Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a self employed Karate instructor based in Essex, England. I have always written songs and had some of them released. I have written just two books.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
‘War Baby’ is my biography, just published on Amazon in Kindle and Paperback forms. I was inspired to write as I had so many tales to tell, usually after a few glasses of wine. On one occasion ten years ago, my Sister suggested I have enough stories to write a book, and so that’s how the book started. Ten years later after so many edits, rewrites and re-designs, it is finally finished and let loose onto the World
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Inspiration often comes at night before or even during sleeping; another sentence, paragraph or even chapter, will leap forward and I will have to get paper and pencil to record the moment.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I like all of the Dan Brown Books. I also enjoyed the early Joanne Harris adult books. Very inspirational were the Elena Ferrante series, fabulous. I like female writers and biographies of musicians and entertainers.
What are you working on now?
After finishing and publishing War Baby it’s time for a break from writing. When self publishing it’s not just the writing, it’s the layout and making sure that the correct text goes with the appropriate picture. That is the most difficult part for me.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I honestly don’t know. I have little experience of promotion. I put some stills onto Facebook, Instagram and Twitter etc, but not sure that this kind of promotion works.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Enjoy writing and write as much as you can. You can always throw out or edit later what you don’t like, but sometimes those throwaway lines actually work when you re-read a couple of days later
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
You’ll never publish a book! Give me a challenge and I’ll take it.
What are you reading now?
William Boyd – ‘Waiting for the Sunrise’. He’s a wonderful author.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I will write about the many years and experiences I have had in the world of Karate and maybe try to find a publisher so that I don’t have to do it.
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?
Elena Ferrante – ‘My Brilliant Friend’.
Frank Skinner – ‘My Autobiography’
Joanne Harris – ‘Chocolat’
Author Websites and Profiles
Rod Butler Amazon Profile
Rod Butler’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account