Mike Bockoven
@mikebockoven.bsky.social
The guy who wrote FantasticLand. And other books, if you're interested.
Not to be a downer, but I got to my day job today and heard from a coworker that they had hit a cat with their car. They had taken the still living cat and thrown it in the dumpster.
Me and another coworker went to find it. It was a lovely cat, black and tan colored, but it's leg was mangled.
Me and another coworker went to find it. It was a lovely cat, black and tan colored, but it's leg was mangled.
January 13, 2026 at 4:55 PM
Not to be a downer, but I got to my day job today and heard from a coworker that they had hit a cat with their car. They had taken the still living cat and thrown it in the dumpster.
Me and another coworker went to find it. It was a lovely cat, black and tan colored, but it's leg was mangled.
Me and another coworker went to find it. It was a lovely cat, black and tan colored, but it's leg was mangled.
Contributing to #childhoodcinema
This is the StarShip 9. Admission was around $2. I went there after prom at Rock N Roll Runza. I saw Pulp Fiction there 7 times. First kisses and first exposures to art and Saturday afternoons spent jumping theaters. Got in a fight outside there once. Just the best.
This is the StarShip 9. Admission was around $2. I went there after prom at Rock N Roll Runza. I saw Pulp Fiction there 7 times. First kisses and first exposures to art and Saturday afternoons spent jumping theaters. Got in a fight outside there once. Just the best.
January 9, 2026 at 5:22 PM
Contributing to #childhoodcinema
This is the StarShip 9. Admission was around $2. I went there after prom at Rock N Roll Runza. I saw Pulp Fiction there 7 times. First kisses and first exposures to art and Saturday afternoons spent jumping theaters. Got in a fight outside there once. Just the best.
This is the StarShip 9. Admission was around $2. I went there after prom at Rock N Roll Runza. I saw Pulp Fiction there 7 times. First kisses and first exposures to art and Saturday afternoons spent jumping theaters. Got in a fight outside there once. Just the best.
For my day job I just had a conversation with a woman at the Colorado DMV. At some point she asked "how's the weather" as you do.
I told her it's been a very hot and dry winter in my state. She said "me too" and then, unprompted, said "this isn't good. Our whole state is going to be on fire soon."
I told her it's been a very hot and dry winter in my state. She said "me too" and then, unprompted, said "this isn't good. Our whole state is going to be on fire soon."
January 9, 2026 at 5:14 PM
For my day job I just had a conversation with a woman at the Colorado DMV. At some point she asked "how's the weather" as you do.
I told her it's been a very hot and dry winter in my state. She said "me too" and then, unprompted, said "this isn't good. Our whole state is going to be on fire soon."
I told her it's been a very hot and dry winter in my state. She said "me too" and then, unprompted, said "this isn't good. Our whole state is going to be on fire soon."
I was in a meeting today that got delightfully derailed by this little goblin.
January 7, 2026 at 8:25 PM
I was in a meeting today that got delightfully derailed by this little goblin.
Jessica is an amazing writer and I encourage you to read this piece, particularly as the new year looks more and more ominous.
This was one of my favorite pieces I wrote this year, so I went ahead and made it a public post.
New at the patreon. I wrote about 28 Years Later (2025) and how it takes big swings, and how I can't stop thinking about Finnes' character showing how to make a good life in a world of fire and blood. www.patreon.com/posts/28-yea...
December 29, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Jessica is an amazing writer and I encourage you to read this piece, particularly as the new year looks more and more ominous.
Two things about this video that was sent to me about my novel Fantasticland.
1) The synopsis is spot on.
2) I swear I've heard the music while shopping at Hobby Lobby.
youtu.be/1orXDYG7AjE?...
1) The synopsis is spot on.
2) I swear I've heard the music while shopping at Hobby Lobby.
youtu.be/1orXDYG7AjE?...
Plot summary, “FantasticLand” by Mike Bockoven in 5 Minutes - Book Review
YouTube video by Сliff Notes
youtu.be
December 10, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Two things about this video that was sent to me about my novel Fantasticland.
1) The synopsis is spot on.
2) I swear I've heard the music while shopping at Hobby Lobby.
youtu.be/1orXDYG7AjE?...
1) The synopsis is spot on.
2) I swear I've heard the music while shopping at Hobby Lobby.
youtu.be/1orXDYG7AjE?...
If I could add up all the time I've spent listening to a robot tell me "when you're finished with your call, just hang up", I bet the number would be incredibly depressing.
December 9, 2025 at 4:57 PM
If I could add up all the time I've spent listening to a robot tell me "when you're finished with your call, just hang up", I bet the number would be incredibly depressing.
Reposted by Mike Bockoven
I heard there was a Cohen song,
And all the Christians got it wrong,
But you don’t really get the meaning do ya?
‘Cause you see its about getting laid,
It’s sex, and love, and Jewish faith,
But all the gentiles heard was “hallelujah!”
And all the Christians got it wrong,
But you don’t really get the meaning do ya?
‘Cause you see its about getting laid,
It’s sex, and love, and Jewish faith,
But all the gentiles heard was “hallelujah!”
November 23, 2025 at 4:13 AM
I heard there was a Cohen song,
And all the Christians got it wrong,
But you don’t really get the meaning do ya?
‘Cause you see its about getting laid,
It’s sex, and love, and Jewish faith,
But all the gentiles heard was “hallelujah!”
And all the Christians got it wrong,
But you don’t really get the meaning do ya?
‘Cause you see its about getting laid,
It’s sex, and love, and Jewish faith,
But all the gentiles heard was “hallelujah!”
The great @samintheflx created this collage based on Fantasticland. I cannot tell you how much I love it when my books inspire other artists.
November 21, 2025 at 8:02 PM
The great @samintheflx created this collage based on Fantasticland. I cannot tell you how much I love it when my books inspire other artists.
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 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.
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.
Ryan Haugen and Jennifer Pickens did a great job with the novel.
October 31, 2025 at 11:44 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.
Ryan Haugen and Jennifer Pickens did a great job with the novel.
I have curated my digital life to the point where I get notifications about Godzilla’s birthday.
I am very pleased with this.
I am very pleased with this.
October 8, 2025 at 12:31 PM
I have curated my digital life to the point where I get notifications about Godzilla’s birthday.
I am very pleased with this.
I am very pleased with this.
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...
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
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...
www.goodreads.com/blog/show/30...
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
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.
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.
It was my favorite weirdo band with my favorite band of weirdos.
September 24, 2025 at 2:11 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.
It was my favorite weirdo band with my favorite band of weirdos.
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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...
www.kickstarter.com/projects/gho...
August 15, 2025 at 1:25 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...
www.kickstarter.com/projects/gho...
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
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.
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
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.
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
So proud that my hometown B&N is carrying my latest.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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 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.