Last week I also learned that the old client with the horribly slow "new, more efficient" payment system bumped two of my stories until August. The editor said she'd "try" to push them through with the June invoices. Suddenly being paid with the June invoices (which means by the first of September) doesn't sound so bad. Way better than the first of November.

On the good side, I just finished the catalog copy. My contact is out today, but I'll have it sent in tomorrow. They pay within 30 days of invoice. Thank God.

Paula, it sounds like the ground work is there. The waiting game sucks though, doesn't it?

Queries: Sent three batches of queries, netted one quick assignment. (The last two batches only went out last week.)

LOIs: Sent 14, replies from four, one led to some assignments. Another was to a family friend who I thought might know the editor of a glossy newsletter I'd seen – turns out they work in the same department (on different publications) and might both have work for me. Followed up on a May LOI and got the name of their editor who works with freelancers and followed up with him. No reply yet.

Existing Clients: Turned in eight articles and four columns. Picked up second (longer) assignment from one of those clients.

New Clients: I'll follow Lori's lead and include someone I worked with once before because now that I've got my second assignment they feel more like a client. Last week they asked me to write two short pieces of catalog copy – for a new-to-them client and could turn into steady work. The one LOI that lead to some assignments is a re-launch of a magazine I used to write for. The original owner (with whom I never worked) bought it back. Sadly, they don't pay well, so when he asked for ideas, I suggested something on my brother-in-law and his microbudget films, He asked me to do a series of 1,000 word articles spanning all aspects of my b-i-l's work. I accepted for three reasons: 1) my brother-in-law prefers e-mail to phones so I wouldn't have any transcribing; 2) it could be good press for his films; 3) it's writing I can fit in around real work. And yes, I disclosed that he's my b-i-l.

Earnings: based on payments I actually received: barley half my monthly goal. If I based it on invoices sent, I would have been over my goal. Since the biggest check won't arrive until at least Labor Day, it's not income. Yet.

Bottom Line: Things better turn around fast.

"Please pay within 10 days to avoid litigation."

That will get their attention. 🙂

Enjoy the family reunion! Sounds like great fun.

Good news is the earnings for the 2nd quarter doubled the 1st quarter. Of course, everything's relative – the 1st Q stunk. 😉

Existing clients keep me in blog posts and ghostwritten articles and a long-time client contracted for a white paper.

No new clients, but a couple of bids out that look promising.

We're having a family reunion with family here mid-next week and the following week, so will not be as productive. But, looking forward to it.