I'm grateful to Main Street Rag for their support, and I look forward to connecting with those attending.

#AWP26 #IndependentPress #WritingCommunity

Interesting morning on the trail. Wonky GPS. Hunters. Bushwhacking. Fording. Dog prints the size of a small bear….

Snowy driveway and trees

Starting the run with more snow. #running

Sunrise through the trees on the James River.

Sunrise on the Buttermilk. Good to be running in the “woods” again.

Carthago et Norfolcia coniunguntur!

Night sky with trees silhouetted and a faint light rising.

It’s early but it’s going to be a good year. Happy New Year! #running #writerslife

Claxton bottle with collectors coin and a healthy two ounce pour.

My first Claxton coin found in a Caol Ila release matured with Pedro Ximénez (PX) casks. A surprising combination for a very happy holiday! #scotchnerd

Rejection emails recommending future submissions!

Personalized rejection from Strange Pilgrims was a happy windfall this morning. @onlypoemsmag.bsky.social

Great time reading at the Poetry Society of Virginia this afternoon. Even managed “Dr. Evil “ air quotes while talking about “running.”

Good luck - I am knee deep in research--no writing yet!

The #MicrofictionChallenge250 begins for me in the realm of historical fiction. The prompts are "Clenching" and "Wrong" which depending on your age and education might describe US foreign policy, social media trends, or last night's post-smoke Crunchwrap Supreme.

For the record, my experiences entering Eastern Bloc countries during the peak of the Cold War were easier, more transparent, and ended in more logical outcomes than the onboarding process to become an Amazon Reseller. Just trying to sell a book, Bezos.

His workouts are still a part of my training regime.

52 miles and a 12 dollar milkshake. #running #ultramarathon #notafivedollarshake

Main Street Rag | Poetry | Exercising Haunts by Rob Vance YouTube video by Main Street Rag

For goofs, I did a little reading....

youtu.be/st8J41KxVRs?...

#writerslife #poetry #authors

Exercising Haunts Rob's debut book Exercising Haunts is available for pre-order! Published by Main Street Rag, January 2026. 40 pages, $13 (+ shipping) Exercising Haunts, takes a…

I'm excited that my author's site has launched and Exercising Haunts, an offshoot of my Queens thesis, is now available for pre-order.

robertlvance.com/book/

Raccoon sitting on a branch of a large tree. The raccoon is eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich while surveying the country side. Courtesy of GPT-5

While I should have known better, I learned on today's long run that raccoons can climb trees--and as fast as squirrels do. #thingsseenwhilerunning #running #whatsinthatsandwich

Congress eliminated public media funding. At a time of deep division, public media brings us together.

Help keep it strong. Join our monthly donors today: n.pr/458sOhq

#writingtips #bookbuzz #AuthorUproar #BookBoost #BooksWorthReading

James River, Lee Bridge and the mighty Sun.

Week’s rain finally made it into the river. Muddy waters at the rapids.

Brief walkabout before the heat.

Backyard ultra with the local running club—sitting is part of the plan. 😝 #running #ultramarathon

FREELAND by @leighsugar.bsky.social‬ is out today from Alice James: bit.ly/FREEL4ND 🖤🤍

A fierce, inventive debut tracing a love across prison walls and the systems of mass incarceration. Poems on race, memory, mental illness, and freedom.

Available now wherever books are sold 📚

100 mile finish gate for MMT100

Here’s to returning to this side of the gate Sunday morning. #ultramarathon #running

Muddy prints of raccoon and the common mountain biker.

Brief walkabout in the mud. Some good company. Seven days until race day! #running #taper

Sunrise over the Appalachian Mountains. Spring is starting, leaves not quite full on the trees.

Solid six hours on the AT today. #running #ultramarathon

Headlamp beam on sand reflecting on breaking waves. Someone at the beach did not spend his night drinking….

Eight miles of beach running. Headlamps and light houses to guide the way. #running #solitude

James River before sunrise. 9th Street bridge on its spindly piers looks like it is wading across the river.

21 miles the easy way…slow and steady. Pollen is about a foot deep in RVA. #running #sneezing

It's a small joy, but a joy nonetheless, to hold a freshly printed manuscript that is still warm from an old school laser printer. #writerslife

Bear Alert poster: High bear activity has been reported in this area!

Spotted more than halfway into a long run. Truly too late to turn back. This sign set my pace to finish! #Running #SpringtimeinVirginia