I’ve been out of college for a couple years and have failed to find a steady, well paying job. I do part time retail and some freelancing. I took on an associate editing gig (a contracting position) at a small indie publisher. I vibed with the person I interviewed with, and they were upfront about the pay not being good. I saw it as a way to break into editing, something I’ve wanted to do for years, so I took the position anyway.
The only method of payment offered is direct deposit, which was fine by me. I emailed my supervisor to get signed up…no response. I get my first assignment shortly before the company closes for the winter holidays. Bored, I complete the assignment over the break. It took me about four weeks as the book was, quite frankly, terrible.
As soon as everyone is back, I get three more assignments dumped in my lap. At first I started working on them as I was repeatedly following up about getting direct deposit set up. Now, four months later, I still haven’t gotten a response. I’ve done a tremendous amount of labor for them and I would just walk away, but part of me still hopes it will work out. Plus, I want to be paid for what I’ve already done.
The cherry on top was about a week ago when that first author finally took a look at my edits. She hated them and went over my head without talking to me at all, demanding a new editor. They apparently didn’t take issue with my work, but wanted to appease the author so I was unassigned from that novel. I can’t get an answer about whether those hundreds of hours are going to still be compensated, and my contract doesn’t make that clear either.
I’m so heartbroken that my first experience editing has been so negative, and I’m so confused about what to do. Our company emails have read receipts, so I know they see me bugging them, and it really doesn’t seem like they’re ever going to pay me. If you’re a desperate freelancer like me, let this be a cautionary tale. Thoroughly vet anyone you’re working for, and don’t do shit before you’re reasonably certain you’re getting paid.