PWAC dating game puts writers together with people needing them

The best opportunity of the year to meet Toronto freelance writers who can write a grant, or a speech or campaign materials is being offered by the Professional Writers Association of Canada (PWAC). It's somewhere between speed dating and a pub crawl and it's called The Dating Game: Connecting Writers with the People Who Need Them. 

People who hire writers often say that finding a freelancer is like entering into a courtship. You get to know each other a little, and if there’s a spark, you take the relationship to the next level – assignments! But how do you meet that special someone? Join us for a fun and friendly networking event. Meet writers, people in creative industries and people in hiring positions from organizations across the GTA.

The event takes place at Paupers Pub, 539 Bloor St. W, (east of Bathurst) in Toronto from 7 to 9 pm on Monday, November 17.

People needing writers may respond to K.Lear[at]pwactoronto[dot]org and receive free admission, a free job posting on writers.ca (normally $69), a facilitated introduction to meet the right writer and entry into a contest to win a 5-pack of job postings worth $249. 

Registration is open to freelancers across the GTA, free for PWAC members. Members of associate writers’ groups $10 online registration (up to midnight before event) or $20 at the door Non-members $15 online registration (up to midnight before event) or $20 at the door.

Cathy Watson of Education Today, named PWAC's editor-of-the-year

Catherine Watson, the editor of Education Today, was named editor of the year by the Professional Writers Association of Canada at an industry event Thursday night. Her nomination said, in part

"As editor of Education Today, the magazine of the Ontario Public School Boards' Association, Cathy has consistently demonstrated a high level of respect for freelance writers. Courtesy, honesty and an up-front style have helped her build exceptionally strong relationships with her contributors, which models the ideal in the writer-editor relationship."

PWAC runs online auction fundraiser

The Professional Writers Association of Canada (PWAC) has launched an online service auction. It is running now and will do so until winning bids are announced June 5 at PWAC's annual awards dinner in Toronto.

All proceeds from the auction items are going directly to the organization to assist in providing its services and defending the rights and professional interests of Canadian non-fiction writers. The online auction can be found at http://www.32auctions.com/pwac2014. All items can be viewed immediately.

The fundraiser will help PWAC in delivering its services for professional non-fiction writers throughout Canada. Among the auction items are an introduction to tracing your family history, a backpack trip in the Canadian Rockies, dinner with a crime writer, a personalized wedding ceremony and of course a selection of writing services for individuals and organizations in Canada and beyond. They'll even help you write a poem or a business profile on demand.

Finalists announced for PWAC editor of the year award

The Professional Writers Association of Canada have announced the three finalists for the PWAC Editor of the Year Award, which will be presented as part of the PWAC annual awards dinner on June 5 during the MagNet industry conference in Toronto. 

PWAC president Michelle Greysen said

"These are the people who make the life of a freelancer truly rewarding. There's nothing so satisfying as sharing the sense of a job well done and these great editors make that possible day after day, week after week and year after year."

The finalists are

• Martin Dunphy, senior editor The Georgia Straight
• Robin Stevenson, senior features editor Canadian Living
• Catherine Watson, editor Education Today

U of T and Western back out of paying royalties to writers and publishers for copying

Two of Canada's leading universities -- University of Toronto and Western -- are walking away from a 20-year relationship with Access Copyright, the copyright licensing agency. And the Professional Writers Association of Canada is livid about it. As is The Writers' Union of Canada. Essentially, the decision means that the two schools will no longer pay a collective royalty fee to creators through an Access license; in fact it may mean they will pay nothing. 

The two schools had settled with AC in January 2012 and signed a licensing agreement, which was thought to provide a model for other schools to follow. Apparently minds have changed.   

“They seem to have been persuaded by the most fanatical ideologues in their midst that the recent reform of copyright law in Canada gives them free rein to copy at will without any regard for the realities of the marketplace”, said PWAC president Michelle Greysen. “Unfortunately this devaluation of creativity will lead to the general impoverishment of Canada’s knowledge base. As frontline knowledge workers, Canadian writers cannot accept this direction. We are looking at legal options up to and including mounting a class action suit against the universities for infringing upon our economic rights.”

A PWAC press release elaborates

We realize that digital technology has changed in education. But the fact that it is easier to reproduce text and images because they have been reduced to ones and zeros does not mean that the process of creation — the sweat and inspiration and hard critical analysis that goes into professional writing — can be reduced to zero in terms of compensation for the widespread use of a given piece of writing, be it a textbook, a poem or a piece of investigative journalism. Universities don’t provide any other services without paying for them — why should content be free?

Read more »

Professional respect can be won, but it's a matter of constant vigilance

I was asked to write a post for NetWords, the blog of the Toronto chapter of the Professional Writers Association of Canada (PWAC). It was about the Best Practices Guide which I was involved in drafting on behalf of the magazine industry. It was the result of an industry-wide online survey and a series of roundtables across the country, involving writers, editors and publishers. But since the Guide was written and posted on the PWAC website, there has been -- at least from my perspective --relatively little discussion about it. So, for the post, I agreed to say something. 

"If magazine writers want to be treated with respect, they will have to insist on the reflection of The Guide’s principles in their day-to-day working relationships with editors and publishers (and other writers). Writers have a vested interest in provoking discussion about the professional obligations The Guide details. These guidelines were, after all, derived from the shared experience of writers, editors and publishers. Only by citing those experiences and expectations in negotiations and disputes will writers accustom publishers and editors to regard it as a reasonable, broadly acceptable way of working together."

Three finalists named for PWAC editor of the year

White

Finnamore

Berkowitz

The Professional Writers Association of Canada (PWAC) today announced the finalists for its editor of the year award; an award prestigious because it is a recognition by freelancers of the important role that dedicated editors make to their success.

The finalists (the winner will be announced at a luncheon as part of the MagNet conference on June 7 in Toronto) are:

• Peggy Berkowitz, the editor in chief of University Affairs magazine (published for faculty and administrators of Canada's universities)
• Allison Finnamore, the editor of FCC Express (the weekly e-newletter of Farm Credit Canada) and
• Heather White, the editor of Saltscapes (the Halifax-based Atlantic provinces lifestyle magazine)

Professional Writers ask members for their experience with TC Media freelance contracts

A bulletin that has gone out to more than 680 members of the Professional Writers Association of Canada (PWAC) asks them for confidential information about their experience with Transcontinental Media freelance contracts. PWAC has been trying, so far without success, to convince TC Media to modify what it calls its "egregious" standard freelance contract.

"Through our network of allies we have learned that at least some of the editors at some of their publications have recently given assignments to some of their freelance contributors without insisting that they sign the most recent "standard" freelance contract," the bulletin says. "You will recognize the contract if it calls for you to grant the company all your copyright in the assignment in perpetuity in all media and also requiring you to waive your moral rights.

"TC Media is not alone in seeking these large and unreasonable concessions from their freelance contributors. We do not seek to demonize them or single them out, but rather to engage them in discussion as to how we might improve the contract in respect of freelancers and to invite them to consider a different business model that values relationships with content providers over a rapacious stance with regard to our ability to further uses of the work we do after their print run and distribution. Thus far they have rejected our collective invitation to engage in discussion of these issues but there is an indication that they are taking another look at the standard freelance contract in the very near future."

Finalists named for PWAC's Editor of the Year award

Finalists have been named for the Editor of the Year award presented annually by the Professional Writers Association of Canada (PWAC). They are

• Rob Kelly, Editor-in-Chief, The Lawyers Weekly

• Jennifer Reynolds, Editor-in-Chief, Canadian Family

• Diana Swift, Editor-in-Chief, Canadian Health

“This year we received more nominations for our Editor of the Year award than in any previous year, meaning these finalists rose to the top of a crowded field,” said PWAC President Craig Silverman. “This is a special award because it enables Canada’s freelance writers to recognize the work of Canadian editors. Our finalists are respected professionals who treat writers as partners and peers. Congratulations to all three of them.”

The Editor of the Year and two honourable mentions will be named during the Writers’ Awards Luncheon at the MagNet magazine conference on June 8 in Toronto.

Written nominations are submitted by PWAC members and a panel of three member judges evaluate the nominees based on criteria that includes editing and communications skills, the ability to bring out the best in writers, and the fairness of pay rates and contracts.

PWAC, established in 1976, is the national organization representing close to 700 freelance writers and journalists in Canada.

PWAC annual freelance writing awards deadline is April 5

[This post has been updated] Entries are being accepted for the third annual writing awards for features and short articles, presented by the Professional Writers Association of Canada (PWAC). These awards showcase the work of Canadian freelance writers and are open to members and non-members of PWAC. Deadline is Thursday April 5.

[Update: There are two awards: for over 1201 words and under 1,200.
The 2011 winner [for the long form] was Melissa Martin for "La lang di Michif Ta-pashipiikan" (Winnipeg Free Press); runner-up was Stephen Kimber for "Is Corey Wright the Wrong Man?" (The Coast); honourable mentions: Beverly Akerman for "Six Pixels of Separation" (Grain Magazine); Mark Cardwell for "Getting Away with Murder" (Canadian Lawyer); Terri Perrin for "All in the Family" (InFocus Magazine); Mark Witten for "Heal or Harm?" (Today's Parent)]

The 2011 winner [for the short form] was Beverly Akerman, "Woman's murder exposes need to raise age for gun ownership" (The Toronto Star); Runner-up: L. D. Cross, "How to Get the Money You're Owed" (PROFIT Magazine); Honourable mentions:  Karen Virag, "The Naked Truth About Raw" (The Tomato) and Mark Witten for "Brainwashed" (The Walrus)

 Prizes [for either award] are:

• First Place: $750 and certificate. (Divided as follows: $500 in cash and a year's free PWAC membership worth approx. $250. Note: If the prize winner is not eligible for PWAC membership, he or she receives the $500 in cash and forfeits the free membership.)
• Runner Up: a year's free PWAC membership (if eligible) and certificate. 
• Other finalists: a certificate.

Non-fiction articles of 1,201 words and over [and for similar, but under 1,200 words], for which payment was received, are eligible. They must have been published in English in a Canadian print or web media outlet with a publication date must have been between January 1 to December 31, 2011.

The per-entry fee is $25 for PWAC members per entry and $50 for non-PWAC membersand there is no limit on the number of entries per person. Payable by cheque or money order made out to "PWAC."

Further information.

PWAC offers 18 months of membership for the price of a year

The Professional Writers Association of Canada has launched a membership drive that offers new and returning freelancers 18 months of membership for the price of 12, provided signup by March 31. Plus, memberships($20 a month or $240 a year; $40 for students) give a discounted rate on the MagNet industry conference, a voucher for one free workshop and the chance to win a full MagNet package of four workshops, social events and meals.

Part of the reason for the drive is that PWAC is about t0 launch a rebooted Writers.ca 2.0, a searchable electronic marketplace connecting writers with editors and publishers and allowing online sale of new or existing work. People who sign up now get the opportunity to lock in free access.

Ten writing finalists announced for PWAC awards

The Professional Writers Association of Canada (PWAC) has announced ten finalists for its writing awards; the winners will be announced June 18 at an awards event in Montreal in conjunction with PWAC's annual general meeting.The awards are open to PWAC members and non-members.

First prize in each award category has a $750 value (increased from $500 in 2010), including a free PWAC membership for a year to those eligible. Second-place winners get a year’s free PWAC membership, if eligible.

PWAC created its PWAC Short Articles Writing Award and the PWAC Features Writing Award in 2010 to showcase Canadian writers. “For the second year in a row, we have received more entries than we expected,” PWAC president Tanya Gulliver said. “We’re honoured to celebrate the work of these finalists as examples of the high-quality writing produced by PWAC’s members and other Canadian writers.”

In the Features category (> 1,200 words), the finalists are:

• Beverly Akerman for “Six Pixels of Separation” (Grain Magazine)
• Mark Cardwell for “Getting Away with Murder” (Canadian Lawyer)
• Stephen Kimber for “Is Corey Wright the Wrong Man?” (The Coast)
• Melissa Martin for “La lang di Michif Ta-pashipiikan” (Winnipeg Free Press)
• Terri Perrin for “All in the Family” (InFocus Magazine)
• Mark Witten for “Heal or harm?” (Today’s Parent)

In the Short Articles category (< 1,200 words), the finalists are:

• Beverly Akerman for “Woman’s murder exposes need to raise age for gun ownership” (Toronto Star)
• L. D. Cross for “How to Get the Money You’re Owed” (PROFIT Magazine)
• Karen Virag for “The Naked Truth About Raw” (The Tomato)
• Mark Witten for “Brainwashed” (The Walrus)

Judges for the awards were: (Features) freelance writer and editor Richard Burnett, The Georgia Straight’s senior editor Martin Dunphy and freelance writer Nora Underwood; (Short Articles)freelance writer and journalism instructor Lezlie Lowe, Prairie Dog editor Stephen Whitworth and Harrowsmith Country Life senior editor Bridget Wayland.

PWAC names three finalists for Editor of the Year Award

The Professional Writers Association of Canada today named three finalists for its Editor of the Year Award. They are:

• Rebecca Caldwell, Acting Managing Editor, Cottage Life
• Graham F. Scott, Editor, This Magazine
• Carmine Starnino, Senior Editor, Reader’s Digest

“Each year we ask freelance writers from across the country to help us recognize the best and most deserving editors working in Canadian publishing,” said PWAC President Tanya Gulliver. “Our three finalists for PWAC’s 2011 Editor of the Year Award – Rebecca Caldwell, Graham F. Scott, and Carmine Starnino – are recognizable names who do great work for top Canadian publications. They’re also the kind of editors that Canada’s freelance writers love to work with.”

The winner and two honourable mentions will be announced during the Writers’ Industry Awards Luncheon at the MagNet magazine conference on June 10 in Toronto.

Written nominations are submitted by PWAC members and a panel of three member judges evaluate the nominees based on criteria that include editing and communications skills, the ability to bring out the best in writers, and the fairness of pay rates and contracts.
PWAC, established in 1976, is the national organization representing over 600 freelance writers and journalists in Canada.

[Disclosure: Graham F. Scott is my son.]

ED search at Writers' Union might be an opportunity to explore merger with PWAC

Unsolicited advice is worth what you pay for it, I suppose, but one has to wonder whether the current search for an executive director to fill a vacancy at The Writers' Union of Canada (TWUC) isn't a golden opportunity to consider a merger with the Professional Writers Association of Canada (PWAC).

TWUC represents about 2,000 professionally published book authors and supports them and advocates for their best and common interests. PWAC does essentially the same for its 600+ members, many of whom are freelance magazine, newspaper and corporate writers. Some people are members of both. Both organizations are located in Toronto. Both organizations lobby the federal government and provincial governments. Both collaborate with other publishing industry groups and other not-for-profit organizations. Both are concerned with freedom of expression and compensation issues.  Members of both might even concede, sotto voce, that they'd like to be more effective than they are.

It would seem a good fit and an opportunity to have more clout, more efficiently (now they have two executive directors, two boards, two offices etc.), wouldn't it? Just asking. Talk among yourselves.

Replacement sought for Johnston as executive director of PWAC

As reported here earlier, the position of executive director of the Professional Writers Association of Canada (PWAC), the country's largest organization for freelance writers (including magazine writers), is vacant, with the departure of David Johnston after only 7 months on the job. The position has been posted and offers a salary in the range of $45,000 to $55,000 a year, depending on experience. Deadline for applications is Monday, October 26.

Freelancers urged to boycott Transcon mags over refusal to budge on master contract

[This post has been updated] Transcontinental Media has apparently dug its heels in over its proposed master contract, refusing to negotiate with representatives of the freelance community, who as a result are now calling for an "unprecedented" boycott of the company.

A press release has been issued that gives detailed background on the dispute and details the organizations that are supporting the boycott.

Derek Finkle of the Canadian Writers Group, an agency for writers, and David Johnston, executive director of the Professional Writers Association of Canada (PWAC) had been involved over the summer in discussions with senior executives at Transcon. But on September 1, Pierre Marcoux, the Transcontinental Media’s senior vice president of the business and consumer solutions group said the company did not intend to make any changes to the contract.

In a memo to CWG writers, republished on the Toronto Freelance Editors and Writers list (TFEW), Finkle says:

"At the conclusion of our first meeting on July 16, they said they would be amenable to making changes. When changes didn't seem to be forthcoming after that, they finally announced at the beginning of this month that they were sticking with the contract as it was unveiled in June.

"As a result, just about every Canadian writers' organization - agencies, associations, unions, alliances, and federations – have banded together in calling on writers across the country to stop writing for Transcontinental publications...."

"Taking action against contracts such as this is incredibly important right now. Showing that writers are united will also help when it comes to the evolution of contracts being used by other publishers. I can't stress how important I believe this effort is to the future of freelancing."

The boycott is part of a wider campaign that includes lobbying the ministers of industry and heritage in Ottawa, launching a national petition, lobbying Transcon editors to intercede with their management on the issue, and undertaking a broad communications campaign, including letting advertisers know of Transcon's "heavy-handed attitude towards an important part of the cultural sector".

[Update: Prolific Montreal-based freelancer Craig Silverman says on his blog:

This has been a long time coming in Canada, if you ask me. Large publishers have been rolling out contracts that are nothing more than unconscionable rights grabs, and now one company has simply gone too far.]

Related posts:

• Transcontinental Media said to be prepared to modify controversial freelance contract
  
• Transcontinental being pressed by industry reps to change proposed freelance contract
• Freelancers dismayed by Transcon's new "take it or leave it" freelance contract

PWAC launches Editor of the Year Award

Editors sometimes don't get the respect they deserve from writers (and sometimes vice versa) and from awards programs. Editors generally have to bask in the reflected glory while underpaid but visible freelancers and designers get the trophies. The Professional Writers Association of Canada are attempting to rectify this with the launch of their first annual PWAC Editor of the Year Award.

[This is not the first national Editor of the Year award. A similarly named award is made by the Canadian Society of Magazine Editors (CSME) and awarded along with other awards at the association's annual dinner.]

Nominees for the PWAC award may be staff editors, freelance editors or editors associated with one or more publications and they may work for any print medium. They may only be nominated by one of the 600 PWAC members in good standing. The winner will be announced each May at the PWAC National Conference Awards Banquet, and will also be congratulated at the PWAC Luncheon during MagNet, the annual Canadian magazine industry conference in Toronto (of which PWAC is a founding partner).

“As professional freelance writers,” explained PWAC President, Carolyn Gibson, “we are often privileged to work with outstanding editorial professionals who respond quickly and positively to our queries, help us shape our ideas and work, improve our writing, and smooth the process of publication, invoicing and payment. Starting this year, PWAC members now have the opportunity to bring national recognition and praise to our too-often unsung business partners – the editors.”

PWAC asks its members not to violate the picket lines in U.S. writers' strike

The Professional Writers Association of Canada (PWAC) is asking its 600-odd members to eschew taking on any writing assignments that could be construed as blacklegging in the current Writers Guild of America strike.

The WGA established picket lines earlier this week at all major Hollywood studios and television production companies. The writers are striking for a new collective agreement providing better compensation for work used in new media and residuals stemming from DVD sales. According to recent WGA statements, the union is prepared to keep writers out of American television and film production for as long as it takes to negotiate a deal that will protect writers’ rights in digital media. The last major writers’ strike to hit that industry occurred in 1988, and is estimated to have cost television networks over $500 million.

PWAC joins the Writers Guild of Canada (the organization representing professional screenwriters in Canada) and other writer organizations in support of this important labour action.

PWAC looking to boost its membership

The Professional Writers Association of Canada (PWAC) is on a recruiting drive. Vice-president Tanya Gulliver has sent a message to a Toronto freelancer's list making the pitch.

PWAC is growing and changing. Prior to our renewal we had over 600 professional, associate and student members. We changed our name a couple years ago from "Periodical" to "Professional", and combined the work of our great staff this has contributed to increased recognition of PWAC in the writing industry (including, somewhat ironically, increased recognition in the magazine industry!)

Here's where to find out more, and whether the array of services and benefits appeal to you.

Getting the message heard; PWAC runs media release seminar

For magazine editors who receive a blizzard of incomplete, incompetent and just plain boring press releases every week, it's good to know that somebody is trying to improve the situation.

The Periodical Writers Association of Canada is presenting a half-day course on media release writing in Toronto on Tuesday, October 9, taught by veteran freelancers and PWAC association member Paul Lima.

"Writing Media Releases is more a craft than a science," says the association's release.

9:30am - 12:30pm, Centre for Social Innovation, 215 Spadina Avenue, Suite 120, $40 to PWAC members, $50 to the public in advance, $75 on the day + GST. Contact Clare Leporati cleporati@pwac.ca or you can register online.