Dear Angela,

I really liked the article 10 Ways to Respond to Non-Paying Pubs’ Excuses. I realize that publishers will try any excuse not to pay writers, but the problem is that even the public feels writers shouldn’t get paid. They foolishly give me the dopey answer that “It’s always been that way, so why should they start paying you now?” I remind them that everyone gets paid for working and writers should get paid too. I also add, “Why don’t you work for free?” All I get are weird looks–as if something is wrong with me.

Martin