Home - Ron Butlin

I wonder if you might fancy receiving instalments of my current novel-in-progress, THE DIARY I DIDN’T KEEP – as I write it? I am publishing it fortnightly on Substack. It is completely free to you. There is also an option to support my writing (a modest £6 per month). But only if you wish to.
Please let me know if you are interested (ron@ronbutlin.co.uk), and I will put your email address on my SUBSTACK list. Or you can check it out directly at https://ronbutlin.substack.com/p/the-diary-i-didnt-keep. Having you as a reader would help me greatly to keep going as a writer.

As you may know, I have published around 20 books. Many have been critically acclaimed and won prizes, but none, alas, have been bestsellers. At my age, I could write War and Peace, and no publisher would even bother to glance at the MS, let alone publish it. Quite simply, writing and publishing my will help keep me functioning as a writer, and I hope you will get some pleasure from them, too.

The first two short instalments (7-minute reads) are already available on SUBSTACK. The response has been incredibly encouraging. (‘Powerful… inspiring… This is some of your best work ever,’ ‘Loved it,’ ‘Fabulous’).

SUBSTACK has been set up to help writers keep in touch with readers. An excellent idea. It is also used by such authors as Margaret Atwood and Salman Rushdie.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Warm greetings from wintry-feeling Edinburgh, Ron

My previous novel

SO MANY LIVES AND ALL OF THEM ARE YOURS, a stand-alone sequel to my prize-winning THE SOUND OF MY VOICE, was published last September. The novel instantly became Blackwell’s Scottish Book of the Month, complete with a window display all to itself!

SO MANY LIVES AND ALL OF THEM ARE YOURS received excellent reviews. Here are a few:

Addictive…A stunning novel about making the most of life — and love — while you still can. Darkly comic… laced with compassion and optimism.’ The Sunday Post

‘Rich in comedy… There is exuberance in the telling, and, best of all, a warm humanity. Butlin looks at the dark side of life, but does not yield to it. This is a happily affirmative novel.’ Allan Massie in the Scotsman

‘Every bit as masterful as its celebrated 1987 predecessor [The Sound of My Voice]. Herald

GENERAL INFO

If you wish to commission a poem, discuss a project or invite me to give a talk or reading, please contact me direct: ron@ronbutlin.co.uk

Ditto if you wish to buy a signed copy of any of my books.

You might also contact my wonderful agent Kathryn Ross: Tel 0131-657-4412 / 07980 668310
www.fraserross.co.uk
Facebook: Fraser Ross Associates

To book me as an after-dinner speaker, please contact: Speak Out: 0131 440 9226

GENERAL

An international prize-winning novelist, Ron Butlin is also a former Edinburgh Makar / Poet Laureate (2008-2014). In 2009 he was made the first-ever Honorary Writing Fellow (together with Ian Rankin) at Edinburgh University. Much of his work — novels, short stories and poetry — has been broadcast and translated into over a dozen languages. In addition to his plays for BBC radio and theatre, he has written seven opera libretti, three of them for Scottish Opera. He has given readings worldwide. He also writes for children. He lives in Edinburgh with his wife, the writer Regi Claire.

See tabs for more details.

Now back over to Ron:

I love words, their sound and their magic. Having published nearly 20 books of poetry and fiction for adults and for children, I am as excited now to begin writing every morning as when I first started. My work has won many awards and prizes both here and abroad. My creative writing workshops are all about helping writers (especially primary school pupils) access their imagination.

I look forward to hearing from you, should you ever wish to get in touch!