What’s in your contract?
Libel notice served to Toronto Life should give freelance writers pause for thought York University’s recent libel notice to Toronto Life should serve as a sobering reminder for Canadian freelance writers. The article at issue – a feature on sexual assault at York – was written by freelance contributor Katherine Laidlaw. Fortunately for Laidlaw, […]
Opportunities and Pitching — Tips from the Freelance Survival Series
Learn to sell yourself, accept all paying work, and approach new publications with your eyes wide open. Those were a few of the messages that came out of the “opportunities and pitching” session at last month’s Freelance Survival Seminar in Toronto. Writers Don Genova and Alison Garwood-Jones spent an hour sharing their experiences and offering advice to a […]
The 5-Minute Freelancer Q&A #13 – Moira Farr
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. 1. Where are you when most of your story ideas come to you? Where do you go to brainstorm pitch ideas? MF: It’s very much related to things […]
The Born Freelancer on Managing Writer’s Block
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. It is probably inevitable. You yourself may face it one day if you have not already. Like death and taxes there may be no way to […]
Life’s a pitch (but freelancers together are stronger)
It was a packed house last night for the freelance panel discussion, “Yes We Are Worthy: Making it in the freelance world.” At the event on the University of Toronto campus, a roomful of freelancers swapped business cards and battle stories. We also received some sound advice from the panelists: writers Ann Douglas and Andrew […]
The Born Freelancer on the Power of Lists
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. In reply to the often asked question, “What is the secret of successful freelancing?” I sometimes give a sardonic answer. How else can you give a […]
The 5-Minute Freelancer Q&A #12 – Jay Somerset
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. 1. Where are you when most of your story ideas come to you? Where do you go to brainstorm pitch ideas? A lot of it happens in […]
The Born Freelancer on Playing the Long Game
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. A freelance colleague of mine recently told me that he was sitting on what might be the biggest story of his career. So, I asked, […]
The Born Freelancer on Remaking Radio Drama in Canada, Part 1
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 followup to my previous post about “The Rebirth of Radio Drama in Canada”, freelance writer and former CBC Radio drama and documentaries producer Kathleen […]
The 5-Minute Freelancer Q&A #11 – Erin Millar
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. 1. What’s the most important thing you’ve done over the years to develop your skills as a writer? I don’t have any particular moment… but […]
