The Answer 500 Authors Keep Giving
For the 500th episode, Mike Carlon turns the mic on himself: where writing careers begin, why there are no overnight successes, grief, and the 3 a.m. download t…
A weekly podcast · 500+ conversations
The stories behind the stories.
Every Tuesday, novelist Mike Carlon sits down with an author to talk about the breakthroughs, the setbacks, and the moments that made the book.
I'm a reader Find your next favorite book.
Browse 500+ author conversations and explore Mike's nine novels — from the Farrah Graham mysteries to The Waiting Room.
Start reading → I'm a writer Get your story out of the bottle.Craft lessons from hundreds of working authors, coaching with Mike, and a chance to come on the show.
Start writing →From the archive
Listener favorites
The Man Who Invented the Medical Thriller
Dr. Robin Cook — the creator of the medical thriller genre — talks about his 41st novel Bellevue, writing his first book on a nuclear submarine, and why patients deserve credit for the history of medicine.
Listen →
Music and Murder
Internationally bestselling thriller author Hannah Mary McKinnon on writing thrillers and rom-coms, crafting song lyrics for a fictional band, and why failure was the best thing that happened to her career.
Listen →
Lessons from the Other Side
Vincent Tolman died for over 45 minutes, was revived by a rookie EMT, and came back from heaven with 10 life-changing principles about authenticity, love, and why relationships are all that matter.
Listen →Books by Mike Carlon
Nine novels and counting.
Latest release
The Waiting Room
A moving novel inspired by personal loss — about family, the end of life, and the mystery of what comes next, told with humor and heart.
“This is a beautiful, tight story of end-of-life issues, family dynamics and life lessons. Everyone can relate to something from this story.”
The Farrah Graham Series
A four-book series of murder, wine and a podcast host who can't stop digging.
Standalone Novels
Different worlds, different questions — from the dark to the irreverent.
Free book
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Each week's new conversation in your inbox, plus news on Mike's books. Sign up and get Uncorking a Murder, the first Farrah Graham mystery, free.
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Writing coaching
Nine novels. 500+ author interviews. Now in your corner.
Small-group and one-on-one coaching to take your memoir or novel from idea to finished manuscript, drawing on everything Mike has learned writing his own books — and asking other authors how they wrote theirs.
Authors
Have a book out? Come on the show.
Tell Mike about your book and the story behind it, then pick a recording time.
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Meet your host
Hi, I'm Mike Carlon.
I've always been drawn to stories — the ones we tell ourselves, and the ones we share with others.
Writing began as a creative outlet and became a lifeline, helping me make sense of loss, love, and life's many plot twists. Over time, that passion turned into nine published novels that weave humor, heart, and reflection.
Curiosity led me to launch Uncorking a Story, a podcast where I've interviewed more than 500 authors about their journeys. Each conversation reminds me that stories connect us, heal us, and push us to grow.
Professionally, I've spent my career in qualitative research, uncovering the human truths behind why people behave the way they do as buyers. Now, I bring those threads together — as an author, podcaster, and coach — to help others find and share their own stories.
Because at the end of the day, our stories are what outlast us — and they deserve to be told.