Greetings and salutations! True story: I once worked with a woman named Denise who used this exact greeting with everyone she met/passed in the hall. One time, while walking with her and my boss to a meeting, she said it three times to three different people in less than a minute. Without missing a beat, my boss turned to her and scolded: “Denise! ‘Hi’!” Anyway, this blog will be a random smorgasbord of updates (hence, the title). First up: The Labor Day weekend Kindle sale of my books went fairly well. The Electric God and Other Shorts, in particular, was in the Top 7 for its category, which you can view here:

Next up: My books have recently been accepted to the historic Long Island bookstore The Next Chapter in Huntington, NY. For those keeping score, besides Amazon and Barnes & Noble.com (and my book signings), my books are now available at the following bookstores:

Tiny Racoon Books at 277 Railroad Avenue, Sayville, NY

The Neverending Story at 9 W. Main Street (Montauk Highway), Babylon, NY

The Islip Arts Council bookstore in Westfield South Shore Mall at 1701 Sunrise Highway, Bay Shore, NY (next to Dick’s Sporting Goods)

The Next Chapter at 204 New York Avenue, Huntington, NY

I also have a few book signings coming up. They are as follows:

Saturday, September 13: The Bay Shore Art Crawl, Bay Shore, NY, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Sunday, October 12: Eisenhower Park, East Meadow, NY, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sunday, October 19: Country Pointe, Plainview, NY, 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. (Food will be served.)

For those with OCD like me, you may have noticed this information was already uploaded to the homepage of this site. In yet other MTP news, after almost a year in print, The Electric God and Other Shorts is finally available with Kindle Unlimited! So if you were on the fence about plunking down the change for the paperback but subscribe to the Kindle Unlimited program, here’s your chance to basically read it for free. Click on the button below to access it:

Finally, my books received a few more semiprofessional reviews from bloggers. Here are some excerpts:

For Danger Peak:

What if there were emotional as well as physical barriers on the most perilous mountain? In addition to being an exciting climb up an impossible mountain, Danger Peak is a poignant coming-of-age story that skillfully combines friendship, loss, and dreams with the cozy glow of 1980s nostalgia. The book, which is set in a small, suburban town in the late 1980s, centers on 13-year-old Robert Kin and his two best friends, the sardonic Chris and the devoted Rinnie, as they attempt the seemingly impossible: climbing the fabled Danger Peak, a mysterious peak cloaked in tragedy, myth, and mist. This is more than just adventure for Robert; it’s also about coming to terms with the death of his older brother Danny, who died on that same peak only a year earlier. The Wild Boars are a boys’ motorcycle club that feeds on the determination of freedom and discovery, and as a reader, you are instantly drawn into their world. With the unintentional assistance of their erratic science teacher Dr. Howard, Robert’s obsession with climbing the mountain grows organically, and his determination intensifies as he builds his “Action Bike,” a modified vehicle created out of grief, grit, and guts. It is far more than just an activity, though. The complex relationship between Robert and his emotionally detached father is deftly explained by the author. Particularly in scenes where Danny’s memory haunts their house or when Robert looks at the empty chair that is still set at dinner for his deceased brother, their tension and unsaid grief are heartbreaking. The story is anchored in emotional truth by these nuanced yet impactful moments. The writing is evocative but easy to understand. On a cheap AM/FM radio, you can taste the bittersweet nostalgia of Don Henley, feel the excitement of midnight garage raids, and hear the crunch of autumn leaves beneath Robert’s wheels. The author’s writing has a very cinematic quality, and you could almost picture this as a Stranger Things-inspired Netflix original. I was most taken aback by the deft use of flashbacks to give Danny a life after death. His talent, charm, and the brotherly closeness that formerly existed between the two brothers are all palpable. And it’s an exciting and surprisingly poignant moment when Robert eventually reaches the top. (Don’t tell!) This book will hit you hard whether you grew up in the 1980s or just miss the simpler joys of that time period, including arcade games, Walkmans, and Nintendo Power magazines. But even without the sentimentality, this is a timeless tale about overcoming obstacles, paying tribute to departed loved ones, and having the courage to believe in something greater than oneself. This is a soul-boosting experience that combines heart, comedy, and a hint of magic. Robert will be a hero to teenagers. These pages will remind adults of their childhood. And everyone will be reminded of the value of pursuing dreams, no matter how risky they may be.

—The Book Society

To order Danger Peak, click the button below:

For Déjà View:

Michael Thomas Perone’s Déjà View: A Kid Nightmare stands as a genre-bending, heartfelt coming-of-age story that captures the turbulent season of growth in uncanny precision. Set during the late ’80s, it concerns 12-year-old Bobby Dalton, a boy caught between the final days of childhood and the early hours of adolescence. While his friends and he bury a time capsule, the symbolic occasion soon turns surreal—Bobby starts seeing ghost-like versions of himself and others. But are these visions trauma manifestations, or something beyond human comprehension? Perone walks the thin line of psychological suspense, nostalgia, and subtle science fiction with heartwarming storytelling. Bobby’s voice is powerfully moving—full of longing, confusion, and quiet resilience. It deals with the themes of bullying, friendship, emotional isolation, and identity in a very fine manner, making this novel very relevant and relatable to middle-grade readers and the adults whose hearts yearn to go back to those forever cherished days of innocence. Though the plot is laid down quite slowly, what follows is an in-depth exploration of growing pains, memory, and mental health. These friendships, often fragile and fallible, add weight to the emotions while the spooky undertones provide a great twist. An especially deep one is Bobby’s internal conflict between wanting to freeze time and the imperative that life must go on. Rendered with deep-and-detailed 1980s flavor and a haunting emotional core, Déjà View is a reflective, bittersweet tale that stakes its claim in your memory—an honest ethnography of the tumult of fear and wonder that is growing up.

—Vidhika Yadav

This book completely surprised me in the best way possible. Déjà View blends suspense, mystery, and just the right amount of dark humor into a story that pulls you in from the very first chapter. The pacing is sharp and clever, and the writing has a cinematic quality that made me feel like I was watching the scenes unfold right in front of me. The characters are relatable yet flawed in ways that make them feel authentic, and the premise is refreshingly unique. Perone has such a talent for weaving tension with wit, making you laugh one moment and tense up the next. What really stood out to me is how the story feels universal at its core; it’s about choices, consequences, and how the past never stays buried for long. I genuinely wish my grandkids were older so they could enjoy this, because this book has a timeless quality that speaks across generations. It’s clever, entertaining, and unforgettable, the kind of story that stays with you long after you’ve turned the final page. This is an easy 5 out of 5 stars for me. Michael Thomas Perone has crafted a gem here, and I’ll be recommending it to anyone looking for something fast-paced, fun, and thought-provoking all at once.

—Heather’s Book World

To order Déjà View, click the button below:

For The Electric God:

(With The Electric God and Other Shorts), The Twilight Zone got upgraded. …Michael Thomas Perone delivers a collection of dark, surreal tales where reality is fragile and madness waits just beneath the surface. From a small town consumed by television to a future detective facing his own death, these stories explore obsession, transformation, and the thin line between sanity and chaos. Blending fractured fairy tales with nightmare logic, this collection offers unsettling fables that linger long after the final page. If you enjoy short stories that lean into sci-fi, suspense, and a touch of the bizarre, this is a dark little gem worth your time. Each tale crackles with originality, blending eerie twists, sharp writing, and a bit of twisted humor that keeps the pages turning. The tone often calls to mind The Twilight Zone, strange worlds, unexpected endings, and a creeping sense that reality is one bad day away from unraveling. I had already enjoyed Perone’s previous work in Déjà View, so diving into this collection felt like coming back to a familiar, if slightly haunted, neighborhood. Standouts for me were Paper Language, a chilling look at writer’s block with a sinister twist, and the title story The Electric God, which delivers a powerful mix of dread and dark imagination. Some stories are spooky, others quietly disturbing, but all are engaging and thoughtfully written. If you’re in the mood for a short, punchy read that mixes sci-fi, horror, and just enough madness to make you grin nervously, this collection hits the mark. Highly recommended for fans of bite-sized dread.

—Dan Pickett

Michael Thomas Perone’s The Electric God and Other Shorts is a daring and boldly genre-bending collection of short stories that compel readers to consider possibilities beyond conventional storytelling. Each story—from bizarre, dystopian futures through absurd divine interventions to outright philosophical introspections—constitutes a unique, often surreal window exploring contemporary life, morality, and the human condition. The titular story, The Electric God, is a special piece that perfectly balances humor, existential musings, and social commentary, setting the tone for the entire collection. Argot, studied wit, sarcasm, and irony—all attributes of Perone’s writing—stood inside these peculiar yet somehow relatable situations and peculiar yet relatable characters. Perone makes ordinary tales seem extraordinary—a banal conversation with some deity or maybe a slightly mocking glance at certain human behaviors—yet each story manages to put in a few surprises. These narratives stay with a reader a while, urging them to think, smile, or question.

—Vidhika Yadav

I was utterly taken by surprise. Having enjoyed Perone’s first two books, I was eager to dive into his third, but nothing could have prepared me for what I found. This book is a radical departure from the earlier ones that explored the eighties. Instead, it unearths a collection of unexpected dark stories that completely caught me off guard. The tone is notably different, and I found myself stunned as I processed each page. I must say, the first and last stories truly captivated me—they are my favorites. The other tales, while equally fascinating, delve into darker, hair-raising themes that keep you on edge. Thank goodness it’s fiction, right? If you appreciate dark and eerie narratives, this book will resonate with you. The characters are utterly unique and intriguingly bizarre, offering a different perspective that Perone masterfully brings to life. While it does evoke a sense of fear, I applaud Perone for his bold creativity and willingness to explore uncharted territory. He deserves recognition for being so daringly different and for taking readers on such a riveting journey.

—Luminita LaFlash

Michael Thomas Perone’s The Electric God and Other Shorts is a striking collection of dark, often unsettling stories written during the author’s formative years. The introduction sets a personal and reflective tone, inviting readers into the creative mind of a teenager wrestling with angst, societal pressure, and a fascination with the macabre. Perone’s voice is at once humorous and honest, making the collection feel both intimate and sharply observant.

—G. W. Reviewers

(The Electric God reads) like Bradbury got lost in a nightmare—and loved it. Each story…is a twisted gem. Perone has a rare talent for blending surrealism, sharp satire, and gut-punch emotion. These stories mess with your head in the best way—haunting, thought-provoking, and impossible to put down. A must-read for fans of Black Mirror and The Twilight Zone.

—Henrik Rose

(The Electric God is) a rollercoaster of genre-bending brilliance. This isn’t just a short story collection—it’s an experience. From futuristic noir to psychological horror, Perone keeps you guessing and unsettled in the best possible way. He’s a master of voice and atmosphere, and every story here hits a different nerve. Highly recommended for readers who like fiction that dares.

—Tessa Nunez

(Perone is) the literary lovechild of Poe and Vonnegut. (He) balances horror, humor, and heart like a pro. The stories range from eerie to heartbreaking to absurdly funny—sometimes all in one page. He knows exactly when to go dark and when to drop a perfectly timed punchline. It’s bold, original storytelling that actually says something. I’m officially a fan.

—Juniper Patel

(The Electric God is) dark, dazzling, and deeply human. What surprised me most was how emotionally resonant these stories were beneath the strange, almost dreamlike surfaces. Perone explores the madness of modern life—technology, isolation, identity—with empathy and biting wit. I found myself highlighting entire paragraphs. This collection lingers in your mind like an echo.

—Brooks Palmer

To order The Electric God, click the button below:

That’s it! I hope you guys had a great summer, and welcome back to school, kiddies.

MTP

P.S.: Don’t forget the Danger Peak audiobook is now available!

P.P.S.: The new edition of The Electric God and Other Shorts is available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble: