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January 2007 - Posts

Monday, January 29, 2007 11:58 AM

Weighing in on the NY Times Article

I didn't have time to think about the New York Times column about freelance ethics yesterday. I only read and mulled it over. At first glance, I didn't see what some writers on other forums were getting themselves worked up about. I read it as a column
posted by KerriFivecoatCampbell | 2 Comments
Sunday, January 28, 2007 8:44 PM

New York Times Addresses Freelance Writers in Column on Ethics

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/28/opinion/28pubed.html
posted by KerriFivecoatCampbell | 1 Comments
Friday, January 26, 2007 7:12 PM

Kansas City Press Club to Hold Writer's Conference for Freelancers

JOIN US FOR A ONE-DAY WRITERS’ CONFERENCE Sponsored by the Kansas City Press Club, the local chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists   Learn what it takes to be a freelance writer, meet and greet editors   When: Saturday,
posted by KerriFivecoatCampbell | 10 Comments
Tuesday, January 23, 2007 7:32 PM

Freelance Opportunities for Environmental Writers in the West

We just post 'em, people. It's up to you to check them out. But if you know anything about any potential jobs we may post, please let us know! High Country News, a nonprofit, every-other-week news magazine that focuses on environmental, cultural, and
posted by KerriFivecoatCampbell | 1 Comments
Tuesday, January 23, 2007 7:26 PM

Lawyers Want Notes in the Missouri Kidnapping Case

As reported on The Independent Journalist yesterday, a writer for The New York Post reportedly gained access to accused Missouri kidnapper Michael Devlin by lying to guards. According to Devlin's attorneys, who have already been front and center saying
posted by KerriFivecoatCampbell | 2 Comments
Monday, January 22, 2007 12:21 PM

Ethical Lapse by an Independent Journalist?

The Kansas City Star reported this morning that Susannah Cahalan, the woman who interviewed Michael Devlin, the man accused of kidnapping 2 boys 4 years apart (the boys were found safe last week) and who is suspected of possibly kidnapping more, obtained
posted by KerriFivecoatCampbell | 8 Comments
Wednesday, January 17, 2007 11:00 AM

Dangerous Business Models for Freelancers

There's never been a shortage of scammers in the writing industry - vanity publishers taking writers for their life savings with promises of making their books best-sellers; agents who charge reading fees and just low-paying assignments that have helped
posted by KerriFivecoatCampbell | 5 Comments
Wednesday, January 17, 2007 10:52 AM

Hey, Freelancers! We Lobbied For it and We Got It....Let's Use it!

The freelance database was activated a week ago today...so far, there are over 30 freelance SPJ members listed, but we need more! This is a milestone moment in SPJ's history, they've created a benefit specifically for us! Thank you to those few who've
posted by KerriFivecoatCampbell | 0 Comments
Tuesday, January 16, 2007 12:52 PM

Bad Business News

Here's some publications you will not want to query: Pages and Every Woman have both filed for bankruptcy Meredith crochet and knitting publications have been eliminated. The Denver Posts travel section is no longer taking freelance submissions.
posted by KerriFivecoatCampbell | 1 Comments
Friday, January 12, 2007 7:08 PM

Paging Anna Matetic

Anna, Please give me a call, or email me your telephone number. I'm receiving emails from you, but I can't send any. There seems to be a problem with your email rejecting incoming as spam.   Thanks!
posted by KerriFivecoatCampbell | 0 Comments
Friday, January 12, 2007 7:05 PM

If you're having problems with the database

I've received a couple of emails from people having problems with the link to the database. If you do, please follow these instructions: Copy and paste this link into your browser: https://spj.org/fdb-post.asp   Make sure that there is no
posted by KerriFivecoatCampbell | 16 Comments
Thursday, January 11, 2007 8:34 PM

SPJ Freelance Database Ready

Fellow Independent SPJ Members --   Pssst….You heard it here first!   The new freelance database is ready to go live - all we need are some people to input their data! Once we have several profiles, SPJ will start advertising the
posted by KerriFivecoatCampbell | 5 Comments
Thursday, January 11, 2007 8:31 PM

Freelance Photographer has Applied for LDF Funds

Freelancers, The freelance photographer who was arrested while taking photos of a politician at a parade is asking for LDF funds. Ethical questions include if this photographer is an actual "journalist" because he is also a Green Party activist. Please
posted by KerriFivecoatCampbell | 1 Comments
Thursday, January 11, 2007 2:18 PM

SPJ Defends Independent in FOI

Journalist objects to testifying before military tribunal   By Meghan MurphySPJ Freedom of Information Committee member Facing a subpoena from military court, an Oakland freelance journalist says the government is using media as a tool to prosecute
posted by KerriFivecoatCampbell | 0 Comments
Thursday, January 11, 2007 10:58 AM

Check Out SPJ's Legal Defense Fund Blog

Check out this blog entry on the Legal Defense Fund blog on another arrest of a freelancer: http://spj.org/blog/blogs/ldf/archive/2007/01/09/5395.aspx I'm very proud of the fact that SPJ continues to protect our rights.
posted by KerriFivecoatCampbell | 0 Comments
Thursday, January 11, 2007 10:53 AM

To Pitch or Not to Pitch

Anna Matetic asks: Through the local NWU, they are hosting the managing editor of a regional magazine. I have emailed a few times with their travel with encouraging "try again" comments. But I still haven't  nailed one assignment with them. I
posted by KerriFivecoatCampbell | 0 Comments
Wednesday, January 10, 2007 12:49 PM

Writer's We've Lost Website

Here's an interesting and informative website from independent journalist Jade Walker. Writer's We've Lost honors writers, editors and journalist who die in 2007. http://writerobits.livejournal.com      
posted by KerriFivecoatCampbell | 0 Comments
Tuesday, January 09, 2007 10:32 AM

A Query About Queries

I received a question about queries from one of our members. I'm very excited to post the answer from Linda Formichelli, our guest blogger today. She is co-author of "The Renegade Writer" and "The Renegade Writer's Query Letters That Rock." I highly recommend
posted by KerriFivecoatCampbell | 3 Comments
Friday, January 05, 2007 10:07 AM

Burning Bridges

Anna Matetic wonders what she should do about this experience: "I met the editor of our local city paper while taking some classes. He said that the paper had a freelance budget that didn't often get used and recommended students query ideas. I did and
posted by KerriFivecoatCampbell | 0 Comments
Thursday, January 04, 2007 9:53 AM

Josh Wolf's Days

Here is what Josh Wolf's days are like in jail:http://www.sfbg.com/blogs/politics/2006/12/a_day_in_the_life_of_inmate_98.html
posted by WendyHoke | 0 Comments
Thursday, January 04, 2007 9:41 AM

A Survey

From Beth King at SPJ's national headquarters:Nancy Hirsch from Kaplan Publishing is working on a book that will focus on helping students decide which careers to pursue. They've researched a list of "hot" careers, both in terms of what students are
posted by WendyHoke | 0 Comments