SUMMARY: Writer claimed publisher owed $175 and that they repeatedly lied about payment going out. Publisher responded to WritersWeekly that check had gone out on December 6th. Writer finally received check (check was only for $150), but while check was dated 12/6/06, it was postmarked January 8th - 2 days after we sent the warning note below to Zink Magazine. It is our opinion that writers should avoid Zink Magazine.


January 6, 2007

Nikia Dawkins, Entertainment Editor - nikia@zinkmag.com
Tia - tia@zinkmag.com
Marina Cashdan - marina@zinkmag.com
Casey Gillespie - casey@zinkmag.com
Zink magazine
304 Park Avenue South
Penthouse South
New York, NY 10010
P(646)792-2333
F(646)792-2335
intern@zinkmag.com, subscriptions@zinkmag.com, help@zinkmag.com

Website Owner:
Latin Supermodel Search, Inc.
Sheriff Ishak - sheriff@zinkmag.com
1815 Sunset Harbour Dr. #100
Miami Beach, FL 33139
P(305)992-7777

WritersWeekly.com has received a complaint about:
Zink magazine / zinkmag.com / Latin Supermodel Search, Inc.

WritersWeekly.com is a publication that publishes information for and
about freelance writers. The publication is the largest-circulation
freelance writing ezine in the world.

As part of that information, WritersWeekly.com publishes a Warnings
section on its website and in its newsletter. This warning section
contains reports about publications that are unprofessional in dealing
with writers, have refused to pay writers money owed to them, who have
not abided by their contracts, or who have unfair contract terms. These
reports are used by WritersWeekly.com's subscribers to decide which
publications they should and should not work with.

Your firm has been submitted to us for inclusion in the
WritersWeekly.com Whispers and Warnings section.

Step one of our investigation of this report is to gather all relevant
correspondence between your publication and the person submitting the
complaint so that we can piece together that person's side of the story.
Step one of our investigation has been completed.

[JM] (name not published here but was, of course, provided to the publisher)
alleges you owe her $175.00 and that you have repeatedly lied about
payment going out. See complete allegation under my signature.

-----------------
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
-----------------

The second step in our investigation is to send this communication to
your firm to get its side of the story. If you have evidence disputing
these allegations, or would like to make your own statement about these
allegations for publication in our report, please email
angela@writersweekly.com within two business days.

***All correspondence for our investigations must be in writing and is
subject to publication.***

If you do owe this person money, we strongly suggest you read
this article before responding:
http://www.writersweekly.com/the_latest ... 32006.html

Our report on your firm is scheduled for inclusion in our publication
next Wednesday.

If there is no response to these allegations, WritersWeekly.com will
still publish this complaint, but our readers will not be able to read
your side of the story.

We appreciate your prompt response in this matter.

Angela Hoy
Publisher
WritersWeekly.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
THE COMPLAINT
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Date sent: Wed, 03 Jan 2007 09:23:28 -0800
From: [JM]
Subject: Whispers and Warnings

Angela -

I would like to submit Zink magazine to you for Whispers & Warnings.
They owe money and I've heard excuses ranging from the payroll person is
on maternity leave to the usual check is in the mail.

Thanks,
[JM]

From: [JM]
Subject: Re: Whispers and Warnings
Date sent: Fri, 05 Jan 2007 11:27:51 -0800

Hi Angela. Thanks for your help.

I'm owed $175 for three stories. The first story ran in August, the
second in September and third in October. The contact is Nikia Dawkins at
nikia@zinkmag.com.

Thanks,
[JM]

From: "Nikia Dawkins" <nikia@zinkmag.com>
To: [JM]
Date: December 14, 2006 01:20:46 PM EST
Subject: Re: payment procedure

Hey [JM],

I OKed all the invoices last week and was told that all the checks
would go out this week. So you should receive it any day now.

Best,
Nikia

Nikia Dawkins
Entertainment Editor
direct: 646.328.1053
main: 646.792.2333

ZINK Magazine
304 Park Avenue South
Penthouse South
New York, NY 10010


On Dec 13, 2006, at 11:33 AM, [JM]wrote:

Hi Nikia. Any update? I submitted my invoice again to Tai on
November 14.

Thanks,
[JM]

On Monday, November 13, 2006, at 03:19PM, "Nikia Dawkins"
<nikia@zinkmag.com> wrote:
Hey guys,

Looks like payment will be on the way shortly. Thank God. So please
send all of your unpaid invoices to tia@zinkmag.com. She won't be
handling accounts payable anymore, but she's going to collect
everything and pass it on to the new accountant. Although you'll be
paid in a lump sum, please create a separate invoice for each issue
(listing the article subject, amount due, my name as your editor,
name, address, etc.). They can all be on the same word doc, though.
Let me know if you have any questions. Thanks!

Nikia Dawkins
Entertainment Editor
direct: 646.328.1053
main: 646.792.2333

From: "Nikia Dawkins" <nikia@zinkmag.com>
To: [JM]
Date: August 17, 2006 12:43:36 PM EST
Subject: Re: The Affected Provincal's Companion

Hi [JM] :)

Tia, who does all of our accounting, just had a baby, so we're in the
midst of a major transition, which means that all of our writers'
checks will be delayed. You'll most likely receive your payment for
August and October at the same time. But I'll let you know for sure
as soon as someone lets me know for sure. xx

Nikia Dawkins
Entertainment Editor
direct: 646.328.1053
main: 646.792.2333


On Aug 17, 2006, at 8:00 AM, [JM] wrote:

Hi Nikia. Just wanted to follow up on payment.

Thanks,
[JM]

On Wednesday, July 12, 2006, at 04:28PM, Nikia Dawkins
<nikia@zinkmag.com> wrote:

Original Attached>>
Hey there :)

PUBLISHER REPLIES

Dear Angela,

Happy New Year!

First, I want to applaud you for the service you provide to freelance
writers and I also thank you for bringing this matter to our attention.
We had gone through a change in accounting personnel and were able to
locate the invoices of [JM]. FYI, her invoices were for a total of
$150.00 and not the $175.00 she claims! They have been paid in full by check #
4762.

Best regards,

Sheriff J. Ishak
Publisher
Z!NK magazine
304 Park Avenue S.
Penthouse South
New York, NY 10010
(646) 792-2333
www.zinkmag.com

WRITERSWEEKLY RESPONDS

From: Angela Hoy
To: "Sheriff J. Ishak" <sheriff@zinkmag.com>
Subject: RE: COMPLAINT about Zink magazine
Cc: [JM]
Date: Mon, 08 Jan 2007 13:29:14 -0500

When was the check mailed?

Angela Hoy
WritersWeekly.com


WRITER RESPONDS

Date: Mon, 08 Jan 2007 10:48:23 -0800
From: [JM]
To: Angela Hoy

Angela -

Attached are my invoice totaling $175, not $150.

Thanks for your help in this.

Best,
[JM]


WRITERWEEKLY EMAILS PUBLISHER AGAIN:

From: Angela Hoy
To: sheriff@zinkmag.com
Subject: RE: COMPLAINT about Zink magazine
Date sent: Mon, 08 Jan 2007 22:59:53 -0500
Copies to: [JM]

Hi Sheriff,

The writer sent us copies of her emails, which I forwarded to you
earlier today, which show $175. I'm also still waiting for you
to respond to my email below.

Angela


From: Angela Hoy <angela@writersweekly.com>
To: "Sheriff J. Ishak" <sheriff@zinkmag.com>
Subject: RE: COMPLAINT about Zink magazine
Copies to: [JM]
Send reply to: angela@booklocker.com
Date sent: Mon, 08 Jan 2007 13:29:14 -0500

> When was the check mailed?
>
> Angela Hoy
> WritersWeekly.com

PUBLISHER RESPONDS:

From: "Sheriff J. Ishak" <sheriff@zinkmag.com>
Subject: RE: COMPLAINT about Zink magazine
Date sent: Tue, 9 Jan 2007 09:07:42 -0500

Angela,

I suggest that you advise [JM] that if she has not yet received
the check, that she should come in pick up a replacement check and we would
place a stop payment on the original.

Sheriff J. Ishak
Publisher
Z!NK magazine
304 Park Avenue S.
Penthouse South
New York, NY 10010
(646) 792-2333
www.zinkmag.com


WRITERSWEEKLY RESPONDS

From: Angela Hoy
To: "Sheriff J. Ishak" <sheriff@zinkmag.com>
Subject: RE: COMPLAINT about Zink magazine
Date sent: Tue, 09 Jan 2007 16:54:48 -0500

Hi Sheriff,

Your defensive attitude isn't helping your cause at this point.
We asked you twice when her check was mailed. You still haven't
answered the question. We have to assume, therefore, that no check
was ever issued.

If the check wasn't mailed in the past couple of days, I would suggest
you cancel payment on the original check and mail a new one to her
immediately.

It is our opinion that she's been through quite enough trying to obtain
payment from your firm. Getting defensive and trying to make her come to
your office, which is two hours from her home, to obtain payment is not only
unfair, but it is unprofessional, but may even be perceived as a threat. Having
writers come to your office to pick up payment is not part of your contract.

Angela Hoy
WritersWeekly.com

There is more discussion about Zink online here:
http://mediabistro.com/bbs/cache/t29375_1.asp

PUBLISHER RESPONDS

From: "Sheriff J. Ishak" <sheriff@zinkmag.com>
Subject: RE: COMPLAINT about Zink magazine
Date sent: Tue, 9 Jan 2007 17:43:42 -0500

Dear Angela,

I have never personally addressed an issue involving a $150 payment. Our
bookkeeper, who is generally in on the 1st and 15th of each month, would
be the one responding to such an inquiry! The check # 4762 dated 12-6-06
indicates a check was issued. I have been informed that other
contributors received their checks...

Since it is an inconvenience for Ms. Miller to come to our office, upon
verification with our bank that the check was not negotiated, we will
place a stop payment on the check and issue a replacement on the 15th of this
month.

Please advise if that is her wish.

Regards,

Sheriff J. Ishak
Publisher
Z!NK magazine
304 Park Avenue S.
Penthouse South
New York, NY 10010
(646) 792-2333
www.zinkmag.com

From: [JM]
Subject: RE: COMPLAINT about Zink magazine
Date sent: Wed, 10 Jan 2007 07:22:33 -0800

Angela -

Check got here today. The check is dated 12/6/06 but postmarked 1/8/07,
which is 2 days after you first contacted Zink.

Thanks,
[JM]