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's what Jessica Johnson has planned for The Walrus [J-Source]
• Here's why editorial staff at the National Post have started a unionization drive [J-Source]
• National Post newsroom workers look to unionize [Globe and Mail]
• Applications open for 2017 R. James Travers Foreign Corresponding Fellowship [J-Source]

From The U.S. and beyond:

• 3 tips for feeling empowered as a freelancer [Freelancers Union]
• NWU and The Nation sign freelance agreement [National Writers Union]
• Writers dish on the scoops that slipped away [CJR]
• How to Network Your Way Into a Successful Writing Career [The Write Life]
• The one way of thinking that gets you ahead in life [Freelancers Union]
• How to Prevent Every Writer's Worst Nightmare: Losing Your Work [The Write Life]
• Covering controversial issues on campus [Nieman Reports]

Recently on Story Board:

• Freelance journalists and responsible communication: With resources in decline at many media outlets, investigative work and reporting is sometimes left to freelancers. With the changes in the industry, there are ethical, legal and contractual issues that freelance journalists need to be aware of...
• Canadian Writers Group comments on new Globe and Mail freelance agreement: Derek Finkle of the Canadian Writers Group comments on the Globe and Mail's new freelance agreement...
• National Post newsroom announces union drive: It has been a year of unprecedented events, of things we once thought were beyond the realm of possibility. A reality television star is president of the United States. Ontario’s liquor control board is planning to sell marijuana. And the National Post is unionizing...

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.