diff --git a/library/StaticHtmlOutput.php b/library/StaticHtmlOutput.php
index 0af7a61f..308df32c 100644
--- a/library/StaticHtmlOutput.php
+++ b/library/StaticHtmlOutput.php
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
  */
 
 class StaticHtmlOutput {
-	const VERSION = '1.8';
+	const VERSION = '1.9';
 	const OPTIONS_KEY = 'wp-static-html-output-options';
 	const HOOK = 'wp-static-html-output';
 	
diff --git a/publish_release.sh b/publish_release.sh
index 2cbb4a8d..afe122de 100755
--- a/publish_release.sh
+++ b/publish_release.sh
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ rm $SVN_ROOT/trunk/Gemfile*
 rm $SVN_ROOT/trunk/readme.md
 rm -r $SVN_ROOT/trunk/wpassets
 rm -r $SVN_ROOT/trunk/php53tests
+rm -r $SVN_ROOT/trunk/php5testvm
 
 # image assets (for WP official pages) need to go into /assets, not /trunk
 cp -r $PROJECT_ROOT/wpassets/* $SVN_ROOT/assets/
diff --git a/readme.txt b/readme.txt
index eea08544..9383f2a6 100644
--- a/readme.txt
+++ b/readme.txt
@@ -85,6 +85,12 @@ See the readme. In brief: you can't use dynamic WordPress functions such as comm
 
 == Changelog ==
 
+= 1.9 =
+
+ * Bugfix: Plugin now works on PHP 5.3
+
+Though this is no longer an officially supported PHP version, many of this plugin's users are running PHP 5.3 or earlier. This fix should once again allow them to use the plugin, which has not been possible for them since about version 1.2. If you are one of these affected users, please now upgrade and enjoy all the new useful features!
+
 = 1.8 =
 
  * Bugfix: improved URL rewriting
@@ -203,6 +209,14 @@ Initial release to Wordpress community
 
 == Upgrade Notice ==
 
+= 1.9 =
+
+Critical update for many users~!
+
+ * Bugfix: Plugin now works on PHP 5.3
+
+Though this is no longer an officially supported PHP version, many of this plugin's users are running PHP 5.3 or earlier. This fix should once again allow them to use the plugin, which has not been possible for them since about version 1.2. If you are one of these affected users, please now upgrade and enjoy all the new useful features!
+
 = 1.8 =
 
  * Bugfix: improved URL rewriting
diff --git a/wp-static-html-output.php b/wp-static-html-output.php
index fec15ebd..46760399 100644
--- a/wp-static-html-output.php
+++ b/wp-static-html-output.php
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 Plugin Name: WP Static HTML Output
 Plugin URI:  https://leonstafford.github.io
 Description: Benefit from WordPress as a CMS but with the speed, performance and portability of a static site
-Version:     1.8
+Version:     1.9
 Author:      Leon Stafford
 Author URI:  https://leonstafford.github.io
 Text Domain: static-html-output-plugin