#45: Mike Perry - A Literary Life Five Minutes From the Deer Stand

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.Subscribe to Longfire for more stories worth gathering around.Show linksWatch Longfire on YouTubeListen on Apple PodcastsListen on SpotifyFollow Longfire on InstagramGuest linksVisit SneezingCow.comBrowse Mike’s books, recordings, and merchandiseSubscribe to Michael Perry’s Voice MailFollow Mike on InstagramChapters00:00 Rapid Fire: Books, Deer Stands, and Liam Neeson09:20 The Story Behind Population: 48512:14 Returning Home and Joining the Fire Department16:37 Population: 485 and a Possible Broadway Musical20:22 His Dad, Wyoming, and an Unexpected Opportunity24:46 Becoming “Terminally Unemployable”26:59 How Publishing Changed and Why Mike Keeps Adapting31:02 Writing by Triage and the Blue Volkswagen Effect36:39 Literary Solitaire, Revision, and Fancy Words42:05 Building a Business Around the Writing46:32 Where to Find MikeThumbnail photo: Lee Butterworth Photography.