eSchool News / eschoolnews.com / IAQ Publications

WritersWeekly Warnings Report

Date Filed: 05/01/02
Company: eSchool News / eschoolnews.com / IAQ Publications / IAQPUBS.COM which also publishes School Technology Alert

UPDATE - 06/05/02:

Angela,

Just a quick note to update you on the continuing eSchool News saga.

Friday (5/17) I received a very polite call from a [clerk], who I suppose works in accounting--I had never had contact with her before. She said that she wanted to confirm the outstanding invoices. She had invoices for some $1500, but was missing one and wanted to see which one it was to bring it up to the correct $1750+ total. The conversation confirmed to me that she was sitting there looking at all the data needed to 1) pay me, and 2) find me with questions. I agreed to fax her a copy of the missing invoice and did so right after our phone call.

To date (5/29) I have not received a pay check. I think that it has been long enough to get a check here (Dayton, OH) from Bethesda, MD. Based on my past experience, 2 mail-carrying days is usually enough to get a piece of mail here from there.

For what it is worth, I believe that this [clerk] is not involved in the decision to not pay me. She sounded like a kind accounting clerk, and I don't want to unfairly lump her in with Mr. Downey and his colleagues. I do not know if Mr. Downey has told her to address this matter or if this is just a coincidence.

If I do not receive payment soon, I intend to contact eSchool News's advertisers.

Thanks again!
Jennifer Patterson Lorenzetti

Summary:

WRITERSWEEKLY READER JENNIFER PATTERSON LORENZETTI WROTE: I reported part of this problem in December, I believe. At that time, eSchool News owed me $2500 plus expenses for 10 articles, several of which were 90-120 days past submission in that point.

To date, I have received payment on three of the articles, for a total of $750 plus expenses. The company still owes me $1750 plus expenses for 7 articles. All have appeared (and sometimes repeatedly, under different headlines) on their web site.

Response WritersWeekly received to its inquires into the matter:

Angela,

Thanks for your inquiry. It came as a surprise, because we believed we had settled up with this writer.

As far as I can tell, at least part of the problem stems from a switch in billing names implemented by the writer.

Previously, she had been billing us as Jennifer Patterson Lorenzetti, and we had paid all invoices owed under that name. Consequently, when we asked about the payment status regarding Jennifer Patterson Lorenzetti, our accounting department advised us we had paid in full. End of story.

It now appears, however, that Ms. Lorenzetti at some point decided to bill us under another name. Today, looking into this matter in order to respond to your inquiry, I learned we do have at least one invoice from a Hilltop Communications, which I now understand is the name of Ms. Lorenzetti's company or a company she represents.

We're currently in the process of researching this matter further, to determine if we have any additional obligation to Ms. Lorenzetti and, if so, how much. When that research is complete, we'll proceed to make arrangements for winding this up once and for all.

It is our intention to pay for all work contracted for and completed by this writer as well as for any legitimate and agreed-on expenses.

Cheers,

-- Gregg

Gregg W. Downey
Editor & Publisher
eSchool News

WRITER RESPONDS:

I instituted the name Hilltop Communications in January/February 2001, before my April 2001 marriage. Prior to April 2001, I billed under the name "Jennifer Patterson." After that point, all invoices to all clients have carried a notation to make checks payable to "Jennifer Patterson Lorenzetti" and then also the Hilltop Communications name along with snail mail address. There has never been a division where my given name was omitted from the invoice.

For what it is worth, the check I received in January 2002 was made out to Hilltop Communications by IAQ Publications. Account letters sent after January are printed on Hilltop Communications letterhead, with my name appearing directly below my company name. Account statements say "Remit to Jennifer Patterson Lorenzetti, Hilltop Communications."

Thank you once again for your mediation--this can't be an easy job for you!

Jennifer Patterson Lorenzetti

WRITERSWEEKLY'S EMAIL TO PUBLISHER:

Here is the reply from the writer. Also, we're curious about why her emails have been ignored.

PUBLISHER RESPONDS:

Angela,

It sound like you might be becoming more of an advocate than a reporter, but that doesn't make her statements accurate, and perhaps you shouldn't assume they are.

I'm not aware of any eMail messages from this writer. If these are going somewhere in our organization, I don't know where. Our managing editor says she has cut off all communication with him, doesn't return his calls or answer his eMail messages.

At this point, we'll have no further comment on Ms. Lorenzetti.

Cheers,

-- Gregg

Gregg W. Downey
Editor & Publisher
eSchool News

WRITER RESPONDS:

Angela:

Well, Downey is right about only one thing: never assume. Other than that....

I have not cut Dennis Pierce or any of the others off. I haven't received any communication from them since I discontinued working for them. The last email exchange was when I called both Pierce and Downey in November telling them I was disinclined to continue working without ever receiving payment. I then emailed Pierce with the same information. To the best of my recollection, that took about two weeks, as I was trying to give them a chance to respond.

When Pierce then emailed me and asked me if there would be any delays in me providing the next piece, I reiterated what I had said by phone and email. We then had an email exchange, with him asking what I required as far as payment in order to continue and that he would "try and get some money" out of Accounts Payable. I told him that their account needed to be brought up to 45 days before I would continue, and to let me know if they agreed. I said that I would resume work on his confirmation that payment was forthcoming, and that I would submit more material once I had a check in hand. That was the last communication from anyone until the account statement in January was followed by the partial payment check.

That is the last I have heard from them. I certainly can't prove that no one in the organization has attempted to contact me, but no emails, phone calls, letters, or smoke signals have been received by me.

Thanks!
Jennifer

WRITERSWEEKLY.COM COMMENT: We have subsequently emailed eschoolnews on April 24th and April 30th asking when Jennifer can expect payment. They have not responded to our emails.