diff --git a/META.json b/META.json
index 3509018..a94e94f 100644
--- a/META.json
+++ b/META.json
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
       "unknown"
    ],
    "dynamic_config" : 1,
-   "generated_by" : "Module::Build version 0.4224",
+   "generated_by" : "Module::Build version 0.4234",
    "license" : [
       "gpl_1"
    ],
@@ -37,11 +37,11 @@
    "provides" : {
       "Stow" : {
          "file" : "lib/Stow.pm",
-         "version" : "v2.3.2"
+         "version" : "v2.4.0"
       },
       "Stow::Util" : {
          "file" : "lib/Stow/Util.pm",
-         "version" : "v2.3.2"
+         "version" : "v2.4.0"
       }
    },
    "release_status" : "stable",
@@ -55,6 +55,6 @@
          "url" : "git://git.savannah.gnu.org/stow.git"
       }
    },
-   "version" : "v2.3.2",
-   "x_serialization_backend" : "JSON::PP version 4.00"
+   "version" : "v2.4.0",
+   "x_serialization_backend" : "JSON::PP version 4.16"
 }
diff --git a/META.yml b/META.yml
index 9385103..f59b25b 100644
--- a/META.yml
+++ b/META.yml
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ build_requires:
 configure_requires:
   Module::Build: '0'
 dynamic_config: 1
-generated_by: 'Module::Build version 0.4224, CPAN::Meta::Converter version 2.150010'
+generated_by: 'Module::Build version 0.4234, CPAN::Meta::Converter version 2.150010'
 license: gpl
 meta-spec:
   url: http://module-build.sourceforge.net/META-spec-v1.4.html
@@ -18,10 +18,10 @@ name: Stow
 provides:
   Stow:
     file: lib/Stow.pm
-    version: v2.3.2
+    version: v2.4.0
   Stow::Util:
     file: lib/Stow/Util.pm
-    version: v2.3.2
+    version: v2.4.0
 requires:
   Carp: '0'
   IO::File: '0'
@@ -30,5 +30,5 @@ resources:
   homepage: https://savannah.gnu.org/projects/stow
   license: http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html
   repository: git://git.savannah.gnu.org/stow.git
-version: v2.3.2
+version: v2.4.0
 x_serialization_backend: 'CPAN::Meta::YAML version 0.018'
diff --git a/NEWS b/NEWS
index 6e27494..490cb6c 100644
--- a/NEWS
+++ b/NEWS
@@ -1,6 +1,13 @@
 News file for Stow.
 
-* Changes in version 2.3.2
+* Changes in version 2.4.0
+
+*** --dotfiles now works with directories
+
+    A long-standing bug preventing the --dotfiles option from working
+    correctly with directories has been fixed.
+
+    It should also works in combination with the --compat option.
 
 *** Eliminated a spurious warning on unstowing
 
@@ -11,6 +18,14 @@ News file for Stow.
 
     This was caused by erroneous logic, and has now been fixed.
 
+*** Unstowing logic has been improved in other cases
+
+    Several other improvements have been made internally to the
+    unstowing logic.  These changes should all be either invisible
+    (except for changes to debug output) or improvements, but if you
+    encounter any unexpected behaviour, please report it as directed
+    in the manual.
+
 *** Improved debug output
 
     Extra output resulting from use of the -v / --verbose flag
diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
index 27d3b3b..3e16434 100644
--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ dnl along with this program. If not, see https://www.gnu.org/licenses/.
 
 dnl Process this file with Autoconf to produce configure dnl
 
-AC_INIT([stow], [2.3.2], [bug-stow@gnu.org])
+AC_INIT([stow], [2.4.0], [bug-stow@gnu.org])
 AC_PREREQ([2.61])
 AC_CONFIG_AUX_DIR([automake])
 # Unfortunately we have to disable warnings for overrides, because we
diff --git a/doc/HOWTO-RELEASE b/doc/HOWTO-RELEASE
index e4a23af..fb72cec 100644
--- a/doc/HOWTO-RELEASE
+++ b/doc/HOWTO-RELEASE
@@ -21,11 +21,10 @@ Release procedure
 
     version=$( tools/get-version ) && echo $version
 
-- Ensure NEWS contains the latest changes, and that any new
-  contributors have been added to THANKS.  If necessary, commit
+- Ensure NEWS contains the latest changes.  If necessary, commit
   any additions:
 
-    git commit -m "Prepare NEWS and THANKS for $version release"
+    git commit -m "Prepare NEWS for $version release"
 
 - Check CPAN distribution will work via Module::Build: