Once a week, we gather stories about the media business, journalism, writing, communications, and freelancing—with a Canadian focus—and share them in Off the Wire. Who needs a water cooler?

From around the web:

• Merger of 2 groups of independents gives birth to Canadian Freelance Guild [CWA Canada]
• From the Front Lines: How to make Twitter work for you [The Writer]
• 2020 Writing Contests You Should Consider Entering [Freelance Writing Jobs]
• Why you must market yourself as a freelancer [Blog Lovin']
• Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter: Which is Better for Freelancers? [Freelance Writing Jobs]
• To Guide the Labor Movement's Future She Looks to its Past [New York Times]

Recently on Story Board:

• New Association Formed to Represent Canadian Media and Communications Professionals: The membership of the Professional Writers Association of Canada has resoundingly voted to amalgamate with the independent membership of the Canadian Media Guild Freelance Branch to form the Canadian Freelance Guild...
• Questions to help you reflect and plan for 2020: There are all sorts of positive reasons to spend time reflecting on your business, asking questions and planning. Things like reducing anxiety, improving clarity and encouraging creativity. But making the time to work on your business instead of in your business? Sometimes more difficult than it seems...

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.