Off the Wire: News for the Canadian media freelancer May 29-June 4
Once a week, we gather stories about the media business, journalism, writing, communications, and freelancing—with a Canadian focus—and share them in Off the Wire. Who needs a water cooler?
From Canada:
- Announcing the winners of the 41st annual National Magazine Awards [Magazine Awards]
- How to succeed in digital journalism from the DPAs Emerging Excellence finalists [J-Source]
- The Site receives Magazine Grand Prix from the National Magazine Awards [Canadian Magazines]
- Inside a small town newsroom during a time of news poverty [J-Source]
From The U.S. and beyond:
- 5 tips for breaking the freelance feast or famine cycle [Freelancers Union]
- Why all writers should learn SEO basics [The Freelancer]
- Three clauses freelancers should know (and negotiate), according to lawyers [CJR]
- 5 financial lessons to learn early in your career [Freelancers Union]
- Global call for action to end worldwide discrimination and abuse of women journalists [IFJ]
- The 4 P’s of podcasting: How to turn your idea into an audio hit [Journalism.co.uk]
Recently on Story Board:
- Systematic Editing for the Uncomfortable / Nervous / Reluctant / Insecure Editor: I recently took an all-day Eight-Step Editing workshop with my local chapter of Editors Canada. As well as nudging me into a systematic approach for editing both my own and workplace documents, I was surprised to also pick up some useful writing tips…
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.
Systematic Editing for the Uncomfortable / Nervous / Reluctant / Insecure Editor
Editing a piece of work isn’t my favourite occupation. If it’s my own, then word blindness and over-familiarity settles in. If it’s for someone else, then I panic about changing their voice.
Most of the time I sort-of know when something’s not right, but not always how to fix it. And this hasn’t changed much; editing courses usually leave me confused and demoralized so I’ve avoided them. At the risk of annoying all the writing instructors I’ve taken classes from, I admit I’m still reading aloud and switching to Comic Sans as my basic only method.
Unlike a carefully crafted narrative, my editing approach has no beginning, middle or end as I dot between lines, paragraphs and pages
However, my approach is slowly changing.
I recently took an all-day Eight-Step Editing workshop with my local chapter of Editors Canada. As well as nudging me into a systematic approach for editing both my own and workplace documents, I was surprised to also pick up some useful writing tips.
Editors Canada has run the Eight-Step Editing workshops since 1985 alongside its full certification programs. Describing Eight-Step Editing as “breaking down the editorial process into a series of tasks,” the organization promotes the workshops to three audiences:
Off the Wire: News for the Canadian media freelancer May 23-28
Once a week, we gather stories about the media business, journalism, writing, communications, and freelancing—with a Canadian focus—and share them in Off the Wire. Who needs a water cooler?
From Canada:
- Bloggers and commenters fund a journalism fellowship on behalf of one of their own [J-Source]
- Media Union Condemns Attempted Intimidation of VICE Journalists [CMG]
- CWA Canada stands with VICE as source protection case goes to Supreme Court [CWA Canada]
From The U.S. and beyond:
- How to become your editor’s favourite writer [The Freelancer]
- Critics and online outlets lead the vanguard in arts writing [Nieman Lab]
- There are no limits to audio storytelling: 10 tips for podcasting beginners [Journalism.co.uk]
- Blocking, shoving the latest in rough treatment of journalists [Poynter]
- How to Stay True to Your Journalism Ethics in the World of Content Marketing [The Freelancer]
- 3 obstacles that hold creatives back (and how to overcome them) [Freelancers Union]
- Freelancers recovering stolen wages under new NYC law [Next City]
- No filter: The importance of light when you’re taking photos with your smartphone [Journalism.co.uk]
- Keeping your overhead low and your profit margin high [Freelancers Union]
Recently on Story Board:
- 2018 Portenier Human Rights Bursary competition open for applications: Freelance journalists and independent documentary makers working on projects that focus on human rights abuses can apply for the bursary, which provides the winner with $3000 to attend hostile environment training…
- The Born Freelancer Asks: Are We Notoriously Lazy?: The accusation took me completely by surprise. I was once in casual discussions with an industry insider about the conditions under which we might work together on a number of future projects — me as a writer and he in a non-creative administrative capacity…
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.
2018 Portenier Human Rights Bursary competition open for applications

2015 Portenier winner Jason O’Hara, a Toronto-based documentary filmmaker
Applications are now open for the 2018 Portenier Human Rights Bursary competition. Freelance journalists and independent documentary makers working on projects that focus on human rights abuses can apply for the bursary, which provides the winner with $3000 to attend hostile environment training.
The bursary is offered by the Canadian Journalism Forum on Violence and Trauma, which also offers a number of training bursaries each year through the Forum Freelance Fund.
The application deadline is June 15th. Winners will be notified by July 31st and must choose a course from the list of approved course providers by September 30th. Applicants may be of any nationality. Approved courses are currently available in Canada, the USA, Britain, Afghanistan and sometimes elsewhere.
For more information on how to apply, see the Canadian Journalism Forum on Violence and Trauma’s website.
The Born Freelancer Asks: Are We Notoriously Lazy?
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.

The accusation took me completely by surprise.
I was once in casual discussions with an industry insider about the conditions under which we might work together on a number of future projects — me as a writer and he in a non-creative administrative capacity.
As the informal negotiations went back and forth it occurred to me his proposed management style was extremely obsessive. When I gently pointed out that he was proposing, in fact, to micromanage the entire writing process (something I would argue best left to writers to sort out amongst ourselves) he readily agreed.
Looking at me with complete sincerity and without a trace of humour he added, “Well, of course I have to micromanage you. You freelance writers are notoriously lazy”.
He then smiled good-naturedly as if he had expressed some fundamental human truth and went on to other issues – but I couldn’t let it pass. It was as if he had punched me in the stomach. What had lead him to such a stereotypically negative view of our craft? Surely someone in his exalted position should have had a far better understanding of us and what we do?
Read the rest of this post »
CMG Freelance mixer in Toronto on Friday May 25
Hey Toronto freelancers, CMG Freelance executive members and delegates from across the country are convening in Toronto later this week to take part in the Canadian Media Guild’s national biennial convention — and we’d love to meet you while we’re in town.
CMG Freelance members and non-members are all invited to an informal, happy hour get-together. Come and join us for a drink at the Matisse Restaurant and Bar at the Marriott Bloor Yorkville (90 Bloor St. E.) this Friday, May 25 between 4:00 and 7:00 p.m.
It’ll be a chance to meet fellow freelancers for some socializing and networking. And if there are issues that concern you as an independent worker, we’d like to hear about them, too. The CMG’s biennial convention is our chance to set our branch’s goals and priorities for the year ahead. If you work as a freelancer we’d like to hear your perspective.
When you get to the bar, just look for the CMG Freelance banner and CMG Freelance president Don Genova (both pictured above). Hope to see you there!
Off the Wire: News for the Canadian media freelancer May 15-22
Once a week, we gather stories about the media business, journalism, writing, communications, and freelancing—with a Canadian focus—and share them in Off the Wire. Who needs a water cooler?
From Canada:
- 2018 Indigenous Voices Awards finalists [Indigenous Voices Award]
- We shouldn’t allow online hate to silence diverse voices [J-Source]
- Giving readers a stake in the story [J-Source]
From The U.S. and beyond:
- How to Supplement Your Freelance Income [Freelance Writing Jobs]
- 5 Habits of Highly Successful Negotiators [Devon Smiley]
- 5 reasons why all freelancers need a daily routine [The Write Life]
- Jacqui Banaszynski’s Literary Forensics: A Diagnostic Tool to Improve Writing [Open Notebook]
- Freelancers strike back: #FreelanceIsntFree [Freelancers Union]
- NWU and Jacobin Reach a Freelancer Agreement [NWU]
- Does having a blog really matter for your business? [Freelancers Union]
- 6 Must-Haves On Your LInkedIn Profile For Freelancers [Bloglovin’]
Recently on Story Board:
- Why freelancers in marketing and communications should have an email list: If you spend any time studying online marketing you’ve come across advice to start an email list. And if you’re a typical freelancer who gets most of your work from referrals you may think you don’t need one…
- Webinar – Legal advice for journos on defamation, privacy concerns and reporting in conflict zones: Do you know your legal rights and responsibilities as a freelance journalist? If you could use a refresher, tune in to CMG Freelance’s upcoming webinar with lawyer Mark Donald…
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.
Freelancers gearing up for 2018 CMG convention
CMG Freelance is gearing up to take part in the Canadian Media Guild’s 2018 biennial convention on May 25, 26 and 27 in Toronto. Every two years a large group of CMG members meets at the convention to discuss the needs and priorities of the union.
Freelance branch members who’ll attend this year’s convention include the branch’s executive: Paolo Pietropaolo, Alison Motluk, George Butters, Scott Edmonds, JP Davidson and branch president Don Genova. Also, CMG Freelance members Leanne Allen, Trevor Beckerson, Shauna Rae, Sharon Riley, and Gerry Whelan were elected by the membership to attend the convention as delegates. In addition to the delegates and the executive, Story Board editor Rachel Sanders will attend the convention as an observer.
We’ll be participating in the union’s plenary sessions, but we’ll also have a chance to spend time together as a group discussing various campaigns that CMG Freelance is working on. We’ll also be setting our goals and priorities for the year ahead.
And we’d like to hear from our members and other Canadian freelancers on this: what do you think we should be discussing during this convention? From advocacy campaigns to creating and improving services for our members, what priorities should we pursue over the next few months? What are the most important concerns that you have as an independent worker?
Leave us a note in the comments section below or email us at freelance@cmg.ca. We’d love to hear your thoughts.
CMG Freelance is the freelance branch of the Canadian Media Guild, which represents 6,000 workers in Canadian media. Other branches of the union include CBC, The Canadian Press, Reuters, Agence France-Presse, TVO, TFO, the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network, ZoomerMedia, Corus and CKOI Radio Gatineau.
Webinar: Legal advice for journos on defamation, privacy concerns and reporting in conflict zones
Do you know your legal rights and responsibilities as a freelance journalist? If you could use a refresher, tune in to CMG Freelance’s upcoming webinar with lawyer Mark Donald.
He’ll share information on journalists’ legal rights when covering protests or reporting from other high-conflict zones, including what to do if you’re arrested and detained. His presentation will also address defamation, privacy and online harassment of journalists
The webinar “Legal Advice for Journos: Reporting in conflict zones, dealing with defamation & privacy concerns“ is scheduled for Tuesday, May 22 at 3 p.m. Eastern Time. You can register for it right here.
Mark possesses an extensive background in civil liberties, media law and human rights litigation. As former summer law student at the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, Mark was on the front lines of the 2010 Toronto G20 protests. After being arrested and detained, Mark represented the CCLA’s position on the CBC.
Mark received his training from one of Toronto’s top litigation boutiques, and since being called to the Ontario Bar in 2013, he has personally handled numerous cases from downtown Toronto, to California, to Nunavut. Armed with this experience, Mark maintains an active practice involving defamation, privacy and online harassment matters.
You can register for the webinar at this link. CMG Freelance and CWA Canada Associate Members can use their membership numbers to register. For a limited time, CMG Freelance is making live viewing of our webinars available to non-members. If you’d like to watch this one, you can use the special code “Storyboard” in place of a membership number.
Archived webinars are available for viewing by CMG Freelance and CWA Canada Associate Members on this members-only page on the CMG Freelance website. Subjects of previous webinars include social media, contract negotiating and financial planning for freelancers.
Students, volunteers and emerging media workers can sign up for a free CWA Associate Membership right here.
Off the Wire: News for the Canadian media freelancer May 8-14
Once a week, we gather stories about the media business, journalism, writing, communications, and freelancing—with a Canadian focus—and share them in Off the Wire. Who needs a water cooler?
From Canada:
- Vocal Fry Studios aims to create an inclusive podcast space [J-Source]
- Inside the Toronto Star’s bold plan to save itself [The Walrus]
- La Presse goes non-profit [Globe and Mail]
- Montreal’s La Presse to become non-profit entity [CBC]
- COPA awards announce categories for 10th anniversary year [Canadian Magazines]
From The U.S. and beyond:
- 3 Pieces of Client Feedback That You Can Address Immediately [The Freelancer]
- Does pay transparency have the potential to transform freelance work? [Freelancers Union]
- Spring cleaning: 3 things to avoid as you ramp up your business [Freelancers Union]
- The Cohort: We launched free coaching for women in journalism [Poynter]
- 5 Industries Freelance Writers Should Be Targeting [Freelance Writing Jobs]
Recently on Story Board:
- Why freelancers in marketing and communications should have an email list: If you spend any time studying online marketing you’ve come across advice to start an email list. And if you’re a typical freelancer who gets most of your work from referrals you may think you don’t need 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.