Reader’s Digest to feed MSN.ca

January 06, 2011 Editor News canadian writers groupdigitalfreelance contractsmsn.careader's digest

The Canadian Magazines blog is reporting that Reader's Digest has a deal with MSN.ca to provide lifestyle and travel content in French and English for the news website.

The Canadian Writers Group, which represents writers who provide content to Reader's Digest, has made a formal inquiry to the magazine about how writers will be compensated for work that is provided to MSN.ca. The current contract used by the magazine only provides rights for use of freelance work in the publication and does not include compensation for digital re-use. CWG has not yet received an answer, but we'll follow this story and provide an update when we have one.

The new new journalism

January 04, 2011 Editor Journalism oprah winfreythe tyeevancouver sun

Shannon Rupp writes in The Tyee about "the really super new new journalism" in which journalists are "repeaters." She describes an incident in which an editor paid a freelancer for a piece only to learn that the freelancer had simply put their byline on a press release.Rupp's not so sure this kind of practice can be condemned in the trade today,…

2011 and the digital platform

January 04, 2011 Editor News digitali-padreader's digestrogers publishing

Happy 2011! You will hear nonstop about the "digital platform." Masthead published all kinds of end-of-year interviews with publishers and they're all bullish on big-D digital, of course.Reader's Digest's Tony Cioffi says: "2011 will be focused on Digital, developing products and expanding our current brands and launching new ones to support our…

We’re taking a breather - back at you in 2011

December 17, 2010 Editor News

The Story Board is going on vacation for a couple of weeks. Enjoy the best of the season and we'll be back at you in 2011.

More on the iPad revolution

December 17, 2010 Editor News huffington postipadmagazines

You can almost hear the panting when people write about the iPad. It's right up there with sliced bread in mid-December 2010 culture. It'll probably be over by January, so here's some more on the iPad before it's too late.The Huffington Post is reporting that the iPad will revolutionize magazines. Mark Pasetsky argues that smart celebrity magazine…

iPad apps a priority for Rogers

December 17, 2010 Editor News cross-platformipadmagazinesrogers publishing

In an interview with CARTT.ca (subscription required), new Rogers Media boss Keith Pelley says it's logical that i-Pad apps will be a priority for Rogers Publishing. "You know, the iPad or tablet is one that will significantly change publishing. People go online for information and video. They don’t necessarily go to read a full magazine. If…

And the survey says…

December 15, 2010 Editor News canadian media guildcbcfreelancer ratessurvey

American freelance business writers earn an average of $25-30,000 per year, according to an informal survey completed by 67 members of the Society of American Business Editors and Writers (SABEW). The poll found that freelancers are paid between 75 cents and $1 per word, if they are paid by the word, or an average of $250 per assigment.“The…

Reuters to use “stringers” for new US wire service

December 14, 2010 Editor News digitalthomson reuters

Thomson Reuters is launching what it is calling a "domestic news service" in the US to rival the Associated Press and CNN Wire. The service, dubbed Reuters America, will provide text, photos and video to newspaper, TV and online pubilshing clients. The first client is the Tribune Co, which owns the Chicago Tribune and the LA Times as well as some…

Best. Assignment. Ever.

December 08, 2010 Editor Bit of fun

Raise your hand if you've recently had an experience like this with an editor.(Really, what woman hasn't wanted to trade her children for a handbag?)

Freelancers meet at Toronto’s historic Gladstone

December 08, 2010 Editor News andrew cashcanadian media guildcanadian writers groupeventperiodical writers association of canada

The Gladstone Hotel's Art Room turned out to be an apt spot to launch the new alliance between Canada's only agency for freelance writers and a major media union. A historic hotel -- and an age-old problem. The problem is figuring out how to give collective voice and leverage to people who are, by law and trade, independent. The solution,…