Well, my 3rd novel is now pouring out of me. I receive images and dialogue, unbidden but finally, very welcome. Ian McQuade is growing as an individual, anthropologist and cryptozoologist. He is becoming something that he never realized his experiences in the pursuit of hidden animals would make him. I appreciate you for making this journey with me. The "Cryptids Trilogy" will come to a conclusion proabably no one suspected, but will be a fit end to the struggles McQuade has had with himself, the Foundation and alma Del Nephites. I'd like to acknowledge a tremendous artist that has become a great pen pal and a staunch support of the identity of the Altamaha-ha, and possibly other lake and sea monsters. Rick Spears is the Exhibit Designer for Atlanta's Fernbank Science Center. I met him via email after being inspired to use the Alty as the cryptid subject of "Wake of the Lake Monster". He is just an incredible artist, from pencil, to pen and ink, paints and sculpting. His take on the Alty was nothing short of a literal work of art, and he was kind enough to help me "flesh out" the species I believed the Altamaha-ha to be. He put his creature's flesh over my chosen specie's bones to realize just how much evidence there was to support our theory as to the nature of this kelpie. Of course, I can't give that away now, can I? My novels combine the character growth of a storyline with the plot development of a mystery. They are not about the rampaging beast that will devour the earth and all its children, but the continuation of extinct species. But, I digress. Rick Spears has become a great friend, and I hope to have an opportunity to meet him personally, and thank him for giving me an image of a creature native to the river and coastal waterways of southern Georgia, USA. I don't think he'll mind if I share with you a copy of the original image that caught and captivated my attention. I have since seen it elsewhere, but it always bears his distinctive name on the image. Look for his works on the web sites of Kelly Milner-Hall and Georgia author Ann Davis. He will figure prominently in the acknowledgements, and will always be one of the major reasons this little-known American cryptid has become the subject of an extensive novel. Keep looking for the updates, as we move toward the final chapter of a well-received trilogy. D.L.