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Topic: what does "upon publication" mean?
| Author | Message |
| getmeoutofhere | Posted – 2/2/2008 7:06:43 PM | show profile i was published in a mag a few weeks back, and am still waiting payment. the contract i signed said i'd be paid "upon publication," and because that's so vague, i'm not sure when it's justified for me to call their AP department to see where my check is. anyone else know when i should start bugging them? does payment "upon publication" mean that my check should be cut when the piece comes out, or what? |
| flight risk | Posted – 2/2/2008 9:35:57 PM | show profile Don't get too ansy. The only places that ever pay me in less than a month are newspapers. Everyplace else is at least net 30 days. Typical is net 60 or more. If it's your first job with them it definitely tends to take longer to get you in the system. Which is why I always send tax forms ahead before they even ask. |
| flight risk | Posted – 2/2/2008 9:42:03 PM | show profile As for paying upon publication, that could mean immediately after publication or 30 days after publication. It's a pretty vague guideline. The Utne Reader, for example, is bimonthly, which means you typically wait two months. If your story is pushed, that could be four months. And then it'll take them a couple of weeks after publication date to pay. I like the staff there but its tough waiting. |
| westsidestory | Posted – 2/3/2008 12:29:22 AM | show profile My first question to you is, did you invoice them? Just because you have an agreement doesn't mean they automatically will send you a check. If you have invoiced them: wait 30 days before emailing the editor and/or the AP department to ask, "Did you get my invoice?" Don't be surprised if they say they don't recall, can't find it, etc. etc. Then you say, "OK, I'll fax it to you now - what's the best fax number to send it to?" If you haven't invoiced them, do so immediately. If you're not sure how to do this, email your editor to ask how to submit your invoice to the company. Refer to article and the date it was published. If you are new to the publication, you may get "you're not in our system yet" and then you have to jump through few more hoops as they send you forms to fill out etc. The good side to this is once you get the system it's easier the next time around. The other typical runaround is that your editor needs to sign off on the invoice, and it's sitting on their desk. So, a call or email to the editor usually helps there. My usual practice is to wait 30 days, then send a duplicate invoice by mail and email, with the words "Duplicate Invoice" in big red letters at the top (use those color fonts). If I don't get something in two weeks after that, I send the same invoice only the red letters at the top say "30 Days - Please Remit" and about a week later call the A/P department: I'm calling about an invoice #XXX that is due, can you give me a status report?" Hope this helps - |
| a.s. | Posted – 2/8/2008 6:49:17 PM | show profile | email poster In response to that, allow me to add another question to the mix: I should be sending invoices? How does one go about "invoicing?" |
| schmom717 | Posted – 2/8/2008 10:01:15 PM | show profile I also didn't know this when I started.. you need to send an invoice/bill to get paid. It can be as simple as a business letter set up; your name/return address/phone etc--- name of editor/mag/address and then two sentences that say: title of article, date submitted, price to be paid and thank you. sometimes the will need your SS# to issue a check/start a payroll for you, but usually they will tell you if they need it as a contractor ID #. |
| westsidestory | Posted – 2/9/2008 12:14:37 AM | show profile regards to the question on invoicing you should include your SS# number with your invoice (under your signature name should do it. One of the most common excuses for delayed payement is: "Oh, we didn't have your social security number." Anticipate and be pro-active. |
| Marie | Posted – 2/9/2008 12:26:42 AM | show profile Not all places requite an invoice. In my experience, Dow Jones doesn't. Call the editor and ask if there's any paperwork they need from you to process your check. And don't be shy about asking about payment. This is a business, not a charity. |
