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.

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…

Required reading for Canadian freelancers

December 06, 2010 Editor News digitalfreelance contracts

The Canadian Magazines blog offers a succinct review of a new book it says "should be read by every freelancer, agency, editor and publisher" in Canada. Copyright, Contracts, Creators: New Media, New Rules is written by Osgoode Hall law school professor Giuseppina D’Agostino. The description of the book includes this gem: "The Internet-fueled…

Finkle going to bat for independent writers

December 03, 2010 Editor News canadian media guildcanadian writers groupfreelancer ratesrobertson caserogers publishingtoronto life

Toronto writer Derek Finkle’s first feature assignment netted him a cover story in Toronto Life. It all started in 1993 when he became the magazine’s first intern. The story was about a sting operation on a paid hit and it introduced Finkle to key police sources that would prove helpful to his later work. But it was a formative experience in…

New alliance to fight for rights for freelancers

December 01, 2010 Editor News canadian media guildcanadian writers groupfreelance contractsnegotiationssuccess stories

The alliance between the Canadian Media Guild and the Canadian Writers Group was officially launched today. It's a first-ever alliance between an agency that represents independent journalists and a union and will advocate for freelancers on issues such as rates, copyright and digital and re-use rights."I'm proud to be a partner in this alliance,"…

Rogers refuses to remove writer’s work from Yahoo

November 30, 2010 Editor News canadian media guildcanadian writers groupdigitalfreelance contractsnegotiationsrogers publishingtrouble spots

This fall, Rogers Publishing started syndicating work by independent journalists on line. The Canadian Writers Group (CWG) noticed in September that stories from late 2009 and early 2010 by Patricia Pearson and Ellen Vanstone, first published in Chatelaine, were posted on Yahoo’s “Lifestyle” site. When an editor at Chatelaine was contacted,…

What do you do when you’re stiffed?

November 30, 2010 Editor News advicecanadian media guildfreelance contractsgetting paidnegotiations

A small group of freelancers recently had this experience. They were engaged by a Toronto-based publisher to provide material for some specialized periodicals. The terms of the contract were clear and unequivocal. The price and deadline were set. Payment was due 30 days after publication date.Wait a minute. After publication date, not after…

What do you say when they ask if you’ll work for free?

November 23, 2010 Editor Advice advicebroadcastingfreelancer ratesgetting paid

We’re hearing that a certain national TV broadcaster – not the CBC – has been inviting people onto national news programs in return for … no payment.Sometimes, it may make sense for you to appear on a program without getting paid for it. If you’ve written a book and you figure going on national television to flog your book is as good a…