Derek Finkle's new agency for freelance writers has already attracted some of the best talent in the country.

Judging by the names of signed-up members listed on the just-launched Canadian Writers Group (CWG) website, Derek Finkle’s decision to launch an agency to represent freelance writers in their negotiations with magazines, newspapers and online publications was a good one. When he first announced plans to launch the group, Finkle said he would need a “critical mass” to go forward. With more than 80 writers already on board—including high-profile talents such as Don Gillmor, Kim Pittaway, Gerald Hannon and Katrina Onstad, among others—the CWG appears well on its way to becoming a major force in the industry when it begins doing business in February 2009.

“Even for the most talented and productive magazine and newspaper writers, freelancing in Canada hasn’t been a profession with a sufficiently viable career arc in my lifetime,” Finkle said in a press release.

Finkle, an award-winning writer, has done a thorough job of explaining the agency on the CWG homepage and in this FAQ, so we’ll direct you there for details. Stay tuned to MastheadOnline over the coming days as we gather comment and reaction from editors, publishers and writers to this major development.