I sent one query to a long-time editor. Sent three LOIs. And – as hard as it is to believe – I replied to three job postings. All were right up my alley, and given it was Christmas week, I figured there wouldn't too many responses to compete with.

Since a couple of my editors take the last half of December off each year, the workload was small, and somewhat guilt free. I turned in one article to Favorite Editor and wrote two columns.

No new clients. No real referrals (unless you count a résumé for a colleague.

Had Late Payer paid, I would have exceeded my modest monthly goal. As is, I was only $200 shy…thanks to a payment that arrived on December 31st.

I really hope 2013 brings more assignments and more money. I can guarantee 2013 will bring LatePayer a boatload of trouble if I don't receive a check soon postmarked by Dec 31, 2012.