Michael Thompson's Blog
March 23, 2023
Winslow Hoffner’s Incredible Encounters: The Audiobook
I just narrated and released my first audiobook: Winslow Hoffner’s Incredible Encounters, my folkloric fantasy adventure featuring monstrous cryptids on the high seas, is now available in audio form on Audible, Apple Books, and Amazon.
Check out the official trailer here:
“Have ya ever stared straight inta the eyes o’ death… and scoffed?” – Winslow Hoffner
It’s finally here! This project has been in the works for a long time and I’m so excited to share it with you all.
If you’re familiar with the paperback/eBook edition of the book, this audiobook is an immersive, incredibly fun, and all-new way to enjoy the tales of Winslow Hoffner.
If you’re new to the series, this audiobook is also a great way to jump in, discover Winslow’s world of cryptids and mysteries, dive into adventure among legends of cryptozoology–from lesser-known beasts like Gambo the Fire-Breathing Fish, to local legends like the fearsome Beast of Busco, to titans of epic repute like the mighty Kraken–and answer our gallant fisherman’s enigmatic inquiry: “Have ya ever stared straight inta the eyes o’ death… and scoffed?”
Return to the monsters and mysteries of Bayfield in an all-new way!
Read by the author, the audiobook edition of Winslow Hoffner’s Incredible Encounters is an immersive thrill ride into the unknown, featuring seafaring adventure blended with cryptid creatures the likes of which most have never seen… told by one man who happens to have seen them all!
Official Synopsis
For most, Bayfield is a quaint, unassuming harbor town. For some, the decades-old headlines alleging unexplainable sightings of strange creatures in the water tell a different story. For a select few, the truth behind these legends, speculations, and folklore is more than a mere mystery: There’s magic in the bay. And for local fisherman Mr. Winslow Hoffner, it’s all just a matter of finding yourself in the wrong place at the right time…
Adventure Awaits!
Winslow Hoffner’s Incredible Encounters: The Audiobook is available on Audible, Apple Books, and Amazon.
To find out more, please visit my website: MichaelThompsonBooks.com
– Michael
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February 22, 2020
Chicken Boy and the Might of the Monkey Man (Chicken Boy, Book 4) is Available Now!!
Hey Realmhoppers!
The wait is finally over… The Winged Defender flies again!
The epic, action / adventure / comedy series of illustrated children’s chapter books by Michael Thompson returns with its fourth installment as Chicken Boy and all his pals their wildest villain yet in: Chicken Boy and the Might of the Monkey Man!
Synopsis:
When one bad piece of banana bread turns the star attraction of the Oakwood Zoo into a mischievous vampire monkey, and one nasty bite from that monkey turns a man into a raging, hairy monster, only one heroic chicken can rise up to save the day… The Winged Defender flies again! Chicken Boy and all his pals reunite in their fourth action-packed adventure to face their wildest villain yet… the maniacal Monkey Man!
Chicken Boy and the Might of the Monkey Man is action-packed, funny, and great for elementary / middle grade readers and up.
I’m so happy to finally share this new book with you all! Returning to my original series after working on my novels has been a magical experience. It’s such a thrill to see these characters team up again for a new adventure!
To find out more, please visit my website: MichaelThompsonBooks.com
– Michael
Follow Me:
Website: MichaelThompsonBooks.com
YouTube: Michael Thompson
Twitter: @MThompsonBooks
Instagram: @MThompson_Books
Facebook: @MichaelThompsonBooks
February 14, 2020
Book Trailer & Cover Reveal: Chicken Boy and the Might of the Monkey Man By Michael Thompson (Valentine’s Day)
Hey Realmhoppers! Happy Valentine’s Day!
My new book, Chicken Boy and the Might of the Monkey Man will be live soon on Amazon. Till then, I thought I’d share the epic book trailer / cover reveal video here. Enjoy!!
The official synopsis is:
When one bad piece of banana bread turns the star attraction of the Oakwood Zoo into a mischievous vampire monkey, and one nasty bite from that monkey turns a man into a raging, hairy monster, only one heroic chicken can can rise up to save the day…
The Winged Defender flies again! Chicken Boy and all his pals reunite in their fourth action-packed adventure to face their wildest villain yet… the maniacal
Monkey Man!
This book is hilarious, action-packed, and fully illustrated by yours truly! Perfect for elementary/middle-grade readers and up.
I’m extremely proud of this story. Revisiting some of my original characters from the first set of books I ever published was an incredible, magical experience.
Check out the first three books here!
Chicken Boy the Winged Defender is back in action, and I can’t wait to share the finished product with you all when the book goes live! 
Stay tuned…
– Michael
See more:
Website: MichaelThompsonBooks.com
YouTube: Michael Thompson
Twitter: @MThompsonBooks
Instagram: @MThompson_Books
Facebook: @MichaelThompsonBooks
January 1, 2020
2020 New Year’s Resolutions for Writers
Happy New Year 2020, Realmhoppers!
It’s been too long since I posted here, so I wanted to jump on real quick and share this amazing collaboration video I had the honor of putting together: a special New Year’s Day episode of Write On featuring several of my author friends!
Being that New Year’s is a time for renewal and resolution, I asked my fellow indie authors, “What are your New Year’s resolutions for writing?” and these were their responses!
Thank you to all the wonderful authors who sent in clips for the video! Please explore their sites in the links below; you may find your new favorite series!
Happy New Year! And as always, Write On!
– Michael
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Featured Authors (in order of appearance):
Ed Ehlers, E.G. Gaddess, Joseph Leo Hickey, Tempie W. Wade, Travis I. Sivart, Morven Moeller, R. David Fulcher, Carolyn O’Neal, Samantha Mina, Daniel Greene, Bryan Nowak
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See more:
YouTube: Michael Thompson
Twitter: @MThompsonBooks
Instagram: @MThompson_Books
Facebook: @MichaelThompsonBooks
August 9, 2019
Author Reading: Winslow Hoffner’s Incredible Encounters (Folkloric Fantasy Book)
Hey all!
It’s been a while! I’ve been hard at work on the illustrations for the new Mystery Project so I haven’t been posting as much (Updates coming soon!!).
But, I wanted to hop on here real quick and share this fun reading / Q&A session I did a while back at the Blue Ridge Writers Book & Arts Fair of “Gambo,” from my latest cryptozoology / sea stories book, Winslow Hoffner’s Incredible Encounters.
Enjoy!
The intro was filmed during my appearance on NewsRadio WINA. You can check out the full interview >>here!
If you enjoyed the reading, please share it with your friends, and consider picking up a copy of the new book >>here!
Big announcements are on the way! Thank you so much for all your support, Realmhoppers!
See you in the Fall…
– Michael
YouTube: Michael Thompson
Twitter: @MThompsonBooks
Instagram: @MThompson_Books
Facebook: @MichaelThompsonBooks
March 31, 2018
Unboxing My New Book!
Hey all!
I’m back! And I’ve returned with the first printed proof of the mystery project I’ve been working so intensely on for the past while. The title is Winslow Hoffner’s Incredible Encounters! It came in the mail just a few days ago and I wanted to share the moment of opening it with you all. Let’s see how it looks…
This book’s been in the works for a while and I’m really proud of how it turned out. If you’d like to read/see more about my new folkloric fantasy novel, check out the Amazon page here>>.
More updates and videos to come!
Till then, Write On!
– Michael
YouTube: Michael Thompson
Twitter: @MThompsonBooks
Instagram: @MThompson_Books
Facebook: @MichaelThompsonBooks
November 24, 2017
eBook Available Now!! (Purple Friday)
It’s been a long time coming, but it’s finally here!
Just in time for Black Friday (or in this case Purple Friday), my YA epic fantasy novel World of the Orb is now available for the Kindle eReader! Get your copy today here! 
http://ow.ly/iM0D30gHj7R 
The Official Announcement:
AND, in honor of Purple Friday weekend, EVERYTHING in the Merch shop is 20% OFF! Treat yourself to some awesome WOTO swag and dress like a Realmhopper!
Use promo code: SALE2017 for 20% your order here! https://shop.spreadshirt.com/MichaelThompson/
More fun announcements and videos coming soon!
Till then, Happy Reading! 
– Michael
YouTube: Michael Thompson
Twitter: @MThompsonBooks
Instagram: @MThompson_Books
Facebook: @MichaelThompsonBooks
Book Site: worldoftheorb.com
November 2, 2017
Meet Me at the Fall Gallery Walk!
Hey everyone!
I was invited to Prospero’s Books in Old Town Manassas tomorrow for the Fall Gallery Walk! Local artists will be featured at many of the shops to showcase and sell their work. Just follow the balloons! 
I’ll be signing my YA novel, World of the Orb and my illustrated children’s chapter book series, Chicken Boy. I’ll also bring a few autographed copies of the new short story book I illustrated and published, Is It Real? by Anne Morrisen.
It’s looking to be a fun day! Hope to see you there! >>Details
– Michael
October 31, 2017
Scary Stories: Blending Horror Into Other Genres
Hey all! Happy Halloween! 
In honor of the spookiest time of the year, here’s a brand new video all about writing scary stories and adding horror elements into other genres to build tension and keep your reader turning the page!
More clips from the worldbuilding panel at YABBA Fest are coming soon. Be sure to follow my YouTube channel for all the updates.
Have a safe and happy Halloween, Realmhoppers!
Write On!
– Michael
YouTube: Michael Thompson
Twitter: @MThompsonBooks
Instagram: @MThompson_Books
Facebook: @MichaelThompsonBooks
Book Site: worldoftheorb.com
October 22, 2017
Character Inspiration: Populating Your Fantasy World
Hey all!
Recently I was a featured guest at YABBA Fest 2017, where I got to be part of an awesome Worldbuilding panel. In this clip from the panel, I explain where the inspiration for my World of the Orb characters comes from, and discuss the spinning quality of Ronk fur with fellow author Jodi Meadows.
Check it out! 
Where do you all get inspiration for characters? Leave your thoughts below or in the comment section of the video to continue the conversation!
More clips from YABBA Fest are coming soon. Be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel for the latest, and follow me on social media to be notified of all upcoming events.
Till next time,
Write On!
– Michael
YouTube: Michael Thompson
Twitter: @MThompsonBooks
Instagram: @MThompson_Books
Facebook: @MichaelThompsonBooks
Book Site: worldoftheorb.com
