In case you missed it, or are just feeling nostalgic, you’ll find some photos from Mediaville’s inaugural event on the website. Both attendees and speakers were impressed with the event, and everyone who helped out should toast themselves with a glass of champagne for a job well done!

A few things attendees had to say about mediaville:

“Mediaville was a wonderful opportunity to meet with colleagues from other writing organizations while learning about different aspects of the writing business. I particularly liked the mix of craft, finance, legal issues, marketing, publishing, and how to apply for government contracts…I know an event has been worth my while when I leave feeling stimulated to get going on writing projects that have been sitting idle. That was the case with Mediaville.” PWAC vice-president Bruce Wilson

“Congratulations to all involved, especially the volunteers who pulled everything together. I particularly enjoyed the wide cross-section of experience and opportunities represented at the event, both by the presenters and the participants.”

“I though it was great–Denis Levesque’s presentation on how to bid for Federal government contracts was worth the price of admission in and of itself.”

“Many thanks for this very useful event. I particularly liked the diversity of speakers, it opened my eyes to some freelancing opportunities I didn’t really know about.”

If you have ideas for the next mediaville, be sure to post them here; the participating associations will meet later this month to chat about the next mediaville Montreal!

IABC and Montreal Lab 7 are hosting a breakfast seminar entitled, Understanding the Micro blogging Phenomenon: a practical guide to using Twitter. Michelle Sullivan will explore the phenomenon of Twitter and discuss the practical applications for building brands and drawing in customers within the Twitter context.

The details:

• Tuesday, November 24, 2009 from 7:30 – 9:30 am
• Cafe des Beux Arts (MMFA)
• $35 (for IABC members), $50 (for non-members)

A light breakfast is included, but limited seating is available. To register, send a request to Rodrigo Lima (rlcommunication@gmail.com).

The battle against Transcontinental continues! More than a dozen writers’ groups have banded together and launched BadWritingContracts.ca, a website that aims to educate writers and the public about the unfair practices of Transcontinental Media, Canada’s largest magazine and newspaper publisher. The site provides a clause-by-clause explanation (in real English) of why Transcon’s Master Author Agreement can take away royalties if a published work is used in other magazines, radio, websites, online, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera. It’s all about copyright, baby.

Access Copyright’s Board of Directors has decided to change the rules to Creative Repertoire Payments starting in 2010. The bottom line is that repertoire payments will vary depending on how much you contributed to the repertoire of works that are licensed by Access Copyright. Visit the website for more info.

The Globe and Mail is holding the Journalist Dream Contest. Enter as a writer or a photograper. The grand prize winners will cover the Vancouver Olympics with the Globe and Mail staff. Deadline to enter is November 22.  Check out the rules & regs here.

A 5th birthday bash for the MFG is planned for early November.  Enjoy a few drinks (cash bar), door prizes, tasty organic snacks, and of course screenings of members’ films! For more information visit the MFG site. If you have a clip you’d like to show, email
Director and Co-Founder Ezra Soiferman.

Here’s the when & where:

• Tuesday, November 10, 2009, 7pm-11pm
• CinemaSpace and The Lounge at The Segal Centre for Performing Arts (5170 Cote St. Catherine Rd.)

Create or Improve Your Own Website

This two-hour workshop will give you the basics on creating or improving your presence on the web. Presented by Yahoo! developer, blogger and published author, Ara Pehlivanian, the workshop will discuss:

• how to integrate your website into your business
• the basics of creating a website and how to avoid common pitfalls
• how to customize and attract traffic
• whether you should worry about your Google ranking

Date: Wednesday, November 18
Time: 7-9 p.m.
Cost: Free for members, $20 for non-members, payable at the door
Location: Atwater Library (1200 Avenue Atwater, corner Tupper)

*A laptop with a wireless modem is recommended, but it isn’t absolutely necessary. The presentation will be made available after November 18 as a downloadable file for members of PWAC QC, as well as any non-members who attend the workshop.

To RSVP, or if you have any questions, please e-mail pwacquebec@gmail.com.

There’s still time to send in your application – the deadline to apply is Monday, Oct 26th at 5:00 pm. Email your CV and cover letter to hr@pwac.ca. (You might want to check out the full job description first!)

The EAC’s Punctuation and Mechanics seminar will be held November 3, 2009. Check out the details here or register online: www.editors.ca/branches/qac/pd/index.html.

The Montreal Board of Trade is holding a networking event at the Pointe a Calliere historic site and the new relaxation destination, Scandinave Les Bains Vieux-Montreal. Full event details can be found here. Tickets are $30 for members.

Date & Time: Tuesday, November 3, 5:30-7:30 pm

Location: Pointe a Calliere museum, 350 Place Royale (Metro Place d’Armes)

For ticket information, please send an email to pwacquebec@gmail.com and ask for info on obtaining the member discount.