Mike Bockoven
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mikebockoven.bsky.social
Mike Bockoven
@mikebockoven.bsky.social
The guy who wrote FantasticLand. And other books, if you're interested.
I just heard a very specific song from the late 90's that didn't make the top 40 at all in the grocery store. It took me back to a very specific place and time and persons and actions. It's the sort of thing that, if I didn't have a million things to do, might knock me out for the day.
November 10, 2025 at 5:05 PM
I am using the spooky holiday as a shameless reminder that my 4th novel, "Come Knocking" has an audiobook available now. I've included one of my favorite (out of context) passages.

Ryan Haugen and Jennifer Pickens did a great job with the novel.
October 31, 2025 at 11:44 PM
I have curated my digital life to the point where I get notifications about Godzilla’s birthday.

I am very pleased with this.
October 8, 2025 at 12:31 PM
My novel “FantasticLand” was named one of the most popular horror novels of the last decade on Goodreads, which puts me in some absolutely amazing company. If you’ve given the book a read I appreciate it more than you know.

www.goodreads.com/blog/show/30...
Ten Years of Horror Hits to Read This October
Halloween is, of course, the traditional season for scary stories. But for those of us weirdly dedicated to the genre, it’s a year-round endeavor....
www.goodreads.com
October 7, 2025 at 2:27 PM
The plot of Stephen King's "Thinner" except instead of uncontrolled weight loss the curse is just a big, dumb clumsy doofus who gets bigger and dumber and clumsier as he gets older until he finally dies of stubbing his toe too many times or something.
October 3, 2025 at 1:31 PM
I was fortunate enough to catch @tmbg.bsky.social in the opening show of "The Big Tour" last night and extremely fortunate to take my wife kids, who are getting harder to get together in one place as we all get older and busier.

It was my favorite weirdo band with my favorite band of weirdos.
September 24, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Well, that’s a hell of a thing.

If there are any teachers out there who have questions or might want me to talk to their class about FantasticLand, shoot me a DM.
September 6, 2025 at 2:54 PM
For those of you who have been curious, the audio of “Come Knocking” is currently in production and is due to be out before Halloween his year. I will update when I know more, but it’s coming and I can’t wait.
August 30, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Today is the final day for the Ghostland board game kickstarter from my fellow horror head Duncan Ralston. I have a short story as part of an anthology that comes with the board game which is only available here. If you’re a board game person, give it a look.

www.kickstarter.com/projects/gho...
August 15, 2025 at 1:25 PM
One time in high school a girl lightly implied that she thought of me when she listened to the song "Damn, I Wish I Was Your Lover" by Sophie B. Hawkins and, seriously, it's one of those things I think about when my mental health is really bad.
August 7, 2025 at 4:39 PM
I absolutely hate to do this but my latest, "Come Knocking" is stalling out in terms of reviews. If you read it and have thoughts (seriously, positive or negative!) can these weiner dogs lightly encourage you to leave a review? Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Good Reads, wherever. I appreciate it.
July 22, 2025 at 11:52 PM
So proud that my hometown B&N is carrying my latest.
new & restocked horror now available at b&n sioux falls 🔥
July 19, 2025 at 1:52 AM
On Tuesday I had to put my old dog down. It was a rough day. I posted a photo on IG, like you do.

Yesterday, I started getting targeted ads for memorials, key chains, portraits and other shit all to "honor your pet".

What a goddamn ugly dystopian hellscape we live in. Jesus Christ.
July 17, 2025 at 8:53 PM
I took the recycling out after a particularly nasty storm yesterday evening.

The night was full of fireflies. Hundreds of them.

There was another storm rolling in. They lit up anyway. For a short time before the storm rolled in and killed them.

It was beautiful.
July 11, 2025 at 2:20 PM
I want to extend my intense gratitude to everyone who made the launch day of my 4th novel, "Come Knocking" an amazing one. From my friends at Rooted Books & Gifts to everyone on Bookstagram (and Bluesky) to shared their excitement to everyone who bought the book, I am so grateful for you.
July 3, 2025 at 1:29 PM
I know my new book drops tomorrow (more on that soon) but I HAD to share this. My new friend Courtney Farrington just shared this tattoo of the Warhogs from FantasticLand, my first novel.

This is beyond cool. Thanks for sharing, Courtney. Our mutual friends owe you a postcard :)
June 30, 2025 at 8:41 PM
I had a great talk with Kyler from Salt Lake Dirt about my new novel, living in the middle of the country and the horror books that messed us up. I appreciate the chance to be on this show.

saltlakedirt.com/tv-%26-film/...
June 23, 2025 at 1:37 AM
May I share a positive review, please?

I cannot take a compliment well so I will just say that’s exactly what I was going for and the review is incredible. Thank you Anna Rose!

You can order Come Knocking here: www.skyhorsepublishing.com/978151078344...
June 20, 2025 at 12:50 AM
My kid is funny.
June 11, 2025 at 12:28 AM
Come on, man...
May 29, 2025 at 4:09 PM
I wish they had included my upcoming summer release "Beer In My Butt and Other Stories of Soapy Racehorses".
This was just posted by @tbretc.bsky.social on another platform. The Chicago Sun-Times obviously gets ChatGPT to write a ‘summer reads’ feature almost entirely made up of real authors but completely fake books. What are we coming to?
May 20, 2025 at 1:16 PM
"Proud" doesn't cover it.

Not even close.
May 17, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Last night, while I was still galavanting in the Atlantic, my kid premiered her horror comedy short film as part of her final at the University of Nebraska Lincoln EMA program.

I'm intensely proud of ya, kid.
May 9, 2025 at 2:15 PM
“The scariest bit of theatre horror since James Corden in Cats” is top 10 compliments I may have ever received.
May 7, 2025 at 12:18 PM
Social Distortion and Plague Vendor are playing in the town next to me on a random Tuesday. This also happens to be the random Tuesday that my 4th novel drops.

The universe is giving me a big, much needed hug.
April 17, 2025 at 2:01 PM