Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
We’ve published three books in the last year: Butch & Louie’s Book of Stress-Relieving Humor: Feel Better Fast, Butch & Louie’s Book of Poetry, and Butch & Louie’s Book of Odd Short Stories.
The only thing they have in common is us, Butch & Louie.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Our last book is Butch & Louie’s Book of Odd Short Stories. Our inspiration was poverty.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes, we only write with words we can spell.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Mrs. Blanchard, our tenth grade English teacher, encouraged our study of etymology, which looks at the origin of words and how they’ve changed over time.
One day, she asked us to stay after class to discuss some specific things she thought we could do to improve ourselves. As we were taking notes on everything she said, she used the word incorrigible in a reference to us. We raised our hands and asked her if she could spell that, and maybe use it in sentence to put it into context for us.
She said, “Of course. You two are incorrigible idiots who can’t spell sh*t!” She suggested we hang around for the summer and take a class in etymology which might help us learn to string two words together that make some kind of sense.
At first, we thought etymology might be a cooking class, but thanks to Mrs. Blanchard, we got our first real lessons in understanding and using words. However, she was wrong about us not being able to spell the word “sh*t.” If she had looked around the school, she would have credited us with using it in several places, both in context and out of context.
Mrs. Blanchard would probably be surprised to know we over came being idiots and wrote three books with all the words spelled correctly. Unfortunately, she has dementia now and lives in a home with other people who can’t remember who lives next door. However, we’ve been told that every time our names are mentioned, she gets very animated and needs tranquilizers to calm down, so we know she still remembers us. Why wouldn’t she? We’re Butch & Louie.
What are you working on now?
Lately, we’ve been thinking about a plan to spring Mrs. Blanchard from the home and take her for ride, but first we’ve got to adjust our cam chain tensioners. If the cam chain tensioners are too tight, we’ll have inner bearing problems. Then we’ll have to buy hydraulic tension cam plates, and won’t be able to take anyone for a ride.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
We give them away. In our marketing survey of 5000 people who showed signs of being able to read, they said they preferred books that didn’t cost anything. That did it for us, so all of Butch & Louie’s books are free.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Of course we do. Make sure you are very successful and make lots and lots of money before you start publishing books because you’re going to need it!
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Make sure you are very successful and make lots and lots of money before you start publishing books because you’re going to need it!
What are you reading now?
We’re reading the instruction manual for adjusting our cam chain tensioners. Friday is date night! We’ve got to get it done.
What’s next for you as a writer?
We’re just waiting to the back from the Pulitizer Board.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
What! No streaming services?