I've had a couple of referrals, one of which produced a few fun, offbeat short-term projects.

Beginning to think I should invest more time in queries, maybe try to expand into new territory. I've had the same long-term clients for a while, and I love them to death, but I sort of feel like I might be getting stale. Those few projects that were off the beaten path made me stretch my brain in a new direction!

Earnings are down for the month – slow-paying client still has not paid. Prospects – met with two while in San Diego – one promises new work in 1Q 2013 (we'll see), 2nd made no solid commitment, but hope springs eternal.

Client who left company is interviewing and I know she'll seek me out if she lands a new job (she's done that twice now) and I am going to follow up with her old company (to see if I can retain them -? = CEO not big on marketing).

I'm anxious to get the craziness behind me and move on.

Here's my month:

Queries – two batches to Favorite Editor, resulting in three assignments.

LOIs – four LOIs and one follow up, which was encouraging.

Job listings – none.

Existing clients – four columns, and one article each to three regular markets.

New clients – zero. (I need to focus on that area, too, Lori.)

Referrals – zero.

Earnings – despite Late Payer's best efforts (and skill at evading my inquiries), I only fell about $400 shy of my modest monthly goal. Had Late payer paid, I would be about the same amount over said goal.

Bottom line – Not only do I need better-paying clients, I need more clients that pay on time.

Anne, that's great news! Love that meditation/gratitude has something to do with it.

Creatively, it was great, on long-term projects, but I need some quick-turnaround, quick-pay assignments to save December.