Off The Wire: News for the Canadian media freelancer Mar 28-April 3

April 03, 2017 Editor News newsoff the wire

Once a week, we gather stories about the media business, journalism, writing, publishing, and freelancing—with a Canadian focus—and share them in Off the Wire. Who needs a water cooler?

From Canada:

Finalists announced for Magazine Grands Prix awards [Canadian Magazines]
Opinion: ‘Nationalize’ Postmedia? That’s just the first step [J-Source]
Quebec Budget 2017: Newspapers to get $36 million in government help [Montreal Gazette]
CTV sports coverage cuts undermine local TV [Unifor]
Peter Mansbridge: Debating his legacy [J-Source]

From The U.S. and beyond:

Land More Freelance Writing Gigs: 10 Tips to Pitch Like a Pro [The Write Life]
How to get excited about a networking event [Freelancers Union]
Should You Diversify Writing Gigs or Specialize in One Area? [Freelance Writing Gigs]
Work-at-home parent? 6 ways to better manage interruptions [Freelancers Union]
8 Places to Find Your Next Story [Mediabistro]
Want to Make Money Writing? Give These 5 Books a Read [The Write Life]
When She Asked About Payment, Editor Cut Her Story [National Writers Union]
Get Paid to Blog: 6 Obvious Signs Content Marketing is A Fit For You [The Write Life]
Local edition: What skills do journalists need? Thick skin, vision, patience, all the basics [Poynter]
‘I thought I’d give it a shot’: Two sportswriters find success crowdfunding [CJR]
6 Free Tools That Will Help Any Freelance Writer Get Better at Pitching [The Write Life]
Stop and listen: A beginner's guide to planning and recording an audio story [Journalism.co.uk]

Recently on Story Board:

2017 Public Lending Rights Program registration deadline May 1: If you’re a Canadian author, illustrator or photographer with a published book, it’s time to register for the Public Lending Rights Program...
Urban Worker Skillshare April 8 in Vancouver: CMG Freelance is partnering with the Urban Worker Project to present a day-long workshop and after party for freelance and contract workers to get together, network and share resources...

Spot a story you think we should include in next week's Off the Wire? Email the link to editor@thestoryboard.ca or tweet us at @storyboard_ca.

Off The Wire: News for the Canadian media freelancer Mar 21-27

March 27, 2017 Editor News newsoff the wire

Once a week, we gather stories about the media business, journalism, writing, publishing, and freelancing—with a Canadian focus—and share them in Off the Wire. Who needs a water cooler?From Canada: Here is who was laid off at the Vancouver Sun and The Province [J-Source] New Trail, Canadian Rockies Annual, Avenue Magazine top winners at 2017…

2017 Forum Freelance Fund applications open

March 23, 2017 Editor News bursarycanadian journalism forum on violence and traumaforum freelance fundsafety training

The Forum Freelance Fund provides bursaries for Canadian freelancers to attend dangerous environment training courses. Applications are now open for the 2017 bursary program.The fund provides bursaries of up to $2500 to Canadian freelancers. Foreign freelancers doing significant work for Canadian publications are also eligible to apply.The…

CMG Freelance member wins RNAO media award

March 21, 2017 Editor News

CMG Freelance member Alison Motluk has won an award from the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario for her story Ottawa family sues fertility doctor for use of wrong sperm — his own, which aired last November on CBC Radio's The Current.RNAO's annual media awards recognize outstanding journalism that contributes to a better understanding of…

Off The Wire: News for the Canadian media freelancer Mar 14-20

March 20, 2017 Editor News newsoff the wire

Once a week, we gather stories about the media business, journalism, writing, publishing, and freelancing—with a Canadian focus—and share them in Off the Wire. Who needs a water cooler?From Canada: Free expression organizations protest charges against reporter [J-Source] Lessons from a little English newsroom [J-Source] Understanding history…

2017 Dave Greber Freelance Writers Awards open for submissions

March 14, 2017 Editor News awardsdave greber freelance writers awardsfreelance awards

After taking a break in 2016, the Dave Greber Freelance Writers Awards are back this year. Submissions for the 2017 awards opened this week.Created in 2004 in the memory of freelance writer Dave Greber, the awards are given to writers of social justice-related non-fiction. There are two awards — one for books and one for magazines. The book…

Off The Wire: News for the Canadian media freelancer Mar 7-13

March 13, 2017 Editor News newsoff the wire

Once a week, we gather stories about the media business, journalism, writing, publishing, and freelancing—with a Canadian focus—and share them in Off the Wire. Who needs a water cooler?From Canada: Postmedia plans to lay-off 54 staff at Vancouver Sun and The Province [J-Source] Postmedia cuts non-unionized staff benefits [J-Source] Journalist…

Off The Wire: News for the Canadian media freelancer Feb 28-Mar 6

March 06, 2017 Editor News newsoff the wire

Once a week, we gather stories about the media business, journalism, writing, publishing, and freelancing—with a Canadian focus—and share them in Off the Wire. Who needs a water cooler?From Canada: Toronto Star Public Editor: Democracy depends on confidential sources [J-Source] Off the Page with journalist Simon Diotte [Magazine Awards]…

New UK report highlights the challenges of freelancing

March 02, 2017 Editor News e-lancer writesfreelance compensationfreelance lifenational council for the training of journalistsnuj

This post is the eleventh in a series called “E-Lancer Writes,” exploring the working conditions, rights and collective organizing strategies of freelance journalists, interns and other low-wage or temporary digital media workers.By Errol SalamonNew data confirm that the number of freelance journalists has increased across the UK since 2000 and…

Off The Wire: News for the Canadian media freelancer Feb 21-27

February 27, 2017 Editor News newsoff the wire

Once a week, we gather stories about the media business, journalism, writing, publishing, and freelancing—with a Canadian focus—and share them in Off the Wire. Who needs a water cooler?From Canada: Canadian journalists can learn a lot from the US media’s Trump coverage [J-Source] Magazine freelancers say Edmonton publisher too slow to pay…