Any freelancers in CA ever sued for non-payment?

[mistersmith]

I can google all this pretty good, just wondering if anyone in CA ever sued when a client hasn't paid.

A magazine I used to work for full-time -- I left in '06 -- asked me in July 2010 to save their ass on a book project. They were insanely unprepared to publish their book but they had to print when they did in order to ship by Xmas -- since they already sold a ton on pre-sale as Xmas gifts -- so I spent 90 hours in about 8 days doing what they needed. 7 months later I'm still waiting on my check.

Calls and emails aren't getting anywhere, so I figure I'll send a certified letter to the publisher/editor-in-chief/photographer/CFO (yes it's all the same guy) with like a 30-day ultimatum before popping into small claims. But if anyone has any filing tips or advice, I'm all set to hear 'em.

[Pfahlert Creative Labs]

They didn't pay you any percentage UP FRONT? YOIKES dude. Very sorry you are in this mess, hope you get yer dues! Usually a dead beat client pays once it gets REAL, ya know? Hopefully they'll move on payment once they see you're making legal gestures (like a middle finger). Go get em.