Your Guide To The Kansas City Writing Scene

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Content writers are in high demand in Kansas City!

In the heart of the U.S. is Kansas City, and at the heart of Kansas City is a large pool of talented writers. The K.C. area grew by more than six percent between 2010 and 2017, drawn by a reasonable cost of living, business-friendly environment, and world-class entertainment venues like Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. The growing city has a desperate need for strong writers, professionals with the skills to help K.C. continue in its upward trajectory.

Making a Living as a Kansas City Writer

According to Glassdoor, a Kansas City- area content writer can expect to earn an average of $49, 329 annually. Kansas City copywriters make an average of $46,000 while medical writers can expect to make an average of $74,000.

As Kansas City businesses continue to grow, they require a never-ending stream of high quality, interesting, actionable content. The field of copywriting is expected to grow by 3.4% over the next five years.

One of the competitive advantages of writing for a living is the ability to work either part-time or full-time and to perform that work from any place in the world with Internet access. In fact, everything from applying for a job to submitting an assignment can be completed online.

Job market sites like Indeed, LinkedIn, and ZipRecruiter routinely list hundreds of Kansas City-area writing jobs. The brightest, most dependable writers can work with a single company or mix things up by freelancing with several companies at the same time.

It’s not unusual to see Kansas City writers juggling gigs for local magazines, tech startups, and even distant companies with no ties to the Midwest at all. The flexibility makes it easier to weather slow seasons, too—you just shift focus for a while or hunt up a new client. Strangely enough, some writers here claim the community’s collaborative vibe actually helps, rather than hinders; you’ll see folks sharing leads or freelance advice in passing at watering holes or over coffee. Maybe it’s just the Midwestern attitude coming through, but no one seems out to hoard opportunity. The side effect? People tend to stick around.

Whether you write because you can’t imagine life without writing, love researching and learning about new things, or simply want a job that can be packed up and moved wherever you roam, Kansas City is full of opportunities.

Educational Opportunities for Writers to Advance in Kansas City

There are 41 colleges and universities in and around the Kansas City area, many of which offering writing programs for those determined to hone their skills.

University of Missouri-Kansas City Writing Studio. UMKC is committed to providing its students with the writing skills they need to achieve in school and the job market. Available to students at all levels (including graduate school), the Writing Studio offers a team of peer consultants focused on making everyone they work with become a stronger writer.
Kansas City Art Institute. Learning your craft at the Kansas City Art Institute places you in good company, with fellow graduates like Dennis Hopper and Walt Disney, both of whom graduated from KCAI. The writer’s program allows you to work closely with accomplished writers and to develop the skills needed to shine on your own.

If you dig a little, you’ll find informal continuing-ed courses popping up in different corners of the city. Some local libraries will run periodic workshops—think short generative classes or sessions on self-publishing. Others are just community members getting together after-hours, sharing poetry drafts or flash fiction over pizza, no tuition necessary. Kansas City isn’t built on pretense or big admissions standards, and that relaxed approach makes it easier for writers at any stage to test their wings or get unstuck. A few people swear they learned more from these casual groups than any pricey masterclass online.

Writing Meet Up Groups in Kansas City

Kansas Citians are known for their friendly demeanors and how often they go out of the way to help others. In short, it’s the perfect place to meet up with other writers, to work on your craft, and to become the kind of writer you hope to be.

Kansas City Writers Meetup Group. Hosts several weekly and bi-weekly critique groups, designed to provide you with real life feedback from other writers as well as introductions to bestselling authors, publishers, and agents. Ongoing schedule.

Kansas City Conferences for Writers to Consider in 2019

Digital Summit Kansas City. You’ll want to be at the Overland Park Conference Center on May 15-16, 2019 for a conference designed to give you the confidence you need to produce all the digital content a company could possibly need to grow. Topics include content, writing for social media, brand storytelling, B2B and B2C marketing, data analytics, and conversion and engagement.
The 2019 Kansas City Writing Workshop is offering a full-day “How to Get Published” event on March 30, 2019 at the Hampton Inn & Suites on the Country Club Plaza. This event is designed to help those who hope to have a book published, but many of the skills needed to make it as an author translate to other types of writing. You’ll learn about polishing your work, networking, and standing out from the crowd.

The Best Places for Writers to Write in Kansas City

It’s tough to deny the architectural beauty that makes up Kansas City. The great part of finding a tucked-away nook to adopt as a workplace is all the options you will have. Whether you prefer the quiet of a library, activity of a bookstore, or fresh java served by a friendly barista, KC has plenty of options. Here are a few:

Barnes & Noble on Prairie View Road, north of the river
Cafe de Amis on NW River Park Drive, in nearby quaint Parkville
Bluestem on Westport Road
The Rose Garden at Loose Park on Wornell
Kaldi’s Coffee on the Country Club Plaza

Local Companies Hiring Kansas City Writers

There are few specialized skills in greater demand in Kansas City than writing. Whether you’re a copywriter, journalist, or editor, here are some places who need your talents:

Digital Marketing Agencies

Real freedom comes with working with digital agencies. Not only do you have the option of working from anywhere, but you are sure to experience the professional growth that comes with working in an ever-evolving field. Check out o few of KC’s best and brightest digital agencies:

Content Platforms

Writer’s Access. No false humility here; we’re listing ourselves first. That’s because our Boston-based business is a leading provider of writing services for more than 25,000 customers. Our strength comes from 15,000+ writers, editors, content (and business) strategists, and translators. We are expanding to five countries in the near future, meaning now is the perfect time to apply!
nDash. An online platform specifically design to link writers up with the companies who need them. The draw for both writers and the companies that hire them is the way nDash encourages the two parties to develop a working relationship that can easily blossom into long term.
IZEA Zen Content. A writing platform that has been optimized for high-volume content production. Boasts a strong base of Fortune 500 e-commerce customers.

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