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:

• Talks break down as Chronicle Herald bosses tender offer worse than proposed four months ago [Rabble]
• CBC doubling down on digital strategy and investigative news in 2016-2017 [J-Source]
• VICE Canada employees vote to join CMG [CMG]
• Winnipeg Free Press sees success after one year of micropayments says publisher [J-Source]
• Writers’ Union of Canada launches #WhyWritersMatter campaign [Quill and Quire]
• Winners of the 2015 CAJ awards announced [J-Source]
• Writers Trust of Canada 2017-18 Berton House Writers-in-Resident [Writers Trust]
• Transcontinental sells 13 Saskatchewan newspapers and announces layoffs [J-Source]

From The U.S. and beyond:

• 3 legal issues freelancers can't afford to ignore [Freelancers Union]
• Want to get over your writer's block? This exercise will help [The Write Life]
• 4 genius brainstorming techniques to yield your brightest ideas [Freelancers Union]
• Freelance Writer, Have You Assessed Your Reputation Lately? [Freelance Writing Jobs]
• What does it take to be a “full-service” digital journalism organization? Ask Discourse Media [Nieman Lab]

Last week on Story Board:

• VICE Canada employees have voted to unionize: Yesterday news broke that VICE Canada employees have voted in favour of joining the Canadian Media Guild...
• Freelance business basics: Sometimes we get so caught up looking for markets, doing research and interviews, sending queries, or writing our stories that we fail to take care of basic business housekeeping items. This can lead to missing opportunities that can actually improve our bottom line...
• Roberta Staley on crowdfunding, connection and independent journalism: Roberta Staley is a Vancouver-based magazine writer and documentary filmmaker. Her current film project, Mightier Than The Sword, is about about female journalists and filmmakers in Afghanistan...

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.