Through round-table meetings and a guided interview process, Neil gathered material from writers, editors, and publishers to draft and develop the proposed guide. Editors tended to complain about chronic lateness, poor internet research skills, and a tendency to offer reprints rather than original work, he said. For best practice guidelines, editors suggest writers are obligated to provide focused pitches, deliver promised articles on time, consult on changes or delays, submit accurate and original work, and be available during the editing process. Writers complain about loss of editors, rights grabs, liability requirements, and rates. Their best practice guide suggests editors are obligated to provide written assignments confirming scope, research, focus, style, deadlines and payments; respect confidentiality of sources; advise writers on changes and editing required; and ensure prompt processing and payments.
PWACer Craig Silverman (now PWAC vice-president) helped liven up the debate during the subsequent panel. Silverman suggested a new model for online magazines, by tracking readers, and basing payment on use and popularity. He also called current contracts including moral rights and similar rights-grabs “mind-boggling,” and suggested writers have a responsibility to negotiate.
As delegates, we were required to attend the AGM, where we heard the results of a national membership survey. PWAC is growing: about 45 percent of PWAC members have held membership for less than five years. PWAC members tend to appreciate the national scope of the organization, the local chapter events and professional development, and the various jobs and opportunities that come to each of us through “It starts with an attitude of our business listing on PWAC’s respect and understanding, and directory, writers.ca. to a certain extent partnership,” he added. Often the best AGM events are the auxiliary ones. Travel writing Socializing and Special Events has been an informal session Several after-hours events over the past two years. Last planned by the hosting chap- year, Toronto PWAC member ter, PWAC-Toronto, gave us time Mariellen Ward set up an imto socialize and share business promptu session that went over tips more informally. well, and this year she teamed up with Veronica Leonard to set
The best practice guide would also obligate publishers to “assume complete liability for what is published,” assist writers in defending claims, treat writers’ fees as professional services, be specific about electronic rights, and give writers the opportunity to accept or reject offers. Neil also suggested writers should always try to negotiate, professionally and respectfully. The magazine has rights in collection to make material widely available in its formats, print and/or electronic, but other rights belong to the writer unless otherwise assigned in writing. Moral rights can’t be assigned, only waived, he added. “I don’t understand why a magazine would want to have their writers waive their moral rights,” he said. Changing an article in ways that would be prejudicial to the honor and reputation of the author, he added, would “probably be as detrimental to the magazine.”
Toronto Reference Library For the first time, I was able to share AGM activities with two other members from Saskatchewan, Kelly-Anne Riess and Sharon Elliott. In post conference reports, Elliott noted the “casual and friendly” PWAC attitude. Riess added she gained “tangible nuggets” of useful information for her freelancing, and she appreciated PWAC’s inclusiveness. I also received the regional volunteer award, an unexpected honor (and a pleasant surprise). September/October 2010
up another one. Travel blogger Janice Waugh (aka Solo Traveler) joined us to discuss the possibilities of tourism boards and other funding sources for serious social media specialists, and a representative from Up! magazine presented their unique needs for writers with local knowledge and expertise. PWAC member Dawn Boshcoff arranged a special Toronto reference library tour for PWACers. It was easy to imagine spending long hours researching in the SWG Freelance
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