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

<p>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 <i>Population: 485</i>, and performs with his band, The Long Beds. </p><p></p><p>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.</p><p></p><p>Subscribe to Longfire for more stories worth gathering around.</p><p></p><h3>Show links</h3><ul><li><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/@longfireco" target="_blank">Watch Longfire on YouTube</a></li><li><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/longfire/id1851467002" target="_blank">Listen on Apple Podcasts</a></li><li><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://open.spotify.com/show/2IGYfTSYNvsD96UjUqqCJt" target="_blank">Listen on Spotify</a></li><li><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/longfireco/" target="_blank">Follow Longfire on Instagram</a></li></ul><h3>Guest links</h3><ul><li><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://sneezingcow.com/" target="_blank">Visit </a><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://SneezingCow.com" target="_blank">SneezingCow.com</a></li><li><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://sneezingcow.com/store/" target="_blank">Browse Mike’s books, recordings, and merchandise</a></li><li><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://michaelperry.substack.com/" target="_blank">Subscribe to Michael Perry’s Voice Mail</a></li><li><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/sneezingcow/" target="_blank">Follow Mike on Instagram</a></li></ul><h2>Chapters</h2><ul><li><b>00:00</b> Rapid Fire: Books, Deer Stands, and Liam Neeson</li><li><b>09:20</b> The Story Behind <i>Population: 485</i></li><li><b>12:14</b> Returning Home and Joining the Fire Department</li><li><b>16:37</b> <i>Population: 485</i> and a Possible Broadway Musical</li><li><b>20:22</b> His Dad, Wyoming, and an Unexpected Opportunity</li><li><b>24:46</b> Becoming “Terminally Unemployable”</li><li><b>26:59</b> How Publishing Changed and Why Mike Keeps Adapting</li><li><b>31:02</b> Writing by Triage and the Blue Volkswagen Effect</li><li><b>36:39</b> Literary Solitaire, Revision, and Fancy Words</li><li><b>42:05</b> Building a Business Around the Writing</li><li><b>46:32</b> Where to Find Mike<p></p></li></ul><p>Thumbnail photo: Lee Butterworth Photography.</p><p></p>