Yesterday I was able to see the new cover for my novel “The Puller”. Let’s just say it’s…absolutely EPIC. Here’s a sneak peak of a small portion of the cover.
Hope you all are having a good summer.
Best,
-Michael
“The Puller” cover sneak peek.
Author Archives: Michael
Father’s Day
I’ve been walking a lot in Missoula. It’s what I do when I’m taking an hour break from writing. Usually I’m on my headphones listening to music, taking audio notes, trying to pet whatever dogs and cats I see. Yesterday, I walked past a bookshop I’m familiar with. The shop was where I had my first ever book signing in 2015. The book was my debut.
Eight people showed up.
One of those was my dad.
He flew out from Chicago for it, sat in the “audience” to support my first ever novel. And make no mistake, at the time that was me jumping off into the unknown. A leap of faith. A new valley to call my own.
After the signing (it didn’t take long haha), we ate ice cream and watched the river. A bald eagle soared over the valley, searching. He and I watched the scene quietly, an unspoken understanding between us.
No matter what, through it all, this guy has had my back. I strive to be more like him, more kind, less judgmental, more logical and practical.
A few years ago we took a camping trip to my favorite Montana river, and then on to Yellowstone. He bought a new tent and sleeping bag just for the trip. We fly fished and took pictures deep in the national forest. I still remember us wading the river at sunset, watching as the trout nipped bugs on the surface, as a moose and calf slowly emerged from the woods and crossed the river. Or filming the elk in Yellowstone, or the spectacular night sky. Or the poor guy having to eat my terrible cooking.
When I was a teenager and getting into trouble, he set me aside and told me I could be anything I wanted to be if I put my mind to it. I never forgot that lesson.
I miss those trips. Those times. I don’t see my parents as much as I used to.
But you see, that’s what they taught me. A healthy eagle flies far from the nest.
Happy Father’s Day.
Writing and social media update, Missoula, Montana June 2021
Hey everyone,
So, there’s a lot going on. My official Facebook page reached 1 million readers in the month of May.
I’m shocked, and the impact on my life has been immediate. I appreciate you all sticking by me over the years and participating in my art.
To put that into context, one of the top outdoor magazines in the country (and one my work has been featured in), Outside Magazine, reached 650,000 people last month.
On the writing front, my nature thriller “The Puller” is coming from award wining PYR in November, with distribution by Simon and Schuster. I couldn’t be more thrilled. I’m currently planning a tour in Montana, California, and the PNW. Can’t wait to see you guys!
I’m also working on two new novels.
If you look at my novels, “The Puller” was always a literary thriller at heart. Much of the novel is dedicated to landscape as character (see Cormac McCarthy as the best example of this) and to the relationships, with social commentary. My novel “Black Friday” expanded on this style, with a very expanded landscape, and also a focus on relationships and social commentary.
I was fortunate that “The Puller” was optioned for film and in development, and there are currently other options in the pipeline, for other stories.
I’m bringing this up because the new novels are absolutely a continuation of “The Puller” and the “Black Friday” literary experimentation style.
There were several directions I could’ve taken my career, but this path seemed to be the most organic fit. It’s not forced. It’s just what’s in my heart.
More news to come.
Respecting bears and the Northern Rockies.
Hi. There’s been a lot of bear content in the news lately, especially in the Northern Rockies. A bear attack (sadly), and video of curious bears “following” people. I’ve noticed that it’s occurring more frequently this year. And that’s because a lot of people are moving to the Northern Rockies…people who think their new backyard is just like their backyard in Texas.
It’s not.
Unlike Texas, which has almost no public land or wilderness (and which most people sadly confuse as a wild place), the Northern Rockies are still very wild, with incredibly vibrant ecosystems and a full array of native fauna.
I’ve been filming grizzly and black bears in Montana and NW Wyoming since 2004.
How many times have I followed a bear into the woods? Zero.
How many times have I gone for a jog or bike in grizzly habitat? Zero.
How many times have I not paid attention to the woods in grizzly habitat? Zero.
More and more, I’m seeing people that think the Northern Rockies are some kind of paradise playground, a tame personal backyard.
They are not.
The moment you step into that national forest, you better give those woods 100% of your attention…not your music app on your phone as you jog or bike. Or that random text.
The national forests and parks of the Northern Rockies are the real deal. They are the home of the wildest and rarest animals in the world.
And for those continuing to consider a move there, here’s the reality. Check out the frost-free days of these Montana towns:
97 frost-free days in Bozeman
102 in Whitefish
110 in Missoula.
Can you handle 250+ days of cold? Think about it. For real.
The truth is, Montana is a place best visited. It’s home to a unique brand of hearty people who’ve developed a tolerance to the harsh winters and abundant wildlife.
Growing up, I used to want a cabin on a lake. Then I realized that’s how you ruin the place you love. I saw it happen to the Northwoods of Wisconsin. Soon, trees were cut down for a “better view”. Pine needle and sandy forest floors were replaced with chem-lawns that depleted oxygen levels in the lakes.
And if enough people keep building homes next to places like Glacier, they’ll deplete grizzly bear habitat like the oxygen in the Northwoods lakes.
To capture the essence of Glacier, tent for a few days in a campground. Or take a boat tour, or hike, or just drive. You won’t capture the essence by building a home there . You’ll only ruin it.
The Northern Rockies are more than your outdoor clothing catalogue dreams. More than your desire to “invest in a vacation home”. They are more than your personal goals. They go beyond you…beyond me.
They are the last of the best.
-Michael
Why Instagram is dying, and how to fix it.
Why Instagram is dying, and how to fix it.
Instagram used to be a social media app, but has now slowly devolved into a shopping and private chat room app.
What went wrong? It’s very simple. The elements and features that made it a social media app were removed, effectively destroying organic discovery and interaction.
1. The feature where you could see what friends liked was removed.
This feature had its pros and cons, but mostly they were pros. Sure, it had some elements that might seem creepy (seeing the exact posts your friends liked, which might not always be flattering). BUT, that’s what makes “social”, SOCIAL. If you put something embarrassing out in your lawn, or say something in public, PEOPLE SEE IT. This is what makes it social.
