October's scheduled, so I have to now start focusing on November. But I'm like you, Lori. Been building up those recurring monthly projects so that if I get no other work, I've still got an acceptable income base.

I currently have three regular projects (two that require weekly work, and one that requires monthly work). I also have a fourth that's every other month. It's not enough to live on, but it's slowly grown over time. Hallelujah!

The funny thing is, in each e-mail to the bosses I ask them to reply directly, like they used to. Now everything comes through the editor. I think I scare them.

Also good news: I may have picked up a quick little editing job through my sister. The same client of hers I've edited bios for before again asked her if "your editor" could so a small job!

Paula, I agree. That late payer is long overdue for the door.

Yes, I was sick for a week, but I worked through it, so that's not the issue.

Instead of queries I focused on LOIs this month and sent out five. One had to be sent snail mail since I couldn't find the editor's e-mail address, but that let me include a lot of clips that I would otherwise have had to attach. And I don't like attaching files to cold-call LOI e-mails.

I replied to two job listings that dovetailed nicely with my experience, and both were for respected companies. That was just last week, so no word yet.

For existing clients I turned in one column and three articles, and picked up one fun assignment from Favorite Editor.

My only new client continues to be a résumé client who can't decide what to list from her most recent job (apparently she hated it). It took a couple weeks to convince her the old "format" she loved made absolutely no sense. The biggest problem is she takes about 1-2 weeks to reply each time I send follow up questions.

No referrals.

Earnings were dismal. Less than half my modest monthly goal. Why? Chronic late payer is now two months past-due (based on his lax terms) on something that ran in July, and as of today is past due on something that ran in September. Like Lori's slow-payer, neither of the top contacts at this place have the courtesy to reply to my messages. Also, a regional magazine I write for is slow – but that editor contacted me, saying the accountant had to remind her to approve invoices and get them to her, but promised she'd do that the next day. I expect their check to arrive today or tomorrow.

The work I did for the late-payer and the regional slow-payer combined is nearly the same as my monthly goal.

Bottom line: Chronic late-payer has to be replaced. Soon. So I'm redoubling my LOI efforts effective immediately.

I'm working in CT this week, and it's more stressful than it should be. I think I'll be easing away from this client. But at least I can meet with an agent while I'm here on Wed.