Well, aside from a few comments by a best pal and reader who has been going through "Wake of the Lake Monster", "The Cryptids Trilogy" is done. I have made attempts to contact both publishers and agents, but I believe I am working backwards. Instead of being a somewhat talented but fairly unknown author (outside of my niche of cryptofiction) trying to get an agent to get a publisher, I am now going to go the route of self-publication in a head-to-head competition with some of the bigger names. I feel that my novels can stand up to both the scrutiny and the comparison. I have labored over them for 6 years, with the help of editor Billye McCarty. She is chomping at the bit to get her hands on my next project, which will make my first foray into a more mainstream, yet untapped area of thrillers. In fact, I would go so far as to say I am uniquely qualified to tell this story. All I'll say thus far is that it is love story of highly technical proportions, based on a growing segment of the population. It might sound a little bland, but you'll soon learn it is as topical as today's headlines. Stay tuned for more on that. Back to agents and publishers. I have had agents request everything from samples to full manuscripts. No one has said they don't like what I have to offer, but most admit they don't handle or know what to do with books about mythical, legendary monsters. They are nice enough about it, when they reply - and most do. One word of advice to both: Don't snub anyone whose eventual popularity and success might come back to haunt you. Nicholas Sparks, Tom Clancy and John Grisham all come to mind. I do not equate myself with authors of this magnitude - except that they started out just like me. I dropped my publisher because they took 3 days to complete the layout of my book, and 2/3 of the profit from sales thereafter. I did all the work to get it to them, with no staff or support system in place to handle writer's block or promotion work. Instead, I have laid out a plan for myself and my books - even though there are companies that I know would take the books today, if I allowed it. In fact, I went so far as to request reviews of well-known authors I had corresponded with in the past. When I revealed that I was a POD (Print on Demand) author, the lines of communication went cold. POD is a technology, though the notion of so much being put out before it is ready or properly prepared has created a massive stigma. Still, these same individuals have gone out of their way to help others, so why not me? One of the pair of authors of whom I speak went so far as to tell me why he would not offer a review: "Your book may compete with my novel, ******" What a backhanded compliment! I was not insulted. On the contrary, I had gleaned favorable comments from the other author, though this one was always a bit put off by my status as an unknown. I own all the books by both authors, and consider them good. I want to do the same, and will promise you this. To the degree that I succeed or fail, I will mark the path on steps to take or avoid, to aid my brothers in ink. I am by no means competition to authors of this magnitude, but one reader knows another, who knows another. My 2nd novel became a bestseller on Amazon without my promoting it. With all that I have learned from some of the great POD authors, my plan can't help but make the most of this opportunity. When I have brought my books to the attention of agents and publishers, then they will be interested in carrying them as mass market paperbacks. Until then, I am what I am. To that end, I will endeavor to release all three volumes of "The Cryptids Trilogy" between now and Christmas. It may take time on the part of the publisher, but that is fine with me. The important thing is that the books are done (with a few final tweaks at the suggestion of the reader-friend I mentioned earlier), and the revised cover art - specially for "Wake", is stunning. I have in place a 4 tier plan, based on various levels of promotion and sales goals. These books are clean. "Shadow" has been expanded by 40 pages, and yet reduced in size by nearly a 100 pages. "Track" required very slight editing - you don't mess with a 5 star book. "Wake" is a Juggernaut of a book, with roots in the Civil War and World War II. It took 4 years to write, as I regained my footing in a career interrupted by two attempts to begin a business of my own. The only issue was that I did all the work, and was expected to split the profits. Not anymore. As I read the milestones set in my plan, the way will be made for me to advance toward my dream of working as an author for the rest of my life. Let's be honest, not that many survive solely on writing - but I want to come as close to it as I can. I will also pull out and dust off music I have written over the past 30 years, and release CDs and downloadable music. That was my first love and my first career. A 125 word song is so much easier to write than a 125,000 word book! I do not regret anything up to this point, with regard to my writing. Except, that I allowed other things to delays the release of "Wake of the Lake Monster". I have chosen my niche with cryptofiction, for its ability to draw in so many other elements of mainstream thrillers. It doesn't mean that I won't depart from it, from time to time, but I have other tales to tell, as well. I hope, in the days, weeks, months and years ahead, you will come to discover what I committed to this day, in my hopes to find and keep you as a reader, from this day to that. If and when you do find me, or another like me, show your support for your local POD author. Just don't let them ever pay a dime to anyone for the honor of appearing in print. Better to pay others to keep the rights than to allow anyone else to charge you for keeping the bulk of the profits. I know I won't go that route. Aside from my beloved editor, I can do it all - and I will. It is my intention to become the king of cryptofiction - to tell a better story while staying true to the science. I know I can do it, with your help. I have learned too much to go back now, and wouldn't it I could. If you like my books, tell others about them. I will make myself and their availability known very, very soon, and then we shall see where they lead. I am so grateful for your continued support, and my lake monster will soon rise from the depths to announce that I have come back from the abyss! ~ D.L. By the way - In spite of 1500+ links to D.L.Tanner, it is my intention to return to use my given name of Dallas Tanner. I own that domain now, as well, and my friends all know me by Dallas, any way. Even when I hosted the radio shows. What do you think? We shall soon see about that, as well...