Comments on:

By: Lori

Lori — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 13:02:00 +0000

April, a year is way too long! It seems as though they’re not going to publish it. Write them a letter and thank them for the opportunity, but let them know you’re retracting the piece in hopes of selling it elsewhere. They’re not playing fair by making you wait that long.

By: April

April — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 03:46:00 +0000

Great tips! Now, I had no idea one could actually tack on late fees. Luckily I’ve always gotten paid on time. I’m currently waiting for word about a piece of mine that is supposed to be published, but I’m still not being told when and I only get paid on publication. Contracts have been signed an everything though. It’s been over a year now, so the wait is just annoying, especially since the piece is supposed to be online. You don’t think it would take well over a year. I can only imagine how long it might take me to get paid once that does happen.

By: David Geer

David Geer — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 20:52:00 +0000

I have to say that sending an invoice whether or not a company asks or requires one presents a professional image. It also helps to research the folks you’re writing for, though that doesn’t always ensure payment.

By: Carol

Carol — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 20:32:00 +0000

Also, if you say you’re going to do something and don’t follow through, the person who owes you can use that against you.

By: Lori

Lori — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 20:06:00 +0000

Start now, Mike. If you establish the habit, it sure beats trying to squeeze money out of someone after the fact! (as I’ve had to do)

By: Mike Sieber

Mike Sieber — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 14:48:00 +0000

This is really good advice Lori. I'm not doing any of these things right now because, so far, I've been fortunate enough to get paid when I was supposed to.

But I know that's going to change someday and having some concrete paper trail is a good idea even if it's only to keep things straight in my head.