Winter 2026

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Greetings from the great northern forest!

There’s a lot going on.

First, I’m in a new anthology from Titan books edited by Johnny Compton, titled “Where Devils Stand”. The anthology features the best horror writers in the biz, and will be distributed worldwide in hardcover. I really like the concept I wrote for this one. The theme is  “the moments when we stand at the crossroads where devils appear”.  And my story is already making the rounds at a few studios, so fingers crossed. 

There’s another new anthology, too. This one is with Evil Twin Books (imprint of Zando books) titled “Haunted Minds: Tales of Possession”. It’s edited by Nick Roberts with a foreword by Stephen Graham Jones, with stories by Cynthia Pelayo, amongst others. I had a lot of fun working on the story for this, too. This will be out in 2027.

In other news, I’ve been incredibly busy working on other projects, such as a screenplay I just wrapped up for a feature film (it’s a dramedy, not horror sci fi,  oddly). And the Montana documentary continues to push forward. I want all these writing projects to be their absolute best. In addition, I’ve been managing my social media, which over the years has really taken up a lot of my time (I’m not complaining). I’m now reaching a hundred million people a year organically, which has brought some challenges.

Also, my “The Invasive” series is with a new publisher! Like my novel “The Puller”, this specializes in suspense in where the protagonists cannot escape. There are three books. The original, “The Invasive: Remnants (the official sequel) and “The Invasive: Pulse (the prequel). The fourth and final book is in the works. If you like animals, Montana, woods, and sci-fi horror, you’ll like it. The first book is over at award winning Tantor Audio in audiobook, and is performed by Charles Constant, who also did Mark Cuban’s “How to Win at the Sport of Business”. Click here to grab it!

Also, my short story collection “The Gloaming” will be a featured title on the most popular Ebook site in the world, BookBub in March.

Whew.

On top of this I have *several new* novels on submission with my agent.  You thought I stopped writing? Think again. I just took a breather and focused on my social media for a bit.

I want to thank all my readers and followers who’ve stuck by me over the years. You are everything solid and real to me in a world that isn’t always what it seems.

Best,

– Michael

Summer 2025

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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

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