Paul Butler
Paul Butler is a modern day novelist and author who has gained much recognition for his novels that range from crime fiction to inspirational pieces. His eclectic career has introduced readers to a variety of genres, while simultaneously captivating them with his signature storytelling style.
Born in the United Kingdom in 1974, Butler spent much of his early life honing his writing craft, spending time at the art school of Birmingham City University. After graduating with a degree in journalism in 1996, Butler went on to become a professional journalist, focusing primarily on music and sports. His first foray into literature came in 2004 with the release of The Family Lawyer. Written under the pseudonym Paul Madsen, the novel was a critical success resulting in a nomination for the Crime Writers’ Association’s Debut Dagger Award.
Butler’s fame as a writer was further solidified with the 2006 publication of Rules of the Game, another thriller. Praised by the likes of The Yorkshire Post, The Daily Telegraph and The Sunday Times, this novel affirmed Butler’s reputation as a capable narrative craftsman. One of the more distinctive aspects of the book stemmed from its thoroughly researched portrayal of the criminal underworld. With Butler having taken a special interest in the machinations of organized crime, it endowed the novel with a degree of verisimilitude that was appreciated by many of his readers.
Following the success of his first two novels, Butler became a full-time writer and has since authored numerous other works. Of particular note would be We All Fall Down and The Butler Manuscript, both of which identify as psychological thrillers. We All Fall Down is the story of a man on the run after the death of a young woman. This novel is notable for its intense plotting, along with its character developments, which portray intense emotions and repressions. The Butler Manuscript, meanwhile, deals with the attempts of Jack Butler, a journalist, to uncover the identity of a murderer while being tortured by the same killer. It was well-received, with praise from authors such as Michael Connelly and Simon Kernick. In 2017, Butler’s novel Speak Your Mind was published, with many considering it to be a complete inverted profile of We All Fall Down.
Apart from novels, Butler has branched out into other areas of writing such as short stories. His short story collection, The Unwritten Stories of Paul Butler, was published by Corsair in 2012 and received high praise from The Independent.
In addition to books, Butler has also dabbled in scriptwriting, with his scripts gaining attention from the BBC. Two of his most praised works are “A Far Off Place” and “Where the Heart Is.” Both these pieces demonstrate Butler’s versatility as a writer, allowing him to move away from his usual themes and onto more grounded, human stories.
In terms of literary awards, Butler has taken home a number of nominations including WH Smith Fresh Talent in 2006. He has also had various works performed for BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio 4 Extra, BBC World Service and BBC7 (now BBC Radio 4 Extra).
It is clear that Butler’s crafty story-telling has sparked the imagination of many readers and continues to capture the hearts of his growing audience year after year. With books and writing across multiple genres to his name, Paul Butler has become a celebrated writer in modern literature.
