Livecast panel on internships tomorrow

November 13, 2015 Editor Event cwa canadaunpaid internships

CWA Canada is planning to livestream a panel discussion on internships that's happening tomorrow as part of their Media Workers Forum for students, volunteers and precarious media workers. If you'd like to watch that discussion, you can tune in right here starting tomorrow at 11:30 a.m. EST.

And if you're in Toronto, there's still time to register to attend this day-long training and networking forum.

The event starts at 11 a.m. in the Sears Atrium, George Vari Engineering and Computing Centre (245 Church St.) and also includes a mentorship workshop and a session on building a sustainable career in media.

If you're interested in attending, register today on this Eventbrite page. Food and drinks will be provided for all participants throughout the day.

Forum on unpaid internships in Vancouver on November 4

October 28, 2015 Editor Event eventinternshipsunpaid internships

Unpaid work has become increasingly normalized over the past few years. Internships are seen as valuable opportunities that offer a way for workers -- especially younger ones -- to break into many different industries. But they are also insecure, lacking in oversight and potentially exploitative. Where should we draw the line on unpaid…

Debate on unpaid internships still evolving

October 23, 2015 Editor Journalism internshipsunpaid internships

Toronto panel discusses why, despite crackdowns, unpaid internships remain all too common. [caption id="attachment_11151" align="alignright" width="283"] Despite outcry over unpaid internships, people continue to debate their merits. Screenshot by J-Source.[/caption]By Marielle Torrefranca The past few years have seen a crackdown on…

John Vaillant on high-impact non-fiction writing

October 07, 2015 Editor Advice advicejohn vaillantnon-fiction writingpitchingtyee master classwriting advice

by Rachel SandersMaster storyteller John Vaillant delivered a highly concentrated dose of non-fiction writing advice last weekend at a day-long workshop in Vancouver that was part of The Tyee's fall Master Class series.The author of the award-winning and bestselling books The Golden Spruce and The Tiger took an intense dive into the…

The 5-Minute Freelancer Q&A #24 — Caitlin Kelly

October 02, 2015 Editor Advice 5-minute freelanceradvicecaitlin kellyfreelance life

In this regular feature, Story Board asks Canadian writers to share a few details about their work habits and their strategies for navigating the ups and downs of freelance life. Caitlin Kelly is a Canadian writer based in New York City. She has been writing for clients such as The New York Times, Smithsonian, More, and Marie Claire…

Students’ voices can create change in the fight for fair wages

September 11, 2015 Editor Compensation freelance compensationunpaid internshipsunpaid work

by Priya Duguay Toronto International Film Festival is creating quite the buzz again this year as a flurry of fans, film aficionados, and film fraternity (aka. Hollywood’s elite) arrive for the highly respected film festival. As a media student at Ryerson University’s Radio and Television Media Production Program (RTA) I’m constantly, like…

Yellow Pages Canada offering content mill rates for app writing work

August 14, 2015 Editor News compensationcontent farmsfreelance compensationgetting paidtrouble spotsyellow pages

CMG Freelance is advising freelance writers across Canada not to accept work from Yellow Pages that pays in the range of 6 to 9 cents per word.Story Board has heard from several highly experienced writers who were approached by Yellow Pages Canada last week with an offer to write “Smart Lists” for Yellow Pages’ digital properties. The work…

Levelling Up as a Freelancer (or How to Spot a Turkey)

August 12, 2015 Editor Advice advicegetting paidlevelling up

How to quickly evaluate every freelance opportunity by Miranda Miller Do you know when to turn down a contract?Wait. Turn down? What?!If the very thought of turning down work seems outrageous and counterproductive, you need to read on. Vancouver pop punk band Daggermouth (circa 2004) brought a fantastic old expression to life in song with…

Forum Freelance Fund announces new bursary

May 15, 2015 Editor News bursarycanadian journalism forum on violence and traumaforum freelance fundsafety training

The Forum Freelance Fund has added a new bursary this year. The fund, which awards bursaries to freelance journalists for hazardous environment safety training, has created the Portenier Human Rights Bursary, a bursary of up to $3000 for freelancers and independent documentary makers whose work focuses specifically on human rights abuses. The…

Writer Scott Carney launches WordRates & PitchLab Kickstarter

April 30, 2015 Editor News crowdfundingfreelance compensationfreelance contractsgetting paidkickstarterscott carneywordrates & pitchlab

by Rachel SandersScott Carney figures he’s beaten the odds and come out the other side: he's become a successful freelance writer. What was his first clue? Everyone kept asking for his advice."I get emails and phone calls and letters from writers around the country all the time asking for advice on how to negotiate contracts or how to get a…