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The people I had this writing project for have decided that they can't use my material any further--apparently, despite having hired me on the basis of writing samples, they have concluded that my style doesn't fit what they need.
Furthermore, Rafiq is a coward. When I emailed him to ask about the status of the project, he sent a message saying "I'm not handing that project anymore, I've forwarded your email to Jocelyn." She, in turn, gave me the bad news, in the form of a copy of a message that she says bounced a couple of days ago because she misremembered my domain name.
They want me to invoice for my hours [sic] thus far. I'm torn between pointing out that I've already done so (in December, in fact) and doing a revised invoice that accounts for the rewriting/expansion work. I think I'll do the latter--the worst that can happen is that they refuse to pay the extra. I don't think there are any more bridges left to burn here.
Rejection hurts. Rejection at this stage hurts worse--I'd already gone through the interview and the request for writing samples and the explicit approval/acceptance.
Also, I was counting on the money from this work.
I suspect I'm going to have to find a regular job, meaning going back to a boring hair color.
Furthermore, Rafiq is a coward. When I emailed him to ask about the status of the project, he sent a message saying "I'm not handing that project anymore, I've forwarded your email to Jocelyn." She, in turn, gave me the bad news, in the form of a copy of a message that she says bounced a couple of days ago because she misremembered my domain name.
They want me to invoice for my hours [sic] thus far. I'm torn between pointing out that I've already done so (in December, in fact) and doing a revised invoice that accounts for the rewriting/expansion work. I think I'll do the latter--the worst that can happen is that they refuse to pay the extra. I don't think there are any more bridges left to burn here.
Rejection hurts. Rejection at this stage hurts worse--I'd already gone through the interview and the request for writing samples and the explicit approval/acceptance.
Also, I was counting on the money from this work.
I suspect I'm going to have to find a regular job, meaning going back to a boring hair color.
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I asked if I could have you to do my copyedit. Probably won't come to anything, because of corporate stuff, but I did say you'd be ideal are were likely available.
I hope something good turns up soon that you can do with purple hair.
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I haven't gotten an answer from the people there who are supposed to hire copyeditors, and I don't think your editor can hire me until/unless those people get me into the system, alas.
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I'll fall back on "probably better off" -- as in, you're probably better off not being tied down to a project run by a group that disorganized and/or underhanded.
Here's to something you can do with purple hair. I know two librarians with purple hair, if that's any help. (I know you're not looking for librarian work, just saying that there are jobs out there where purple hair is okay.)
Maybe someone [*looks around*] could write a filk of "Purple Rain" called "Purple Hair".
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Best of luck, regardless of hair color. I suspect we will not see you at Corflu, which makes me sad.
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Sorry to hear about this. What a mess. Definitely, invoice them for the hours you've put in right up till when they gave you the boot.
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From:
General follow-up
The work I did on the feudalism chapter may be a lost cause, however. I need to reread my emails from them, see what had been agreed on, but as I never submitted (or really finalized to my own satisfaction) that material, it's iffier.
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Re: General follow-up
B
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Re: General follow-up
Of course, you'll also need to send them the stuff you'd done, and not submitted - maybe with a Post-It "Additional work completed by XX/XX"? ... or, maybe just as part of a full copy of *everything* done by the drop-dead date?)
And be glad they won't be jerking you around anymore.
(What do you want to bet, they're as disorganized at issuing payments as they've been at everything else??)
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Re: General follow-up
I just buzzed my hair, and feel quite happy with that whilst volunteering, but wonder if it might cause problems at interview. Then again, could I bear a job with people who wouldn't like purple/buzzed hair? Bah!
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Still, this obviously means the Universe is making sure you're free for something better.
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I'd charge them for everything written and see if you can get away with it. With luck they'll be so miserably organized they'll just pay you.
Pamela
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MKK
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I mean. Um. Oh, shit. Bite! Snar!
Kill fee. Big fat hefty retroactive kill fee.
Um.
Sorry. Very sorry. Mad.
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re: Shit!
Does your contract have anything about work that's accepted, and how/when? Just thinking of ways clients try not to pay. (My old boss's contracts always covered stuff like that -- if not rejected w/in n business days, deemed accepted.)
Ah, the joys of the freelance world (dammit).
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Re: Shit!
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Phooey.
Crazy(reading some really worthy things to remember about invoicing, too!)Soph
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*pats Redbird onna shoulder*
*pulls out a previously-unnoticed roll of newspaper, and thwaps Rafiq upside the head*
*Bookworm declares a Pie War on Rafiq and his crew for being disorganized cowards who wouldn't recognize great writing if it bit 'em on the nose.
Bookworm pulls out a Lemon Cream pie, and takes careful aim...*
Hope that'll give you a bit of a smile.
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Does purple hair really damage people's employment prospects these days?
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that's terrible news Vicki. Sorry to hear about it.
Definitely bill them for everything you've done (appropriately documented and supplemented) in a 'timely manner' and rebill them if they don't pay in a couple weeks or whatever.
Usually January breaks up better for finding work - budgets are decided and people are now starting to spend the year's money. I'm uncertain where you'd look in your area, but best of luck.