Spring in Montana, 2025

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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.

Greetings from the Inland PNW

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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

Greetings from the Northern Mountains

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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

Update from the North Country, 2023 version.

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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.


2022: A Life Altering Year.

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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.

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!