This just in: Mike will be moderating a panel with NPR host-at-large Elise Hu and New York Times correspondent Ernesto Londoño. See the precise schedule and learn details about their careers and books at the conference website.

What better way to get in the sprit of the season than 11-time Bram-Stoker winner Joe R. Lansdale? He’ll be talking about “In the Mad Mountains,” his new collection of stories inspired by H.P. Lovecraft. (Ticketed event starts at 6 p.m.; free event starts at 7 p.m. and a movie screening follows after that. See the library’s website for details.)

Ever wondered what it would be like to sit in the cubicle next to Mike, or at a family dinner? Sisters in Crime North Dallas apparently did. They’ve invited Mike to speak at their monthly meeting and share stories about book talks. Or maybe they just wanted to practice a few new murder-mystery ideas, and knew that after two hours of listening to Mike talk, no jury would convict them. (The date of this event has been corrected.)

I’m back! More important, I’ll be onstage interviewing best-selling author Michael Buckley at this always-excellent festival. Visit https://library.nrhtx.com/325/Mid-Cities-Teen-Book-Fest for a full schedule and a list of all the great authors who will be there.

They called my name: So if you’re a Highland Park High School student, you get three chances to say hello/goodbye as Mike spends a hard day’s night discussing “Everything I Need To Know About Writing I Learned From the Beatles” in a classroom near you. He’s always happy to help.

The Mayborn Narrative Nonfiction Conference has been scene of some legendary events, and maybe this will be the next one. Andrea Pitzer will be discussing “Icebound: Shipwrecked at the Edge of the World,” while Rosanna Xia discusses “California Against the Sea: Visions for Our Vanishing Coastline.” Mike will try not to be superfluous, but what are the odds?

The strong and brilliant Elizabeth Silver has a long-awaited new novel, “The Majority,” coming out July 11, and she’ll be discussing it a few days later at Interabang Books. Mike will ask her questions and feel honored to share space with her.

It’s Career Day. Mike will talk about being a writer and will serve either as a great example or a terrible warning. But the school’s mascot is a dragon, which is very cool.

Mike joins this terrific read-aloud event with a selection from Dr. Seuss (hoping listeners will be ready for “Revenge of the Star Survivors” soon). Last time he did this, with his own kids, two decades ago, reviews were stellar, mostly. Check out the full schedule of cool non-Mike people here.

He’s baaaaaaack. If you’re a Highland Park High School student, check your schedule for when to see Mike, or avoid him.

Acclaimed author Jeff Guinn, a friend to “Revenge of the Star Survivors” since before it was even finished, is launching “Waco,” his riveting look at a tragic event., at Interabang Books in Dallas. Mike will help him, or at least throw out short questions that will prompt great stories from Jeff.

Texas Bound is an esteemed series of live readings of short stories produced by the Dallas Museum of Art’s wonderful Arts & Letters Live series, which traditionally features some of America’s finest authors. On Nov. 7, they abandon that tradition when they feature Mike’s unpublished short short, “Clickety-Clack the Christmas Cockroach.” It will be read by a real actor, Michael Urie, who is known for “Ugly Betty” and other serious work, which probably will dry up now. Get your tickets while you can.

Frederik Backman, best-selling author of “Beartown” and “A Man Called Ove,” visits Oct. 3 as part of Arts & Letters Live at the Dallas Museum of Art. Mike brushes up on hockey and moderates.

Best-selling author Candice Millard will be attempting to talk about River of the Gods: Genius, Courage, and Betrayal in the Search for the Source of the Nile June 14 at the NRH Library. Mike will be asking questions, which sometimes wander just about as far as the Nile, so we’ll see how successful she is. (Note: There is a ticketed event, followed by a free event. Please visit https://library.nrhtx.com/242/Behind-the-Book-Author-Series for details.)

I’ll be speaking at the LitFest once again … only with an entirely new presentation called, “Everything I Need To Know About Writing, I Learned From the Beatles.” This will either be the start of something big, or the end of a speaking career that has been a lot of fun. (If you’re a Highland Park student, see the website for my schedule.)

Mike returns to the always-fabulous Mid-Cities Teen Book Fest as moderator for the Middle-Grade Must Reads panel, featuring Michael Morrison, Claire LeGrand, Lyla Lee and Rebecca Balcárcel. That panel is at 2 p.m., but the library has two whole days of activities that you should check out.

For the Terrell Artisan Fair, the folks at Books on Blanche wanted to bring in the author of one of your favorite books. Failing at that, they settled for the author of “Revenge of the Star Survivors.”

I’ll be back in Winnsboro to help dedicate Kate’s Park, in memory of my book-loving friend Kate Park. (See what they did there?) Activities are scheduled throughout the day.

Let’s be clear: When an author dreams of going viral, it wasn’t supposed to be like this. That said – one of the best little book festivals in Texas is going online this year, and Mike gets to host not one but two panels – one with Lamar Giles, and another with the irresistible topic of “Sci Fi, Dragons and Space: Oh My!” Find details and take part at https://library.nrhtx.com/339/Schedule.

We gave a great start to Brooke Fossey’s “Big Finish” — virtually, of course. You can see what happened on her Facebook page. 

Mike will be moderating an event with the author of this very funny book for adults at Interabang Books. Afterward, feel free to come up and ask questions about “Revenge of the Star Survivors,” or the weather, or whatever. It’s up to you.

Mike makes it three years in a row at this great event. This time, he’ll be moderating a panel that stars Amber Elly, Jeramey Kraatz and Sarah Mensinga. Copies of Revenge of the Star Survivors will be available for sale (and for signing!)

Mike will be one of the participating authors as Leaves Book & Tea Shop invites people to read from some of their favorite banned books. So far as he knows, no books will actually be banned at the event.

“Revenge of the Star Survivors” will be just one of the books at this event. You’ll even be able to buy a copy!

Meet Mike as he gets “Revenge” back near the city where it all started, and meet a whole bunch of other writers at the same time, at the Denver Children’s Festival of Stories, March 23 at the Highlands Masonic Events Center. Will there be snow? Will secrets be revealed? Attend and find out.

Join Mike and a bunch of really excellent authors — including Chris Barton, Jennifer Ziegler, Christina Soontornvat and many more —at the Frisco ISD Librarypalooza, Feb. 23 at Centennial High School. Click this link to see all the amazing stuff they have planned.