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: 

• This is Worldtown is dedicated to telling the stories of women of colour [J-Source]
• The elusive data behind copyright reform [Policy Options]
• Postmedia turns a $13M net profit in third quarter after cutting costs  [J-Source]
• What to do when the pressure is on [J-Source]
• Where are all the Canadian reality TV shows going? [CMG]

From The U.S. and beyond:

• Are you rocking the freelance lifestyle or are you merely getting by? [Freelance Writing Gigs]
• Naps, dinner at 4:30 and other side effects of freelance writing [The Write Life]
• Online trolls mustn't be allowed to intimidate journalists [The Conversation]
• 7 Effective Ways to Bust Through Writer’s Block [Mediabistro]
• Five Ways to Manage Freelance Billing Like a Professional [Freelance Writing Gigs]
• Can learning to draw improve your journalism? Journalists at Reuters are giving it a try [Poynter]

Recently on Story Board:

• A Q&A with freelance writer Cole Kazdin: Cole Kazdin is a writer, performer and four-time Emmy winning television journalist. She currently lives in Los Angeles where she regularly contributes to VICE, MEL Magazine and Refinery29...

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.