Crazy Mike is dead behind the maintenance barn and the quaking bog man is missing. It’s up to detectives Gary Vandiver and Beatrice Mule to figure out what happened in this mystery set in a bog in northern Illinois.

Content Advisory: “Godspeed, Crazy Mike” deals with murder, speculation of suicide, divorce (including a custody battle), fraud, theft, tobacco and alcohol use, and Tourette syndrome (I only mention this because, if you’re like me and have Tourette syndrome, one of the character’s tics might set off some of your tics). Oh, and there is—of course—swearing. (But really: not that much this time around.)

Links mentioned in the intro:

• Julia Lundman’s main website: julialundman.com
• Julia Lundman’s commercial website: Julia Lundman – Commercial
• James S. Baker’s website: James’s story site (but really, check out his artwork page, photos, and everything else!)

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Credits:

Music: Theme – Ergo Phizmiz. Story – Music licensed from Epidemic Sound.

Story and Narration: Christopher Gronlund.

Episode Transcript >>

At 10,308 words, “Gerald’s Grail” is the longest Not About Lumberjacks story to date! (And will likely hold the record, ’cause DANG…that was quite a thing to edit!)

I’ll let you in on a little secret: “Gerald’s Grail” could easily be a novel. (And trust me, I’ve given it some thought.) But…it’s not the only Not About Lumberjacks story I’ve considered making longer.

In this behind-the-scenes look at the latest tale, I talk about other Not About Lumberjacks stories I could turn into longer works…if I weren’t so busy working on the show.

Episode Transcript >>

While knocking around an antique shop with his grandmother, a teenage geek finds something that changes his life in a most curious way…

Content Advisory: Bullying, violence (including passing mention of the Cambodian genocide of the 70s), teen tobacco and alcohol use, and — of course — swearing.

And if you’re so inclined, be sure to check out the Not About Lumberjacks Patreon. For as little as a dollar a month, all patron content is unlocked.

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Credits:

Music: Theme – Ergo Phizmiz. Story – Lupus Nocte, Rocking for Decades, Ludvig Moulin, Christopher Moe Ditvelsen, Jon Bjork, Philip Ayers, and Cercles Nouvelles, licensed from Epidemic Sound.

Story and Narration: Christopher Gronlund.

Episode Transcript >>

It’s not uncommon for people to assume stories are a reflection of the author — especially stories in which an author features a writer as a protagonist. “Revisions” is about a writer who was raised by a single mother. Some people who know me mentioned they felt it was heavily influenced by my mother.

I discuss where my life is similar to the protagonist in the story and…how our situations and views greatly differ.

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Episode Transcript >>

An author tries to finish construction on her recently-deceased mother’s home while writing her second novel — the follow up to a New York Times Best Seller.

Content Advisory: Death of a parent and struggles with self doubt. (For once, no swearing!)

And if you’re so inclined to pitch in and help the farm animal sanctuary I mention in the intro, check out The Farm Micro Sanctuary on Patreon, or on their Facebook or Instagram accounts.

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Credits:

Music: Theme – Ergo Phizmiz. Story – Johannes Bornlöf, licensed from Epidemic Sound.

Story: Christopher Gronlund.

Narration: Cynthia Griffith.

Episode Transcript >>

It was a strange year, but also a productive year for Not About Lumberjacks.

As we close out 2021, some thoughts on the year that was…and some hopes for the year ahead…

Episode Transcript >>

Four stories, most of which take place during the holiday season…

• “Stories of Fine Taste”: The stories behind two recipes (“Grandma’s Olive Loaf” – Something wicked is back in Kirkland’s Holler) and (“Fred’s English Muffin Garbage Pizzas” – A young boy finds out what’s behind a mysterious door).
• “Reply All”: Cheryl’s not standing for office gossip about her and a co-worker.
• “Drifted”: A character from the second Christmas episode ends up stranded on a mountain with something more naughty than him… (Listen to the last story of this episode if you need a reminder of a naughty little boy…)

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Credits:

Music: Theme – Ergo Phizmiz. Story – Frizz Oli, Earle Belo, Golden Fern, Howard Harper-Barnes, Martin Landström, and pär licensed from Epidemic Sound.

Story: Christopher Gronlund

Narration: Christopher Gronlund. and Cynthia Griffith.

Episode Transcript >>

“In Cypress Slough” includes two gay characters, but it’s not a story about being gay in East Texas.

In this behind-the-scenes look at the latest Not About Lumberjacks story, I talk about representation, the stories I’d never write (and why), and how I approach writing disenfranchised characters who have experienced lives I can only imagine.

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Links to some people and things mentioned in this episode:

• ScreamQueenz
• Writing the Other
• Nisi Shawl
• Cynthia Ward
• David Bowles
• Invisible | Invisible 2
• Craft in the Real World
• Alba Salix
• Fable and Foley
• Natalia Sylvester

Episode Transcript >>

Two deadhead loggers find something remarkable in the Piney Woods of East Texas, putting them at odds with a large timber company.

Content Advisory: In Cypress Slough deals with bullying, violence (including gun violence), homophobia, the destruction of wildlife and habitat, structure fires, mention of suicide, and swearing. Also, if you’re driving: be aware there’s a scene with approaching emergency sirens and one LOUD jump-scare (a gunshot).

Mitch Todd’s Andromeda Factory trailer.

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Credits:

Music: Theme – Ergo Phizmiz. Story – River Foxcraft, licensed from Epidemic Sound.

Story and Narration: Christopher Gronlund.

Episode Transcript >>

While “Milkboy” is based on a true story, it definitely ends up a work of fiction. When I started the story, I had no idea where to take it. Discovering what to do with the story led to a ridiculous and heartfelt tale of friendship that is one of my favorite stories on the site.

I talk about that — and much more — in this behind-the-scenes look at the latest episode of Not About Lumberjacks.

Episode Transcript >>