Off The Wire: News for the Canadian media freelancer Feb 24-Mar 2

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:

• The harsh reality of non-fiction writing [Globe and Mail]
• I was the only writer left at Canada.com [Ryeron Review]
• Levant crowdfunding campaign raises roughly $100,000 for latest media venture [National Post]
• Between e-books and Amazon, how do authors get paid? [Metro News] (via @AndersonDargatz)
• Why does a freelancer’s copyright matter? [J-Source]
• Sunny Widerman Discussing Taxes for Freelancers [EAC Toronto]
• NPAC president John Lehmann on why volunteer photography is a bad idea [J-Source]

From The U.S. and beyond:

• Conduct Better Phone Interviews: 5 Strategies for Freelance Writers [The Write Life]
• How to look for gigs without going crazy [Freelancers Union]
• Lives on the line: how to help protect freelancers in dangerous places [The Guardian]
• Stop underpaying writers [Freelancers Union]
• Why Freelancers Should Spend More Time on Social Media in 2015 [The Freelancer]
• Six questions journalists should ask when evaluating a rumor [IJNET]
• How to stay productive when you’re unsupervised [Freelancers Union]
• The 5 Biggest Misconceptions Freelancers Have About Pitching [The Freelancer]
• 10 David Carr Quotes to Remember Always [The Freelancer]
• How to Use the Pomodoro Technique as a Freelance Writer [The Write Life]

Last week on Story Board:

• The Born Freelancer on Producing Your Radio Drama Script: Some time ago I wrote about the challenges and benefits of writing a radio drama script, especially for those who had never previously considered it….
• Peter Smoczynski on independent filmmaking, risk, and the value of a freelancers’ union: Peter Smoczynski says that joining the Canadian Media Guild’s freelance branch was a turning point in the production of his latest film. “I didn’t feel I was alone anymore,” he says…

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.