Michael Hodges's Blog, page 18

Novel #2

I’m happy to reveal that my second novel will be hitting stores this year.

The Puller (which sold to Hollywood and Germany) was the first novel I ever wrote. Novel #2 is the second.

As of now the title is being discussed. Obviously this issue will be settled shortly.

I also want to thank my U.S. and German readers for making 2015 such an awesome year. On top of the film contract, I taught a writing panel with Game of Thrones editor Anne Groell.

Hopefully, 2016 can compare.

Best,

-Michael

Hastings signing, The Puller in Germany

I’m celebrating in the writing office with a friend, cinnamon rolls, and coffee, lol. THE PULLER (or TRAPPED) has reached the top 100 in all three genre categories on Amazon Germany.

A huge thank you to my German‬ readers!

Ein riesiges Dankeschön an meine deutschen Leser!

Also, the signing at Missoula Hastings went fantastic yesterday. It was great meeting so many interesting people. Thank you Missoulians for being so warm.

Best,

-Michael

Hastings book signing

Hey everyone, I’ll be signing copies of my debut novel THE PULLER at the Missoula Hastings on January 9th, 2016 (tomorrow).

The signing starts at 2pm and goes until the books are gone.

Bring snacks.

Meanwhile, THE PULLER continues to do very well in Germany. I’m thrilled that the story of Matt Kearns is overseas. A huge thank you to my German readers!

Best,

-Michael

The Puller artwork

I recently hired local ‪‎Missoula‬ artist Ariel Orion Anne for some of my upcoming projects. One of the things she did was alternative THE PULLER artwork, which I’m a huge fan of (see attached image). You can view more of her work here.

Also, I hope to be announcing several new projects soon.

The Dry Lake – an update

I live in Missoula, and people I run into on the streets or various establishments ask me about my current work in progress, “The Dry Lake”.

Since I’m on the first draft, it’s going to be quite some time before it sees daylight. But it is a priority, first on my fresh writing list.

The novel details the drama of underground Missoula. This is not the North Face-outfitted-jogging-with-lab-in-the-Rattlesnake Missoula, but the real Missoula. The maw.

I’m completely certain The Dry Lake is going to bristle a few egos. But a writer isn’t doing their job otherwise.

I’m hoping to complete the first draft by the end of the month.

Hastings Missoula and 2016

I’m happy to announce that Hastings Missoula and I will be celebrating the new year with the first author event of 2016.

The event starts at 2pm. I’ll be signing copies of my debut novel THE PULLER, and challenging customers to arm wrestling matches for shots of whiskey (okay, I won’t be doing this, just the signing).

Also, Facebook contacted me a couple days ago and hit me up with the verified public figure badge. This feels kind of weird, but I’m digging it. Therefore, I’ll be posting much more news over there. Stop by and say hello, I’d love to see you there:

Official Facebook fanpage

I also just started an Instagram account, where I post a good deal of my nature photos along with writing images:

Instagram

Best,

– Michael

2015

It’s been an interesting year. Okay, it’s been a crazy year. Absolutely crazy.

I really don’t want to go into a detailed, point-by-point rehash. So many writers get caught in the meta. Quite honestly it’s a waste of time and boring.

My debut novel, The Puller is in the wild. I honestly never thought the story of Matt Kearns would end up overseas in Germany, let alone being optioned for a Hollywood movie. I just wrote what I wanted to read and worked my ass off.

It’s that simple.

The book was critiqued by one person and one person only: Sarah Welsh, whom I dedicated the novel to for reasons I won’t divulge.

I wanted to launch my debut in an arts friendly town, and Missoula was the place. I’d passed through this town for years, always knowing I’d live here one day. Well, I made that happen in 2015. No regrets at all.

The media here was warm and receptive. Garth at Shakespeare and Company was awesome. So was Barbara at Fact and Fiction. John at Hastings made me feel at home.

I’ve met amazing people here in Missoula. Some of the relationships carry on, some have not. It’s all good.

I had a very specific plan for 2015. Get The Puller into the wild, maybe keep an eye out like a mother bear does to a cub in a berry patch. Just to make sure…

I’ll continue into 2016 promoting this work, but I’ll also be releasing new novels. The next novel is the first in my Raven Eyes series. Four books are complete. They’re just waiting for the right time, and that time is approaching.

The work will continue, and the reward is the work. The peripheral stuff is nice, but it’s not why I got into this.

Also, I’m going to be posting more on my official Facebook Page. Yesterday Facebook contacted me and gave me the celebrity/public figure badge, which feels really weird. It’s just all part of a crazy, action-packed 2015. Stop by and say hello:

Facebook Fan Page

On a final note, people have been asking me about the movie and a Puller sequel:

1. I can’t say anything about the movie.

2. There will never be a Puller sequel or prequel. Some of the characters may show up in other work.

The Puller book trailer

Hey folks, I’ve just released the official book trailer for my debut novel, The Puller.

Hit me up on my personal Facebook page to watch the video.

I’ve been asked if this is the movie trailer. No, it’s not.

The Puller launches in Germany

I’m extremely pleased to announce that my debut ‪novel‬, THE PULLER has officially launched in Germany today. It’s always been a dream of mine to get a book into the German public.

Thanks to Steffen Janssen, Andreas Schiffmann, and the staff at Luzifer Verlag for their hard work.

The Dry Lake

It’s almost been one year since I moved to the great state of Montana.

Living here has always been a dream of mine. I love the space, the majestic variety of megafauna, the forested slopes and the clear streams.

It’s been great for my writing career. I launched my debut novel in the friendly arts town of Missoula, and the media was supportive. Along with the debut novel, I scored a Hollywood movie deal.

However, it hasn’t exactly been good for my writing. While in the Chicago suburbs, I felt the crush of overpopulation, of 10 million people bearing down on me. I saw nothing but endless strip malls and too many cars to count. This crush propelled an anxiousness that produced eight novels…most about trapped people (not surprising).

But Montana removed all that, and therefore my “inspiration”. I don’t feel trapped here. I don’t feel squeezed in. Even on Brooks and Reserve I can see the Lolo National Forest. Lesser national forests are six hours from Chicago. This acts as a release valve, and I don’t feel as compelled to sit down at the keyboard like I used to.

Until now.

This past week, I started a new novel called “Dry Lake”. It’s based in Missoula, as it should be. A long time ago Missoula was an enormous lake, but no more.

Sometimes things come back….