Writer versus Author

Is there a difference?

I was inspired by author K.M. Allan’s post ’10 Signs You’ve Upgraded To Being A Serious Writer’ and began thinking about all the ways people who write label themselves and one another, especially on the internet.

If you’re reading this, chances are you like to write. Maybe you fancy yourself a “writer”, an “author”, or an “aspiring writer”? How many times have you read the words “aspiring writer” on the internet this week?

The way writers self-identify is fascinating to me. The way literary circles and internet marketing use these words as labels and identifiers is even more interesting.

Let’s take a look

Writer

• Someone who writes
• Someone who writes for a living (novelist, journalist, blogger)
• Someone who writes books (specifically)
• Someone who wants to sound cool at parties

Author

• Someone who writes
• Someone who writes a lot
• Someone who is the author of published book(s)
  • Traditionally or self-published? Take your pick
• Someone who is a well-regarded and successful writer of books (upper-echelon, or possibly “mid-list author”)
• Someone who wants to sound cool, and a bit pretentious, at parties
  • bonus points for claiming “auteur” status

Aspiring Writer

• Someone who writes
• Someone who fantasizes about writing
  • but maybe doesn’t write a lot?
• Someone who writes and still has big dreams because the soul-crushing weight of a stack of rejection letters hasn’t demolished them yet
• Someone who is the recipient of endless writing advice (of varying quality) on the internet
• Someone who is the recipient of endless writer-focused product pitches (of varying quality) on the internet
• Someone who is just trying to meet another someone at the party

I come from the old school thought that “Writer’s write, but authors get paid to do it.” I find it keeps me grounded and helps me remember that writing may be an art, but publishing is a business. However, I know many of you think otherwise.

There’s no lack of enthusiasm and encouragement these days for people who want to write, which is great.

That said, I have found the common thread among all writers/authors I know is their evolution was grounded in rejection, exposure to criticism, and continued perseverance. In other words, “you keep writing even when it gets tougher and less nice”.

What do you think? Is there true meaning behind the way writers label themselves with these terms, or is it all semantics?

What do you refer to yourself as when you’re at parties? For the record, I say “writer”.