Recent Posts

THE QUICK SUMMARY

(This is a pinned post summarizing the SneezingCow basics…scroll down for newer posts.)

Mike’s two most recent books: Improbable Mentors & Happy Tangents and Forty Acres Deep. (Indie booksellers scroll down to lower left for wholesale info). All the other books (including Population 485) and CDs and DVDs and T-shirts and can koozies and whatnots.

The Voice Mail page. (This is the weekly podcast — for free samples, click on the episodes without the miniature padlocks.)

Mike’s ability to spin his 20+ books and wide range of life experiences into humorous and heartfelt live presentations have put him in great demand as a public speaker. In addition to his one-man theater shows, Mike has delivered entertaining keynote addresses at conferences for software companies, hospitals and health care organizations, fire and EMS providers, farming and agricultural groups, national and regional utility cooperatives, business and economic development entities, governmental agencies, mental health organizations, dental hygienists, faith-based organizations, logging conventions, book festivals, MFA programs, libraries, and countless others. If you’re interested in retaining Mike for your event, please contact his booking agent here.

The mailing list signup (explained very specifically). We hope you’ll consider joining; it’s old-fashioned but way more loyal than social media. It’s also the best and most direct way to know when Mike’s got something new or is performing near you.

Upcoming live events.

Mike Perry – A Literary Life Five Minutes From the Deer Stand

Note from Mike: The young gentleman who hosted this interview was exceptionally well-prepared. It was great fun to follow his lead and head off into areas I don’t always explore…such as whether I could win a fight with Liam Neeson…

Mike Perry – A Literary Life Five Minutes From the Deer Stand

Mike 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 LINKS

CHAPTERS (links in the timestamps)

  • 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

 

Michael Perry in Bright Red Pajamas

Michael Perry in Bright Red Pajamas

Note from Mike: The idea of parading around in public wearing bright red pajamas horrifies me, but in this case I happily did so for Dolly Parton, for my wife, and for young readers (and those who support young readers). So thank you to the Family Resource Center of Eau Claire for inviting me to read Llama Llama Red Pajama at Maple Harvest Apple Orchard in support of their Read OUT LOUD! program and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.  And a special thank you to my wife, who was quietly instrumental in bringing Dolly’s book program to our area.

Road Gear

Deeply grateful for the writing life I wandered into, and I was never cut out to be a real farmer, but few things fill my heart like running childhood roads in road gear after stacking a few hay bales.

A Three Day Tour with The Long Beds

A Three Day Tour with The Long Beds

First things first: The Long Beds and I are gonna hit the road in October and we’d love it if you can join us: October 22 (Stoughton Opera House), 23 (Leona’s, Eau Claire) and 24 (Lucille Tack Center for The Arts, Spencer).A Three Day Tour with The Long Beds

Second, like so many things in life, one day you look up and you’ve got history dating back to long before the days we were playing opera houses and arts centers: