Steven Butler Reflects on Childhood Antics and Journey to Authorship

Butler recalls performing many mischievous acts as a child, primarily lying to those who would believe him. He once claimed to teachers that he had been on safari in Africa while missing school due to a cold, and he invented a story about his brother breaking all his limbs.

Growing up during the “HONEY, I SHRUNK THE KIDS!” era, Butler aspired to be an inventor surrounded by quirky gadgets. His path to becoming an author began while he was touring as Horrid Henry in a stage adaptation. His manuscript for The Wrong Pong serendipitously reached Elv Moody, the then-editor in chief at Puffin, who took a chance on him.

While Butler started writing professionally at age 27, he has been creating stories throughout his life. His primary inspiration came from Jeremy Strong, a humorous children's author and his primary school headmaster, who fostered in him a love for writing.

Butler admired Robin Jarvis’ books as a child, particularly The Deptford Mice Trilogy and The Whitby Witches Trilogy, which he found filled with adventure despite their darker themes.

If he could choose a superpower, Butler would wish to fly, a dream he held since childhood. His first experience of flying on stage as Peter Pan brought him to tears of joy.

This year for World Book Day, he dressed as a circus ringmaster while hosting The Biggest Book Show On Earth Tour. Although he doesn’t have children, he often encounters energetic kids at his book events, likening them to mini-menaces.

Regarding literary villains, Butler praises Miss Trunchbull from Matilda as his favorite, asserting that she could withstand any challenge, even from iconic antagonists like Captain Hook or Voldemort.

Currently, Butler is concluding the sixth book in The Diary of Dennis the Menace series and has just completed his first picture book for Puffin, set to be released in 2016, which he promises will be entertaining.