Situation Nowhere

by Bobby Miller

Barry Gray isn't the sharpest tool in the shed, but that hasn't stopped him from becoming the middle-aged CEO of Atlas Wake, the corporation behind the most addictive energy drink in the world. After an awkward date, Barry is "X-ed"-a fate worse than getting canceled...just days before the company's biggest beverage launch.

The reason? An ancient social media post.

As the Atlas Wake executives scramble to find a replacement for Barry, they stumble upon Lo, a sardonic barista with no social media history. Lo eagerly steps into the CEO role, anticipating stacks of cash, only to be jolted by a shocking discovery about the company's new energy drink - it's causing people to explode.

Fearing his new life as a social pariah, Barry is rescued by the Brotherhood of the Resigned, a group of X-ed outcasts hiding in the sewers. They believe Atlas Wake is part of a giant conspiracy in which Lo is now entangled. Stories collide as our crew faces a corporate-dominated world on the brink of destruction in this darkly humorous, dystopian tale of power, deceit, and survival.

Audible Audio

Published June 12, 2025

About the author

Bobby Miller is a writer and filmmaker from New Jersey. His fiction has appeared in Expat Press, Maudlin House, and Bending Genres. His films have premiered at Sundance, SXSW, and Fantasia. His debut novel is called SITUATION NOWHERE and yes, he has a Substack you should read: http://BobbyMillerTime.com He lives in Los Angeles.

Reviews

[Kyle Wilamowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

SITUATION NOWHERE is satirical farce dialed up to 11. Miller stacks layer after layer of modern absurdity with razor-sharp precision — only to reveal surprising, poignant truths about what we’re missing (and longing for) while staring down what sometimes feels like a bleak future.

By deliberately never taking itself too seriously, SITUATION NOWHERE successfully manages to tackle serious issues with unexpected nuance and bite. Throughout the week I read this, I often saw the daily news or a simple trip to the grocery store through green goo colored glasses. I'm thankful it helped me laugh at the madness that's playing out around us all.

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn’t sure I’d be ready for a dystopian novel about the dangers of late-stage capitalism, but Bobby Miller’s hysterical and lively prose make the absurd (well, not quite so absurd these days) fun and page-turning — even when the allegory hits too close to home. I laughed out loud countless times throughout and despite the short page length, Miller builds a believable world not far off from our own. If you liked Idiocracy, you’ll love Situation Nowhere.

[Carlos Torres · Rating 1 out of 5]

I gave up on it halfway through.

I was so disappointed with this book. I really wanted to enjoy it. The premise seemed interesting and I want to live in a world where I can trust indie publishers to put out great content. This book just fell completely flat.

The whole thing felt like a frustrated author airing out grievances on capitalism, the entertainment industry, the tech industry and cancel culture. It's a bummer because there is so much to be skeptical about. So much to satirize. But this just felt so hamfisted and annoying.

The book is one cliche after another. Evil corporation. Edgy grown up orphan. Dorky business guys.

The writing was really confusing to me too. There was very little setting and it felt like props and plot devices just popped out of nowhere. It was disorienting to just have robots pop out of nowhere when something important needed to happen.

I tried to work through it but what made finally give up was "DeSean James". This was the only clear character of color and the portrayal of him and his family made me very uncomfortable. Why is the black character the one who goes crazy? Why is he the first to die? Why does his wife get a stereotypical name and not a play on her actual name?

Bummers all around.

[David R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is anyone optimistic about the future? Does unregulated AI sound like a good time? How about seeing every franchise you ever loved go on endlessly, once all the actors are long dead and replaced by AI, until the end of time? Chances are, you yourself will be unable to rest in peace—kept alive forever to watch Metal Man 249. Don't worry, it gets better. Anything you've ever thought or said can and will be used against you.

The future Bobby Miller presents may seem horrific and dystopian, but with each passing minute it seems more and more plausible.

This book has its finger on the pulse of what living in the 2020s feels like. This is the quintessential American novel of our times.

In addition to AI, this book touches on late-stage capitalism, consumerism, and the Marvelfication of all things entertainment.

When not feeling utterly scared or depressed, this book is ridiculously funny. If you decide to listen to the audiobook, heed my warning: listening while driving may cause a nine-car pileup.

Without spoilers, this book reminded me of several films rather than other books, notably Brazil, They Live, and Soylent Green.

I highly recommend this book and look forward to more output from this author.

[Stephana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you want to read a funny book? Do you want it to be a satire?

Of course you do, and here is one for you—Situation Nowhere by Bobby Miller.

Not only is it funny but it’s also a pretty accurate commentary on today’s society. Sometimes it takes absurdity and comedy to really hit home about where we might be heading as a society or maybe we’re already there.

But don’t get me wrong, this isn’t a heavy and depressing book, though the subject matter may be just that, Miller makes the medicine go down easy.

This is a very fun read—a page turner you might say. It is full of apt jokes the whole way through with a plot that skates along with a pleasant ease. Sometimes when a situation is totally f*cked it’s better to find the humor in it, and Miller has done that very nicely.

If you are looking for a fun, funny, fast-paced, and exciting read, Situation Nowhere is just right for you.

[Pencil Umbrella · Rating 5 out of 5]

A most ridiculous sci-fi dystopian comedy written by the wordsmith Bobby Miller. The story sets off with an explosion, and does not fail to deliver on that end. It makes for a quick but engaging read, with each page filled with new gut punching laughs. It was my first fiction novel read in a good while after a series of nonfiction/historical books, and I was thrilled I took the break to hop into the maddened world crafted by the author.

I'd recommend Situation Nowhere to anyone who likes words.

[Clint Hannah-Lopez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a lot of fun. A bleak but funny satire on the general state of media, the world, and entertainment, I am so glad I got this at the AWP Conference. While some sections felt a little too much like they focused on jokes per page as opposed to development, I think the ending actually landed perfectly to nail the satire. Good read.

[Chris Gilbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a wild, fast paced ride. If you’re into outlandish satire, you’ll love this. I was constantly cracking up at the story’s absurdity and its not-so-subtle digs at the idiocracy behind the MAGA cult. Overall, it’s a fun and cheeky beach read that feels like something from Adult Swim in written form.

[Luke Seeley · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was a brisk, hilarious read, that made me audibly chuckle a few times (rare for a grump like me). Bobby draws a number of grimly funny lines from our current world to this future that I wont bring up here so you can enjoy reading them for the first time!

[Elizabeth Means · Rating 5 out of 5]

From one badass boss bitch to another- read this book or the Shareholders win

[Lou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bobby has a knack for making the absurd meaningful (and funny as hell). What a sicko - you'll love it.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so damn fun to read! It was hilarious and yet a glaring form of satire that reflects many of the social issues we deal with today. I'd love to read more from this author!

[Duncan Birmingham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Move over Philip K Dick. This kid has his finger on the pulse.