This has been a landmark year for writer and professor Ron Carlson. He recently moved from Arizona to Southern California to direct UC Irvine’s acclaimed M.F.A. writing program in fiction. And this month, his novel Five Skies will arrive in bookstores – his first return to full-length fiction after 25 years and four short story collections.

Carlson recently spent a few minutes reflecting on his arrival at UCI and the publication of his new book. To view the interview with Carlson, click here.