Archive for May, 2012
A Pinterest primer for curious journalists and writers
Another social network. If you’re already fatigued by Tweeting, Facebooking and Tumblring every time you publish a new story or photo, the suggestion you should “pin” it too might sound downright exhausting (and redundant). But some news organizations and journalists on Pinterest—where users pin images and text to boards organized by subject—are finding it’s an […]
Seeking part-time editor for Story Board
The Canadian Media Guild is seeking a part-time editor for Story Board, a blog that creates an online space for media freelancers in Canada. The editor will be engaged to work an average of about 10 hours per week developing original copy for blog entries, covering industry news and events, seeking and editing submissions from […]
Off the Wire: News for the Canadian media freelancer May 22–27, 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: Five questions for award-winning photojournalist Peter Bregg [J-Source] Lament for a national blogosphere [Globe & Mail] Writers’ Union of Canada issues digital “Bill of […]
The Born Freelancer on casting aside doubt
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. This month I celebrate my first anniversary writing for you as The Born Freelancer. My thanks to all of you who have read […]
Advice from Canadian journalists on crafting the “perfect pitch”
Besides being the kind that gets you a “yes” from an editor, what makes a pitch good? An original angle, a custom-tailored scope, timely, articulate, well-researched: all very important characteristics. But what can a writers do to make their queries “perfect”? On April 26 at The HiVE in Vancouver, The Tyee gathered together Gary Stephen […]
Off the Wire: News for the Canadian media freelancer May 14–21, 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: Postmedia’s Ottawa bureau cuts ‘devastating’ as media re-evaluate role in online world [The Hill Times online] (via @howellspace) Tight money is at the root […]
Does everyone hate young journalists?
Writing for OpenFile Toronto, John McGrath notes (with alarm) a new trend: more experienced journalists pointing the finger at the young’uns for all sorts of problems with their industry. He points out recent articles by Margaret Wente, Bert Archer, and Tim Knight (1, 2, 3…it’s a trend) that call out young journalists for a) going […]
Off the Wire: News for the Canadian media freelancer May 7–13, 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: Jan Wong dishes on depression in the workplace [Maclean’s] Postmedia signs three-year deal with The Canadian Press [Steve Ladurantaye] Huffington Post Canada B.C., Alberta […]
Q&A: The Born Freelancer talks with Sam Levene about the life and times of CBC Radio drama
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. As a follow up to my previous post about the death of CBC Radio drama I contacted CMG freelancer Sam Levene whose excellent […]
What was in reporters’ pockets in 1920, according to Ernest Hemingway
This week the Toronto Star launched a micro-site dedicated to a reporter who wrote for them nearly a century ago. His name was Ernest Hemingway. Maybe you’ve heard of him? The Hemingway Papers includes contemporary reports about Hemingway’s time at the Star — including how it shaped his writing style and what he thought of […]
