Media Mixer: Protecting Our Sources and Ourselves
by Abby Plener While working on “Cyberwar” with Vice, filmmaker Dylan Reibling contacted a source for a story. The source was a hacker who had attended the Black Hat information security conference. Shortly after Vice e-mailed him, that same source got a call from the FBI. Perhaps it was just a coincidence. But nonetheless, […]
Chris Enns talks financial planning for freelancers
Variable income is one of the biggest challenges many freelancers have to contend with. And Chris Enns understands it all too well. As an opera singer, he struggled himself with the best way to handle his money. Those struggles led him to learn more about finances and eventually get certified as a financial planner. Now he splits his […]
A Q&A with freelance writer Cole Kazdin
by Brittany Duggan Cole Kazdin is a writer, performer and four-time Emmy winning television journalist. She currently lives in Los Angeles where she regularly contributes to VICE, MEL Magazine and Refinery29. Kazdin has written for The New York Times, Los Angeles Magazine, Cosmopolitan and has produced television for HBO Documentaries and ABC Network News. She […]
The fine line of the follow-up
by Brittany Duggan Following up with editors after sending a story pitch can be anxiety-inducing. “Why have I not heard back?” “Is it a bad idea?” “Are they just too busy?” Ultimately, the radio silence you hear after sending a pitch is likely because of a combination of busy schedules, email overload, and – unfortunately […]
The Born Freelancer Reads “This I Know” by Terry O’Reilly
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? We’d love to hear from you in the comments. In the interests of full disclosure I must admit, first and foremost, that I am a huge fan of Terry O’Reilly’s exceptionally enjoyable CBC […]
Interview tips from investigative journalism pros
[View the story “Interview tips from investigative journalism pros.” on Storify]
Know Your Worth, Know Your Rights with Don Genova
by Grace Szucs More often than not, writers are being asked to sign contracts these days, says Don Genova, president of CMG Freelance. Contracts can protect you, but they can also put an unfair burden on the writer. Genova went over some freelance contract basics at an info session hosted by the Canadian Media Guild and CWA […]
Expanding Your Portfolio with Sandra Phinney
By Grace Szucs With legacy media crumbling and a scarcity of full-time writing jobs, keeping a freelance lifestyle means looking in the nooks and crannies of your own backyard. Sandra Phinney, freelance writer and photographer based in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, is a travel writer at heart, but has had to get creative to survive. “I […]
The Born Freelancer on Brief Encounters and Memorable Journeys
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? We’d love to hear from you in the comments. Talking to strangers on cross-country trains and planes really is anathema to many of you. I’ve heard your horror stories. Trapped for hours beside […]
Media Mixer: Freelancer or Employee?
by Shelley Pascual “We need these media mixers to get to know one another, support one another and more importantly, push each other to advance our interests collectively,” said Lise Lareau, a top union official for the Canadian Media Guild. Lareau moderated a panel discussion about the distinction between one’s rights as an independent contractor versus […]
