As we approach March and the release of Full Throttle, we are down to the last four Dark Dozen interviews, which will also be included in the Limited-Edition version of the anthology, as in previous years.
This week we have the incredible Eric Butler here to discuss all the spooky things.
Enjoy!
If you had three sentences to pitch your most recent book to a new reader, what is your pitch?
Its apocalyptic horror based on the 4 Horsemen of Revelations. Each Horseman is written by a different writer, so you not only get 4 different ways the end is coming, but you also get 4 distinct voices in Indie Horror.
Do you have a favorite book or story of your own that you talk about more than others? What makes it your favorite?
It’s hard to pick a favorite, but I think it’s my Pope Lick series. I love writing the Goatman character, and I feel my excitement, for the character bleeds into any discussion I can slip it into. I mean, who doesn’t love a giant cryptid with an ax looking to eat everyone it kills?
Have you ever experienced a natural disaster? If so, what was the scariest moment for you?
We’ve had a number of tornados strike in the area. It destroyed the comic store I worked out when I was 18. A tornado also got me out of Jury Duty one year when it blew through downtown and shut down the courthouse.
Has there been a disaster-based movie or book that has stuck with you since you first watched/read it? What was it and why did it stick?
The Road by Cormac McCarthy destroyed me. The father and son characters in the book were about the same age as myself and my son at the time I read it. It’s haunted me for years. I refuse to watch the movie.
Another one I’ve loved since I was a kid was The Planet of the Apes series. The movies have always been some of my favorites. I read the book in my 20s and it is fantastic.
What’s the one thing that scares you the most in this world and have you ever written about it?
Failing loved ones is probably the thing that weighs heaviest on me. Most of my books have characters dealing with this one way or another. Sometimes the failure is real and sometimes imagined, but it’s always there for the characters to overcome.
Is there an author that you would like to work with that would be a dream partnership for you?
That’s another tough question. I’ve worked on projects with some pretty amazing people: Candace Nola, M Ennenbach, Patrick C. Harrison III, Chris Miller, RJ Roles, and so many others. I’m sure it would be fun to work with RJ Benetti on something.
If you had one hour to speak to any living author, who would it be and why?
I think I’d pick Ronald Kelly. I’ve chatted with him, but there never seems to be enough time at the conventions to really get into anything. He’s a super nice guy and a hell of a writer.
What has been one of the proudest moments of your writing journey?
Releasing my first book, The Shadow Within. I had no idea what I was doing and still was able to write and release a book. I’m extremely proud of my first book, warts and all.
Who are you outside of being an author, meaning do you have other hobbies or interests that are your methods of relaxing or for refreshing, creative inspiration?
Most of my time is spent chasing around 3 huskies, but I love watching football (go Niners), reading (comics & books), and watching horror movies.
Do you think the horror industry is having a surge of new authors and new readers and if so, do you see this as a good thing?
I’ve been around the indie horror scene since December 2019, and you can tell there is a continuous roll-over of new authors and readers. It’s exciting to see which writers stick it out, and which ones decide it’s not their thing. I’m happy to see many of the readers are still around supporting their favorites and happy to dive into something new.
Where do you see the industry in ten years with regards to the evolution of tropes, diversity and inclusion, and readers, flourishing or floundering? Explain why.
Honestly, I’m not sure. I don’t pay attention to all the things going on behind the scenes, so I never know what directions the industry as a whole might choose to go. In my mind, I hope we are always open to keeping indie horror diverse. There’s room for everyone.
I think, like everything, there are ups and downs in the general audience’s tastes, but I assume the folks that love horror will always be around to read those of us sticking it out.
What is a piece of advice that you WISH someone had given you early in your career?
Just keep writing. Don’t get bogged down in the nonsense. Pay attention to your gut; if you think someone is a dirtbag, they probably are, but try to give everyone a chance to disprove that feeling in person.
Bio for Eric Butler:
Eric Butler does the daily bidding of three huskies, but somehow finds time to write horror fiction. With a twenty-year marriage and a grown son by his side, he won’t be running out of material any time soon. His works include The Pope Lick Massacre, The Rest Stop, and The Shadow Within, and his stories can be found in countless anthologies. Eric and his family call North Richland Hills, Texas, their home.
Find his work here:
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