HOW TO DISCOVER THE HIDDEN JOB MARKET FOR GAME WRITERS
Hi - it's Susan. I've been talking with my friends who are now at director and lead levels at studios, and I want to share what they're telling me about what's happening in studios now.
STUDIOS ARE STILL HIRING WRITERS...
...BUT NOT THE WAY THEY USED TO
Yes, the headlines are rough. There's definitely chaos and upheaval in the industry right now - I'm not going to tell you it's all sunshine and roses.
But here's what most people don't know: Studios ARE still hiring writers. And when they need someone, they need them yesterday. The challenge is that most writers are looking in the wrong place. If you're only checking job boards, you're missing most of the jobs that are actually available. A vast number of these roles are opened and filled behind the scenes, which means that publicly available job data is only telling a part of the story.
INTRODUCING
THE GAME WRITING INDUSTRY INSIDER SESSION
What Studios Are Actually Looking For When They Hire Writers (And How the Process Really Works)
FREE 90-Minute Live Session
Sunday, September 7th at 2 PM Central
THE HIDDEN JOB MARKET IS WAITING FOR YOU
Studies show that anywhere from 40% - 70% of jobs never get posted publicly. (That is a huge number.) Here's how it actually works:
For studios, a hire is high-risk. If they get it wrong, they've really screwed the team over. So before they post anything publicly, they ask around. "Hey, do you know anyone who might be good for this?"
When a friend or colleague says "this person's great," that's a huge stress reliever. (We trust our friends!) So up to 70% of these jobs get filled through referrals or direct outreach from the studio to the writer.
That changes your career path from "how many times can I click submit?" to "how can I get to know more people in the industry and help them get to know me?"
What you'll discover in this free session:
- What Makes a Great Game Writer in 2025 - The three things studios check for (hint: "are you a good writer?" isn't first)
- The Hidden Job Market - What it is, how to break into it, and the key skills that will unlock those doors
- Your Path Forward - Specific next steps you can take, whether you're breaking in or leveling up
THIS SESSION IS COMPLETELY FREE
Here's what you get when you register:
- 90-minute live session with a best-selling, award-winning game writer
- Interactive Q&A throughout (not just at the end!)
- Real-time insights about what's actually happening in the industry
After this session, you'll know how to position yourself so studios find you (instead of the other way around).
WHERE OUR ALUMNI ARE WORKING NOW
TND graduates are working at studios you know, including:
Bad Robot Games▪️ Blizzard ▪️ Bungie▪️EA▪️Firaxis▪️Massive Games ▪️Obsidian▪️Paradox Interactive▪️Wizards of the Coast (& more)
"If I hadn't taken this class, I think I would be spiraling at work... It vastly changed my experience on the development team."
— Ian M., Quest Designer, Blizzard Entertainment
Connect with other ambitious writers who are building real careers in the industry. This isn't just about getting any job - it's about building the career you actually want.
READY TO GET THE INSIDE STORY?
Sunday, September 7th at 2:00 PM Central Time
This is completely free, but you do need to register. Seats are limited!
REGISTER FOR FREE SESSION
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THIS SESSION IS FOR YOU IF:
- You're an aspiring game writer who wants the real deal about how hiring actually works
- You're working in games and want to figure how to grow your career
- You're transitioning from another field and need insider knowledge about what makes game writing different
- You want to stop spinning your wheels with job applications and start making real progress
Don't just take my word for it - come see for yourself on Sunday, September 7th.
REGISTER NOW
HI, I'M SUSAN
I'm Susan O'Connor, and I've been writing for games for over 20 years. My credits range from the original BioShock to Hogwarts Legacy - projects that have sold over 30 million copies.
But more importantly: I'm lucky enough to be at the point where my friends - who used to be entry-level alongside me - are now at director levels in studios. I get to see the industry from the inside - I know what they look for when they hire, and yes, they are looking.
What happens after this session:
This will give you clarity on how studios actually hire - but if you want to go deeper, I'll be sharing details about our comprehensive Game Writing Masterclass with attendees first.
That's the 8-week program that's helped writers land positions at all those studios I mentioned.
Writing for games is incredible - it really is a wonderful way to make a living and do your thing. If it's something you want to do, I want to help you make it happen.
If you want to learn about the games industry and how to be a writer for games, TND is the best there is by far.
"I feel this was the most comprehensive course in terms of giving practical day-to-day knowledge of what would be done in a game studio, rather than teaching the basic and foundational pieces of writing as many others did."
I'd recommend this class on the sheer amount of networking potential alone! Add in all the learning and personal growth and it becomes a no-brainer.
GET INSTANT ACCESS TO
THE GAME WRITING INDUSTRY INSIDER SESSION
This comprehensive session will help you understand what studios are actually looking for from writers right now.
Sunday, September 7th from 2 - 3:30 pm Central
FREE SESSION - LIMITED SEATS
If you aren’t completely satisfied with the insights you get out of this Industry Insider Session, you've lost nothing. But if it helps, you'll know what you need to do next -and you'll be confident you can do it.
