Omar Mouallem advises budding freelancers at NASH
by Allison Leonard “There is a science to pitching freelance magazine articles,” said Omar Mouallem, a freelance magazine writer and editor who has contributed to publications including the Globe and Mail, The Walrus and Alberta Views. Last weekend, Mouallem spoke to delegates at the Canadian University Press’s annual national conference, NASH 76, in Edmonton. […]
What to charge for your writing
by Rachel Sanders When you’re offered a juicy writing assignment, sometimes the fee seems less important than the experience, the enjoyment, or the byline you’re expecting to get out of it. But as you move along in your writing career, it’s important to consider what your time is worth. If you want to freelance full-time, […]
The Born Freelancer’s 2013 Holiday Wish List
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? Your input is welcome in the comments. Of course we’d all like more work; better pay; understanding editors/producers; and enjoyably challenging assignments. It goes without saying. And I wish all of these unto you […]
The 5-Minute Freelancer Q&A #14 – Lyndsie Bourgon
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. 1. What’s the most important thing you’ve done over the years for professional development? I took a feature writing course at Ryerson and that was really helpful for […]
Freelance contracts: what to look for
There was a commotion on Twitter last week. A graphic designer named Juan Luis Garcia claimed he was asked to design some posters for Spike Lee’s new movie, Oldboy. After spending weeks on his designs, he says, the agency that hired him offered an “insultingly low rate” for the use of his posters. He was […]
Chris Brookes on life as an independent radio producer
Chris Brookes’ radio documentaries have been broadcast all over the world. From the U.S. to Europe to Australia, the work of this Newfoundland-based producer has caught the ear of international audiences and won multiple awards. In September, Brookes gave a presentation at the Canadian Media Guild’s Freelance Survival Seminar in Toronto. He described the […]
The Born Freelancer on Animation Writing, Part 1
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? Your input is welcome in the comments. In my last post, I talked about writing radio plays. I especially addressed those of you who would normally never consider such work and pointed out […]
Social Media tips for writers from the Freelancer’s Toolbox
Social media can be a real productivity destroyer, but Rebecca Coleman says that freelancers just need to learn how to use it well in order to reap its many benefits. At the Freelancer’s Toolbox seminar in Vancouver earlier this month, Coleman — a blogger, teacher and freelance PR specialist — said that writers should be using social networks in three […]
Reuse and Recycle
by Tanya Lloyd Kyi We all have the same complaints. Newspapers are regurgitating content. Editors are reusing tired articles. Publishers are recycling old ideas. But while we writers and readers continue to push for great content, we can also steal a page from the publishing playbook. Why not see how many ways we can […]
Opportunities and Pitching — tips from The Freelancer’s Toolbox
The good news for freelancers is that there have never been more places to publish than there are right now. The bad news, as we all know, is that very few places want to pay you for your work. Food and travel writers Joanne Sasvari and Don Genova offered some advice on how to make your freelance career […]
