Off The Wire: News for the Canadian media freelancer Mar 28-April 3

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:

• Finalists announced for Magazine Grands Prix awards [Canadian Magazines]
• Opinion: ‘Nationalize’ Postmedia? That’s just the first step [J-Source]
• Quebec Budget 2017: Newspapers to get $36 million in government help [Montreal Gazette]
• CTV sports coverage cuts undermine local TV [Unifor]
• Peter Mansbridge: Debating his legacy [J-Source]

From The U.S. and beyond:

• Land More Freelance Writing Gigs: 10 Tips to Pitch Like a Pro [The Write Life]
• How to get excited about a networking event [Freelancers Union]
• Should You Diversify Writing Gigs or Specialize in One Area? [Freelance Writing Gigs]
• Work-at-home parent? 6 ways to better manage interruptions [Freelancers Union]
• 8 Places to Find Your Next Story [Mediabistro]
• Want to Make Money Writing? Give These 5 Books a Read [The Write Life]
• When She Asked About Payment, Editor Cut Her Story [National Writers Union]
• Get Paid to Blog: 6 Obvious Signs Content Marketing is A Fit For You [The Write Life]
• Local edition: What skills do journalists need? Thick skin, vision, patience, all the basics [Poynter]
• ‘I thought I’d give it a shot’: Two sportswriters find success crowdfunding [CJR]
• 6 Free Tools That Will Help Any Freelance Writer Get Better at Pitching [The Write Life]
• Stop and listen: A beginner's guide to planning and recording an audio story [Journalism.co.uk]

Recently on Story Board:

• 2017 Public Lending Rights Program registration deadline May 1: If you’re a Canadian author, illustrator or photographer with a published book, it’s time to register for the Public Lending Rights Program...
• Urban Worker Skillshare April 8 in Vancouver: CMG Freelance is partnering with the Urban Worker Project to present a day-long workshop and after party for freelance and contract workers to get together, network and share resources...

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.