Happy Fourth of July

 I don't talk much about my political opinions in my books (I do to a narrow amount, but not much; I am opinionated on Instagram...@bertolinimike) because, in the end, I don't want my political views to determine how people see this company and the books I offer (@mpresents_publishing on Instagram) but I will say that, despite all that's happening in my country and around the world, I am proud to be an American. And despite all the differences that come between us, all of my fellows are my family and we shouldn't allow anything (or anyone) to get in the way of celebrating 250 years together.

This is a brief post but I want to conclude my little wish with words that I always think about and bring a year to my eye, words from one of the the greatest Presidents of the United States, Thomas Whitmore (edited for relevance)*:

"Good morning. We can't be consumed by our petty differences anymore. We will be united in our common interests. Perhaps it's fate that today is the Fourth of July... We are fighting for our right to live. To exist. And should we win the day, the Fourth of July will no longer be known as an American holiday, but as the day the world declared in one voice: 'We will not go quietly into the night!' We will not vanish without a fight! We're going to live on! We're going to survive! Today we celebrate our Independence Day!"

* Thomas Whitmore was the POTUS in the movie Independence Day and this speech is geared toward fighting against a common enemy, in this case alien invasion. Still, a great speech from a President greater than our actual President this current 4th of July.

Holiday Shopping

 Holiday shopping in the United States is underway as people begin searching for deals to purchase toys and games for their children (or themselves). Buying books is no different, but there is an important date to remember: December 6, 2025. According to the printer M Presents utilizes through our distributor Draft2Digital, paperback print orders MUST be made before December 6th to ensure they arrive by Christmas (delivered by December 24th). 

However, that date assumes there are no delays for any reason! Let's be honest, in the chaotic month of December, delays will happen. Packages might be sorted to the wrong location and rerouting can add days if not weeks, people get sick so production slows, and there is the ever-present risk of the printers running into technical problems. So order early; maybe put an order in before Thanksgiving. M Presents isn't offering any sales until the yearly after-Christmas ebook sale and any sales offered by retailers like Amazon and Barnes & Noble will be limited.

I understand the temptation to look for deals and it's fine to wait until the Black Friday-Cyber Monday sales happen but remember that the more you delay, the more you risk. Go to a physical store that weekend to shop and order online as-soon-as-possible.

**UPDATE 11/4/25**

DrivethruRPG, the distributor for games such as SCP:0, has reported that buying any book classified as a hardback (such as the printed format of the SCP:0 core book) MUST be ordered by November 22 so that your order arrives before Christmas (digital orders are still delivered immediately). So get your orders in! Link in the menu to the left.