Off The Wire: News for the Canadian media freelancer April 25-May 1

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:

• Magazine Grands Prix winners announced [Canadian Magazines]
• Canada Council pushes back opening of online application portal to June 5 [Canadian Magazines]
• Canada slips out of Top 20 in press freedom index [J-Source]
• Nominees announced for Digital Publishing Awards [Canadian Magazines]
• What has changed for women working in Canadian journalism? [J-Source]

From The U.S. and beyond:

• Why freelancing ain't free (Nor should it be) [Freelancers Union]
• 10 foolproof tips to make your freelance writing proposal shine [The Write Life]
• New report from the Index on Censorship paints a bleak picture for U.S. press freedom [Poynter]
• Do you tell your clients you're on vacation? [Freelancers Union]
• How to save time and create a ton of content from one idea [Mediabistro]

Recently on Story Board:

• Media Mixer: Freelancer or employee?: Lise Lareau moderated a panel discussion about the distinction between one’s rights as an independent contractor versus as an employee in Ontario at Watson’s pub in downtown Toronto on April 25...
• Events for freelancers in Halifax May 3: Halifax freelancers, students and media workers, mark your calendars for a couple of great networking and professional development events planned for Wednesday, May 3...
• Ticket giveaway for National Magazine Awards gala on May 26 in Toronto: The 2017 National Magazine Awards nominations were announced last week and, as always, freelancers figure prominently among the nominees. And two of them are members of CMG Freelance...
• CMG Freelance compiling a freelance contracts tip sheet: Let’s work together to find out where the good, bad, and ugly contracts are. The Canadian Media Guild is embarking on a new mission to do just this...

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.