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 Canada:

• The Discourse hosts series of workshops to improve coverage of refugee stories [J-Source]
• CMG Freelance members gain access to National NewsMedia Council support [CWA Canada]
• Globe and Mail tests new in-article explainers [J-Source]

From The U.S. and beyond:

• Law helps freelancers collect from deadbeats [The Villager]
• "You good?" The importance of checking up on a fellow freelancer [Freelancers Union]
• For many journalists, the bonds formed in the newsroom remain long after they leave [Poynter]
• The Globe and Mail is slipping a little extra context into its stories (while explaining its editorial thinking along the way) [Nieman Lab]
• 10 portfolio and publishing platforms for freelancers [Journalism.co.uk]
• What to do when clients don't pay their invoices [Freelance Writing Jobs]
• 6 Great Portfolio Sites for Freelance Writers [The Write Life]
• How to leverage your passion to launch a successful freelancing career [Freelancers Union]

Recently on Story Board:

• Factual TV workers summer social in Toronto July 19: If you work in factual TV in the Toronto area you’re invited to a social night hosted by the Canadian Media Guild. Come and catch up with colleagues and friends, meet some new ones, and find out what’s happening in the industry...
• The Born Freelancer Attends a CBC Info Session Hosted by Field and Post: Two hundred or so independent writers and producers are attending an information session with an impressive panel of seven CBC executives flown in from Toronto. We are there to learn directly what CBC’s top executives are thinking when it comes to developing and pitching new content for its numerous video platforms...

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.