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:

• Protecting writers' rights: Q & A with CFU president Michael OReilly [PWAC] (via @LuigiBenetton)
• Future of Media: Branded content? [J-Source]
• Desperate Graduates Work For Free [Toronto Star] (via @LuigiBenetton)
• TC Media: Un contrat de pige immoral à revoir [FPJQ]
• Canadian startup Media Spot Me launches; helps journalists find experts [J-Source]
• Random House’s Hydra changes contract terms [Teleread] (via @tanyakyi)
• Pierre Karl Péladeau surprises by stepping down at Quebecor [Globe and Mail] (via @sladurantaye)
• Fab magazine shutting down [Masthead]
• Call For Submissions: Dave Greber Freelance Writers Awards [Greber Writing Award]

 

From the U.S. and beyond:

• Kickstart this book! What I learned about crowdsourced publishing [Paid Content]
• 7 lessons learned while writing my book [Red Slice] (via @freelancersu)
• The Top 10 Worst Kinds of Critique Partners [Writers Digest]
• TC Media launches new Quebec women's magazine [J-Source]
• Freelancer Survival Guide: Google Thyself [Guerilla Freelancing] (via @freelancersu)
• Hiring at Al Jazeera America: 18,000 applicants for 170 jobs [CJR]
• 5 ways that social media benefits writing and language [Poynter]
• All-star panel of writers discusses working for free [Poynter]

 

From Story Board last week:

• Should I Work For Free?: There’s been a lot of talk this month about whether  – and under what circumstances — a freelancer should agree to work for free. The online debate was sparked by journalist Nate Thayer’s blog post about being asked to repurpose a previously-published article for use by the Atlantic… without any compensation...
• The Born Freelancer on the Legacy of Max Ferguson: CBC Radio and TV personality, writer, world music lover, satirist, and fellow freelancer Max Ferguson died earlier this month at age 89. You’ll be forgiven if you aren’t entirely familiar with his name or reputation; he retired from the public airwaves back in 1998. But during his professional life on the CBC he became one of this country’s most beloved national radio “stars” and – although he would hate and deny the description – the satirical conscience of Canada....

 

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.