Off The Wire: News for the Canadian media freelancer Nov 15-21

November 21, 2016 Editor News newsoff the wire

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:

Canadian news outlet aims to shake up local journalism by only sourcing stories from its members [Journalism.co.uk]
Democracy and the decline of newspapers [J-Source]
New journalism award to honour workplace mental health reporting [J-Source]
Canadian journalists push for ‘shield law’ to protect sources [Globe and Mail]
How Vice News is going to get young people to watch a half hour newscast [J-Source]
Announcing the NMAF Freelancer Support Fund [Magazine Awards]
Canada’s criminal libel laws may threaten free speech [J-Source]

From The U.S. and beyond:

8 Steps for Writing a Compelling Profile Story [The Write Life]
How to Gracefully Find (and Keep) a Writing Mentor [The Freelancer]
“Journalists have an even heavier task ahead” [Nieman Reports]
After Trump’s win, news organizations see a bump in subscriptions and donations [Nieman Lab]
5 Bad Writing Habits You Need to Break Now [Mediabistro]

Recently on Story Board:

The 5-Minute Freelancer Q&A #33 -- J.B. MacKinnon: J.B. MacKinnon took the time to speak with Story Board recently to offer some advice on creating feature stories, staying alert while working, and navigating the current state of freelance writing...
The Born Freelancer on Getting an Agent: One of the questions I hear most frequently is “Do I need an agent?” and if so, “How do I find a good one?”...

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.

The 5-Minute Freelancer Q&A #33 — J.B. MacKinnon

November 17, 2016 Editor Advice 5-minute freelanceradvicefreelance lifej.b. mackinnon

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. J.B. MacKinnon is an independent journalist whose books include The 100-Mile Diet and The Once and Future World. He has written for such magazines as The New…

The Born Freelancer on Getting an Agent

November 16, 2016 Editor Advice adviceagentsborn freelancerthe 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. One of the questions I hear most frequently is "Do I need an agent?" and if so, "How do I find a good one?" My experience with agents is…

Off The Wire: News for the Canadian media freelancer Nov 8-14

November 14, 2016 Editor News newsoff the wire

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: Winners of the Canadian Online Publishing Awards announced [J-Source] Publication ban charge against Halifax's Frank Magazine dismissed [J-Source]…

Digital Media Mixer in Toronto November 22

November 10, 2016 Editor Event canadian media guildcmg freelancecwa associate membersdigital media mixerevent

Freelancers, students and media workers are invited to a mixer in Toronto on Tuesday, November 22nd from 5:30 to 8:30 pm at Watson's (388 Richmond St. W, Toronto). It's an opportunity to make connections with peers and mentors working in digital media, and to discuss the changing nature of media work.Mentors for the evening include Erika…

YWS brings young workers together in solidarity

November 08, 2016 Editor News cwa associate membersyoung workers summit

by Kayla Perry, CWA Canada Associate Membership Coordinator [caption id="attachment_12701" align="alignright" width="371"] CLC Young Workers Summit 2016. Photo by Andrew Meade[/caption]Between Oct. 23 and 25 over 400 young workers gathered in Ottawa with one purpose: to discuss the employment landscape for emerging young workers in Canada.The…

Off The Wire: News for the Canadian media freelancer Nov 1-7

November 07, 2016 Editor News newsoff the wire

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: Alberta Magazines: How to Pitch & Pitchfest [AMPA] 6 reporters spied on by Quebec provincial police [J-Source] La Presse says Montreal police…

Breaking bad freelance habits

November 02, 2016 Editor Advice advicefreelance lifehabits

by Rebecca HassBad habits. That’s what’s holding you back. If you could just develop better habits, you’d finally be creating the career you want as a freelancer. Procrastinating no more. Without those bad habits, you’d be getting things done ahead of time, well researched, and beautifully turned out with time to spare. You know what you…

Toronto freelance mixer on November 2nd

October 31, 2016 Editor Event eventfreelance media mixerfreelance meet-up

Toronto-area freelancers, come and join CMG Freelance for a casual meet-up this week, on November 2nd from 6 to 8 pm at Bar Wellington at 520 Wellington Street West in downtown Toronto. We've got an upstairs room booked for the event. CMG Freelance members and potential members are all welcome. We'd like to meet you and hear what kinds of events…

Off The Wire: News for the Canadian media freelancer Oct 25-31

October 31, 2016 Editor News newsoff the wire

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: Media and rights groups win right to intervene in Vice-RCMP fight [Globe and Mail] Black Press launches a new Vancouver Island wide daily newspaper…