Survey of Canadian Freelance Writers (1979)

Investigator: Brian Harrison and John Thera

Population: Freelance Writers

Identification method: Freelance writer defined as having "written at least one book of fiction, non-fiction, or poetry that was published or being published in the general retail market; or written at least one script for stage, cinema, radio or television that was produced or broadcast (excluding work done as a paid employee of a producing agency); or written at least three published short stories or poems; or written ten or more articles, columns, or reviews published in a newspaper or magazine (excluding work done as a paid employee of a newspaper or magazine)."

Sampling procedure: The sampling frame included members of eighteen writer’s unions and associations (n=4,479), who were readily identifiable from existing membership lists. The sample of writers chosen from the sampling frame was a stratified probability sample, with stratification by region of residence and by type of writer. A sample of 2,103 writers was selected and questionnaires sent.

N and Response rate: 62 percent or 1,302 of 2,103. However, the returns indicated that a number of people to whom questionnaires were sent did not satisfy the definition of a freelance writer.

Publication: Harrison, B.R. and Thera, J.R. 1983. "Economic Status of Canadian Freelance Writers." Pp. 143-153 in W. Henderson and J. Shanahan eds., Economics of Cultural Decisions. Cambridge: ABT Books.

Summary: Survey investigated the economic and social condition of Canadian freelance writers. The ultimate purpose was to provide policy suggestions for the Canadian government on the publishing industry.