Archive for February, 2012

Time to file: The Born Freelancer on taxing matters

This series of posts by the Born Freelancer will share personal experiences and thoughts on issues relevant to freelancers. Have something to add to the conversation? Your input is welcome in the comments. Death and taxes. The only things certain in life. That and the fact there will be nothing I want to watch on […]

Posted on February 28, 2012 at 8:44 pm by editor · One Comment · Tagged with: , , , , ,

Off the Wire: News for the Canadian media freelancer Feb. 21–26, 2012

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: Behind-the-scenes at CTV News Southwestern Ontario [J-Source] Adult education: How The Tyee wants to maximize its readers through master classes [Nieman Lab] Slain journalist […]

Posted on February 26, 2012 at 10:30 am by editor · LEAVE A COMMENT · Tagged with: ,

Songwriters get an online royalty collection service — where’s ours?

Once your work goes online, keeping tabs on it can be a full-time job. If it pops up on an unfamiliar site, without your permission, what are your chances of getting paid? As we’ve heard on Story Board previously, it’s more likely you’ll see the work removed from the site than see any cash. TuneCore, […]

Posted on February 24, 2012 at 1:43 pm by editor · LEAVE A COMMENT · Tagged with: , , , , , ,

Off the Wire: News for the Canadian media freelancer Feb. 13–20, 2012

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: Legendary sports writer Trent Frayne dies [Globe & Mail] (via @metromorning) Charlotte Gill wins B.C. National Award for Canadian Non-Fiction for Eating Dirt [National […]

Posted on February 20, 2012 at 7:29 pm by editor · LEAVE A COMMENT · Tagged with: ,

Why I quit blogging and why you should too (if you’re a writer) [UPDATED]

By Jeff Nield EDITOR’S NOTE: Changes have been made to this post as a result of a request from TreeHugger’s parent company, Discovery Communications, which claims certain disclosures in the original post were in violation of a confidentiality clause contained in an agreement signed by the author. Until last week, I was a part-time blogger […]

Posted on February 17, 2012 at 12:00 pm by editor · 8 Comments · Tagged with: , , , ,

On professionalism

The Born Freelancer replies to a comment on bridge-burning Last month, “Dude” commented on my post about blowing up bridges: “I think it quite ironic that in this post you caution against bridge burning, then two posts down celebrate the life of someone who was fearless—and sometimes reckless—enough to burn every bridge he’d ever built. […]

Posted on February 17, 2012 at 10:25 am by editor · LEAVE A COMMENT · Tagged with: , , ,

Off the Wire: News for the Canadian media freelancer Feb. 6–12, 2012

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: Are journalism schools graduating too many students? [OpenFile Vancouver] (via @mastmeghan) China denies visa to reporter travelling with Canadian PM [Epoch Times/NTD TV] Michelle […]

Posted on February 12, 2012 at 10:23 pm by editor · LEAVE A COMMENT · Tagged with: ,

Letter from CP Ottawa bureau workers expresses anger, disappointment over contract negotiations

Our post earlier this week about the contract negotiations between the Canadian Media Guild, on behalf of its members, and The Canadian Press focused on what both those bodies are asking for, but what about the employees and their voice in all this? More than two months into negotiations, and after the recent appointment of […]

Posted on February 10, 2012 at 10:28 am by editor · LEAVE A COMMENT · Tagged with: , , , , , , , ,

The Canadian Media Guild fights on behalf of its members in negotiations with The Canadian Press

When the company you’re negotiating with starts off by calling its financial situation “dire,” it’s probably safe to assume you’re in for a long and bumpy ride. That’s the message that the Canadian Media Guild heard from to The Canadian Press late last year, when it began negotiating with the company on behalf of its […]

Posted on February 8, 2012 at 10:29 pm by editor · LEAVE A COMMENT · Tagged with: , , , , , , , ,

Off the Wire: News for the Canadian media freelancer Jan. 31–Feb. 5, 2012

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: Is Postmedia Canadian enough? Union wants court to decide [Toronto Star] (via @dbanner16) Kenney’s office apologizes for ‘new Canadians’ stunt on Sun News [Globe […]

Posted on February 5, 2012 at 11:15 pm by editor · LEAVE A COMMENT · Tagged with: ,