Dearborn/Detroit! My Michigan Notable Book 2026 tour of public libraries begins next Tuesday. Register free HERE: dearbornlibrary.org/calendar/#/e... Joining me in convo will be Matthew Smith (Volebeats, Rodriguez, Outrageous Cherry). @illinoispress.bsky.social #booksky📚 #bookevents #musicbooks

Back when it was a bunch of clumsy punk rockers feeling their way around roots music, John was there, for so many projects, to add perspective, support, guidance, class, and virtuosity-while maintaining a smirk that said, "What are these knuckleheads doing...?" An under-known gift to the city.

Dearborn/Detroit! My Michigan Notable Book 2026 tour of public libraries begins next Tuesday. Register free HERE: dearbornlibrary.org/calendar/#/e... Joining me in convo will be Matthew Smith (Volebeats, Rodriguez, Outrageous Cherry). @illinoispress.bsky.social #booksky📚 #bookevents #musicbooks

Couldn't happen to a better dude. Go Joel!

Attn: crate-diving nerds! Finished this short book by @craigmaki.bsky.social. Reads like a mystery novel, but instead of bodies, he's digging up obscure records from the Detroit area. A look into the world of record-seeking, & a peek into the crazy amount of music history that is all around us.

🚨 Attn: Detroit 🚨 The Gories at the Paris Bar 7/31 and 8/1

Pic sent to me today: I've been told that cocka-poodles are smart, but this N. Carolina pooch proves it. Also been told that Chapel Hill/Carrboro/Pittsboro area bookshops may rub a little Allen & Son BBQ on the covers, which might explain the dog's fondness for the book. #booksky📚 #dogsofbluesky

Had a grand time in NC for DexFest. The talk w/ @dmenconi.bsky.social flew by. Thanks to Dex's sister Monica (even tho she had me in tears during the event), Flyleaf Books, Read Band Books, & everyone at the Fest. Community at its Finest. @illinoispress.bsky.social #dexromweber #dexfest

In Chapel Hill for #dexfest but had to stop by Allen & Son BBQ in Pittsboro. Priorities. I gave a shout out to it in my book, but it's been 20+ yrs since I've been. The vinegar-y pig meat, slaw, mac & cheese, hush pupplies & heavenly banana pudding did not disappoint. #ncbbq

Digging some of the graffiti on the door to Chapel Hill's #readbandbooks #rageagainstthemachine

Tune in tmrw for Miller's Cave. 4pm Eastern. Replay Sunday at 9pm www.radioharborcountry.org I've got some Willie, Staple Singers, #tomwaits #sleepylabeef #irisdement #ikeandtina & some band called the #rollingstones queued up. It'll be hoot. Join me, won't you? #rootsradio #rockabillyradio

I’m guessing BN is having another sale to go up against Amzn Prime day (lol no one asked me to do either this time). I don’t begrudge any author promoting their book there. But I will offer that you could also pre-order their book at local bookstore & support small biz.

Ha ha whoa my first book came out 8 years ago and most of the bookstores it debuted in no longer exist, so that’s fun! Support indie authors AND bookstores. We’re all each other has.

Anti-Prime Day starts…NOW! 🥳 Today through 6/26, enjoy free standard shipping site-wide, all while supporting local, independent bookstores.

Michiganders! Bummed you missed my #thirdmanrecords event last weekend? Fret not! I'll be puttering around the state the whole month of July. Come on out! All events are FREE! @detroitbookfest.bsky.social @craigmaki.bsky.social #matthewsmith #volebeats @illinoispress.bsky.social #maggieandersen

While many have let me know my book (link in bio) turned them on to new bands, new music, even new restaurants, I did not expect my brief anecdote about this lost treasure of TV history to resonate. It fills me with...pride? I'm happy to...help? #gilligansisland #harlemglobetrotters

That Third Man Records space in Detroit is cool. Felt the vibes with Meg White & the Gories looming over myself & @amygore.bsky.social during my book event last weekend. Thanks to all who came. Many more MI-related events in July. Check website for more info @illinoispress.bsky.social #booksky📚

Authors Maggie Andersen and @millerscave.bsky.social discuss their new books and life's work to make essential space for story, music, and art at This is a bookstore & Bookbug on Thursday, July 16 at 6:30pm EDT. live-bookbug1722461349.pantheonsite.io/event/2026-0...

Nope, still not getting tired of folks sending pics of my book (link in bio) out in the wild. This from Scuppernong Books in Greensboro NC. It's ESPECIALLY nice cuz I'm shelved right near @dmenconi.bsky.social who I'll be with in a couple of weeks for DEXFEST. @illinoispress.bsky.social #booksky

Bricks from the original Stax Records building in Memphis. 1 of THE greatest labels in music history. For years, my computer was on top of them at my desk in the Bloodshot office. 1 is "authenticated"---the other I just picked up from a pile of rubble on my 1st visit to the city in 1988. #stax

Climb into Miller's Cave w/me tmrw at 4pm Eastern. Streaming: www.radioharborcountry.org I've got some Ike & Tina, #dwightyoakam, #pogues, #eddiecochran, #sarahshook, #chambersbrothers & more queued up. The Cure for the Common Radio. #radioharborcountry #rockabillyradio #rootsradio

Just confirmed! Thrilled that I'll be appearing this Saturday on Detroit's @wdet.bsky.social at 1pm Eastern w/local radio legend Ann Delisi prior to my book event at @thirdmanrecords.bsky.social w/ @amygore.bsky.social @ 3pm. www.instagram.com/p/DZLPj9CDzpi/ @illinoispress.bsky.social #booksky📚

Reminder of this event at @thirdmanrecords.bsky.social in Detroit with @amygore.bsky.social And a reminder of the remaining days of the 50% sale from the publisher @illinoispress.bsky.social #booksky📚 #bookevents #detroitmusichistory

Authors Maggie Andersen and @millerscave.bsky.social discuss their new books and life's work to make essential space for story, music, and art at This is a bookstore & Bookbug on Thursday, July 16 at 6:30pm EDT. live-bookbug1722461349.pantheonsite.io/event/2026-0...

Just confirmed! Thrilled that I'll be appearing this Saturday on Detroit's @wdet.bsky.social at 1pm Eastern w/local radio legend Ann Delisi prior to my book event at @thirdmanrecords.bsky.social w/ @amygore.bsky.social @ 3pm. www.instagram.com/p/DZLPj9CDzpi/ @illinoispress.bsky.social #booksky📚

I like playing my vinyl because it encourages musical mindfulness. The act of having to get up, examine the record, flip it, and/or change it for the next one forces me to be more present with the music. Streaming is convenient but you lose that feel.

Seeing that Minor Threat released their debut EP this month in 1981 (oof, my lumbago is acting up.) Here's a dandy little flyer from a show in Detroit I was lucky enough to be at. #punkflyers #minorthreat #negativeapproach #meatmen #detroitmusichistory #hardcore flyers.

Re-upping for folks. I am thrilled to be doing this, going back to the hometown, having a good time being grilled by @amygore.bsky.social of the Gore Gore Girls about, well, whatever she asks me. I'm told there will be refreshments. And it's a really cool space. Join us! #detroitmusichistory

How do you compete with a tech giant like Amazon? By rallying a community. Bookshop.org CEO and Founder Andy Hunter chatted with Forbes about our David vs. Goliath story and mission to help independent bookstores thrive.

Music fans! Thirsting for a book that @rollingstone.com called 1 of the Best Music Books of 2025, but you are also thrifty? Fret not! @illinoispress.bsky.social has got you covered. For 2 weeks, get "The Hours Are Long But The Pay Is Low" for 50% off! www.press.uillinois.edu/books/?id=p0...

It both supremely gratifying to get pics of people enjoying my new book, this from the Carolina coast, and fist-shakingly annoying that I am not ALSO there. So, if you are going somewhere grand, for a small fee, I will come and READ it to you. Deal? @illinoispress.bsky.social #booksky📚 #beach

Excited to announce an upcoming book event @thirdmanrecords.bsky.social back in my hometown. Joining as me as steely interlocutor will be the fab @amygore.bsky.social of the Gore Gore Girls. Lotsa Detroit history in this book that we will (stage)dive into. #booksky📚 @illinoispress.bsky.social

I have read this very passage at several of my recent book events. It speaks to the intangible joys of getting out there and supporting your neighborhood stores, a joy that cannot be delivered via "prime." It might a be buck or two more, but visit that local bookshop, record shop, whatever.

If words were just words, then books would not be banned.

44yr anniversary (almost) of this show in #Detroit. (I think I felt a rib break typing that). Kind of the beginning of the end of my love affair w/the hardcore scene. #dischordrecords #governmentissue #dchardcore #necros #freezertheater #detroitmusichistory #booksky📚

Re-read over the weekend. 1st time around, I didn't get it. I was bored and confused. After reading ABOUT it, the set-up, the conceit, I tried again and couldn't put it down. The humor, the darkness, the heaviness came at me in full. Very glad I gave it another shot. #booksky📚 #georgesaunders

My bachelor’s degree in a nutshell. 😆

Well, this is awesome. And, seeing as how an essay of mine is in this collection, by the transitive property, I too am in the Obama Library. @illinoispress.bsky.social @beltpublishing.bsky.social

When I was DJing country music at the storied punk rock bar Crash Palace/Delilah's, 1 AM would roll around and I would start what I called "The Unhappy Hour." This playlist is listed as Appendix C in my book "The Hours Are Long But The Pay Is Low." Enjoy it with someone you love. Or hate.

Excited to announce an upcoming book event @thirdmanrecords.bsky.social back in my hometown. Joining as me as steely interlocutor will be the fab @amygore.bsky.social of the Gore Gore Girls. Lotsa Detroit history in this book that we will (stage)dive into. #booksky📚 @illinoispress.bsky.social

Re-running tonight at 9pm Eastern. www.radioharborcountry.org

Join me today on Miller's Cave. 4pm Eastern. Streaming www.radioharborcountry.org I'll be spinning #linkwray #dollyparton @thecramps.bsky.social #handsomefamily #waynehancock & more. The Cure for the Common Radio #rockabillyradio #rootsradio Playlist posted here www.robmillerwriting.com/radio-show

Not in words list? Et tu, Spellsbee?

THRILLED to announce a book event in Chapel Hill NC 6/27 at @flyleafbooks.bsky.social 2pm as part of DEXFEST-the celebration of #dexromweber. I'll be in conversation w/the fab author @dmenconi.bsky.social If you've read my new book (link in bio) or know me, u know what Dex meant to me #booksky

Well worth your time. Both the interview AND the book. #justintownesearle @jonbern.bsky.social #booksky📚 #musicwriting #musicbooks #alternativecountry

Finished over the weekend. A wild (& yes, somewhat nerdy) trip thru the #history of science. Among 100s of fascinating bits: the idea of "race", the term "Caucasian", the effort to bring plant samples over the seas & the folly of cataloging EVERY LIVING THING. Big 👍 ! #booksky #jasonroberts

This pop culture nerd podcast dropped a couple weeks ago. 1st half was about my book (link in bio), & 2nd 1/2 was a blast. We had a theme, made a playlist, & I raved about @thecramps.bsky.social , #gunclub #flatduojets #haziladkins & more. Listen: thirdsonginpodcast.com #musicpodcasts #booksky📚

Was surprised and honored to be a finalist for the Richard Frisbie Award for Adult Nonfiction prize this year "The Hours Are Long But The Pay Is Low" (link in bio) by the Society of Midland Authors. I bet not many of the other finalists had as much potty language as this! @illinoispress.bsky.social

Damn my lack of teleportation skills.