| |
June 18, 2009: Creators Must be Included in National Digital Media Strategy
The Creators Copyright Coalition applauds Industry Minister Tony Clement's initiative to develop a national Digital Media Strategy, but is concerned that creators are not being consulted on this critical initiative.
The Hon. Mr. Clement is hosting a one-day forum on Monday, June 22 to identify the key areas of action necessary for Canada to regain its leadership position in the digital economy. While senior leaders from business, academic and consumer organizations are being invited to contribute their expertise and actively participate in this day-long event, no creators or representatives from creator groups have been invited to participate.
"Creators such as writers, performers, musicians and visual artists create the content that is the basis of the digital economy. We're concerned that the government can hold discussions with industry leaders and not include creators, the people who make the Internet an interesting and vital medium," said Bill Freeman, the Chair of the CCC. "The distribution of works via the Internet has caused unique challenges and opportunities for creators. We would like the opportunity to have our voices heard and share our experiences and ideas as the government attempts to draw the roadmap to Canada's digital future."
Members of the CCC include: Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA), American Federation of Musicians (AFM), Canadian Actors' Equity Association (CAEA), Canadian Artists Representation/Front des Artistes Canadiens (CAR/FAC), The CAR/FAC Collective, Canadian Association of Photographers and Illustrators in Communications (CAPIC), Canadian Music Centre (CMC), Canadian League of Composers, Directors Guild of Canada (DGC), Guild of Canadian Film Composers (GCFC), League of Canadian Poets, Literary Translators Association of Canada, Playwrights' Guild of Canada, Professional Writers Association of Canada (PWAC), Professional Photographers of Canada, SOCAN, Songwriters Association of Canada (SAC), Writers Guild of Canada (WGC) and The Writers Union of Canada (TWUC).
June 17, 2009: Harry Potter vs. Willy the Wizard
The lastest copyright infringement accustations unfolding on the internet involve claims from the estate of the deceased author Adrian Jacobs that the successfull author of the popular series Harry Potter, JK Rowling, lifted ideas that appear in the fourth title of the series, Harry Potter &the Goblet of Fire, from Jacobs' story The Adventures of Willy the Wizard. From BBC Online:
A statement on the website of law firm DMH Stallard, which is representing the claimant, confirmed the estate was taking Bloomsbury to court for copyright infringement. Bloomsbury said the claim was baseless and the book "will be defended vigorously". Jacobs died in London in 1997. His book, The Adventures of Willy the Wizard - No 1 Livid Land, was published in 1987, according to the estate representatives, based in Australia. Bloomsbury said Jacobs's estate first approached it in 2004 but was "unable to identify any text in the Harry Potter books which was said to copy Willy the Wizard". "JK Rowling had never heard of Adrian Jacobs nor seen, read, or heard of his book Willy the Wizard until this claim was first made in 2004," the statement read.
The BBC points out that the "series has sold more than 400 million books worldwide in 65 languages and spawned a series of hit films." While there's still money to be had, Bloomsbury and Rowling would be wise to brace themselves...
June 17, 2009: PWAC President Recipient of York University's Graduate Fellowship for Academic Distinction
Proving that PWAC members are more than talented professional writers, the PWAC National Office would like to congratulate PWAC President Tanya Gulliver on receiving York University's Graduate Fellowship for Academic Distinction for her upcoming stint as a PhD student in Environmental Studies, starting in the Fall of 2009. The award, one of the highest accomplishments for doctoral students at the University, comprises a scholarship of $15,000, a research assistant position worth $7,000, and all tuition costs (approximately $5,500).
PWAC National Office is sure Tanya will be able to maintain her standing to renew the position for the following two years of her studies. Congratulations Tanya!
About PWAC President Tanya Gulliver:
In
addition to writing, PWAC President Tanya Gulliver is a consultant for
non-profit organizations and teaches "Homelessness in Canadian Society"
and "Community Development: International Perspective - New Orleans" at
Ryerson University in Toronto. She is also a doctoral student in
Environmental Studies at York University focusing on the differential
impact of Hurricane Katrina in various communities in New Orleans.
Tanya joined PWAC in 2004 and immediately began volunteering with the
Niagara Escarpment AGM planning committee. She was elected to the board
as Regional Director for Ontario in 2005 and held that position for two
years. She served one year as Vice President of the board, and is now
in her second year as President.
June 10, 2009: 2009 PWAC Award Winners
At the Magnet Conference in Toronto last week, the Association handed out awards to outstanding volunteers within the membership, and an award each to a Canadian writer and editor.
The awards were:
The Lawrence Jackson Outstanding Achievement Award - an annual award given to a member who has shown outstanding volunteer commitment to the association at the national level. PWAC congratulates this year's winner of the "Larry Jackson" award, Tracey Arial.
Tracey is a longstanding PWAC Quebec member with years of service, including serving as PWAC National President and her ongoing work as Co-Chair of the Government Action Committee.
Regional Volunteer Award - this award was established in 2005 and designed to recognize the valuable contributions of members who volunteer for PWAC in their regions and local chapters. This year's recipients are:
Atlantic Region: Wendy Kitts, Moncton Chapter
Quebec: Marijke Vroomen-Durning, Quebec Chapter
Ontario: Charmian Christie, Guelph Chapter
Prairies and the North: Doreen Pendgracs, Manitoba Chapter
British Columbia: Pam Blackstone, Victoria Chapter
The Barbara Novak Writing Award - this award, honouring the memory of PWAC member Barbara Novak, is given each year for the best humour or personal essay writing by a PWAC member. This year's recipient is PWAC Guelph member Jean Mills for her essay "The Roots of Her Story," which appeared in The Globe and Mail's Facts & Arguments section in April 2008. Jean's winning story is a tender look adoption, parenthood, turning points, and learning to let go.
The PWAC Editor of the Year Award was established in 2008 to bring national recognition and praise to outstanding editorial professionals who respond quickly and positively to writers' queries, help writers shape their ideas and work, improve writing, and smooth the process of publication, invoicing and payment. The winner of the 2009 Editor of the Year Award is Jennifer Walker of Best Health magazine. Honourable mentions to Ian Johnson, Senior Producer for CBCNews.ca, and Diana Swift, Editor of Canadian Health. Read the media release here.
Congratulations to all of PWAC's award winners for 2008/2009!
For more details on PWAC Awards, visit the PWAC website or download the Nominations & Awards Committee's citations here.
June 09, 2009: Jennifer Walker Named Editor of the Year by the Professional Writers Association Of Canada
Jennifer Walker, Senior Content Editor of Best Health magazine, was named Editor of the Year by the Professional Writers Association of Canada on Friday, June 5, 2009.
The award recognizes Ms. Walker's outstanding editorial work during the 2008 calendar year. She was presented with a plaque and gift during the Writers' Industry Awards Luncheon at the MagNet magazine conference in Toronto. Ian Johnson, Senior Producer for CBCNews.ca and Diana Swift, Editor of Canadian Health, both received Honourable Mentions for their work.
"It is a pleasure to be able to honour and acknowledge the special relationship that exists between the best editors and writers," said PWAC Executive Director David Johnston. "Without the talent and commitment of the editors in our industry, Canadian writers would not be able to shine the way they do."
This is the second year that PWAC has presented the Editor of the Year Award. The award brings national recognition and praise to outstanding editorial professionals. 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 fairness of pay rates and contracts.
More information:
David Johnston, Executive Director
djohnston@pwac.ca
(416) 504-1645
Craig Silverman, Co-Chair
Awards & Nominations Committee
ordinary@sympatico.ca
(514) 808-0548
| |
