I'm doing something a little out of the box for me this summer as I'll be part of the @hauntthereaders event in Pennsylvania. There are so many amazing authors taking part. Consider me intimidated and excited.

I got an email this morning that was basically a confirmation that someone had gotten something I sent them. The email said “Thanks, Mike” then had an email signature. The uninvited, unwanted AI summary said “Gratitude has been conveyed”. Well, that was worth several gallons of water.

@edzitron.com using a Mr. Plinkett "Oh My Gaaaawd" in today's Better Offline about the financials of AI companies was delightful in about 5 different ways. @redlettermedia.com

Not to be a downer, but I got to my day job today and heard from a coworker that they had hit a cat with their car. They had taken the still living cat and thrown it in the dumpster. Me and another coworker went to find it. It was a lovely cat, black and tan colored, but it's leg was mangled.

Contributing to #childhoodcinema This is the StarShip 9. Admission was around $2. I went there after prom at Rock N Roll Runza. I saw Pulp Fiction there 7 times. First kisses and first exposures to art and Saturday afternoons spent jumping theaters. Got in a fight outside there once. Just the best.

For my day job I just had a conversation with a woman at the Colorado DMV. At some point she asked "how's the weather" as you do. I told her it's been a very hot and dry winter in my state. She said "me too" and then, unprompted, said "this isn't good. Our whole state is going to be on fire soon."

I was in a meeting today that got delightfully derailed by this little goblin.

Jessica is an amazing writer and I encourage you to read this piece, particularly as the new year looks more and more ominous.

Like Fantasticland, @mikebockoven.bsky.social's Come Knocking is a tour de force of epistolatory horror. It's got so much to say about performance and violence and how simulation becomes reality. I was reminded of @vortexegg.com's recent posts about play and fascism. Really great stuff.

Two things about this video that was sent to me about my novel Fantasticland. 1) The synopsis is spot on. 2) I swear I've heard the music while shopping at Hobby Lobby. youtu.be/1orXDYG7AjE?...

If I could add up all the time I've spent listening to a robot tell me "when you're finished with your call, just hang up", I bet the number would be incredibly depressing.

I heard there was a Cohen song, And all the Christians got it wrong, But you don’t really get the meaning do ya? ‘Cause you see its about getting laid, It’s sex, and love, and Jewish faith, But all the gentiles heard was “hallelujah!”

The great @samintheflx created this collage based on Fantasticland. I cannot tell you how much I love it when my books inspire other artists.

I just heard a very specific song from the late 90's that didn't make the top 40 at all in the grocery store. It took me back to a very specific place and time and persons and actions. It's the sort of thing that, if I didn't have a million things to do, might knock me out for the day.

I am using the spooky holiday as a shameless reminder that my 4th novel, "Come Knocking" has an audiobook available now. I've included one of my favorite (out of context) passages. Ryan Haugen and Jennifer Pickens did a great job with the novel.

I have curated my digital life to the point where I get notifications about Godzilla’s birthday. I am very pleased with this.

My novel “FantasticLand” was named one of the most popular horror novels of the last decade on Goodreads, which puts me in some absolutely amazing company. If you’ve given the book a read I appreciate it more than you know. www.goodreads.com/blog/show/30...

The plot of Stephen King's "Thinner" except instead of uncontrolled weight loss the curse is just a big, dumb clumsy doofus who gets bigger and dumber and clumsier as he gets older until he finally dies of stubbing his toe too many times or something.

I was fortunate enough to catch @tmbg.bsky.social in the opening show of "The Big Tour" last night and extremely fortunate to take my wife kids, who are getting harder to get together in one place as we all get older and busier. It was my favorite weirdo band with my favorite band of weirdos.

Well, that’s a hell of a thing. If there are any teachers out there who have questions or might want me to talk to their class about FantasticLand, shoot me a DM.

For those of you who have been curious, the audio of “Come Knocking” is currently in production and is due to be out before Halloween his year. I will update when I know more, but it’s coming and I can’t wait.

Today is the final day for the Ghostland board game kickstarter from my fellow horror head Duncan Ralston. I have a short story as part of an anthology that comes with the board game which is only available here. If you’re a board game person, give it a look. www.kickstarter.com/projects/gho...

One time in high school a girl lightly implied that she thought of me when she listened to the song "Damn, I Wish I Was Your Lover" by Sophie B. Hawkins and, seriously, it's one of those things I think about when my mental health is really bad.

I absolutely hate to do this but my latest, "Come Knocking" is stalling out in terms of reviews. If you read it and have thoughts (seriously, positive or negative!) can these weiner dogs lightly encourage you to leave a review? Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Good Reads, wherever. I appreciate it.

So proud that my hometown B&N is carrying my latest.

On Tuesday I had to put my old dog down. It was a rough day. I posted a photo on IG, like you do. Yesterday, I started getting targeted ads for memorials, key chains, portraits and other shit all to "honor your pet". What a goddamn ugly dystopian hellscape we live in. Jesus Christ.

I took the recycling out after a particularly nasty storm yesterday evening. The night was full of fireflies. Hundreds of them. There was another storm rolling in. They lit up anyway. For a short time before the storm rolled in and killed them. It was beautiful.

I want to extend my intense gratitude to everyone who made the launch day of my 4th novel, "Come Knocking" an amazing one. From my friends at Rooted Books & Gifts to everyone on Bookstagram (and Bluesky) to shared their excitement to everyone who bought the book, I am so grateful for you.

I know my new book drops tomorrow (more on that soon) but I HAD to share this. My new friend Courtney Farrington just shared this tattoo of the Warhogs from FantasticLand, my first novel. This is beyond cool. Thanks for sharing, Courtney. Our mutual friends owe you a postcard :)

I had a great talk with Kyler from Salt Lake Dirt about my new novel, living in the middle of the country and the horror books that messed us up. I appreciate the chance to be on this show. saltlakedirt.com/tv-%26-film/...

May I share a positive review, please? I cannot take a compliment well so I will just say that’s exactly what I was going for and the review is incredible. Thank you Anna Rose! You can order Come Knocking here: www.skyhorsepublishing.com/978151078344...

My kid is funny.

Come on, man...

I wish they had included my upcoming summer release "Beer In My Butt and Other Stories of Soapy Racehorses".

"Proud" doesn't cover it. Not even close.

Last night, while I was still galavanting in the Atlantic, my kid premiered her horror comedy short film as part of her final at the University of Nebraska Lincoln EMA program. I'm intensely proud of ya, kid.

“The scariest bit of theatre horror since James Corden in Cats” is top 10 compliments I may have ever received.

Social Distortion and Plague Vendor are playing in the town next to me on a random Tuesday. This also happens to be the random Tuesday that my 4th novel drops. The universe is giving me a big, much needed hug.

A review of my 4th novel “Come Knocking” from the UK. I’m very appreciative. www.rachelreadit.co.uk/bookreview-c...

Last summer I was in a big fancy board meeting where the financial advisor for the organization gave a big speech about "whoever wins in November, don't panic. Stay the course". I hope he's not sleeping well. I hope he's wracked with anxiety. I hope he's in a dark, dark place.

Preface - I'm usually very good on the phone. This morning I was leaving a detailed message, concentrating on what I was saying, and paused long enough to hear a loud and comical -DUUUUUH- come out of my mouth. I would love to hear that message back to hear if it's as bad as I think.

KILLING IT, the twisted and witty thriller from @mikebockoven.bsky.social, is now available for request on Netgalley! Follow the link in our bio to the Datura #Netgalley page to try your luck at a digital advanced copy of #KillingIt today! 🎤😱

I can't tell you why seeing my novel for the first time in an airport was so powerful for me, but it was. I'm in Denver and the staff of the Tattered Cover were very kind to let me sign that copy.

Hell yeah.

@bjack_attack on Instagram made this piece based on my first novel. People sometimes ask what the best part of being an author is and this is the answer - when my stuff inspires more stuff. I love when it happens.

Call this morning: COLLEAGUE: "I need you to talk me off the ledge" ME: "Brother, you have come to the wrong place."

Barnes & Noble has been very good to my books. If you are a B&N Rewards member you can preorder the rerelease of my third novel, “Killing It” at a 25% discount. This rerelease through Datura is exciting to me and I appreciate all the work that went into it. Thank you for considering it.

There's a local commercial running right now that touts a "Huge President's Sale" which led to the following thoughts: -Kaiju Calvin Coolidge -That scene in Futurama where Bender played God and threw a coin onto most of his followers. -"This tub can hold at least two Tafts. TWO!"

I have never seen a more defeated, tired looking man in my life. I would look worse if I had to spend more than 8 hours a day thinking about climate. I'm in Nebraska right now and it's raining in January. Raining. In January.

This song recently reintroduced itself to me. I find it relevant and timely. www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6LG...