OT: (long) An announcement and a heads-up

[Dreamgoat Annie]

I won’t be around for a week, from later this evening until Monday morning, January 30. I’m going to be offline and John is going to cut the landline phone wire so I have a distraction-free week to get my head in a better place.

I’ve mentioned being depressed and here’s why. I’m not telling you this to generate a pity-party but because you should know this if you subscribe to any of BowTie Inc’s many magazines. These include Hobby Farms, Hobby Farms Home, Urban Farm, Chickens, Horse Illustrated, Dog Fancy, Cat Fancy, Bird Talk, Reptiles, Motorcycle Consumer News, and Auto Restorer. BowTie is cheating hundreds of writers, photographers and illustrators out of many, many thousands of dollars worth of back pay. They are very shaky financially, so if you have subscriptions that are about to expire, wait at least six months to renew them because they’re very likely to go bankrupt and you’ll lose your money.

The trouble at BowTie started about 18 months ago when our payments started coming later and later each pay period. They pay on publication, meaning we supposedly get, for instance, checks for March-April issues on March 15. At first they called them “accounting errors” and later admitted to “some cash flow problems” but they begged us to keep submitting material because they’d eventually catch up.

Well. I am gullible or stupid or something because I like the editors I work with so much that I believed accounting’s promises and stayed with BowTie long after a lot of other writers stopped producing. I’ve written for them for 12 year—I never dreamed they’d cheat me. Several other writer friends (who have been with them 17 and 8 years respectively) did the same. And we all wrote for multiple magazines.

The last check I’ve gotten was for July 2012. They owe me $4040 in back pay for 2012. This is a huge, a humongous, amount of money for John and I and it represents weeks and weeks and weeks of 8-hour workdays for me. Now I’ve learned a “special accountant” is calling writers and offering a settlement sum for their 2012 back pay. A friend of a friend who was owed $7100 was offered $1200; her attorney said grab it and run because once they file bankruptcy, there’s nothing.

So I’m having a major meltdown. The accountant hasn’t called me yet. Two writer friends have been offered $1000 and $1200 for amounts greater than what BowTie owes me. I know he won’t offer me much.

Meanwhile, we’re running out of hay, the Boers’ sleeping platforms need replacing and the bills keep coming due. We will somehow eke by but it makes me so mad and so upset that I worked so hard and trusted them. I find myself crying a lot and yelling at animals.

So, I’m taking a media break and will use the uninterrupted week to get some of the ebook material ready to publish. I’ll miss the forum but I’ve got to do it. Please wish me luck.

[CaliannG]

Sue, I will meditate for you. I am so sorry you are going through this.

[Frosted Mini's]

Good luck, so sorry to hear it...that's just not right at all.

[Otter]

Feel better hon. Enjoy your break.
to them. I never liked BowTie anyway!

[Mainelyhappy]

Oh my! I am so sorry. I am also a freelance journalist and have been wanting to write for Bowtie because I know they (USED TO!) pay well. I am so, so sorry this happened to you. I know how hard I work to rip a good article out of my brain, so I totally empathize. I wish I had magic to make this right for you. Dary

[Aimee]

I am so sorry this is happening to you. I wish you luck.

[Donna1982]

Oh I am so sorry. I enjoy your writing and will miss seeing you on here. Until them I will go reread your goat book I have. Rest sweetie (((hugs))).

[Lizza]

Thank really stinks!!! I also have always enjoyed your columns in Hobby Farms, I don't blame you for taking some personal days to work through everything. I can't believe they cheated their writer's so terribly! Hugs from Oregon.

[Backfourty,MI.]

I get Hobby farms & enjoy your columns as well, was thinking about starting up Hobby Farms Home but I appreciate you letting us all know about their problems.

I am so sorry you are going through this Sue, it's not right what some companies can get away with. if they owe you $4100. they should be liable to pay you $4100.00! Makes me mad that they can give so much less & that's supposed to make things right.
You will be greatly missed here but I totally understand.
Hugs to you & your hubby Sue.

[Minelson]

(((hugs))) Thinking about you and sending all kinds of healing vibes. Concentrate on forgiveness and acceptance during your time off. You are loved by so many and we are right by your side!

[GoldenWood Farm]

Sending some prayers and hugs your way!!!! ((((((hugs))))))

Justine

[BethW]

Oh Sue, I'm so sorry. We'll be thinking of you and will be right here when you get back~

[Buckhuntr]

So sorry to hear of this, and I hope you do get paid what they owe you. As an accountant myself, I can understand both sides, but it still stinks that you suffer because management at the publisher aren't able to keep their company afloat.
Positive thoughts coming your way from Oklahoma!

[dozedotz]

This is very sad news. I enjoy some of those publications and if this is the "Sue" that I think it is...enjoy your writing very much. I do not know who is to blame for what is happening but it is very, very sad for all of us. Best wishes, Sue, as you work through this.

[GoatJunkie]

I am so sorry to hear this!

What is the title of your book? Would the purchase of your book help you without helping Bow Tie?

[yarrow]

So sorry they are putting thru this Sue.. I know how stressful this must be for you.. Let us know if there is anything we can do for you,

susie, mo ozarks

[iloveafarmer]

So sorry, Sue. We've been in a similar situation and it's so very, very hard to know that all your work and time and sweat was for nothing. I'll pray for you.

[SilverFlame819]

LUCK!! That is just plain wrong! I wonder where all the money went?!

[nehimama]

I am SO sorry you are going through this. Hugs & prayers for you! You'll be missed, but we know your recuperation is paramount!

[Blue Run Farm]

I am so sorry they are doing this to you, that is just terrible! Sending lots of vibes your way. I hope you are able to relax on your time off and I, too, would be interested in your book (I am assuming the book has nothing to do with BowTie).