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:

• La Presse to cut 158 positions as it eliminates weekday paper [Montreal Gazette]
• Mohamed Fahmy to teach at University of British Columbia [Metro Vancouver]
• Media union raises alarm over CBC real estate selloff plans [Globe and Mail]
• The Western Magazine Awards have been cancelled [Masthead]
• CBC announces plans to sell off all buildings in midst of election campaign [CMG]
• The Productivity Tips That Have Helped My Business [The Freelance Hustle]
• Mohamed Fahmy, Canadian journalist, pardoned by Egyptian president [CBC]
• New $3,000 award for freelance photojournalists [J-Source]

From The U.S. and beyond:

• What to do when a client "dumps" you [Freelancers Union]
• Raise your freelance writing rates: 4 steps to help you get paid what you're worth [The Write Life]
• 10 ways to stay healthy while working from home [Mashable]
• ThinkProgress to Unionize With Writers Guild of America [New York Times]
• Why isolation is a more serious problem for freelancers than you think [Fast Company]
• Beware of Byline Snatchers: How to Protect Your Freelance Writing Identity [The Write Life]
• Do Freelance Writers Need Insurance? [Freelance Writing Jobs]

 

Last week on Story Board:

• The savvy freelancer: Being clever about recycling extra material. Tips from Rose Eveleth: Successful freelancers need a diversity of skills. One specialized skill that has always intrigued me is the ability to repurpose similar material in multiple places...
• Vancouver social for factual TV workers: If you’re in Vancouver and work in factual television, you’re invited to a social gathering and information session hosted by the Canadian Media Guild next week...
• Vancouver freelancer meet-up next Tuesday: Vancouver freelancers, there’s a casual meet-up happening next Tuesday, September 29th at 6 pmat the Big Rock Urban Brewery, at 310 W 4th Ave...

 

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.