| |
July 26, 2007: Shop PWAC online
The Professional Writers Association of Canada has begun selling PWAC related merchandise through its very own online shop.
Members, non-members, those thinking about membership -- anyone really -- can now spread the PWAC goodness with their very own PWAC clothing, notebooks, mousepads, clocks, etc. PWAC's stylish new logo looks fantastic on a wide assortment of items.
And soon, PWAC will also be selling Professional Development materials through the store as well. Keep an eye on this space for news and announcements about new products and services for sale in the PWAC shop.
July 25, 2007: PWAC's membership larger, stronger than ever before
PWAC has experienced a recent surge in membership numbers, bringing the association to an unprecedented 606 members, with more writers joining every week.
PWAC's public profile has risen in recent years, with the release of our Canadian Professional Writers Survey Report, our ongoing public advocacy for the rights of working writers and our rebranded and completely renovated web presence.
Of course, as our numbers grow, so too will our influence. Upcoming projects such as the Magazine Industry Task Force will continue to place PWAC at the centre of change and improvement for the careers of Canadian writers.
If you have recently joined PWAC, we welcome you. If you are thinking about joining, there's never been a better time.
July 20, 2007: Department of Canadian Heritage provides $30 million extra in stable funding for the Canada Council
PWAC attended the announcement this morning of an extra $30 million in stable funding for the Canada Council for the Arts. The Honourable Beverley Oda presented the news to Robert Sirman, Director of the Council, and the Toronto arts community in a speech at the Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People on Front Street in Toronto.
PWAC is a member of the Canadian Arts Coalition, which has been calling for a stable funding increase for several years now. We are very pleased with today's announcement, and congratulate Minister Oda on her dedication to the community.
PWAC also anticipates the release of the Canada Council's strategic plan, which should spell out some needed adjustments to the way professional writing in Canada is publicly supported.
July 19, 2007: "Users" protest unlawful copying of latest Harry Potter
The Los Angeles Times reported yesterday that several unauthorized copies of the latest Harry Potter book have shown up as digital scans on the Internet.
Using sophisticated torrent technology, several file-sharing sites apparently allowed web-users to piece together the entire book ahead of its scheduled launch in bookstores this coming Friday. Business as usual for almost all valuable proprietary information these days.
But what's different here is there appears to be a significant user backlash against the digital gun-jumpers. From the Times:
First there was confusion. (Was it real?) Then there were legal threats. (Publisher Scholastic Inc. went after the alleged online spoilers.) And finally there was outrage as fans staged a revolt of their own against the leak, vowing to remain in the dark about what happens until Saturday.
"Not cool," said Max Slavkin, 19, a USC junior, summing up fan response to the online revelations.
"I think I might just avoid the Internet for a while, at least until Saturday," said Loreli Alba, 17, a high school senior in San Jose.
July 18, 2007: Times of London to make a profit
Despite a general doom and gloom prediction for the entire industry, one prominent newspaper has managed a financial turnaround.
According to a report in The Guardian, the Times of London is soon expected to make a profit for the very first time in the modern era.
[Times editor, Robert] Thomson said his paper had boosted revenue by increasing its cover price and syndicating more content abroad. He also said the paper had attracted a lot more business advertising.
"We have put the price up but kept the audience at a very high level," he told the committee. "We have generated a lot more business advertising. If you have strong business coverage then companies will tend to come."
| |
