Comments on: I’m a Professional…So Pay Me Already!

By: Jodee

Jodee — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 21:40:56 +0000

@ Sue: I would say the first thing you need to do is to find out who was publishing the magazine and contact them. Explain that your work was accepted and that you never received payment. Give them a chance to pay you what you are owed. If they refuse, then you will need to look at other options, but it doesn’t hurt to ask first.

By: Sue

Sue — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 21:22:36 +0000

Here’s a question: What do you do when you have submitted an assigned article to a magazine that’s published your work before, then wait months and months for payment, contact the editor by e-mail a few times inquiring about it, then discover quite by accident while on the Internet that the magazine has ceased publication? According to the web site my work was published, but I’ve never seen an actual copy of the magazine. Do I have any legal recourse, or am I out the money that was promised me? It isn’t a huge amount by publishing terms, but several hundred dollars makes a difference to my budget. Any advice? Anyone else had this problem?

By: Jodee

Jodee — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 18:34:17 +0000

@ Cathy D: “My” standards are not the issue here. Deb, who owns FWJ, has set a minimum of $10 for jobs posted here. If you read through the leads that I post, I post what I find that is above that level. Is $10 on the low side? Maybe for some people it is. The rate that someone will find acceptable is a personal decision.

From the number of comments and e-mails I get from people thanking me for all that I do to help the freelance writing community, I would have to disagree with your comment that I don’t help anyone.

Thank you for sharing.

By: Cathy D

Cathy D — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 16:43:40 +0000

Jodee, I totally agree about not writing for free. But how on earth can you then justify posting those ads for “500 words for $10?” It’s not free, but it’s darn close, and just as belittling. You aren’t helping anyone by giving credence to those ads. You are only helping to drive down rates even more.

Please raise your standards.

By: Jodee

Jodee — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 18:23:55 +0000

@ John: Good point about seeing your name in print on a check!

@ Amy: Thanks! And good point how having your stuff appear on some obscure site not really counting as “exposure.”

By: Amy

Amy — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 15:28:50 +0000

Enjoyed your rant, Jodee. The working for “exposure” thing always gets me worked up too. Even if I was looking for exposure, how exactly does my byline appearing on this dude’s unheard of website grant me any kind of exposure? I assume if they can’t afford to pay a writer, they probably can’t afford to market their website… but then again, maybe some marketing departments work for cookies too? Too funny. And sad.

By: John Lister

John Lister — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 14:16:51 +0000

I’m happy to write solely for the pure joy of of seeing my name in print.

It’s just that I insist that it be printed on a check.

By: carrar

carrar — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 14:00:12 +0000

Coming in a little late here, but I once saw a request for an ebook editor where the writers were certified hypnotists. They offered 4 sessions of hypnotherapy (valued at $450) in exchange for editing. I considered it but then realized that the best way to get rid of my stress was to have more money.

By: Fiona

Fiona — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 12:39:55 +0000

Phil, you beat me to it! I was about to suggest contacting Angela too.

By: Phil

Phil — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 12:38:19 +0000

E.E.,

File a complaint through angela Hoy at Writersweekly.com.