On Wednesday, May 31st 2004, I completed the 1st draft of "Wake of the Lake Monster". It's been three years since I published "Track of the Bigfoot" and four since I released "Shadow of the Thunderbird". I beleieve it is true what they say, that the third novel is the toughest to write. By that time, you have settled into a routine, and either met your wildest expectations, or simply decided you have yet to meet your golas and aspirations. I worked hard to promote my first novel, but hardly at all to push my second. I used science to determine the species responsible for native legends, historical accounts and eyewitness reports. People got bent out of shape over my theory of Bigfoot. It was accurate, but not the porpular notion. I have garnered 4 1/2 out of 5 stars for the first novel, and 5 out of 5 for the second. I hope that my new story fares as well. I think it will. Although aquatic cryptids are not the bread and butter for most readers, Steve Alten's "The Loch" proved there is still an audience for it. Once again, I picked a North American monster, the Altamaha-ha of Coastal Georgia, to write about. The science is accurate, and you will learn a great deal about such creatures over the course of the novel. Hopefully, you'll enjoy the story so much that you won't even know that you are being educated through entertainment and sheer adventure. In the arc of the trilogy, I combine elements of plot with a storyline. Characters grow and change, as events unfold. Normally, you have one or the other. It is not an easy thing to accomplish, but people have responded to my characters, as much as my depiction of events. In "Wake", I have once again incorporated the latest technology and historical events. I always appreciate Clive Cussler for his tying together of the two. There are references to World War II secrets, civil war conspuracy theories, treasure and secret societies. All in all, I am very proud of reaching this summit. By the time of its publication, the three novels will constitute the largest triple volume of cryptofiction ever written. Will it be the best? Only you can tell me that, and I look forward to the opportunity to hearing from you. It will take about another month before the 2nd draft is complete, after which time I will send it to my editor. I will then make the few adjustments necessary for the 3rd edition of "Shadow", and will submit it to publication. I am also working on subscriptions for readers to access a page on my web site, so that they can listen online or download audio books of my stories. "The Chupacabra" has already been heard, to great reviews so far. I will release this shortly. So, for the time being, I am back on track with my 3rd book, after travelling 1,000 miles around the river basin that is the locatuion of my book. The first two dealt with famous land,arks, but I knew little about the Altamaha when I started. I have many pctures that I will place on my web site, including a rol with Dan Taylors famous Viperfish and Nessa II. The overall response to "The Cryptids Trilogy" will finally be based on the completed work. Again, I have to thank Loren Coleman for lending his great name and reputation to what I have written. He is a great friend, and I will be eternally grateful for him. Also Lee Murphy, my brother-in-ink. Neither of us has a huge house to hold our hand and refine our work for us. Still, I beleive they hold up as some of the best work in the genre. Then again, I may be alittle biased. I appreciate your support as well. as I complete the 3rd and most difficult novel I have written so far. It was not a hard story, just a hard time to have written it in. Alot has transpired since "Shadow" came out, but if I apply myself to its promotion, relieved at finishing the story, I think it will be worthwhile. I hope you will continue the journey with me, and let me hear from you, as time permits.