Contingency Clause

Angela Hoy puts out the best free ezine around on writing: WritersWeekly.com

This week, she points out a way to avoid the wasteland of not being published, and therefore not being paid (assuming you are dumb enough to sign a "paid on publication" contract, which is often all you're offered). Add a contingency clause!

Before you sign, add a clause in the contract that states: Payment will be made upon publication, or by (insert reasonable date), whichever comes first.

I would have been too timid to ask for that years ago. Not any more! Being cheated does wonders for your assertiveness.