Marg Career Library - Feature Writer

Overview:

A feature writer is a specialized journalist who crafts in-depth, narrative-driven stories that go beyond basic news reporting to focus on human interest, trends, and, often, in-depth profiles. Unlike hard news reporters, feature writers use creative storytelling techniques, descriptive language, and, frequently, a more subjective tone to engage readers emotionally and provide context.

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Career Path:

Junior Feature Writer
Content Writer (Features)
Editorial Assistant / Trainee Writer

What you do

Research topics and pitch story ideas
Write short features, profiles, and listicles
Learn interviewing, fact-checking, and storytelling
Work closely with editors to refine drafts

Typical background

Bachelor’s in Journalism, Mass Communication, English, Media Studies (helpful, not mandatory)
Strong writing samples matter more than degrees

Mid-Level

Feature Writer
Staff Writer
Lifestyle / Culture / Travel Writer

What you do

Write long-form features and cover beats
Conduct in-depth interviews
Develop a distinct writing voice
Contribute regularly to magazines, newspapers, and digital platforms

Growth drivers

Published bylines
Niche expertise (health, business, travel, society, arts)
Consistent pitching and audience engagement

Senior Level

Senior Feature Writer
Columnist
Principal Writer

What you do

Lead major stories and cover complex subjects
Write opinion columns or signature features
Mentor junior writers
Represent the publication publicly (panels, talks)

Leadership and Specialist Roles

Features Editor / Section Editor
Editorial Director (Features)
Content Lead / Head of Editorial

What you do

Plan editorial calendars
Commission and edit stories
Shape publication voice and strategy

Freelance and Independent Paths

Freelance Feature Writer (multiple publications)
Ghostwriter
Scriptwriter / Narrative Writer
Author (non-fiction, essays)
Newsletter Creator / Substack Writer

Freelancing offers flexibility and higher per-piece pay but needs strong pitching and self-marketing.

Essential Skills to Progress

Storytelling and narrative structure
Research and interviewing
Editing and fact-checking
SEO and digital publishing
Time management and pitching
Visual thinking (working with photos, multimedia)

Career Progression Snapshot

Junior Writer → Feature Writer → Senior Feature Writer → Columnist / Editor → Editorial Leadership (or Freelance Specialist / Author)

Top Colleges:

🇮🇳 Top Colleges in India for Feature Writing

Premier Journalism and Media Institutes

These are the most preferred for students aiming to become feature writers in newspapers, magazines, and digital media.

1. Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), Chennai

Gold standard for journalism in India
Strong focus on long-form writing, features, reporting
Excellent industry placement and bylines

2. Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) – Delhi and Regional Campuses

PG programs in Journalism
Excellent training in feature writing, interviews, and storytelling
Highly competitive entrance exam

3. Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication (SIMC), Pune

Strong balance of print, digital, and magazine writing
Good exposure to lifestyle and culture features

4. Xavier Institute of Communications (XIC), Mumbai

Popular for creative, narrative, and magazine-style writing
Strong alumni network in media

Universities with Strong Media / English Programs

Jamia Millia Islamia (AJK MCRC), Delhi
University of Delhi (LSR, Hindu, Miranda House – English / Journalism)
Christ University, Bengaluru
St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai / Kolkata
Manipal Institute of Communication, MAHE
Amity School of Communication

English and Liberal Arts Colleges (Great for Feature Writers)

Ashoka University
FLAME University
Azim Premji University

Top Colleges Overseas for Feature Writing

🇺🇸 United States

1. Columbia University – Graduate School of Journalism

World’s most prestigious journalism school
Strong focus on long-form and narrative journalism

2. Northwestern University (Medill School of Journalism)

Known for feature writing and magazine journalism

3. University of Missouri – School of Journalism

One of the oldest journalism schools globally

4. New York University (NYU) – Journalism / Creative Writing

5. University of California, Berkeley – Journalism and Media Studies

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

University of Westminster – Journalism
City, University of London – Journalism and Publishing
University of Leeds – Media and Communication
Goldsmiths, University of London – Creative and cultural writing

🇦🇺 Australia

University of Melbourne – Journalism
University of Sydney – Media Practice
Monash University – Communication and Media Studies

Important Truth (Very Important for Feature Writers)

Your portfolio matters more than your college.

Top feature writers are hired for:

Published articles
Strong storytelling voice
Interviewing ability
Consistency and originality

Many successful writers come from non-journalism backgrounds.

Best Path for Students

UG: Journalism / English / Liberal Arts
PG (optional): Journalism / Creative Writing

Alongside college:

Start a blog / Medium / Substack
Write for student magazines
Pitch to newspapers and digital platforms

Job Opportunities:

Feature writers have diverse and evolving career opportunities across print, digital, corporate, and independent platforms. Below is a clear, exam-ready and counselling-friendly breakdown.

Print Media

Newspapers (weekend editions, supplements)
Magazines (Lifestyle, Travel, Fashion, Business, Health)

Job Roles

Feature Writer
Staff Writer
Magazine Writer
Columnist

Digital Media and Online Platforms

News portals
Digital magazines
Media startups
SEO-driven editorial websites

Job Roles

Digital Feature Writer
Long-form Content Writer
Lifestyle / Culture Writer
Editorial Writer

Broadcast and Multimedia

Television channels
OTT platforms
Podcast and documentary teams

Job Roles

Scriptwriter
Research Writer
Narrative Producer

Corporate and Branded Content

Corporate communication departments
Content marketing agencies
Brand storytelling firms

Job Roles

Brand Storyteller
Corporate Feature Writer
Content Strategist

Freelance and Independent Opportunities

Freelance Feature Writer (multiple publications)
Contributor to national and international magazines
Blogger / Newsletter writer (Substack, Medium)
Ghostwriter

Publishing and Editorial

Publishing houses
Non-fiction book projects
Editorial research teams

Job Roles

Editorial Writer
Book Editor (Non-fiction)
Publishing Assistant

Government and Non-Profit Sector

Government magazines and portals
NGOs and think tanks
Research and advocacy organizations

Job Roles

Research Writer
Policy Feature Writer
Communication Officer

High-Demand Feature Writing Niches

Travel and food
Health and wellness
Business and finance
Technology and AI
Education and careers
Society and human-interest stories

Career Growth Path

Feature Writer → Senior Feature Writer → Columnist / Editor → Content Head / Author

Job Responsibilities:

1. Concept and Ideation

Trend Spotting: Identifying emerging cultural, social, or industry trends before they hit the mainstream.
Pitching: Developing unique "angles" for stories and presenting them to editors to secure commissions.
Niche Development: Cultivating expertise in specific areas such as lifestyle, tech, politics, or travel.

2. Research and Investigation

Deep Diving: Conducting extensive background research to ensure accuracy and provide context.
Interviewing: Sourcing and interviewing subjects, from high-profile celebrities to "everyday" people with extraordinary stories.
Fact-Checking: Verifying all data, quotes, and claims to maintain editorial integrity and avoid legal issues.

3. Content Creation

Narrative Crafting: Writing long-form pieces (1,000+ words) that use creative storytelling techniques like descriptive imagery and character arcs.
Tone Adaptation: Adjusting the "voice" of the writing to match the publication’s brand—whether it’s witty and irreverent or formal and academic.
SEO Optimization: Incorporating keywords and digital best practices to ensure the story reaches a wide audience online.

4. Collaboration and Maintenance

Multimedia Coordination: Working with photographers, videographers, and graphic designers to ensure the visual elements complement the narrative.
Revision: Working closely with editors to refine drafts, tighten prose, and meet strict deadlines.
Networking: Building and maintaining a robust contact list (sources, PR agents, and industry experts).

Work Life:

1. The Daily Workflow: "The Feast or Famine"

A feature writer’s day depends entirely on where they are in the story cycle:

The Hunt (Research Phase): You might spend the morning in a library or scrolling through archives, and the afternoon traveling to meet a source in a noisy cafe or a quiet office.
The Deep Work (Writing Phase): This is the "hermit" stage. You’ll likely spend 6–8 hours straight in front of a laptop, weaving together thousands of words, agonizing over the perfect opening hook (the "lede").
The Polish (Editing Phase): Back-and-forth emails with editors, trimming 200 words to fit a print layout, and double-checking the spelling of a source's middle name.

2. The Environment

Remote and Flexible: Many feature writers are freelancers or work in hybrid roles. You can work from a home office, a co-working space, or a plane.
On-Location: Depending on your beat (e.g., travel, crime, or food), your "office" could be a luxury resort one week and a courthouse the next.

3. Key Challenges vs. Perks

The Challenges

The "Always On" Brain: You’re constantly looking for story angles in everyday conversations.
Deadline Stress: The final 48 hours before a long-form piece is due can be grueling.
Income Fluctuation: If freelancing, you have to manage "dry spells" between commissions.

The Perks

The "VIP" Pass: You get access to people and places the general public rarely sees.
Creative Freedom: You get to use "flowery" or punchy language that news reporters can't.
Byline Pride: There is a unique thrill in seeing your name atop a 4,000-word spread.

4. The Social and Emotional Aspect

Building Trust: You aren't just taking a quote; you are often asking people to share their life stories or trauma. This requires high emotional intelligence and can sometimes lead to "compassion fatigue."
The Pitching Grind: You will hear "no" or get ignored by editors frequently. Developing a thick skin is part of the job description.

Key Skills:

1. Narrative Storytelling (The "Craft")

Unlike inverted-pyramid news writing, feature writing relies on creative non-fiction techniques.

Descriptive Imagery: The ability to "show, not tell." Instead of saying a subject was nervous, you describe their tapping foot and the way they avoid eye contact.
Pacing and Structure: Knowing when to speed up the action and when to let a moment breathe.
The "Hook": Mastering the art of the lead - crafting an opening paragraph so magnetic the reader can’t look away.

2. Advanced Interviewing Techniques

Feature writers don’t just ask questions; they conduct conversations that reveal character.

Active Listening: Picking up on subtext or a slight change in tone that signals a deeper story.
Building Rapport: Making a stranger feel comfortable enough to share personal, often vulnerable, details.
Silence as a Tool: Learning to stay quiet after asking a tough question to let the subject fill the space with a candid response.

3. Investigative Research and Fact-Checking

Because feature stories are often "the definitive word" on a subject, accuracy is non-negotiable.

Primary Sourcing: Going beyond Google to find original documents, court records, or archived letters.
Synthesizing Complex Data: Taking a dense topic (like climate change or economic policy) and making it digestible for a general audience.
Verification: Obsessive attention to detail regarding dates, names, and technical specifications.

4. Self-Management and "The Hustle"

Whether in-house or freelance, a feature writer is essentially a small business owner.

The Art of the Pitch: Selling an idea to an editor with brevity and energy.
Deadline Discipline: Managing long-term projects (which may take weeks or months) without losing momentum.
Adaptability: Switching your "voice" to fit the style of different publications (e.g., the grit of Vice vs. the polish of The New Yorker).

Designation:

1. Entry-Level Designations

These roles focus on learning the ropes, conducting preliminary research, and writing shorter "service" features (like gift guides or "how-to" pieces).

Junior Feature Writer: Assisting senior staff while handling smaller assignments.
Staff Writer: A generalist role where you produce a high volume of content across various sections.
Editorial Assistant: Often involves a mix of administrative work and writing small feature snippets or "front-of-book" pieces.

2. Mid-to-Senior Level Designations

At this stage, you are expected to tackle "big-read" cover stories and investigative profiles.

Senior Feature Writer: Responsible for the publication's high-impact stories; often mentors junior staff.
Special Correspondent: A prestigious title for writers who cover a specific "beat" (e.g., Senior Tech Correspondent) with a narrative flair.
Writer-at-Large: A senior position with the freedom to write about almost anything, often without the daily "desk duties" of other editors.

3. Editorial-Path Designations

Many feature writers move into roles that involve both writing and managing other writers.

Features Editor: Oversees the entire features section, commissions stories from freelancers, and manages the budget.
Deputy Features Editor: Supports the Features Editor in planning and polishing the long-form content.
Section Editor: (e.g., Lifestyle Editor, Culture Editor) A role focused on features within a specific niche.

4. Freelance and Independent Designations

Freelance Feature Journalist: An independent contractor who sells stories to multiple outlets.
Contributing Editor: A "heavyweight" freelancer who has a regular contract with a specific magazine but isn't full-time staff.
Columnist: A writer designated to provide a specific opinion-based or themed feature on a recurring basis.

Merits & Demerits:

The Merits

Creative Fulfillment: Unlike news writing, which follows a rigid formula, feature writing allows for "literary" expression. You can play with metaphors, structure, and tone.
Deep Human Connection: You get the privilege of entering people’s lives. You spend hours sometimes days with fascinating subjects, hearing stories that others never hear.
Expertise Building: One week you might be an expert on deep-sea diving; the next, you’re an expert on the psychology of cults. It is a career of "infinite learning."
The "Byline" Prestige: Long-form pieces are often the ones that win awards (like the Pulitzer) or get optioned for movies and documentaries.
Autonomy: Feature writers often have more flexible deadlines than daily news reporters, allowing for a better flow between life and work.

The Demerits

The "Darlings" Problem: You might spend weeks on a 3,000-word masterpiece only for an editor to cut it by half or kill the story entirely due to lack of space or a shift in focus.
Heavy Emotional Labor: Carrying the weight of someone else’s trauma or sensitive life story can lead to burnout. You are the "custodian" of their truth, which is a heavy burden.
The Pitching Paradox: Even established writers have to "sell" their ideas constantly. Rejection is a weekly, if not daily, occurrence.
Solitude and Isolation: The actual writing process is intensely lonely. You spend long stretches inside your own head, which can be mentally taxing.
Income Instability: Unless you are a high-level staffer at a major magazine, the pay for long-form work doesn't always reflect the hours of research put in.

Overview
Career Path
Top Colleges
Job Opportunities
Job Responsibilities
Work Life
Key Skills
Designation
Merits & Demerits

Feature Writer

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