Michael Hodges's Blog

Hey friends, hope you all have had an excellent summer.  It’s been busy on my end, and I’ve got some writing and career updates. I’ve been spending my time in the great Western Rocky Mountains of Montana and the forested lands of the inland PNW. I’ve also made a few other trips, including Denver, Bozeman, and California.

First, I want to say I’m sincerely flattered that the casting team at ABC’s huge show “The Bachelor” reached out and asked if I’d like to be considered for the show. Very nice of them!

In other news, I’ve got a short story with a very cool concept coming in an anthology from Titan Books, to be distributed worldwide. The story is already at several movie studios, so fingers crossed. I like to do unique concepts and I won’t write fiction if I don’t have one.

Also, earlier this summer, I was given a full page guest essay in one of the world’s most respected publications, The Chicago Tribune. The essay was a tribute the legendary grizzly bear 399 in Grand Teton National Park. And a visceral takedown of what’s happening to the country though greed, sprawl, and loss of our wild lands, a theme that’s present in all my work, including The Puller.

This summer has been kinda nuts. I’m just working, hiking, hitting the gym, socializing (when I can get free)  and managing my social media. I’ve got several writing projects going right now, including a screenplay for a film and the outline for a Montana-themed documentary.

I want to thank all of you who’ve been here from the beginning, those who liked my posts, who read my books.  None of this is possible without you all engaging with my art.

As summer winds down, this ole moose will head to the Rocky Mountain Front, by himself, to spend time with the last giant grizzlies and moose up in the higher, cooler country.

Best,

– Michael

It’s spring in Montana. And I’m walking around in a state of euphoria.  I had such a magnificent few days in the mountains, encountering bison, bull snakes, osprey, elk, bears and incredible vistas.

And in downtown, I encountered many cool people, some from my past. Some from the now.

It’s as if I’m walking around in a dream.

But I think I know what’s happening. It’s the Bitterroot Mountains working their magic, like they always seem to do in spring. It’s just what they do.

I’ve been asked to run for political office here in Montana, something I’m mulling over. This is a direct result of my growing influence on social media. I’ve also been managing that (primarily Facebook) and I so enjoy talking with you all, and all your comments and messages and support over the years. You all rock.

I’m also excited to announce I’ve got a new story coming up in an anthology with Titan books in the UK, to be distributed worldwide, alongside talented writers like Jonathan Maberry.   As I mentioned in a previous update, I’m all about getting back to my roots a bit. And getting involved with anthologies again is perfect for that.

In addition I’ve got a documentary in development about Montana, and a non-related screenplay that’s just about done.

There’s so much going on. It’s funny how time seems to slow beneath the mighty Bitterroot Mountains. As if cast in a spell. Not everything turns out how we planned it to. There are so many paths we must choose from, with so many end results.

But I’m learning that it was never about the destination. It’s about the journey. And I cherish every day I get.

Long time, no talk my friends. Life has been nuts. I’ve locked myself into a rustic hotel room in Idaho to force myself to finish a new novel and a new screenplay. The beauty is I can walk everywhere, too. No distractions, no driving, no nonsense.

Mostly.

I’ve been on the road a long time filming wildlife and adventure scenes for my social media, which now reaches between 10 and 30 million people a month. Honestly, this has been a gigantic distraction from my writing.

And my writing is #1. Period.

I can’t lie though, it’s been fun.  

So, the first draft of the new screenplay is almost done. I can’t discuss the concept publically, but it is so cool.

I’m hoping to have some good news on my novel BITTERROOT soon (an experimental take on remote horror). Also, THE PULLER movie is still in development (based on my novel), for those of you who ask me about that all the time (and many of you do).  I spoke with the producer last week…

In addition to that I had a short story optioned for a TV series (one episode based off it), and I plan to be involved in a few anthologies this year in an effort to get back to my roots a little bit.

The social media thing has caused some issues in public and in terms of freedom and I feel like I haven’t been as grounded as I should be. And my writing is absolutely what grounds me. Always has been.

I’m looking forward to pivoting back to that.

In addition, I wanted to thank all of you who’ve stuck by me since THE PULLER was published, since the early days of my Facebook page, and the early days of my photography. Know that I love you all.

Best,

– Michael

Hey friends, long time no talk (at least for my official writing page and list). I’ve been primarily focused the last year on managing my Facebook page (which now reaches tens of millions of people a year) and writing a screenplay and original concept I REALLY like. As well as my adventure photography and the gym. In addition, you can find me at my Instagram. I also just started a new Youtube and Titktok and would love to see you all over there (all under @michaelhodgesauthor).

So, what’s been going on? I’ve got a couple new novels being shopped by my literary agent. And “The Gloaming” (my short story collection) received a new publisher and cover and the audio rights for “The Invasive” have been renewed for seven years by Tantor Audio, which is cool. They did an amazing job.

In addition to this, I’ve been writing non-fiction articles on my Facebook page to accompany an image or short film, which has been fun and well received by millions upon millions of people.

It was also an honor to recently be contacted by a sitting United States Senator and to be asked for my public endorsement, which I did across my platforms.

In all honesty things have been a bit nuts. Reaching this many people a year has caused some issues in public that I’m adapting to. But I’m not going to lie, I still love going out to bars, socializing, and being way back in the wilderness next to grizzly bears. I seem to gravitate to the core of life, towards the wild things. I don’t like the boring stuff. There’s not much sitting around over here. I’m always moving, always onto the next thrilling thing. Sometimes that can be dangerous, especially in the case of wild animals like moose and grizzlies.

And speaking of that, I just got back from a three week trip to SPECTACULAR Glacier National Park where I hiked and did adventure photography.

Hopefully my Montana fire lookout tower ghost story “Bitterroot” will be coming out soon.

And be good. Or not. Heh.

Best,
– Michael

Hey guys, it’s been a dang interesting spring so far (and about to be summer). I’ve been bouncing around Montana and the PNW, attending speaking engagements at conventions and also acquiring content for social media and the documentary I’m working on titled “Leaving Montana”.

I had an excellent time speaking at Miscon 37 in Missoula, Montana. There’s hardly a better place to be in the world than western Montana in spring.

In all that, I managed to finish a new novel, a psychological thriller based in Montana. It’s currently on submission with my agent.

I hope you all are having a great warm season. You can find me where the tall, north country forests mingle with hidden waterfalls and lumbering moose.

Hey guys, I didn’t get a chance up until now to post a 2022 year end wrap up, so here it is.

 I’m sitting here in a hotel room in the Pacific Northwest working on my latest novel. There’s a lot going on. To the point I’m just trying to balance everything the best I can.

In 2022, My Facebook page reached 45 million people. I started that page to post writing and adventure photography a few years back. I’m extremely appreciative of all of you who frequent that page. I am humbled and surprised at what’s happening.

Also in 2022, my debut novel The Puller was published by Pyr and distributed by Simon and Schuster. I actually saw my book on the shelves next to Stephen King books at Barnes and Noble. I was stunned!

In addition, I did a very brief thing on the TV show Yellowstone that qualified me for SAG.

2022 was pretty cool.

I can’t thank you all enough. I have to admit, it’s also been a little weird. When you start accomplishing some of the career things you’ve always wanted to accomplish, you find out real quick who was actually rooting for you and who secretly wasn’t.

And that’s been a revelation. But as always, my eyes are on the big picture. To forge meaningful relationships and to create meaningful art. And to promote kindness and awareness through my writing and photography.

Here’s to a happy, healthy 2023 to all of you!

Hey guys, I’ll be in Spokane, Washington, at the Historic Davenport Grand Hotel as part of SpoCon 2022, Halloween weekend.

In addition to public speaking engagements, I’ll also be signing my novel “The Puller” at 1pm, October 29, in the Hall of Doges at the Historic Davenport Grand.

It’s shaping up to be one epic Halloween!

There’s a lot going on. I had a great summer and continue to work on new projects, including some surprising ones. Please check out my new non-fiction website, which covers everything other than my fiction (this site will remain the anchor for that).

This photo of me was taken in June in a very cool backcountry lake in Montana. I think it sums up how I feel about this year nicely.

Hey guys, just a heads-up: I’ll be speaking at Miscon 36 in beautiful downtown Missoula at the Holiday Inn from May 27th to the 30th. In addition to myself, the talented Charlaine Harris (True Blood) and Isaac C. Singleton Jr. (Deadpool, Mandalorian) will also be speaking.

I’ll be signing copies of my novel the “The Puller” in the lobby from 1 to 2pm on the 28th. Come say hello! This is *the* best place to catch me in Missoula proper other than a certain bar that shall go unnamed, lol. Hope all of you are enjoying spring! I’ll be posting my final speaking schedule shortly.

I’m happy to announce that Tantor Media has picked up the rights for The Puller audiobook.

I get many comments about a Puller audiobook. Well, here you go. Worldwide in 2022. Audio cd and whatever else.

I also want to thank everyone who came to The Puller signing event at Barnes and Noble! It was fantastic to see you all in person.

Have a great week!

Hey everyone,

The signing for THE PULLER at the Missoula Barnes and Noble has been rescheduled for December 12th, from 2 to 4 pm. I’m excited to meet you folks in person!