Summing up 2009: The beginning of the year found the Defending The Future (DTF) series --originally a trilogy-- now under the flag of Dark Quest Book. So far it has been a most agreeable arrangement, with many new, and continuing, projects planned. Sales for both books are doing well (great by small press standards), with "Breach The Hull (BTH)" now out-selling "So It Begins (SIB)"; we continue to add awards and accolades for the series, with several of the stories in SIB now aiming for the Nebula awards.

By mid-2009: Life started to get in the way of the projects, my family literally faced death (a friend and our cat Merry), plague (H1N1) and late in 2009, destruction (the car was rear-ended by a drunk driver, and written off by the insurance), with the later event only now being dealt with, and as always, money being in short supply (I need a decent Day-job). So work on DTF III "By Other Means (BOM)", and the Alliance Archives MRPG are both only in the concept phase.

Additionally, all updates, interviews and review over at MilSciFi.com, have been on hold. With luck we'll get back up to speed on that as well. To anyone waiting for a interview/review, our deepest apologies.

Now at the end of 2009: We are looking forward to a new convention year, with the addition of Arisia and ConnectiCon to our regulars; Danielle Ackley-McPhail will have several new titles out, and I'll have the launch of BOM at Philcon.

So for those of you who enjoy the DTF series and are look forward to more, the timetable for the BOM project has story submission starting in February, with the cover art due in March, and its completion by September-October for the November launch party.

And lastly for 2009: For the one person who bought the books and officially declared on Amazon.com, "…that the books were so bad, they need to be burnt…" Please remember what history declared about the last group of people that endorsed "…the burning of books." The DTF series helps veterans and supports the USO "Until they all come home again. (tm)", so be mindful of what you wish for.

With God willing, and the love of my wife and family, along with the help of our friends and fans, 2010 will be our best year yet! Thank you all!

Mike McPhail

2009 Additional: The Amazon.com incident has changed, now the reviewer hates only BTH, and has given SIB a glowing review. As history has shown, ".. as both sides left their trenches and walked across no-mans-land to exchange Christmas greetings." Have a safe and happy holidays to all.