Viva la Resistance

Ok, so as a freelancer I have gotten stiffed in the past when magazines went tits up. It is part of the gig, but I am in a situation now where a publisher hasn't paid me for four months. He is on one coast, I'm on the other. His standard business practice is "ignore him and he'll go away." Then when he did return an email he said to be patient that the economy is bad.
Nope, not any more. I've had enough of this shit with publishers paying writers whenever they feel like it. I gave him a deadline and if he doesn't meet it, I am taking him to court. If he doesn't show, then I'll win a default judgement and start the collection process with penalties for late payment.
I think we as writers have been crapped on enough and many of us think we are powerless. I have seen it too many times. Information is key and we have to start standing up for ourselves. I don't care if I lose this account if it helps me another writer down the road.
I will update what happens.
The good news is Tribune Company finally paid me what they owed me.
There is hope for us yet.

 

Aux armes, citoyens,

 

It's happening with major trade publishers as well.

 

I finally got paid from the WWL, five months after my first assignment. Now I'll wait another five months for my last gig.

 

Poynter seminars are starting to take an ugly turn.

 

Ah, freelancing ...





You gotta figure he gets paid on time.

 

Not so much anymore.

 

He escaped, according to Lucasfilm. Blew a hole in the Sarlacc's stomach with grenades.

 

Sometimes those who make the assignments then have to go through bullshit paperwork at their publications to get the fricking check out. Publications are eager to get the work. Then it's often a joke in trying to get the check cut and mailed out. Publications love saving the money on no travel costs, then it takes forever to pay the fucking freelancer. Low rent b.s.

 

More people will come if you say there'll be punch and pie.

 

I was paid within two weeks of my invoice.