About this episode

Mike Perry is a New York Times bestselling author, humorist, speaker, musician, volunteer firefighter, and first responder from rural Wisconsin. Raised on a dairy farm, he worked summers as a Wyoming ranch hand, became a registered nurse, and eventually built a writing career rooted in rural people, places, and work. He has written more than 25 books, including Population: 485, and performs with his band, The Long Beds.

In our conversation, he explains how a farm kid who once thought authors were mysterious capital-A people learned to make a living with words while staying five minutes from his deer stand. We also learn that if he ever fights Liam Neeson, the plan begins and probably ends at the kneecaps.

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Show links

Guest links

Chapters

  • 00:00 Rapid Fire: Books, Deer Stands, and Liam Neeson
  • 09:20 The Story Behind Population: 485
  • 12:14 Returning Home and Joining the Fire Department
  • 16:37 Population: 485 and a Possible Broadway Musical
  • 20:22 His Dad, Wyoming, and an Unexpected Opportunity
  • 24:46 Becoming “Terminally Unemployable”
  • 26:59 How Publishing Changed and Why Mike Keeps Adapting
  • 31:02 Writing by Triage and the Blue Volkswagen Effect
  • 36:39 Literary Solitaire, Revision, and Fancy Words
  • 42:05 Building a Business Around the Writing
  • 46:32 Where to Find Mike

Thumbnail photo: Lee Butterworth Photography.