Access Copyright Payback claim period open until May 31

April 12, 2017 Editor Compensation access copyrightfreelance compensation

The 2017 Access Copyright Payback claim period is open from April 1st to May 31. If you're a writer or visual artist who was affiliated with Access Copyright as of December 31, 2016, now is the time to submit a claim for this year's payment.

The eligible publication years for the 2017 Payback claim are 1996 to 2015. Written and visual work published during this period in books, magazines, journals and/or newspapers is eligible.

If you're not yet registered with Access Copyright and you have written or visual work that fits the claim criteria, now might be a good time to register so that you're ready for next year's claim period.

For a comprehensive explanation of how Access Copyright and the Access Copyright Foundation could contribute to your income stream, check out this Story Board post.

And for more information or to submit a claim go to the Access Copyright website.

Media mixer in Ottawa on April 20

April 11, 2017 Editor Event cmg freelancecwa associate membersfreelance meet-upmedia mixer

Ottawa media workers, students and freelancers: mark your calendars for an exciting evening of mentorship and networking. You're invited to a media mixer on April 20th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Clocktower Brew Pub (200 Elgin Street). CWA Canada associate members is hosting this event to give media workers a chance to make connections with…

Webinar: Cyber Security for Journalists

April 07, 2017 Editor Event cmg freelancecyber securitywebinar

[caption id="attachment_13301" align="alignright" width="281"] Buzzfeed reporter Jane Lytvynenko[/caption]CMG Freelance is hosting a webinar called Cyber Security for Journalists on Tuesday, April 11 at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time.The webinar will focus on tangible and easy steps reporters can take to secure their everyday activities online and off.…

Hey, CBC Freelancers, You’re Getting A Raise!

April 06, 2017 Editor News cbccbc freelancerscmgcmg freelancefreelance compensationfreelance contracts

By Don Genova, CMG Freelance Branch President Journalists who contribute to the CBC on a freelance basis are now subject to new minimum rates as of April 1, 2017. The Canadian Media Guild and CBC have agreed to a 1.5% across-the-board increase in rates contained in the collective agreement.This means the rates have risen by a total of 4.5% since…

Indemnity clauses – the rickety bridges of freelancing

April 05, 2017 Editor Journalism freelance contractsindemnity clausesthe walrustrouble spots

by Lesley Evans OgdenImagine you want to climb up a mountain to a beautiful viewpoint. You've done some research, figured out how to get to the trailhead, packed your backpack, and climbed most of the way up the mountain.But on the final ascent you arrive at a deep chasm. The only way across is a rickety bridge. The viewpoint is otherwise…

2017 Public Lending Right Program registration deadline May 1

March 31, 2017 Editor Advice advicefreelance compensationplrpublic lending right program

If you're a Canadian author, illustrator or photographer with a published book, it's time to register for the Public Lending Right Program. PLR is a Canada Council for the Arts program that distributes payments to Canadian creators to compensate them for the lending out of their books through Canadian public libraries.This year's registration…

2017 Forum Freelance Fund applications open

March 23, 2017 Editor News bursarycanadian journalism forum on violence and traumaforum freelance fundsafety training

The Forum Freelance Fund provides bursaries for Canadian freelancers to attend dangerous environment training courses. Applications are now open for the 2017 bursary program.The fund provides bursaries of up to $2500 to Canadian freelancers. Foreign freelancers doing significant work for Canadian publications are also eligible to apply.The…

The Born Freelancer on the Sanctity of Deadlines, Part 2

March 22, 2017 Editor Advice born freelancerdeadlinesfreelancer lifethe born freelancer

This series of posts by the Born Freelancer shares personal experiences and thoughts on issues relevant to freelancers. Have something to add to the conversation? We'd love to hear from you in the comments. In my previous post I talked about why deadlines should be considered sacrosanct. Today I want to talk about how to ensure you always make…

CMG Freelance social media workshop April 1 in Vancouver

March 16, 2017 Editor Event cmg freelanceeventsocial mediaworkshop

Vancouver freelancers, get ready for a day-long workshop that will help you boost your social media skills in ways that will grow your influence and help you find new opportunities and potential clients.Don’t Fool Around! Learn the Right Way to Use Social Media is scheduled for Saturday, April 1st from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Vancouver Film School…

2017 Dave Greber Freelance Writers Awards open for submissions

March 14, 2017 Editor News awardsdave greber freelance writers awardsfreelance awards

After taking a break in 2016, the Dave Greber Freelance Writers Awards are back this year. Submissions for the 2017 awards opened this week.Created in 2004 in the memory of freelance writer Dave Greber, the awards are given to writers of social justice-related non-fiction. There are two awards — one for books and one for magazines. The book…