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:

• How to Be a Happy Writer [Creative Nonfiction Collective]
• Your Guide to Winter/Spring 2015 Magazine Writing Contests [Magazine Awards]
• Libel law and the freelance writer [J-Source]
• New site crowdfunds $80k to cover energy conflict in Canada [Journalism.co.uk]
• Honouring Ali Mustafa, one year after his death [J-Source]

 

From The U.S. and beyond:

• How to Handle Lasting Relationships With Sources [The Freelancer]
• 7 tips for students seeking journalism work experience [Journalism.co.uk]
• Journalism and Social Media: It’s a Love-Hate Affair [PBS]
• How Can Ghostwriters Find New Clients if They Don’t Have Bylines? [The Freelancer]
• How Successful, Work-From-Home Freelance Writers Really Find Work [The Write Life]
• Essential financial information for freelance journalists [Journalism.co.uk]
• 5 tips for telling your story to potential clients [Freelancers Union]
• Journohub wants to link editors and freelancers [Journalism.co.uk]

 

Last week on Story Board:

• After the death of freelancer Pamela Cuthbert, colleagues recall a generous person and great writer: Toronto freelance food journalist Pamela Cuthbert lost her life to a stroke on March 11^th, leaving a husband and young son as well as a wide circle of extended family, friends and colleagues, many of whom have posted messages online expressing shock and sadness at her sudden passing...
• The Born Freelance on Spring Cleaning for Freelancers: With the coming of Spring (sorry, Maritimes, but your Spring will eventually arrive too – I hope) there is no better time to reappraise and reevaluate our freelancing life – to take stock and have a thorough spring cleaning...

 

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.