I contracted with MetroMode's then-editor, Alik Burdett, to write two articles for the April edition of the magazine. My understanding from Alik was that 500 word articles would be paid $100 and 750/800 word pieces would be worth $150. Both of my initial articles were accepted with glowing feedback and, at the last minute, a third assignment was added which I submitted under deadline. I was paid $100 for each of those initial three articles for the April issue. There was some hemming and hawing about “the check is in the mail”, but the check for $300 did finally arrive in June.
I was asked to write three articles for the May issue and one for June, each 750 words long. My assumption was that I would be compensated at the agreed price. As it turns out, I have not been compensated at all for the four articles. Again, there are myriad emails about excuses and promises that payment is immanent, but it is now October and I have not been paid for articles in the May issue.
As I review the copious emails I exchanged with Alik, there are frequent mentions of payment, and then excuses for delay, and ultimately silence. I have learned subsequently that Alik, too, had not been paid and had left the magazine. I began communicating with Bill Cameron directly who assured me repeatedly that payment was forthcoming, but deadline after deadline passed with nothing but excuses.
Last month, those of us who have not been paid, including Alik, organized to respond to various watchdog groups on the perfidy of Bill Cameron. He has taken advantage of our trust, he has published our articles without compensation, and he has lied directly about payment schedules.
Anthony ****
Greenwich, Connecticut
U.S.A.