Michael Clarkson is a Canadian journalist, author, and speaker who began his career in freelance newspaper writing in 1967. After facing early career setbacks, he secured a position at the Niagara Falls Review. His personal struggles with chronic depression influenced his life, including a notable attempt to meet his idol, J.D. Salinger. Clarkson's journalism career spanned several decades and publications, including the St. Catharines Standard and the Calgary Herald, where he received numerous awards for his investigative reporting, sports writing, and features on societal issues like economic hardship and healthcare system failures. He later moved to the Toronto Star before retiring in 2004.

Following his retirement from journalism, Clarkson has focused on writing books and speaking about mental health. His literary work includes titles that delve into topics such as sports psychology, fear management, and paranormal investigations, most notably concerning poltergeists and unexplained disturbances. He also produced a documentary on suicides at Niagara Falls. Clarkson has been open about his personal experiences with chronic depression and vasovagal attacks, and has also been involved in rescue missions at Niagara Falls.

Clarkson commenced his professional writing journey in 1967 as a freelance journalist. His career path led him through various newspapers, including the Niagara Falls Review and the St. Catharines Standard. During his tenure at the Standard, he was part of a team recognized with the inaugural Centre for Investigative Journalism Award for their reporting on a sensitive mass arrest case. He also garnered a National Newspaper Award for Sports Writing for a piece on hockey legend Hap Emms. Later, at the Calgary Herald, Clarkson received another National Newspaper Award for Sports Writing for his coverage of AIDS-related deaths within the figure skating community. His work also addressed the economic struggles of Calgarians and exposed issues within the healthcare system, earning further accolades.

In his post-journalism career, Michael Clarkson has dedicated himself to writing books and speaking engagements, particularly focusing on mental health and the paranormal. His bibliography features several titles that investigate unexplained phenomena, with a significant focus on poltergeists. Works such as "When Beds Float: Examining The Poltergeist Enigma" and "The Poltergeist Phenomenon" delve into disturbances and mysteries associated with these entities. He has also explored themes related to fear and the human psyche in books like "Intelligent Fear" and "Quick Fixes for Everyday Fears." Clarkson's interest in mental health is also evident in his personal life, having openly discussed his own struggles with chronic depression and his involvement in a documentary about suicides at Niagara Falls.