Wow, has it really been 3 1/2 months since my last post? Well, if the date of my last entry is any indication. To be honest, I have been heads down and busy with so many projects that I haven't made the time. My apologies, to those of you who keep up with my doings through this online journal. I will try to be a tad more regular, in the future. Now, with that out of the way, what I have been up to, since I last wrote to you? On February 8th, Trilogus Books had just released my trilogy of cryptofiction novels. They have done well enough, but I confess my efforts were in all areas but promotion. I also completed a labor of love which lasted 8 months - a 2 volume set of all 14 of the "Wizard of Oz" books by L. Frank Baum. At the last, I added the rare transitional Little Wizards of Oz tales - 6 short stories which marked the return of Baum to writing about the 'closed' land of Oz. After that, I created a forum and radio station at http://www.paranomaly.com/. I actually recorded two shows from the live broadcast, before taking a brief hiatus. Since then, I have also begun building up my own publishing company, including soliciting manuscripts from other authors. The results may be found at http://www.trilogus.com/. I am currently working on my first non-Dallas Tanner book, "The Dark Side if the Dream", by Tuklo Nashoba. His style is wild and woolly, with lots of paranormal events and encounters occurring in a rustic setting. I have approached three other authors, who are working furiously to complete their own manuscripts for consideration. I also added a service which delivers targeted hits to my web site, and it appears to be having some limited success. This month, I have broken the 75,000 ranking barrier for both "Track of the Bigfoot" and "Wake of the Lake Monster". "Shadow of the Thunderbird" seems to have yet to draw any more sales, since it sold incredibly well during its first run, and is still available in an earlier edition. I would highly recommend the Trilogus Books edition, as it is revised and expanded by 40 pages. I also contacted over 100 of my closest book and CZ-related friends, hearing back from many who bought my first two books, to let them know about the release of "Wake". I have taken advantage of several Amazon programs for author and books, including "Search Inside" and "Amazon Connect", which allows me to post messages to the detail pages of my books on Amazon. I simply have not had time to properly promote them yet, but I have contacted a few well-known authors and reviewers. Hopefully, one or two will have a kind word for "The Cryptids Trilogy" that I could use in their behalf. I am also working with my first documentary, a compelling DVD about the socio-economic impact of an aging population unreplaced by an adequate number of children. It has such wide-reaching implications, and has been a lightning rod of divided opinions. My prospective backers feel they have connections which might help with its promotion. As with all things, we shall see if it comes to pass. Speaking of which, I have spent far more time in contacting literary agents. Several got back in touch and said they were impressed with the premise, but didn't feel that they were the right ones to handle the kind of thriller I wrote. One or two even offered advice in finding the right agent. None said I had submitted an unacceptable query. I heard from one agent/agency, who requested the first three chapters of my latest novel, "Wake of the Lake Monster". I am so proud of that book, which has prompted incredible reviews and responses (mostly off the record), of reviewers and fellow authors. One NYT bestselling author writes back a page when I send them a line. Another replies with a line when I send them a page. It takes all kinds, and it really depends on how busy they are when you reach them. The important thing is that most will take the time to write back, when they can. I am not yet a big name, but every indication is that the books can stand alongside the biggest and the best the genre has to offer. These are not my words, and I really believe it is a matter of time before I am accepted by a major publisher and begin the next phase of my writing career. I have several new projects in the works already, and look forward to reporting on those, as they develop. As always, thank you so much for all the years of support and friendship. It means so much to me that you have taken the time to read my books, and keep in touch with me, by whatever means, to let me know that I have never been in this alone. With any luck, I hope to have good news for you the next time I will definitely post to my blog, regarding the agent situation. I am a firm believer in the 80/20 rule: 1 in 5 will not like what you do, no matter what, and 1 in 5 will not like what you do, no matter what. It's really the three in the middle. that 60% who could go either way, that I want to reach with my writings and publishing efforts. If you enjoy what I do, let others know. It takes only 3 sales on Amazon in a given day to break the 100,000 mark, and that has been my goal from the beginning. Steady sales reach the attention of trolling publishers and agents interested in discovering the Next Big Thing. In my opinion, that would be fellow novelist Jeremy Robinson. The author of three thrillers, "The Didymus Conspiracy", "Raise the Past" and "Antarktos Rising", he has gone from self-published wunderkind to a three book deal with St. Martin's Press. Not bad. Not bad at all. My goal is to replace him on Megaliths Thriller reviews site, as the most underrated author of 2008. Wish me luck, and check back in to see how I'm doing. ~ D.L.