Dear Angela,

I am a longtime reader of your newsletter and short time freelance writer. I won an essay contest in May. My check was supposedly lost or stolen in the mail and I have still not received payment. I don’t want to make waves or any rookie mistakes in my correspondence with them that would create problems for me so early in my career path.

All the best,
Karen S.

It’s seven months later. If you’ve complained and they still haven’t sent a replacement, I strongly suspect your check was never mailed. Yes, I think they ripped you off. You should send them a certified letter with one final warning, telling them if you don’t hear from them within five days, you will be forced to share your story with other writers online.

ADVERTISEMENT

SO, YOU WANNA BE A GHOSTWRITER: How To Make Money Writing Without a Byline
Learn how to succeed as a ghostwriter.