MEMBER SPOTLIGHT Deb Radcliff Radcliff is an experienced, two-time Neal Award-winning technology writer and the newly-elected president of FBTW. Bob Scheier Scheier is a Boston-based freelance technology writer and the newly-elected vice president of FBTW. Mathew Schwartz Schwartz is a freelance technology writer based in Paris, France and the newly-elected treasurer of FBTW. Maria Trombly Trombly is a freelance business writer based in Shanghai, China. A former president of the FBTW, she was recently appointed FBTW's Managing Director. Richard Trombly Trombly is a freelance business writer based in Shanghai, China.

Freelancers win $18 million settlement
March 29, 2005 -- The American Society of Journalists and Authors, the Authors Guild, and the National Writers Union today announced an $18 million settlement in a class action suit they and 21 freelance writers filed on behalf of thousands of freelance writers whose stories appeared in online databases without their consent.

The suit was filed against several media companies, including Time, Knight Ridder, Reed Elsevier (which publishes the LexisNexis database) and The New York Times Company.

For more information, see www.freelancerights.com.

FBTW Elects New Slate of Officers

Newly elected FBTW president Deb Radcliff

January 12 -- The Freelance Business and Technology Writers Association has elected a new slate of officers to lead the organization through the new year.

Among them are Deborah Radcliff, the incoming president; new vice president Bob Scheier; and new treasurer Mat Schwartz. Maria Trombly, who served as president last year, steps down to take on a long-term role as managing director. Peter Korolov will continue in his support duties as Webmaster for the organization.

Radcliff is an experienced, two-time Neal Award-winning technology writer who freelances for NetworkWorld, SecurityFocus and other business technology journals. Formerly a staff feature writer for Computerworld, she is now also writing a personal online safety column and working on a book.

This year, under Radcliff's leadership, the FBTW will establish a leads database for its members.