After 5 years, nearly to the day that I completed the first edition of "Shadow of the Thunderbird", the third and final has been finished. Now, all that remains is for me to place a very few additional points to round out the depiction of the site of the novel's climactic finale. I will then print out a copy, as has been my custom, and scan it for any obvious flaws. I feel that a terrible weight has been lifted off my shoulders, now that the effort is finally drawing to a close. When I first wrote the book, I knew little if nothing about the process of publication. I have received alot of help and encouragement along the way. Few people realize how arduous an endeavor it is to work long, hard hours in the creation of a work of fiction, let alone a trilogy. "The Cryptids Trilogy" began with the publication of "Shadow of the Thnderbird" in 2002. It continued with "Track of the Bigfoot" in 2003, but the third volume, "Wake of the Lake Monster", would not happen for another four years. Once I submit SOTT to Book Locker, I will make the suggested edits to my third novel. It is complete and a very suitable ending to the arc of Ian McQuade's quest to prove the existence of mythical and legendary animals. In many ways, his trials, triumphs and tribulations have mirrored my own. He is in fact my alter ego, in every sense of the word. I travelled the world for seven years, as part of a major computer and software company. I learned for the first time how to handle different currency, languages and cultural differences. I was adept at my technical field, but struggled with getting there. Hence the foibles and travails of anthropologist turned cryptozoologist Ian McQuade. He had Alma Del Nephites to help him in his first adventure. She was absent in the second, and returns inthe third as a victim in need of all he has become while she was away. No one is perfect, stereotypical or cliché in my stories. They are based on people I know all too well, or wish I knew better. I am grateful to the emails and phone calls I have received, allowing me to work towards bringing more tales of cryptofiction to you. I have missed being inthe limelight, as I once was. Not for the sake of fifteen minutes of fame, but because of the extended family which grew out of my involvement with both cryptofiction and cryptozoology. As I have reviewed my posts over the past eighteen months, I have seen patterns of hopeful effort that may or may not have come to fruition. I put aside writing for the sake of a business opportunity, then put away that same opportunity for the sake of returning to my writing. I can only do justice to one or the other, but not both at the same time. Right now, I feel a huge catharsis, and a swelling of pride and satisfaction at my accomplishement. I want to get on to my new projects, as soon as I can complete my long overdue ones. "Wake of the Lake Monster" will be a fitting conclusion to the long-awaiting completion of "The Cryptids Trilogy". I am proud of these novels, and gratified at your response to them. Experts in the field, learned scholars and college studenst have read the books by the thousands, and I can only hope that my interwoven message of in-depth research and empirical science finds a home with its readers. If so, I have done my homework. If not, then at least I have written an entertaining tale, and that you have enjoyed the journey with me. I am sorry that I was away so long, but it really couldn't be helped. Ian could not reach his goals until I did, and I had a finished story to tell. I do now, and this summer will bring that final title to your favorite bookstore. Thank you for your patience, support and understanding. I will do my best not to let you down. You can count on it! ~ D.L.