Michael Hodges's Blog, page 14
March 17, 2017
My Goodreads page
If you haven’t yet, swing by my official Goodreads page. You can check it out here.
I’ll be posting a few signed copy giveaways soon, so stay tuned.
Best,
– Michael
March 14, 2017
BLACK FRIDAY
My twisted new science fiction novel, BLACK FRIDAY is out now in paperback and Ebook. I’ve included the opening chapter in this post.
Best,
– Michael
Patricia Sundstrom wanted it. No, she didn’t want it, she needed it. All the coupon sites were pointing her to the SaveRite waffle iron. She maneuvered through the slog of webpages with purpose, her breath quickening as she glanced over each deal. QuikCoupon.com. Zoot.com. GroupSplurge.com. ThickWallet.com. Hordes of online shoppers posted in sales threads on the forums, exclamation! points! after! every! word! Her favorite social media sites pinged her with sales updates. Sweat peppered her upper lip and forehead as she clicked away. Her Altec Lansing computer speakers she nabbed last spring from Quick Steal at fifty percent off beeped. Fresh email. She clicked the message, delighted to see it was from her friend Nancy. Even more special was the subject line: SALE! SALE!
Nancy was a great bargain hunter. In a way, Patricia was envious because Nancy had a knack for finding local deals—ones they could drive to, unlike the online experience. She could find all sorts of goodies at garage sales, and even managed to rouse deals from stingy shop owners.
The email was exactly what Patricia had been hoping for. Nancy had found the SaveRite waffle iron on sale at Bridgefield Mall for two dollars. Two freaking dollars. Black Friday, baby! She grabbed her smartphone. Scoops such as this merited real conversation. Soon, they’d be on their way in Patricia’s Ford Expedition, racing through the suburbs to the biggest mall in Chicagoland.
She thanked Nancy, and told her to meet at Tagalio’s in the Bridgefield Mall food court at five. Patricia bookmarked the coupon websites and shut down her computer. She smiled as she set aside her Prune-Tech Sparkle Mouse which she’d gotten for seventy percent off two months ago at Sling.com. The plushy mouse pad was an even better deal. She’d gotten it for free by signing up for a newsletter at Scrounge.com.
Patricia scratched out a note on the kitchen counter for her young family, hands trembling. The waffle iron was the perfect gift for her mother. Excellent time to be a shopper. Every year, the Black Friday sales got better and better.
Cold air filled her lungs and emerged warm. She filled the Expedition’s tank with the gas card she’d won at a GroupSplurge.com. The pump’s LCD screen asked if she wanted a car wash, and she furrowed her brow. It was insulting to pay retail for anything, car wash or not. Soon, Bridgefield Mall appeared on the horizon, a giant beige box connected to other beige boxes, windowless, impressive, oppressive. In many ways, Bridgefield Mall was the dominant landscape feature of Wheatland, towering over the endless flat lands of northern Illinois. At one time, the area was all wheat fields, and even in the eighties there was a sense of country to the place. But that had long since been snuffed out. Now Bridgefield Mall towered over a sea of dark shingles, chimney smoke, and asphalt. The farms were devoured and now existed at the periphery of development, waiting for new developments and always accommodating.
Her smart phone beeped. Nancy. Patricia read the text and pulled the massive Ford Expedition to the shoulder. Patricia re-read the text, not sure if her original interpretation was correct. Unfortunately, it was. She felt her face flush with heat, and knew without looking it was also turning red. How could Nancy do this? They were a team, always had been, through their kids sporting events, PTA meetings, the school lunch program, infidelity, and all the ups and downs that suburban life offered. The text was plain and simple enough. Too much. I’m getting help. Sorry.
Help? For shopping? Crazy. Patricia texted her back, red-painted fingernails making light taps on the tiny smart phone keys: Is this a joke?
She waited for a response, the big Ford idling, exhaust fumes curling in the rearview. When it became clear Nancy wasn’t going to respond, Patricia put the SUV in gear. There was a sale to be had, and have it she will.
February 27, 2017
The Invasive audiobook is out February 28th.
Hey everyone, I’m really thrilled for this one.
I remember being 16 years old, and sitting in my best friend Eric’s room, listening to an audiobook. In this case it was Stephen King’s The Mist. I was enthralled, and thought one day, I’d have an audiobook too.
The book is read by Charles Constant (How to Win at the Sport of Business by Mark Cuban) and he did an incredible job.
Available where books are sold.
February 14, 2017
Novel # 3, Black Friday is out
I’m thrilled to report that my latest novel, Black Friday is in the wild.
Log line:
Jared the kleptomaniac, Chike the unemployed IT guy, Patricia the shopaholic, and Jeff the meth dealer are trapped inside a Chicago supermall on Black Friday by alien forces.
Sometimes a good sale just isn’t worth it.
Think The Mist meets the Breakfast Club, combined with my style of “trapped” situations. You can check out the Ebook and paperback at this link.
February 11, 2017
The Invasive will be on BookBub February 12th.
I’m happy to be on the list, along with a few writer friends.
You can check out The Invasive here.
As always, more news to come, including the official release of my next novel Black Friday.
Best,
– Michael
February 7, 2017
The Gloaming: Out now
I’m happy to announce that my first collection of short stories, THE GLOAMING is out now.
You can pick up a copy at this link.
A good chunk of these stories were published in an array of science fiction anthologies and magazines, which earned me a spot in the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. But there are also brand new stories sprinkled in, like “Tree Line”, “The Hesher”, “Gudmund’s Wolf”, and “For You, the River”.
All of the stories reflect apocalyptic and/or First Contact themes.
Fletcher’s Mountains: A man travels cross-country, post-oil and WW III, in search of his old friend’s cabin in the Montana mountains. But someone is following him….
Lost Planes, Lost River: Cessna’s belonging to the Wildlife Service keep disappearing as the Service attempts to kill a wolf pack for livestock depredation. The FBI is called to investigate.
Geiter: A group of villagers hunts a legendary hybrid grizzly bear, only to find the legend not quite what they thought.
Hydra: A top scientist discovers a way to extend the human life span by decades, but grapples with the reality humans will be the only species left on the planet if implemented.
Grangy: A disabled man befriends a bizarre woodland creature.
Divinity: A college study on planet Divinity reveals a strange new species, but not all is as it seems….
Uncommon Ally: After meteors wipe out most of mankind, the meteors that crashed into the ocean infect the seas with invasive species. A young rebel snipes the invasive’s from shore, and finds an uncommon ally in the great white shark.
February 5, 2017
Black Friday cover reveal
Hey everyone, I’m thrilled to reveal the cover for my new science fiction thriller, Black Friday.
Look for Black Friday in stores next week. Blurb:
A kleptomaniac, unemployed IT guy, shopaholic, and an unhinged meth dealer become trapped in a mall on Black Friday by alien forces.
February 4, 2017
The Gloaming – a collection of 16 organic tales
I’m happy to report that my first collection of short stories, THE GLOAMING will be published next week.
A good chunk of these stories were published in a wide array of science fiction anthologies and magazines, which earned me a spot in the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. But there are also brand new stories sprinkled in, like “Tree Line”, “The Hesher”, “Gudmund’s Wolf”, and “For You, the River”.
All of the stories reflect apocalyptic and/or First Contact themes. My favorites might be “Fletcher’s Mountains” and “Lost Planes, Lost River”. The latter is about a pack of wolves in a central Idaho mountain range, targeted for extermination by a state wildlife agency. But the agency runs into resistance in the form of a strange presence that has bonded with the pack high up in the Lost River Range.
Best,
– Michael
January 24, 2017
Writing update: Black Friday, The Invasive
Things have been really interesting lately. I have numerous projects in the works, and a few soon to be released.
First, the cover for BLACK FRIDAY is currently being designed. I can’t wait to see it. On February 12th, THE INVASIVE will be featured on Bookbub, which is fantastic news. And February 27th, THE INVASIVE audiobook will be released internationally via Tantor Media.
I’m also working on a new novel, which I hope to have done in a couple weeks.
Best,
– Michael
January 10, 2017
The Invasive has been accepted by BookBub
Hey everyone, I’m thrilled to report that The Invasive has been accepted by BookBub for February 12th. If you like weird animals and science fiction action, it might be a good time to check out the novel!
A little bit about BookBub:
BookBub features ebooks ranging from top-tier publishers to critically acclaimed independent authors. Our team of experts makes sure that we’re only featuring great deals on quality books that you’ll love.
