Endings and beginnings have a way of forcing honesty.

For me, 2025 did that on every level. Personally, physically, and politically. Like many people in the United States, I could not ignore what was happening around me. That reckoning is what led to the creation of the Resistance Reads podcast. Then, in September, a cycling accident during the Denver Century resulted in reconstructive surgery on my left thumb and months of recovery. An interruption like that has a way of clarifying what truly matters.

What I returned to was simple.

My deepest commitment is to writing books, telling meaningful stories, and using anthropology to help people better understand themselves and the societies they live in.

A Refocused Direction

As a result, my work is more intentionally focused moving into 2026. This is not a dramatic change so much as a narrowing of attention toward what I do best and care about most. I want to be clear about that direction so readers know what to expect.

This site and my Substack will center on storytelling, culture, power, resistance, and transformation, especially through speculative fiction and anthropological insight.

What’s Coming This Year

Books

I will be publishing at least one book this year, possibly two. I plan to share transparent updates on drafting, revision, and release as those projects move forward. At least one audiobook will also be released. I have a big announcement about a stand alone book coming very soon, but I’m also working on Through and Endless Darkness Gleaming (Shades and Shapes in the Dark #2) and The Children of AEIS (Chronicles of the Great Migration #5).

Short Fiction

I’m currently revising several short stories. Some will be submitted to magazines and journals. Others will be shared directly with readers, with select pieces available to paid subscribers.

Paid Subscriber Content

Paid subscribers to my substack receive early access to novels, behind-the-scenes reflections on the writing process, and deeper explorations of anthropology and worldbuilding. That said, there will always be substantial free content available. I am aware of subscription fatigue (I certainly feel it myself) and want this work to remain accessible. If I could do this all for free, I would, but the more support I have, the more content I’m able to make.

Resistance Reads Podcast

The Resistance Reads podcast continues. Matt (my cohost) and I are excited about what’s ahead in 2026. The first episode of the year covers Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones. Conversations about banned books, power, and resistance are also live on the NEW Resistance Reads YouTube channel, alongside major podcast platforms including Apple, Spotify, Amazon, and iHeartRadio.

Ask an Anthropologist (Live)

This year I am launching live YouTube Q and A sessions focused on anthropology and storytelling. The first session, Ask an Anthropologist About Worldbuilding, takes place on January 13, with additional topics to follow. Future sessions will be shaped by reader and viewer interest.

Looking Ahead

If these themes resonate with you, I am glad you are here. If not, that is okay too. My goal this year is focused, meaningful creation, grounded in curiosity and care for how stories shape the world we live in.

If you are following along, I would genuinely love to know what you are most interested in exploring this year: books, anthropology, or the intersection of politics and fiction.

With curiosity,
Michael Kilman

Progress updates on upcoming books will be posted on the homepage of LoridiansLaboratory.com every few months for readers who enjoy following projects as they take shape.