A blogging course -- Really?

I'm lucky to have a strong professional network through the Professional Writers' Association of Canada (PWAC) and the Canadian Farm Writers' Federation (CFWF).

I have trusted peers locally, nationally and internationally who I can call on for help, advice, support and friendship. Or a glass of wine or bottle of beer.

A couple of PWAC colleagues, Wendy and Trudy, and I decided we were looking for just a bit more oomph from our network. We wanted to find someway to carry on that enthusiasm we get from professional development workshops, conferences and meetings. You know that high when ideas flow just by having a discussion with like-minded entrepreneurs? We wanted to bottle it and drink deeply every week.

Last November, we started to meet once a week via Skype. So far, so good, although in some ways, we're still finding our groove.

When we met last week and Wendy talked about taking a blogging course, my initial reaction (that I kept to myself) was, "a blogging course -- really?? Why do you need a blogging course? Just jump in and do it!" But Wendy was excited about it, the course came with high recommendation from another PWAC colleague and I was happy that Wendy was finally going to start working towards her goal of setting up a blog. Trudy asked for the course information and I did too.

I changed my attitude about the validity of a blogging course when I checked out the outline and realized it would answer many questions I've been wondered about blogging, but just hadn't gotten around to answering on my own. Making the switch to Word Press, syndication, effective use of widgets... stuff I could probably get a handle on myself -- probably someday -- were all nicely packaged into a six week course.

Sign me up! I'm in.

And that's the beauty of a good network of support. They're always inspiring, even when you least expect it and when you've let your support for the others slip a little.

Reveille is back!

Reveille is an open mic evening of laughter and sharing as the general public and special guests read the angst-filled words they wrote as children.

Dig out that box from the attic or basement -- or maybe it's still under your old bed at your parents' place -- and get ready to read. Yes, it's awful. Yes, it's embarrasing. YES, it's funny!

The event is part of the Frye Literary Festival in Moncton, N.B., Canada.

This year's lineup of authors includes Margaret Atwood, Kenneth Oppel, Johanna Skibsrud, Sylvia Tyson, Charles Foran and many others. We often have some of the visiting authors drop into Reveille with samples of their work from their youth, but everyone is welcome to come and read, or come and laugh.

Reveille is hosted by the Moncton Chapter of the Professional Writers Association of Canada. It's set for Wednesday, April 27, 8 p.m. at the Moncton Press Club.

Class action suit settled

From PWAC

CTVglobemedia announced earlier this week that they have agreed to pay $11 million to settle the class action suit launched 13 years ago by Heather Robertson on behalf of thousands of freelance writers claiming their work was reproduced electronically without proper permission or compensation.

"The Professional Writers Association of Canada is thrilled with the news of the settlement. This has been a long ongoing process and we appreciate Heather Robertson taking the lead role in the battle for the protection of writers' rights," said PWAC President, Tanya Gulliver. "As freelancers we want to be fairly compensated for the work that we do, and want to ensure that publishers recognize the value of our work. This settlement, stemming from the Supreme Court decision in 2006 that supported our position that freelancers own control of their work unless otherwise agreed upon, is historic and a great achievement for the freelance writing industry."

PWAC and Ms. Robertson, a founding member of PWAC, are optimistic that the settlement will expedite a positive outcome in other pending lawsuits and set a precedent protecting creators' intellectual property rights and ensure fair compensation for digital exploitation of their work.

Ms. Robertson would also like to thank PWAC and the many individual members who have vocally supported her over the years and provided financial assistance to help cover her legal costs.

Ms. Robertson and her legal representatives will be publishing a full version of the settlement and a notice to claimants in the Globe and Mail and the National Post on Saturday.