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Career Development Resources for Writers

Writers' Union of Canada Publications

Anthology Rates and Contracts
This document provides notes on contributions to anthologies, suggests minimum rates, and provides a suggested anthology contract.

Author and Editor, by Archbold, Gibson, Lee, Pearce, Walter
A booklet describing the relationship between author and editor, including a list of dos and don'ts for both parties.

Author and Literary Agent
A booklet of guidelines and responsibilities governing the relationship between the author and the literary agent.

Ghost Writing, by Marian Hebb
This publication includes various details to consider when negotiating a ghost writing agreement, including a sample contract.

Income Tax Guide for Writers
A useful tax guide for those in the business of writing, including details about the GST as it pertains to writers' income.

Incorporation for Writers
A guide for writers, including the advantages and disadvantages of incorporation.

Writers' Guide to Grants
An informative list of grants available to Canadian writers; includes information about writing samples, types of juries and how they judge, and application procedures.

Writers' Guide to Canadian Publishers
An informative list of publishers who accept unsolicited manuscripts. Includes a breakdown of which genres the publishers publish.

Awards, Competitions and Prizes
A descriptive list of awards, competitions and prizes available to Canadian writers.

Model Trade Book Contract
This comprehensive model contract provides reasonable minimum terms for trade book contracts and is a useful comparative tool for evaluating your publisher's contract, complete with a model royalty statement.

Help Yourself to a Better Contract, by Marian Hebb
A checklist of favourable book contract provisions containing advice on what to ask and what to watch for. Designed to aid writers in book contract negotiations with their publishers.

Writers' Guide to Electronic Publishing Rights
A guide to negotiating electronic rights clauses in book contracts, which includes a checklist of items that should be included in electronic publishing agreements.

Other Publications

The Canadian Writer's Guide, 13th Edition, Canadian Authors' Association
This is the official handbook of the CAA, and is an indispensable reference book and tool for freelance writers since its first edition in 1962.

Dear Writer, Writers' Union of Canada
An invaluable flyer listing contacts, organizations and facts for writers.

Words for Sale, ed. Eve Drobot & Hal Tenant, Periodical Writers' Association of Canada (PWAC)
This book is a classic for those who want to write for a living, especially to break into the Canadian magazine market.

Roughing it in the Market: A Survival Toolkit for the Savvy Writer, Angie Gallop, PWAC
Tools of wisdom and encouragement for freelancers, both new and experienced.

The ARTS Professional Career Development Seminars for Writers, Guelph Arts Council
These notes summarize what was presented during a series of workshops offered by Guelph Arts Council specifically to address practical issues related to the writers' career development needs.

Get Published: The Writing for Children Kit, by Canadian Children's Book Centre.

So You Want to be An Editor, Editors' Association of Canada
This pamphlet, which is also available online at www.editor.ca, offers useful info about editing as a career.

The Globe and Mail Style Book, J. A. McFarlane and Warren Clements for Info Globe
This book is intended to help writers and editors present their information clearly, accurately and concisely, to honour the craft of journalism and raise it to an art.

10 Ways to Tighten Your Prose, by Susan Ioannou, Wordwrights Canada

Canadian Copyright Law, 3rd Edition, by Lesley Ellen Harris
This recent publication by a respected lawyer and copyright expert sets out in everyday language the legal jargon of the Canadian Copyright Act, providing concrete examples to clarify complicated issues. Includes an update on copyright issues related to digital media.

CANCOPY Folder, Canadian Copyright Licensing Agency
This is a non-profit organization, established in 1988 to administer reproduction rights. This folder contains materials relevant to membership in CANCOPY.

CIPO (Canadian Intellectual Property Office) Guide to Copyright
This government publication explains in some detail what copyright is and when it applies, as well as what is involved in registering copyright with the copyright office.

Who Owns What, PWAC
Copyright questions and answers for freelance writers.

What You Need to Know about the New Copyright Act: A Guide for Teachers and Educational Institutions, Canadian Copyright Institute.

Ontario Arts Council Grants, compiled by Guelph Arts Council
This binder includes general information about Ontario Arts Council as well as copies of guidelines for most granting programs.

Canada Council Grants, compiled by Guelph Arts council
This binder includes general information about Canada Council for the Arts as well as copies of guidelines for most of its granting programs and deadlines.

Libel: A Handbook for Canadian Publishers, Editors and Writers, by Julian Porter, Q.C., Canadian Book Publishers' Council
This booklet defines libel as it applies in Canada and other countries, identifies who can sue for libel and how to avoid libel, and looks at various roles with respect to libel.

Legal Deposit: Preserving Canada's Published Heritage, National Library Office
This booklet explains what legal deposit is and how one goes about it.

ISBN Users' Manual, National Library of Canada
This is the guide to the international system for identifying all books published. (Also a number of small related pamphlets.)

Various sample contract forms:
Standard Letter of Intent, Standard Freelance Publication Agreement, Standard Invoice Terms, Trade Book Contract

Periodicals

Information Files (Literature section)

Brochures and Flyers

Arts Directory

For more information, contact us.