Lori,I really don't like subcontracting for just that reason… even if I get to talk with the real client it seems like there's often some confusion just because it's not as direct a relationship as it might be.

And yes, I've fired clients… always been a good decision.

I had plenty of lead time, so I turned it in early, just in case she wanted any changes. (Did I mention that despite her multiple promises to send me a sample issue or two of the magazine – not available on newsstands – she didn't send them until after I'd turned in the article?)

About three weeks after I turned it in, the editor replied saying how it wasn't at all what she expected. She wanted a 3rd person piece highlighting three "quick and easy" projects anyone could make in 30 minutes or less – plus links to websites with instructions for making those gifts.

CLEARLY that wasn't what she originally assigned. While saying I'd be happy to rework it for her I also pointed out that baking cookies as gifts would even take more than 30 minutes. She changed it to an hour. (My take: Anything someone can knock out in an hour probably isn't going to be a spectacular gift.)

I got my $1/word and crossed that editor off my pitch list. So glad she's been replaced.