Off The Wire: News for the Canadian media freelancer Mar 11-17

March 17, 2014 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:

The Story Behind the Rob Ford Story [The Walrus]
The first line of accountability on campus: student journalism [Globe and Mail]
North Shore Outlook shutting down [J-Source]
Finding New Clients: One Freelancer’s Path to Building a Business [PWAC Toronto]
Canadian freelance photojournalist Ali Mustafa killed in Syria [J-Source]

From the U.S. and beyond:

Writers Say 'Not So Fast, Amtrak Residency' [Poetry Foundation] (via @twuc)
10 Great apps for busy freelancers: accounting, contracts, etc. [Freelancers Union]
Can Twitter Help Publishers Reinvent Books? [Fast Company] (via @twuc)
10 Apps to Help You Stay Focused on Your Writing [janetfriedman.com] (via @thewritelife)
Things I Miss About Working in an Office (Really) [The Freelance Strategist]
Upworthy partners with ProPublica and advocacy media groups on original content [Nieman Lab]
The new dream job... And the end of old-media prestige [CJR]
Changing the Culture of Freelance Writing [Get Paid to Write Online] (via @freelance_hacks)

This week on Story Board:

CUP's fundraising campaign underway: The Canadian University Press’s fundraising campaign is underway, but the national campus newspaper co-operative still has a long way to go before it reaches its $50,000 goal...

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.

CUP’s fundraising campaign underway

March 13, 2014 Editor News cupstudent journalism

The Canadian University Press's fundraising campaign is underway, but the national campus newspaper co-operative still has a long way to go before it reaches its $50,000 goal.Last week, CUP launched an indiegogo campaign to raise money to help it through a financial crisis that's threatening the 76-year-old organization's continued existence.CUP…

CMG Freelance members invited to apply to attend CMG Convention

March 11, 2014 Editor Event cmg conventioncmg freelanceevent

CMG Freelance is inviting active members to join the group of delegates attending the CMG Convention in Toronto this year, May 23-25.We have three delegate positions that will be selected through an application process. We’re especially interested in applications from our newest, non-CBC freelancers. Travel, accommodation and per diems are all…

Off The Wire: News for the Canadian media freelancer Mar 4-10

March 10, 2014 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 freelance photographer killed in Syria [Toronto Star] How to promote your book: Event review [PWAC Toronto] Writers' Union of Canada now to…

The Born Freelancer on Email Self-Marketing Part 2

March 07, 2014 Editor Advice adviceborn freelancercaslmarketing yourself

This series of posts by the Born Freelancer shares personal experiences and thoughts on issues relevant to freelancers. Have something to add to the conversation? Your input is welcome in the comments. In my last post I described my use of email to periodically market my freelancing services. I said that I was looking into further…

The 5-Minute Freelancer Q&A #15 - Adrien Sala

March 05, 2014 Editor Advice 5-minute freelanceradvicefreelance lifefreelancer q&a

In this regular feature, Story Board asks Canadian writers to share a few details about their work habits and their strategies for navigating the ups and downs of freelance life. 1. Where are you when most of your story ideas come to you?Usually in conversation with friends. I do a bunch of different stuff, freelancing is just one aspect of my…

Off The Wire: News for the Canadian media freelancer Feb 25-Mar 3

March 03, 2014 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: After months of fighting back, finally a welcome political victory [CMG] Peter Mansbridge defends himself after report of paid speech to oil…

Tragic death of camera assistant in Georgia highlights on-set safety issues

February 28, 2014 Editor News factual tvjob safetyjohn driftmiertrouble spots

Last week Peter Driftmier's Story Board post about the death of his brother on a factual TV shoot got a lot of attention from people in the television production industry. Tweets about the post came from all corners of Canada, as well as the United States and England.It seems the story struck a nerve with those who work in television production.…

Freelance Friday #2: How to value your work

February 27, 2014 Editor Event eventfreelance contractsfreelance friday

The second in the Canadian Media Guild's Freelance Friday workshop series is coming up next week in Toronto. This time, the topic is Freelance Contracts: How to value your work, get it in writing and get paid. CMG staff rep Keith Maskell will explore the nuts and bolts of freelance contracts and will give participants the tools they need to…

Off The Wire: News for the Canadian media freelancer Feb 18-24

February 24, 2014 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 University Press in financial crisis [J-Source] Self-publishing primer [PWAC Toronto] Bloomberg expands in Canada [J-Source] How to keep…