Devon, even when you say you're doing "okay" you're achieving some hefty goals. Congrats on Hex Breaker! Let me know how I can help spread the word.

Paula, isn't that always where the extra cash goes? I've been able to save, but each April the tax bill is bigger than I expected.

Sounds like a pretty sweet June, Sharon!

Lori, glad May was a good month for you too.

Here's my May:

Only one query and one LOI to the new editor of a mag I wrote for a couple years ago. She told me to contact her in mid-June if she doesn't assign me something first.

Hate to admit it, but I replied to five job listings. All were for respectable places and aligned with my expertise – so of course I haven't heard back from any of them.

Existing clients kept me really busy. Yay! It's the busy pre-awards season for one of my regular markets, and two editors there loaded me up with nine assignments. Favorite editor assigned me a story about a new kid show that made me Cool Auntie to my niece and nephew. Another client kept me hopping with lots of little projects. Am currently wrapping up the long-delayed article for Late Payer and starting a new piece for a long-time fast-paying client. Only did one column because the real work kept me so busy.

Finished my first article for a new client. Let's hope this is the first of many things I do for them.

No referrals, but one colleague has promised a referral to one of her clients.

Earnings were on target if you ignore the fact that 1/3 of the total should have been paid more than a month earlier.

Bottom line: With about a dozen assignments completed in May, by late June the money should be rolling in…Too bad it's all already earmarked for bills, taxes and repairs.

Trying to be philosophical about a deteriorating situation, finish up the commitment and extract myself. That's the best I can do. Spinning in anger doesn't serve anything.

HEX BREAKER came out early, with no warning, so I'm behind in the PR machine for that.
http://hexbreaker.devonellingtonwork.com

and I'm marketing the June workshops and gearing up for the July. I hope the live workshops I'm doing with the local art center work.

I need to buckle down and get more business writing clients. Not sure if I should keep networking in person at Commerce events, etc.

Plus, I have two novels due this summer and about 8 short stories.

The income exceeded target. I had a referral to a prospect I'd really like to land, but have been receiving the almighty silence (despite follow-up). I am playing the email tag game with an international prospect, but I'm not sure if I want the gig. She emails. I respond. We wait. She emails again. I respond again. And now I wait again. Not a good sign for working together.

My existing clients continue to crank out the projects (yay!), but I'd really like to land at least another new client or two.

My guest posts are on track, but I am lagging in other planned marketing (ebook/white paper). I need those to crank up other goals, including a site upgrade.

All in all, a good month and June is loaded with projects. 🙂