Hey everyone!
Can you believe it's already the future? Crazy, huh?
I don't normally do resolutions, but these past two years sharing my experiences at the gas station with all of you have given me a new outlook on a lot of things.
I know I've said this before, but I never expected this blog and book series to take off the way it did. I've always been a pretty reserved person. I'm bad at talking to people. I have what some professionals might consider "crippling social anxiety." And yet, I somehow thought it would be a good idea to start a blog where some of my most private thoughts and experiences could be seen and judged by the countless anonymous denizens of the internet. To be frank, I was utterly unprepared for certain aspects of this notoriety.
I'll be honest, some people have been real turds. But for each troll sending me hate mail and death threats, there are probably a hundred froopy drudes sending well wishes, fan art, and positive vibes. I've never been good at allowing myself to accept compliments, but this experience has taught me that maybe I shouldn't be so hard on myself.
On the topic of letters... One interesting and unexpected side effect of this story's popularity is the sheer volume of private messages, emails, letters, and DM's I've gotten over the past couple years. At first, I was pretty good at responding to everyone. But due to the sheer volume of messages that come my way, staying on top of my communication has become rather difficult. If you've messaged me in the past and didn't get a response--or worse, if we started a conversation and I suddenly left you hanging--please accept my apology. I'll try to do better this year.
Speaking of personal goals, I've decided to make this the year that I put myself out there more. What does this mean exactly? Well, for one thing, I want to try leaving the safety(?) of my home town. Perhaps do a book signing. Show my face. Meet some of you guys in person. Maybe go to a convention. I don't know, I'm just spit-balling ideas here.
For those wondering, there will be more coming in the way of Tales this year. Volume Three is going to answer a lot of questions, (some you didn't even know you had). And that super secret "Tales from the Gas Station" project I've alluded to a few times in the past will be coming to fruition very soon (here's a hint: It's not a novel or an audio book).
Do you have any suggestions for stuff I can do this year? Any horror conventions I should hit up? Any cities I absolutely need to visit? Any coffee shops with cats I need to pet? Let me know in the comments. And, because it's been a long time since I've done this, if you have any questions for me--any at all (they don't have to be gas-station related)--leave a comment, and I'll try to answer as non-evasively as possible.
Happy 2020, y'all!
-Jack
You should do a tour of gas stations, you should go to a gas station in every state *cough* pls come to central Texas *cough*
My guess is that the new project will be a visual novel.
Wooo can't wait for Volume 3 and the super secret project :D
Discovered your work via reddit and the Creepy podcast and have been obsessed ever since man, your brand of sardonic humour really appeals to me (all the way across the pond).
Much love from Minnesota (Lots of great coffee shops here btw)! It’d be fricking awesome to see you here and hope all is well
Come visit Florida! I feel like you might fit in with Florida Man :).