Frequently Asked Questions
from Writers About Opportunities Unrelated to Making Money Through Copywriting, and Our Recommendations
For over a quarter of a century, AWAI has been helping writers discover and create writing careers that offer financial security … fulfillment … and opportunity.
With more than 100 self-study and expert-led live training programs, AWAI is your best source for learning the copywriting skills you need to start earning a great income and living your version of the writer’s life.
We sometimes get writing-related questions outside of copywriting and are happy to help direct writers to the people and resources who can best give them the information they’re looking for.
Here are some of the most common questions we get that fall outside of what we offer, and our best recommendations.
- How do I get my book or articles published?
- How do I get my poetry published?
- Can you copyright my work?
- How can I find an agent?
- Do I need an agent?
- Where can I learn about academic writing?
- Where can I learn about travel writing?
- Where can I learn how to write screenplays?
- Where can I find info about legal and tax requirements/concerns for writers?
- Where can I find programs in Spanish for non-English speakers?
- Where can I learn to use Microsoft Office?
- Where can I learn more about computer/tech literacy?
- Where can I find writing assessment tools?
- How can I get my writing portfolio or samples reviewed?
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How do I get my book or articles published?
Being a published author is many writers’ dream. There are a variety of ways to go about it. Writer’s Digest provides comprehensive information on how to Get Published.
You also can find out more on How to Get a Book Published at Reedsy, or learn How to Write and Sell Your Articles to a Newspaper or Magazine at Indy.
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How do I get my poetry published?
Whether you want to publish a single poem or a book of poetry, Writer’s Digest can tell you how to get your poetry published. Additionally, Writers.com has a list of 24 of the Best Places to Submit Poetry Online that you might find helpful.
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Can you copyright my work?
AWAI cannot copyright your work, but if you’re in the United States, the U.S. Copyright Office can. You can find additional information about international copyright laws and treaties at the World Intellectual Property Organization website.
Keep in mind that in many cases, publishing your work online triggers automatic copyright protection, and when working for clients, they will own the copyright.
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How can I find an agent?
Not all fiction and nonfiction writers have agents, so it will depend on what you’re hoping to publish. You can learn more about Literary Agents: What They Do and How to Find One from our friends at Writers.com.
Additionally, you might find the New York Book Editors’ Tips for Finding a Literary Agent helpful.
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Do I need an agent?
Maybe. It depends on the kind of writing you do and where you want to get it published. (Copywriters do not need agents.) Writer’s Digest explores both when it does and when it doesn’t make sense to get an agent in Do Writers Need Literary Agents?
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Where can I learn about academic writing?
Coursera has curated academic writing courses from some top educational institutions, including Stanford University, Duke University, University of Michigan, and University of California, Irvine, to name just a few.
Their Academic Writing courses — some free and others available for a fee — range from beginner level to advanced.
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Where can I learn about travel writing?
Travel writing is both a business and a lifestyle choice for many writers, and Travel Writers Exchange is a valuable resource where you’ll find community and support.
Additionally, you can learn the skill of travel writing at Writer’s Digest, Gotham Writers Workshop, and Writers.com.
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Where can I learn how to write screenplays?
While AWAI has programs that teach how to write sales and marketing video scripts, we do not teach screenwriting.
You can find webinars and full online courses for a variety of types of screenwriting at Script University, which was developed by Writer’s Digest. New York Film Academy also offers online screenwriting workshops as well as full screenwriting degrees.
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Where can I find info about legal and tax requirements/concerns for writers?
Since your situation is unique to you, we recommend consulting with tax and legal professionals about your specific circumstances. In addition, Writer’s Digest offers some general Tax Advice for Writers. You might also find these Tax Tips for Freelance Writers and Self-Published Authors from TurboTax helpful. And, AWAI’s Freelance Writing Business Success: The Essential Guide to Starting Your Own Business is a great resource for everything you need to launch and run your business smoothly.
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Where can I find programs in Spanish for non-English speakers?
Instructional Solutions offers a course teaching Business Writing Techniques for Non-Native English Writers. And many universities offer Spanish creative writing classes and other specialty writing programs in Spanish for non-English speakers.
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Where can I learn to use Microsoft Office?
You can find robust Microsoft 365 Training, including cheat sheets, training templates, and quick start guides to help you get up to speed on Word, Excel, Outlook, and other Office apps all for free directly from Microsoft.
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Where can I learn more about computer/tech literacy?
In addition to teaching how to use their apps, Microsoft provides general digital literacy courses and resources to help you learn how to use various devices, software, and the internet.
Many local public libraries and community colleges also offer computer/tech literacy programs where you can find support.
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Where can I find writing assessment tools?
It was designed as a Student Self-Edit Checklist, but this teacher resource from Reading Rockets is a good self-assessment tool to help you evaluate your writing as well.
The Hemingway Editor App is another tool that you can use to evaluate your writing. It’s not an assessment, exactly, but it gives you a readability score and highlights elements of your writing where you could make improvements to enhance that readability.
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How can I get my writing portfolio or samples reviewed?
AWAI offers professional writing reviews through many of its specific training programs. For example, in our flagship program, The AWAI Method™ for Becoming a Skilled, In-Demand Copywriter, you’ll have the opportunity to have five assignments reviewed and use them to build your professional portfolio.
Outside of our programs, one of the best ways to get feedback on your writing is a peer review.
You can find an overview of the complete AWAI Peer Review System here.
Still Have Questions?
If you have a question we haven’t answered here, we encourage you to reach out to our friendly and knowledgeable Member Success Team.
They’ll get you the answer if it’s about copywriting or making money as a writer, or point you to another recommended resource or training group if it’s about anything else!
