“I’d hope that my books would delight, transport, and inspire those who read them, and that with each book I’d become a stronger writer. Oh, and a funnier writer, too.”
—Rod Butler
A member of the Writers’ League since 2024, Rod lives in the Glen Rose, TX area.
Scribe: Welcome, writer! Tell us — what do you write?
Rod Butler: I write Junior Novels with comical superheroes and an inspirational theme. I’ve written one book of poetry (second one in the works) as well as an autobiography. Also write Early Readers for Kinder, 1st and 2nd graders and video scripts for Responsive Education Solutions.
Scribe: If you could choose one author to blurb your book, who would it be, and what would you want it to say?
RB: I would chose Ray Bradbury, and the fact is, a good while before he passed away, we struck up a casual correspondence across many years. He sent me a poster from one of his books that became a movie and signed it, “Good luck with your own books and stories!” How encouraging was that! One blurb to last a lifetime.
Scribe: You have one book you’re allowed to push onto all of your friends, and they’re forced to read it to remain your friend — which one would you choose?
RB: I’d choose The Hobbit by Tolkien, because it’s a beautifully written and stunningly imagined story that remains a high point in the literary landscape. If they said, “Hey, I saw the movie,” I’d counter that the movies were great, but the book is its own larger-than-life experience.
Scribe: Tell us your WLT story.
RB: My wife and daughter were visiting a small Texas town and met Richard Cunningham. He gave them a book (Three Good Leads) and introduced them to WLT. The book is now in my hands and I just joined yesterday.
Scribe: Where do you see your writing taking you (or you taking it) in the future?
RB: I’d hope that my books would delight, transport, and inspire those who read them, and that with each book I’d become a stronger writer. Oh, and a funnier writer, too.
Scribe: Here at the WLT, we love sharing book recommendations. What’s one book that has come out within the past few years that you couldn’t put down? (Bonus points if the book is Texas related!)
RB: Uh oh, I’m going to flunk this question. I don’t have a book like that, although I am reading a book that involves Texas, Stephen King’s 11/22/63, and it very much is hard to put down.
Scribe: Is there anything else about you that you would like to share with the world? An opportunity for blatant self-promotion!
RB: Ha ha, well, you should know that I’m nearly famous. My dad, John K. Butler, was a pulp fiction writer in the 40s (Dime Detective, Black Mask) and went on to write a ton of westerns for Republic Studios, including several for the singing cowboy Roy Rogers. I only got to visit him on alternating Sundays, and he passed in 1964, when I was about 9. But he gave me the writing bug, and though he’s been gone a long time, a 2nd collection of his Steve Midnight stories was just released in 2021. Go, Dad, go!
Scribe: Let us know any social media handles you have!
RB: Check out my website: filamentcity.com and find me on YouTube as Rod The Puppet Guy. Also feel free to contact me at cptflashlight@gmail.com or on FaceBook as Rod Butler.