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February 2006 - Posts

Friday, February 24, 2006 10:11 AM

Writing contest and workshop

If you're interested in memoir writing, consider entering The Writer Magazine Short Memoir Contest.Prizes are $1,000, first place; $300, second place; $200, third place. The first-place entry, along with the finalist judge's comments, will be published
posted by WendyHoke | 0 Comments
Thursday, February 23, 2006 9:09 AM

C'mon, am I going to have to beg?

Okay, I've been posting like a crazy woman here and trying to share valuable info. But I'm not the only one who possesses tips and resources. I want to hear from others. I mean, I'm begging you to share and participate. Feel free to comment frequently.
posted by WendyHoke | 0 Comments
Thursday, February 23, 2006 9:00 AM

PR prof pushing use of freelancers

Check this out folks: One PR prof is pushing PR agencies to turn to freelancers for better quality writing. He maintains that there's a good story in most clients just waiting to be uncovered. A bit a hidden treasure if you will. But a lot of the
posted by WendyHoke | 0 Comments
Wednesday, February 22, 2006 3:00 PM

Region 4 freelancers

Who wants to join me on a panel in Cincinnati April 7-8 at the Region 4 convention? We're looking for a couple of other freelancers from Ohio, Michigan, West Virginia and western PA to talk about getting started freelancing. Convention planners have
posted by WendyHoke | 0 Comments
Wednesday, February 22, 2006 2:58 PM

The Independent Journalist

The Independent JournalistSPJ's NorCal Chapter will hold its annual James Madison Awards Dinner, honoring champions of FOI and the First Amendment, on Thursday, March 16, at Sinbad's Restaurant, on San Francisco's waterfront. Tickets are $50 each
posted by WendyHoke | 0 Comments
Wednesday, February 22, 2006 11:51 AM

Sign up for ASJA conference by March 19

Last year I attended the ASJA Writers Conference in New York and found it a great place to meet editors from national magazines. This is definitely a different clientele than SPJers, with many of the attendees working on books and talking about platforms
posted by WendyHoke | 4 Comments
Wednesday, February 22, 2006 7:39 AM

Indianpolis freelance speakers needed

If you're an Indianapolis area freelancer and feel comfortable talking publicly about getting started in freelancing then SPJ needs you for the regional conference. For more information or to volunteer, contact Chris Vachon at HQ (cvachon(at)spj.org)
posted by WendyHoke | 0 Comments
Tuesday, February 21, 2006 11:00 AM

Disappointing news from U.S. Supreme Court

Just receive from Marc Goodman, executive director at the Student Law Press Center: He reports that the U.S. Supreme Court has announced this morning that it will not hear a case that questioned the authority of administrators at an Illinois university
posted by WendyHoke | 0 Comments
Monday, February 20, 2006 10:11 AM

News from across the Pond

Kevin Sites in the Hot ZoneFreelance broadcast journalist Kevin Sites became a lightning rod for controversy back in November 2004 when he captured footage of a U.S. marine shooting an Iraqi inside a mosque in Falluja. Now he’s taken his experience
posted by WendyHoke | 0 Comments
Thursday, February 16, 2006 12:38 PM

In my absence

I'd like to encourage as many voices to this site as possible. I will not be posting the next couple of days because of the death of my mother-in-law. I encourage you to carry on in my absence.
posted by WendyHoke | 0 Comments
Thursday, February 16, 2006 12:24 PM

WaPo and freelancers

Thought I'd share the lead item in today's Romenesko. In my Quill columns I've preached about professionalism among the freelance ranks and I think this piece demonstrates that point. Don't bite the hand that feeds you -- or as my father says, "Don't
posted by WendyHoke | 0 Comments
Wednesday, February 15, 2006 12:40 PM

Free access to articles online

Check out this free search engine when researching articles.
posted by WendyHoke | 0 Comments
Wednesday, February 15, 2006 11:16 AM

Western Europe start-up seeks freelancers

Received today from an ex-pat working at an ad agency in Frankfurt, Germany:I will soon need to hire a few freelance journalists/writers for a project. Though the work is for an advertising client, the project is actually a journalistic one. The client
posted by WendyHoke | 0 Comments
Wednesday, February 15, 2006 9:10 AM

Mag news — good and bad

After four years of operation, Budget Living has folded. The skinny is here and here. American Express Publishings' Travel + Leisure and online wedding resource The Knot will debut in April an annual spinoff, Travel + Romance.The publication and companion
posted by WendyHoke | 0 Comments
Wednesday, February 15, 2006 9:03 AM

Princeton bioethicist on Jill Carroll

An op-ed in today's L A Times on why we haven't discussed the demands of Jill Carroll's kidnappers.BUT IS THE RULE against dealing with kidnappers really absolute? Is it so black and white that we shouldn't even bother to discuss it?
posted by WendyHoke | 0 Comments
Wednesday, February 15, 2006 8:39 AM

Susie Gharib Distinguished Lectureship in Journalism at Case

If you're in the Greater Cleveland area, Case Western Reserve University is hosting a free lecture series with some of the leadering journalists and writers of our time.The College of Arts and Sciences hosts the Susie Gharib Distinguished Lectureship
posted by WendyHoke | 0 Comments
Tuesday, February 14, 2006 6:36 PM

FOI/FA awards dinner

Society of Professional Journalists, NorCal chapter, will hold its annual James Madison Awards Dinner on Thursday, March 16, in San Francisco, honoring persons and organizations who have advanced the twin causes of freedom of information and the First
posted by WendyHoke | 0 Comments
Tuesday, February 14, 2006 11:27 AM

Lowell Thomas Awards

Deadline is April 21, 2006 for the 22nd annual Society of American Travel Writers Lowell Thomas Awards.Entry is open to all North American journalists for work published between April 1, 2005 through March 31, 2006, with a few exceptions. You do not
posted by WendyHoke | 0 Comments
Tuesday, February 14, 2006 10:58 AM

Biz story prompt

A survey of 2,000 senior executives found that the Top 5 executive challenges in 2006 are.* Creating a culture that embraces and adapts to change. * Attracting, hiring and retaining high-performing employees * Developing a pool of talented managers *
posted by WendyHoke | 0 Comments
Tuesday, February 14, 2006 10:20 AM

A note about posting

I appreciate that so many of you would like to post. I have one requirement. You must be a dues-paying member of SPJ to be able to post on this site. Nonmembers may comment, but I'd like to induce people to join by keeping the posting to members only.
posted by WendyHoke | 0 Comments
Tuesday, February 14, 2006 9:22 AM

International fellowships

This just in from Dan Kubiske, chair of SPJ's International Journalism Committee. "Never hurts to learn more about the world," says Dan, who is currently based in the Dominican Republic.Arthur F. Burns Fellowship Program - Germany & U.S.International
posted by WendyHoke | 0 Comments
Tuesday, February 14, 2006 8:58 AM

Wonkette seeks interns

Wonkette is seeking sassy interns.It may seem like the easiest job in the world, but running Wonkette is hard work. Paths need to be shoveled from our beds to our laptops. Someone has to read The Hill. There’s a lot of behind-the-scenes dirty work
posted by WendyHoke | 0 Comments
Tuesday, February 14, 2006 8:22 AM

Must-read essay in CJR

Journalism desperately needs a return to terrain, to the kind of firsthand, solitary discovery of local knowledge best associated with old-fashioned travel writing. — Robert Kaplan, correspondent for Atlantic MonthlyKaplan's essay in CJR is inspiring.
posted by WendyHoke | 0 Comments
Tuesday, February 14, 2006 7:55 AM

Support for Jill Carroll

It has been five weeks since freelancer journalist Jill Carroll was abducted in Baghdad. Take a moment to read some of her fine writing about the Iraqi people. Her abduction raises many questions about the risks an independent journalist faces when working
posted by WendyHoke | 0 Comments
Tuesday, February 14, 2006 7:52 AM

Working out the bugs

Thanks for the continued feedback. I'm working out some of the bugs. I fixed the commenting. You don't have to be a registered user to submit comments. And I'm working on RSS feed and hope to have that up shortly. In the meantime, feel free to subscribe
posted by WendyHoke | 0 Comments
Tuesday, February 14, 2006 7:47 AM

World's best hotels

Attention travel writers: Luxury Link, the world's leading luxury travel Web site has announced its 2006 World's Best Hotel Award winners. The 50 hotels were selected by a panel of travel editors and VIP users. Winners were based on serve, facilities,
posted by WendyHoke | 0 Comments
Monday, February 13, 2006 11:42 PM

Freelance speakers needed

Check with your regional directors to find out if freelance speakers are needed in your area. I'll be speaking at the Region 4 Convention on April 7-8. If there are any other Region 4 freelancers, particularly those in the Cincinnati area who would
posted by WendyHoke | 0 Comments
Monday, February 13, 2006 11:29 PM

Linkety goodness

Send any links you'd like to see added to this site, particularly those that are useful to fellow freelancers. Or maybe even those that are inspirational.I'm going to try to create a freelancer blogroll (as soon as I get my techie pals on the case).
posted by WendyHoke | 0 Comments
Monday, February 13, 2006 11:15 PM

Feeding the blog

Thanks to those of you who responded so quickly to my announcement about the blog. I'm a bit bleary-eyed from staring at HTML code for so long this evening, but I'm going to be adding you as contributors shortly. Let me know if you have an item to
posted by WendyHoke | 0 Comments
Monday, February 13, 2006 9:12 PM

Some good stuff in WD Yearbook

If you're new to freelancing or looking for a refresher, consider picking up Writer's Yearbook 2006. Published by Writer's Digest, it's a good look at some important market information, pitching ideas and copyright info. Here's a sampling from the
posted by WendyHoke | 0 Comments
Monday, February 13, 2006 9:01 PM

Tax help for freelancers

From freelancer, ASJA member and tax guru Julian Block:TAX TIPS FOR SMALL BUSINESSESSavvy Ways For Writers, Photographers, Artists And Other Freelancers To Trim Taxes To The Legal MinimumMost freelancers and other owners of small businesses lose more
posted by WendyHoke | 0 Comments
Monday, February 13, 2006 8:52 PM

Work for Indy area writers

Representatives of a Christian record company are looking for a few freelancers. Here's the word:I am looking for a freelance press writer to work with my independent record label. I need full-length and summary bios written for my two (2) artists
posted by WendyHoke | 0 Comments
Monday, February 13, 2006 8:49 PM

National daily looking for freelancers

A national daily editor is seeking highly qualified writers and their ideas for its back page feature. The need is particularly great in the Midwest, Northwest and Southwest. Editors set a very high bar for writing in the publication and have even
posted by WendyHoke | 0 Comments
Monday, February 13, 2006 8:46 PM

Database dealio

I am both thrilled and overwhelmed at the response to the freelance database. To date I've had more than 300 responses. Many of you have not heard back from me personally because I've been so swamped with the responses, which have been received in
posted by WendyHoke | 0 Comments
Monday, February 13, 2006 4:09 PM

Welcome to the Indie

Welcome to SPJ's blog for freelancers. This space is designed to share news and information in a more timely fashion for the independent journalists or those aspiring to be independent journalists among SPJ's rank and file.We're embracing modern technology
posted by WendyHoke | 1 Comments