Regular posters will be aware that I sometimes write stories for publication. One such tale, "Dead Man's Manuscript" from Sherlock Holmes, Consulting Detective vol 1 from Airship27/Cornerstone has apparently been nominated for Pulp Story of the Year, although I only found this out this week from a chance comment in an e-mail conversation with another author. Anyhow, today sees the release of Sherlock Holmes, Consulting Detective vol 2, which includes a couple of stories from me, "The Problem of the Western Mail", in which a fortune in cash vanishes from a locked, guarded safe in a moving train and "The Last Deposit", in which a girl's body turns up in a safe deposit crate in one of London's oldest and most secure banks. The next few weeks should also see the release of a novel by me, Robin Hood, King of Sherwood (or "Robin Hood, The King of Sherwood Forest" as the publishers seem to want to call it, on the grounds that Americans may not know that Sherwood is a forest, presumably). After that there'll be the anthology Gideon Cain, Demon Hunter in which I have a story. Also out recently and still in some shops is Assembled 2, a series of articles about the Avengers comic, with Assembled 3, yet more of the same, waiting in the wings for the Avengers movie I suspect; I've got some essays in both of them. In the next couple of months it looks like I may also be the subject (or a subject) of a BBC TV documentary on the fascinating topic of releasing social capital for community enterprise. This refers to some of the work I'm doing now delivering projects that "do good" using forgotten or underused public assets like derelict railway stations or disused libraries. I'm still waiting to be certain there's not a sting in the tail since I don't trust journalists (looks suspiciously at Boxleitner). Anyhow, I hope folks are having a pleasant new year so far. Right now I'm snowbound and catching up with desk work. HH Oh, and here's the publisher's press release: SHERLOCK HOLMES – CONSULTING DETECTIVE Vol. Two. THE GREAT DETECTIVE IS BOX-OFFICE GOLD! Following the overwhelming success of Sherlock Holmes-Consulting Detective Vol.One, Airship 27 Productions and Cornerstone Book Publishers are thrilled to offer mystery fans this brand new anthology of mystery adventures. Once again, Holmes and Watson challenge the criminal forces that threaten Victorian England at every turn. Arriving in the midst of the media phenomenon that is the new record breaking movie, “Sherlock Holmes”, starring Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law, this new collection is the perfect treasure for movie-goers eager to get their hands on more Holmes and Watson adventures. As this iconic character’s exploits again take hold of the public’s imagination, new and old fans alike will be pleased to find this volume of all new stories. A twisted scientist plots to alter the course of human evolution while another dreams of creating the world’s first mechanical thinking machine. A body is found in a secured bank vault and modern day pirates have begun harassing Her Majesty’s Royal Navy. Here are five new mysteries that will test the Great Detective’s uncanny talents of observation and the courage of his loyal companion. Writers Bernadette Johnson, Joshua Reynolds, I.A. Watson and Andrew Salmon have delivered another compilation of fast paced, old fashioned tales guaranteed to warm the blood of the most ardent Holmes enthusiast. Sit back, dim the lights, and prepare yourself for the chase. Once more, the game is afoot! This new volume features a stunning cover by artist Ingrid Hardy and black and white interior illustrations by the book’s designer, artist Rob Davis. Edited by Airship 27 Productions’ Managing Editor, Ron Fortier. Sherlock Holmes – Consulting Detective Vol.Two is another quality addition to the company’s list of action/adventure pulp titles. Airship 27Productions; Pulp Fiction for a New Generation! ISBN: 1-934935-64-6 ISBN 13: 978- 1-934935-64-4 Produced by Airship 27 Published by Cornerstone Book Publishers Release date: 01/08/2010 Retail Price: $21.95 Also available at – (http://www.gopulp.info/)

...I so rarely look in on the board at the moment I may miss it.