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...

This morning I helped a co-worker name the unidentified mass in her brain. She's waiting for tests to come back and she's rightfully scared. We named the mass "Jethro" after the Beverly Hillbillies character because it thinks it's "more than it is."

I received my paperback copy of "Killing It" in the mail today from the fine people at Datura. They did a great job and you can preorder it now.

Spotify just randomly pitched me some vintage Rancid and it brought about a very happy memory of my high school girlfriend deliberately arguing with me about which side of the "And Out Come The Wolves" cassette was better and...oh God...my arm just turned into dust...I'm blowing away...

My kid writes for the UNL humor magazine and did this little piece y'all might find relevant.

It will never get old when the B&N in the town I was born stocks my books.

I know you can't take on the weight of human suffering and I know my own mental health and the health of my family is my number one priority BUT Scrolling the unending list of families and people with Go Fund Me pages after the Palisade Fires is punching my soul in its kidneys right now.

I’m cleaning up my Facebook account in preparation of being on there A LOT LESS in 2025 and I approved a bunch of long-standing friend requests indiscriminately. A notification popped up from 6 months ago saying “I’m a Latvian lawyer and I love your book.” Being an author is cool sometimes.

I wrote a few updates including a synopsis of my new novel, details on a re-release, a bit of FantasticLand news and a story about a very cool moment I got to witness between author and reader. mikebockoven.com/a-few-notes-...

Yesterday my kid was curious which Bob's Burgers episode their song "Staying Up 'Till Midnight" was in. I googled it. Their AI response at the top of the page gave me an episode title and season. It was completely wrong. The episode it listed didn't exist and was completely made up.

I've had worse 5 days before Christmas.

While at the dentist, the "Jimmy Fallon Christmas" channel on satellite radio was playing. I heard covers of "Last Christmas", "Do They Know It's Christmas Time?" "Santa Baby" "Little Drummer Boy" and...AND..."Wonderful Christmas Time".

I deeply believe we don't talk enough as a society about how every single day our personal space is invaded by people trying to steal our money. It's got to be talking a collective psychological toll, no?

Shelock is not a fan of laundry day.

Hell...and I cannot stress this enough...yes!

I have a dentist appointment first thing and was greeted with this ornament and "What Was I Made For" from the Barbie movie playing over the satellite radio and the coffee hasnt kicked in yet and I'm not sure what to do....

There should be a term for the moment between swinging from crushing, defeatist self hatred to almost weeping with gratitude where you stop, stare at a wall and tell yourself "this is really fucked up and not healthy". Or maybe I'm drinking far too much coffee.

Oh Christmas Dog Oh Christmas Dog I'm trying to send emails

My sister asked what I wanted for Christmas. I included “a complete memory wipe of the last three months”. Apparently this was not productive.