Hello loyal readers,

You may have noticed some changes around here lately.

First, I've started bragging about myself. Or, more accurately, posting the nice things other people have to say about my work.

Second, I've cleaned up the front page. GPU and the Apocalypse Times are on permanent hiatus. GPU was just too derivative of other, better stories out there, and was more about the setting than the characters. And since Piers Xanthony I'm not, that wasn't working for me.

And I really didn't know where I wanted Apocalypse Times to go.

Dear Readers,

I wanted to write this note because I feel I owe you an explanation for the sudden and prolonged absence of chapters.

First, I wish to make it clear that I have no intention of ending things as they are. I am not done telling the stories in AEOL or in GPU. I also do have another Dash and Regina story left in me.

But things have been tough for me in my personal life. I have had to face some challenges in the last month that are causing me to make some difficult decisions. As a result, the story has taken a backseat.

Sorry for the long absence.

I was taking my comprehensive exams these last few weeks - it's the last step in a Ph.D. program before writing the dissertation. So it's been a bit of a stressful and busy time.

But Chapter 10 of GPU is up and I will be posting the next chapter of AEOL on Wednesday.

My next hard deadline isn't until January, so it should be smooth sailing from here on out.

I might even try to make up some chapters that I missed. So stay tuned! And thanks for sticking with me.

So sorry.

Been helping a new roommate move in and getting ready for school to start.

New chapters tonight.

If you pay attention to the front page, you'll notice a new entry under AEOL called GPU. It's the story of a graduate student starting his career at a new University. But it's different from traditional stories in two ways:

1. It's set at the graduate level, not the undergrad.

2. It's set in an alternate present, in which the future envisioned in the 50s and 60s has come true.

Check out the first five chapters, with additional updates every Monday.

http://allantmichaels.digitalnovelists.com/GPU-Chapter%201

I'm four chapters into a new project. It's a lot of fun and I think y'all will enjoy it. I am building a buffer and I want to have a couple chapters to put up initially, so you'll have a chance to get the flavor of it.

It's an original take on a popular genre. More details coming soon to a website near you!

For those of you have enjoyed the tales of Dash and Regina, I just wanted to point you in the direction of Kyt Dotson's Mill Avenue Vexations (http://www.millvexations.com/).

Kyt's writing is excellent and engaging. I read through all 12 of the current volumes in a couple days, then e-mailed him to demand more.

Also, he's a really classy guy in person. I had the distinct privilege of meeting him a couple weeks ago when I found myself in his neck of the country.

So go. Read. Enjoy!

Hey everyone,

I've just added the site to StumbleUpon. So if you've got an account, if you could give me a thumbs-up, I'd appreciate it.

Hello readers!

I've started a poll about whether or not I should get a Twitter account and tweet when chapters go up.

Vote here - http://allantmichaels.digitalnovelists.com/node/201

I got the writing bug and decided to put out Lesson 3 in Confessions of a Supervillain.

Hope you all enjoy!

And apologies to anyone who's a fan of a particular news network.