environment, with offices based in Charlottesville and regular in-person needs in town. The role also requires statewide travel and evening/weekend work, especially fall through spring.
Job Profile
J2168 - Events and Venues Professional 2
Career Stream and Level
Professional-P2
The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA's commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment .

What University Of Virginia employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


University of Virginia logo

About University of Virginia

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

The University of Virginia is distinctive among institutions of higher education. Founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1819, the University sustains the ideal of developing, through education, leaders who are well-prepared to shape the future of the nation.

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Charlottesville, VA, US

Year founded

1819