June 28, 2007: Subpoena for writer's materials quashed in Ontario court

The subpoena demanding access to the confidential research materials of writer Derek Finkle was thrown out of a Toronto courtroom early this afternoon, as the judge in the Robert Baltovich trial delivered a strong decision protecting writers' rights.

Finkle had been subpoenaed early this year by prosecutors preparing for the retrial of Robert Baltovich, accused of murdering his girlfriend Elizabeth Bain in 1990. Finkle had written a bestselling book about the original case and trial, entitled No Claim to Mercy, and the research for that book included many hours of interviews with key persons in the trial. Prosecutors wanted those materials.

Mr. Baltovich was originally convicted of the murder and served eight years in prison before being released. Fresh evidence in the case points toward serial killer Paul Bernardo, who was active as the Scarborough rapist at the time of the Bain murder.

PWAC is very pleased with the decision to quash the subpoena, and feels that the public good is best served when a writer's independent research is protected from court pressures. The association intervened in the Finkle hearing, filing an affidavit about writers' rights alongside similar interventions by other writer and journalist groups.

June 26, 2007: A Narcissist's Dream Come True

Andrew Keen's book The Cult of the Amateur: How Today's Internet Is Killing Our Culture is highlighted in this Tony Long opinion piece from Wired Magazine.

Highlights:

I think he's right to criticize what he calls the "cut and paste" ethic that trivializes scholarship and professional ability, implying that anybody with a little pluck and the right technology can do just as well.

But opportunity and desire alone do not professional historians or journalists or pundits make. There's this process known as "learning your craft" and "paying your dues" that all professionals must endure. Sorry, but trolling the web and blogging from your darkened study doesn't qualify as on-the-job training.

The comments section after the piece suggests disagreement on this issue is not going away, but is such an opinion appearing in the Internet's house journal a sign of the pendulum returning?

June 21, 2007: NonFiction Draws a Crowd, and Toys With the Public Record

(image courtesy NonFiction)

Billed as a very public evening of stories usually told privately over drinks, NonFiction packed the underground at Toronto's Drake Hotel last night with writers, editors, radio and TV producers and many, many journalism students. The event was advertised through Facebook, and was open to anyone willing to part with $5.25.

Telling tales were:

Former TORO editor, Derek Finkle, CBC Radio's Richard Goddard, print journalist Chris Randle, magazine guy Bill Shields, magazine writer Jay Teitel, and former media critic Antonia Zerbisias.

And the tales they told were... off the record, so you won't find them repeated here. In fact, one of the most interesting parts of the evening was an impromptu group discussion about the meaning of on and off the record. After several of the speakers had already done their bit, a rumour hit the stage that someone in the crowd was making an audio recording of the event. What followed was a fascinating exercise in social dynamics as some in the room tried to ferret out the secret recorder, while others defended a reporter's right to do background research, even in a room full of media types speaking off the record.

The call from the microphone for the hidden reporter to turn him or herself in took on the feel of a cultural revolution purge before the courageous fellow took to the stage and declared his intentions. What followed was a passionate discussion about press freedoms and responsibilities.

The NonFiction planning group hopes to make this a regular event. Watch this space for information.

June 20, 2007: PWAC in Ottawa

PWAC Executive Director, John Degen (middle) meets with Robert Sirman, Director of the Canada Council (right) and Melanie Rutledge, Head of the Writing and Publishing Section (left), (photo courtesy of PWAC's Flickr page)

PWAC staff have just returned from a series of meetings with the Canada Council for the Arts in Ottawa. The meetings with council staff, and specifically with the Writing and Publishing section, were requested as part of the Council's ongoing strategic planning process.

The Council has always been a very important funding partner for PWAC, and since Canada's freelance writers are at the heart of the cultural sector, telling Canada's stories to Canadians and the world, we are happy to assist in the planning of this country's cultural sector support.

Discussion at the meetings touched on the changing and evolving practices of Canadian cultural workers, and how the CC might best respond as a funder to new realities for Canadian writers and other artists. PWAC reminds all writers in Canada to write to or call their local Member of Parliament and voice your support for a sustained increase in the Canada Council's budget.


The Writing &Publishing Section meets on Tuesday in Ottawa(photo courtesy of PWAC's Flickr page)

June 20, 2007: 7 Minute Pitches in Toronto

The turnout was a bit smaller than might have been expected for a free event, but there was general agreement from writers and editors alike that the 7 Minute Pitch session at last week's MagNet magazine conference in Toronto was an experiment worth repeating.


PWAC member Steve Pitt aims a pitch at Outdoor Canada editor Patrick Walsh (photo courtesy PWAC's Flickr page)

Billed as "speed-dating for writers and editors" the PWAC-sponsored session brought freelance writers face to face with four of Canada's top editors and gave them 7 minutes per pitch.

Freelancers had a chance to meet and discuss writing ideas with Penny Caldwell of Cottage Life, Gary Stephen Ross of Vancouver Magazine, Peter Stockland of Reader's Digest and Patrick Walsh of Outdoor Canada. Each table saw an earnest exchange of business cards as editors and writers collaborated to refine story ideas.

"I watched the whole session," remarked PWAC Executive Director John Degen, "and I can say with confidence that freelance writers made some sales today, and editors found new writers for their publications. It was fascinating to watch, and we will definitely look to repeat this exercise."

June 13, 2007: MagNet Highlights, part one

Began the day with the session Non-invasive Surgery - An Expert Guide to Substantive Editing, given by Gary Ross, editor of Vancouver Magazine (and former editor of both Saturday Night and Toronto Life magazines).

He provided an interesting perspective on how editors manage their stable of writers, and manage the ticklish problems of substantive editing.

Near the end of his talk, someone asked him if Vancouver magazine pays on acceptance or on publication and Mr. Ross said this:

"[Certain magazines are] notorious for paying months after the article appears in the magazine, which is just awful. You couldn't do that to anyone else providing service to the magazine. You can't tell the printer 'we'll pay you in nine months, pal, thanks for the magazine.' At VanMag, once the first draft comes in, and it's clear that it's going to make it into the magazine, I'm happy to pay promptly."

June 12, 2007: Yellowknife Writers Festival announces participants

Who knew writings on or about the Canadian Shield was a sub-genre? Check out this great line-up for what must surely be Canada's northernmost literary festival this year:

NorthWords Writers Festival Announces Visiting Writers for 2007

YELLOWKNIFE, NWT (June 9, 2007)
- The NorthWords Writers Festival board of directors is pleased to announce the visiting writers for this year's festival, which will be held in Yellowknife, NWT, August 2 to 5, 2007. Guest writers will include: novelist Wayne Johnston (Toronto); playwright Drew Hayden Taylor (Ontario); spoken word poet Shane Koyczan (originally from Yellowknife, now living in Penticton); novelist Michael Johansen (Labrador); and novelist/short story writer Richard Van Camp (originally from Fort Smith, NWT, now living in Vancouver).

The theme of this year's festival is Stories from the Rock. Many of the guest authors are either from the Canadian Shield region, or write about the Shield. The festival will include mentoring sessions by guest writers, readings, a book signing, open mics, a comedy night, a family barbecue, and a closing gala on the evening of Saturday, August 4.

In addition, workshops will be held by the visiting authors, as well as local writers: Richard Van Camp (graphic novels and comic books), Wayne Johnston (fiction), Shane Koyczan (spoken word), Drew Hayden Taylor (scriptwriting), Michael Johansen (historical fiction), Mindy Willett (living history), Annelies Pool (magazine writing) and Gayla Meredith (kids' workshop).

This year's festival builds on the success of the inaugural NorthWords 2006, which saw nine writers' workshops, including a kids' workshop; mentoring sessions for works-in-progress; a book launch and family barbecue. Two open mic events and the closing gala were filled to capacity.

For more information and updates, please see the festival website at: www.northwordsfestival.ca .