Greetings fans, friends, foes, feminists, and farmers! (If that list doesn't include you, I will refund every penny of your subscription to this newsletter!)

Alas, many years have passed since my last newsletter. Perhaps I could blame the delay on my late FEMA check, but honestly would any of you care? Just kidding.

All is well here in Anchorage. Since my last posting, much has transpired. (And I'm not just talking about world events - which I'm tempted to write a short tirade on, but I'm afraid to lose any of your subscription dues - which by the way are due. Please deposit $.25 in the cup of the nearest homeless person's tin cup or into the nearest person's Starbucks latte...)

Seriously - since this is my newsletter, I should take this opportunity to provide some news and some kudos. First of all, thanks to all those who care enough to subscribe to this newsletter, and to those who keep me inspired to continue writing. Special thanks to a special mentor and friend (not to mention incredible educator) Joe Koon, who helped me land my professorship at UAA. (I owe you big time for that incredible letter of rec, Joe. You made one of the interviewers cry! Now that's a work of fiction!)

Other than my new job, I've been working on several projects. The bigfoot film will be available at your local Blockbuster Video on MAY 22. The title is yet to be determined, but I've heard rumors that it might be CLAWED. Yeah, go ahead and laugh or cry. I did. Both.

In other news. My Australian Project is set to release this spring sometime. Bookmark www.jackkain.com and wait for updates.

In even other news, my script SKID MARKS will be shooting in May in San Diego. It's a comedy - a very low brow, potty toilet humor piece of work. Check out www.skidsmarksthemovie.com

And finally, I've posted my novella Permafrost Heart on the website for your reading enjoyment. A short story from within the story has been published in this edition of Copper Nickel - you can order on line, if you wish. And, my friend Jodi Picoult's novel The Tenth Circle, a book that I kicked in my vast thimblefull of knowledge, is coming out in March. She gave me way too many props in the forward. I'm sure the book will be on the NYT Bestseller book as all her books have (and ultimately probably my only visit to said list!).

That's it from the mountains above Anchorage. I hope this newsletter finds you all safe, healthy, and happy.

Take care -

Don

ps - thanks again to all of you. (Joe, if this reaches you, Quyana!)