I finally pulled together my receipts and stuff. This weekend I'll do a dry run with the tax software to see what I'm missing. By the time I'm done some of my invoices should be paid, which is good since I know I'll owe, too. I've only had refunds twice, and I immediately applied them to the next year's taxes.

Taxes. I can't stand it. I know I owe. I just don't want to know how much.

Queries/LOI – none that I recall

Social Media – when I have time I should try to join a few Twitter chats and visit some of my LinkedIn groups.

Job Postings – replied to one which is a good fit for me, and within a couple days they asked for additional information. Haven't heard back yet.

Referrals – a photographer referred me to one of his clients, a guy who publishes glossy coffee table books about various cities. My city is next on his list. He said it's a mix of actual editorial copy and advertorial profiles of local business (the advertorials pay for the book). The rate isn't great, but I said I'd be interested in doing some quick pieces that don't have much legwork, things I can fit between my higher paying assignments. Next day he tried assigning me three things that he needed right away – without any explanation of what he wanted other than the word counts. He said he wanted me to call to chat about the details. No. I don't have time to chat – not even if he were paying for the time. I said my schedule was too busy for a chat, but I prefer getting things in writing anyway so there's no confusion on my part. I asked how many sources he expected per article and what rights he was buying. I was floored when he replied with, "I don't know." I sent a more detailed message…and never heard back.

New Clients – none. But I did pick up two assignments from a new editor at one of the publications I write for.

Existing Clients – Turned in six articles for three regular clients. Only wrote two columns. Every time I turned something in another assignment or two popped up. Right now I'm working on four articles for two of those clients.

Earnings – Counting actual invoices that have been paid, I was about $600 shy of my monthly goal. However, my current projects and soon-to-be-paid invoices total more than my monthly goal.

I also have an outstanding invoice for an article that appears to have been bumped back a few issues (or possibly axed). That publication's contract says it pays withing 45 days "of acceptance," but doesn't define what "acceptance" is. It's a big check, so I don't want to risk pushing so hard they decide to scrap something instead of running it in a later issue. The thing is, this was for an editor who is horrible when it comes to communicating, so I'm thinking no news is good news. It was one of the worst working experiences I've ever had, simply because the editor was so indecisive. (She's the one who needed me to revise the article because two sources weren't expert enough, and another was a "spokesperson" and she wanted someone in R&D. Not only had she approved my sources before I contacted them….she's the one who referred me to the sources she said weren't expert enough! You can't make this stuff up!) I know she won't update me as to the article's status, but if they aren't going to use it they need to pay the kill fee sooner than later.

Bottom Line: I need to knock these four articles out this week so I can take a breather! Oh yeah, and get my taxes done. Ugh.