So, one month gone in 2015 and time to take a moment and assess what was accomplished. Here we go:

1. Eight books reviewed for Booklist. This is a way higher number than usual, as four of the books were read in December but I didn't write about them until I got home in mid-January. Getting all of the books reviewed cleared my decks for Booklist though--I've got nothing waiting in the wings for them.

2. One book read and reviewed for Locus.

3. Four articles written and edited for the Bush Pilot blog. Only two of them ran in January but two more should run this week. My schedule there means running two items a week in the blog which I hope to be consistent with. I have one piece drafted to turn in and notes on two more. My editor is out of town until the 8th, but I'll have articles ready for him when he gets back.

4. Essay written and submitted. One of my resolutions is to have an essay submitted somewhere each month. Drafting on essay #2 for 2015 begins now.

5. Pitches made on two longer book-related pieces. Followed up on an earlier pitch to the same place and heard it is still in the mix and hopefully now, after my nudge, I'll hear back on it.

And that is all on that. It's important to note that all of this work was for paying outlets--I'm officially done with writing for free (with the exception of here and Guys Lit Wire, of course).

I also sent out a letter making a Freedom Of Information Act request for an AK aviation article. This will be a big one to write (a two-parter I think) and I'm hoping to start a draft on it this week.

And there's a research letter I need to send out on another essay; I don't know why I've been nervous about even writing this but I have. It's just a letter, but I guess I have such high hopes for this piece that even starting it concerns me a little.

And finally a pitch to put together for a short piece in another magazine. It's less than a thousand words, a straightforward profile of an interesting Alaskan. This is on my "to do" list for February.

So, not too bad a beginning to 2015. I've met my goals, didn't fall behind on anything and have been consistent in posting and reviewing. I'm going to call this a win for January. My biggest resolution for this year is consistency; so far, so good.