(Scroll down for the latest blog posts)

The latest book.

The Voice Mail page.

The mailing list signup (explained very specifically).

All the books and CDs and DVDs and whatnots.

Live events.

No getting around it, a lot of what we (mostly “I” but also “we” and that’s what I’m about to discuss here) post on social media is about me/Mike and selling books and promoting gigs and that’s because that’s the family business and we’re grateful to be in it and if you want the lumber you gotta log, or somesuch homespun hoo-hah from yrs trly, BUT: I post today’s photo in an attempt to convey how every day, every step of the way, and despite the fact that I don’t hit town in a big shiny tour bus (totally into that, just working out the budget) or a fleet of semis or a squad of advance people or a swarm of followers, over the course of a year I benefit constantly from the kindness and assistance and professionalism and dedication and preparation of countless people–some for a minute, some for years, some once, some time and time again. One of my favorite T-shirts says “Love the Band, Thank The Crew.” The photo above was taken before the event at the Local Store the other night. It shows Local Store employee Matt and my friend and merch genius Tony removing the podium I said I needed then decided I didn’t. I want this picture to stand as acknowledgement and thanks to everyone who lends, and has lent, a hand over the course of all these years and however much longer I’m allowed to do this.

Forward.

Signed a door prize for the Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets. Sharpie on foam resulted in my signature looking kinda circa third grade, but I included a signed bookplate with a much more polished version. I like this photo because the new book draws deeply on my early poetry roots…but it’s also dark and some folks have expressed concern, to which I reply I am still happily inscribing cow jokes on cheeseheads. Doin’ fine. We contain multitudes, dudes.

Way back when I was writing articles for a trucking magazine and chapters for medical-legal textbooks, a guy named Doug Moe tracked me down in New Auburn and wrote a thoughtful piece about what I was trying to do. A quarter-century later, he’s done it again with this piece for Madison Magazine. (I’m glad he included the part about GQ magazine. More than once I’ve had a project hit a dead end only to watch it backtrack, meander down another road, and wind up in a far better place.)

The new book is quietly finding its way (audio and wider indie distribution coming soon). Thank you. And also thank you for helping build the “Also By” page, all of which is available here.