Spike Carlsen

Spike Carlsen has been writing about the world around us, the stuff in it and how it all works for over 25 years. He was an editor with Readers’ Digest’s, Family Handyman magazine for 15 years where he wrote hundreds of articles and oversaw the books division. He’s written for Men’s Health, The Minneapolis Star Tribune, The Wall Street Journal, Smithsonian, Make, Mother Earth News, Fine Homebuilding and a number of other magazines.
He’s the author of the award-winning A Splintered History of Wood, as well as The Backyard Homestead Book of Building Projects, Woodworking FAQ, Cabin Lessons, Building Unique & Useful Kid’s Furniture and more. He’s appeared on the NBC TODAY SHOW, Modern Marvels, HGTV, the CBS Early Show and dozens of other radio and television programs.
Prior to picking up a pen he swung a hammer for fifteen years and taught elementary school. In his free time he enjoys biking, woodworking and attempting to keep their 170 year old house from keeling over. He and his wife, Kat, live in Stillwater, Minnesota, in close proximity to their 5 kids and 8 grand kids
His most recent book, A Walk Around the Block: Squirrels, Sewers, Stoplights, and Other Stuff you see Every Day but Know Nothing About (Harper One) was released fall of 2020.