Things have been moving fast around here the past couple months, so I’ve been holding onto a handful of announcements for the right moment. And today feels like the right moment. Or more accurately, I just can’t keep this to myself a second longer. An audiobook, trip to Minnesota, and special Father’s Day event with free gear giveaways! Let’s dig in…

Sharkbait the Audiobook is officially live!

This is the one I’ve been dying to talk about, and honestly, not sure how I kept it secret this long. After months in production with a phenomenal voice actor, Sharkbait is now available as an audiobook on Amazon, Audible, and Apple Books. And before you ask, no, it’s not me reading. I can’t stand the sound of my own voice, and I know there are way more talented people out there who could bring this story to life better than I ever could. And darn it if one of them didn’t do just that! Hearing a trained professional read my words, with the kind of pacing and emotion I never could have pulled off… just amazing. I’m so proud of how it turned out.

Also, a big shout-out to my brother-in-law, Josh Cobert, who composed the beautiful theme music for the story. It’s catchy, fits the vibe perfectly, and I loved it so much I added it on HelloNeiman’s home page. If you’ve been holding out for an audio version before checking out the book, the wait is officially over. Go give it a listen (and as usual, here’s my obligatory plea for a 5-star rating afterward). Note, we found a few post-production glitches but are fixing them quickly.

Author events are picking up steam! 

Since the last update, I’ve had the chance to do a handful of book readings and signings at local bookstores and venues, and they’ve all gone really well. In particular, a huge thanks to the Ridgefield Library team. My recent talk brought 40+ people out to hear about adventures on the AT, which was both humbling and exhilarating. I don’t mind public speaking, but this didn’t feel like it. Just a group of like-minded adventure-seekers swapping trail stories and advice.

A few new ones are coming up as we ramp up for summer, which you can find on my Events page. I’ve got a kickoff to hiking season this weekend with Ridgefield Parks & Rec on June 6 & 7 and a meet and greet at Bedford Books on July 18. If you live in the area, come say hi!

But the one I’m most fired up about? A Minnesota Homecoming. 

That’s right MN friends, I’m coming back. It’s been 6 months since I launched Sharkbait on Fox 9 News, and the timing of the audiobook drop with an upcoming long holiday weekend was just too perfect to pass up. So I’m throwing a Father’s Day Launch Party at Hoigaard’s in St. Louis Park on Saturday, June 20th, from 11-2 pm. And this is not just your average book signing (though we’ll have that too). This meet-and-greet includes a special raffle with some seriously fantastic prizes: a signed hardcover copy, free audiobook downloads, and some favorite gear from my recommended packing list. The Hoigaard’s team is generously kicking in as sponsors with awesome gear giveaways. So if you’re in the Twin Cities or know someone who is, mark your calendar to stop by, you won’t want to miss it! Bring your dad. Bring the family. Bring your kids who keep begging you to meet that weird friend who likes to sleep in a hammock.

And speaking about the Gear list...

I’ve been chatting with a friend about to hike the PCT and realized I needed to get my gear advice published, officially. So I did. The Gear page here on HelloNeiman.com is completely rebuilt with all my tried-and-true trail recommendations! Everything I’d actually pack, whether heading out for an overnight, a week on trail, or a 2,000-mile walk across America. If you’ve ever messaged me asking what stove I tossed the cat food can out for, or which backpack finally won my heart, you definitely have to check it out.

And now the thing I’m probably most excited about…

It’s time to go big or go home! I’ve signed on for a marketing partnership with WeHikeAT, a small but seriously talented marketing duo run by 2025 thru-hikers Twister and Beef. If you don’t know them, do yourself a favor and go check out their YouTube or Instagram channels. Their videos from last season were exactly the kind of trail content I wish I had when I was prepping for my own hike. Short and sweet, with high production value. To continue the series, they’re sponsoring another hiker this season named Bubbles. They’ll be running a campaign with me to bring Hello My Name is Sharkbait to their viewers and beyond, through marketing videos and other advertising campaigns.

I’m pumped about this one. Interest in the book hasn’t slowed since launch, and the feedback continues to be positive… except for the jerk who left me 3 stars on Amazon. Uncool, keyboard warrior, uncool.

But, with all of this lining up at the same time (audiobook, events, a homecoming, the gear list, and now WeHikeAT), it felt like the moment to go all-in on broad visibility and a real shot at hitting that critical-mass tipping point I keep talking about.

And hey, if none of this works, I guess I’ll just have to do what everyone says is really the best way to sell your book. Write another one.

Hello Neiman!