Watch Out For Duplicitious Editors!!!

Last week Friday I was excited because an American editor said he wanted to publish an article I had written. My work has already been published in Toronto that’s not exactly a big thrill anymore. I must confess I do like getting my work published internationally. The only condition was that I had to reduce the word count for the opinion article to 800 words. I immediately asked the editor politely about the payment schedule for the article. I was stupid I admit this now I should of asked for a contract.

I did not receive a response from the editor until this morning. I believe a writer should be paid for writing. I do not believe in writing for free this isn’t charity this is business. I worked really hard on my article all weekend. All weekend I slaved over the article trying to make it coherent. Next, on Sunday afternoon I e-mailed the finished piece to the editor. However, this morning the editor e-mails me back and he now claims that his publication doesn’t pay for opinion articles.

Next, this tacky editor has the audacity to ask if I am still interested in having the piece published for free? I refused because I believe it is a matter of principle. Why should I write for free? What am I getting out of it? I’ve written for free before I’m not doing that anymore. I’ve been writing for a while now and I refuse to be taken advantage of.

I am sure everyone knows by now that I do have a temper I admit this. I can be a real nasty bitch if I am pissed off about something. I don’t think I react sometimes when I am angry and it can get ugly. Let’s just say I am a work in progress. I am cognizant of the fact that getting angry doesn’t always solve something. However, sometimes I believe anger is justified.

However, I quickly called my good friend this morning to calm down and diffuse the situation. I don’t know how he does it but my friend he always has such a positive personality. He just makes me feel good and helps me put my thoughts and emotions into perspective. I also asked my friend for some advice he was in a hurry because he was getting ready for a lecture. We didn’t have any time for one of our usual two to three hour phone conversations. Today our conversation was short only forty five minutes. Anyway, my friend told me to just try to calm down. He told me it is okay to be angry. However, my friend said just make my point to the editor without resorting to swearing. So I e-mailed the editor back I was “polite” but I let the editor know I did not appreciate his unprofessionalism.

Next, the editor replied back claiming there must of been some “confusion” and that the publication does not pay for opinion articles. The editor is a liar there was no confusion he just wasn’t honest from the start. Why couldn’t the editor just be honest with me? Why lie? Why lie to me and lead me on? I am so sick of this shit. However, I can admit that I am partially at fault because I should of asked for a contract instead of asking about the “payment schedule”. I think the word “payment schedule” is pretty clear though? I definitely inquired about payment I made sure I let the editor know I don’t write for free.

I am so stupid to not realize at the time this is the oldest trick in the book. A legitimate editor will discuss contracts and payment immediately after they accept an article for publication. I should of known the delayed response from the editor is proof of his nefarious character. I know from prior experience this is not how the publishing world works. I am at fault, my article didn’t get published but at least I didn’t allow this editor to undermine me and get away with it. I will continue to pitch my piece to other publications and hopefully it will be published soon and hopefully I will get paid for my work as well. I wonder if I am the only one that goes through this kind of bullshit?

PS. If you are a professional editor reading my blog and are honest about payment then feel free to contact me. I write about anything and everything. I specifically write about the intersection of pop culture, sexuality, race, class, and gender. I also have written about sports I know a lot about professional tennis and also have an understanding of Canadian and American politics.