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:

• Why demanding to publish a suicide note is callous and unethical [The Tyee]
• Six months on the Chronicle Herald picket line [J-Source]

From The U.S. and beyond:

• Want to write for magazines? Do this first [The Write Life]
• How to stop email from taking over your life [Freelancers Union]
• How to cope when a freelance writing client dumps you [The Write Life]
• Hey, That's My Story! What to Do When Credit Is Due [The Freelancer]
• Five Ways to Optimize Your Workspace for Productivity [Lifehacker]
• How to Become a More Productive Writer: 7 Helpful Tips [HubSpot]
• Ireland's journalists get younger as experienced staff depart [The Guardian]
• How to Market Yourself as a Freelance Writer: 4 Mistakes to Avoid [The Write Life]
• For Freelancers, Are Blogs Still Important? [The Freelancer]
• What Happens When Your Editor Leaves? Advice for Freelance Writers [The Write Life]

Last week on Story Board:

• The end of local news? How hedge funds are taking over journalism: “Like a slow motion car wreck, you see it time and time again.” That’s how Emilie Rusch described the dangerous new trend of vulture hedge funds destroying local newsrooms...
• Freelancer meet-up in Toronto August 3: Toronto freelancers, you’re invited to a CMG Freelance meet-up on Wednesday, August 3rd at Bar Wellington (520 Wellington St W) from 6 to 8 p.m...

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.