promoting use of special talents in self-employment?

[BuntyB]

College isn't working out for my daughter, age 17. Her special talent is her writing. Teachers have told her she is particularly gifted and she would like to write and make her way as an author. Although I'm an advocate of having a plan B whilst pursuing your dreams, it would be perfect for her if she can sell her work but I don't know how we would go about registering her as being occupied doing this as her self-employed job officially, even though I know she won't earn to begin with. I also don't know where to find support to get her work recognised. Has anyone any experience of this?