Off The Wire: News for the Canadian media freelancer Mar 4-10

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:

• Toronto freelance photographer killed in Syria [Toronto Star]
• How to promote your book: Event review [PWAC Toronto]
• Writers’ Union of Canada now to accept self-published authors for membership [Canadian Magazines]
• Canadian University Press launches fundraising campaign to save itself [J-Source]
• Sun News host Ezra Levant sued for libel [J-Source]
• New Furlong filing admits ‘no actual knowledge’ behind key allegation [J-Source]
• Unpaid internships appear to be on the rise as Canada’s laws just a ‘hodgepodge’ [Toronto Star]
• Is reporting on labour issues no longer a ‘sexy’ beat? [J-Source]

From the U.S. and beyond:

• Why are we working more for less? [Freelancers Union]
• Five Financial Aspects to Consider Before Becoming a Freelancer [Recruiting Blogs] (via @freelance_hacks)
• 6 ways to stay motivated when you’re the boss [The Self Employed] (via @freelancersu)
• Why Creative Geniuses Often Keep a Messy Desk [Lifehacker]
• Guardian ‘secure for generations to come’ after tax-free bonanza of £619m [Press Gazette] (via @jayrosen_nyu)
• A Freelancer’s Dilemma: Solving the Identity Crisis [The Write Life]
• Secrets of Client Negotiation: The Poker Face [Freelancers Union]

This week on Story Board:

• The Born Freelancer on Email Self-Marketing, Part 2: If you are contemplating the use of email for self-marketing you should make yourself thoroughly familiar with the new Canadian Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL) which begins to take effect July 1st, 2014…
• The 5-Minute Freelancer Q&A #15 — Adrien Sala: 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….

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.