Jim Butcher, American writer: biography, creativity

Jim Butcher - author of the famous book series "Dresden's Dossier", "Codex Alera" and "Ash Towers". His skills are not subject to time, and even if Butcher was born two hundred years ago, he would find a cause for himself. This is a very versatile personality. No one knows what is going on in the head of this person. He does it in his hometown of Independence, Missouri.

For his decision to become a published author in 1990, the local gave him the nickname Longshot, which in English means a competitor with a small chance of winning. This is due to the fact that in the art of writing the probability of being published is 3 to 1000, and despite the publication of his work, making money on this is a difficult task. But the sales of the second series of books became a turning point in Jim's career, and the initially disastrous choice of the writer's profession brought its dividends.

Biography

Jim Butcher was born in the fourth largest city of Missouri, Independence, October 26, 1971. His fame was brought by modern fantasy book series "Dresden's Dossier" and "Codex Alera". Butcher has two older sisters, who instilled in him a love for the fantasy genre. When in childhood he fell ill with acute pharyngitis, they gave him the book "The Lord of the Rings" and "Adventures of Han Solo". The world of the universe of these books literally fascinated Jim, and he became an avid fan of fantasy and science fiction.

At the writer's conferences, Jim Butcher shares his experience with young and novice writers. One of his advice is: never stop writing. Jim is a striking example of a man walking his own way, who did not stop doing what he liked, even while others were telling him that he had chosen the wrong profession.

Jim Butcher has a wife Shannon and son James, who currently live with him in Missouri. His legendary series "Dresden's Dossier" continues to be replenished with new works. On the Internet, Jim leads an online diary in which he talks about many secrets and chips for a successful career as a writer.

Career

Jim wrote his first book when he was only 19 years old. According to him, she was disgusting, which pushed him to write the next, then another. The experience gained enabled him to completely remake his first work, which became much better. He continued to create books, while changing the genre of fantasy from the traditional to the more mystical and supernatural. According to Jim, the lack of an innate talent in writing books, he replaces using special techniques.

The first book of the series "Dresden's Dossier" Jim wrote in the courses of literary skill. In the next half-year he finished the second part of this series. The continuation did not wait, and he started on the third book. His manuscript tried to send to the publishing house Jim Butcher. The editors' comments were very ambiguous: some tried to cheer him up, others tried to destroy his hopes of becoming a sought-after writer. These troubles lasted two years, until Butcher decided not to meet with all those who had previously refused him, and to talk with them face to face with a cup of coffee. At that time it seemed like a waste of time, but over time, dating helped his career.

Jim Butcher's Bibliography

During his career, Jim Butcher, whose books have been translated into more than a dozen languages, wrote more than 25 novels that were part of a certain book series. He is the author of three book series: "Dresden Dossier", "Codex Alera" and "Ash Towers". Let's consider them further.

Book series "Dresden's Dossier": a plot

The series was written in the modern mystical genre. The narrative is from the first person, the protagonist of the private detective and wizard Harry Dresden, who is trying to uncover mysterious crimes in Chicago of our days. Initially, Jim Butcher wanted to name the series Semiautomagic (literally "semi-magic"), where the name would completely reflect the balance between the usual fantasy and the exciting detective.

Success among readers

The first novel of the Dresden Dossier series, Thunderstorm from the Underworld, was published in April 2000 by the New American Library and Penguin Books. After nine months, the second book from the series "The Moon Shines on the Mad Men" was released. Then each year, one or two books from the series were released. In 2006, the eighth novel, "Evidence of Guilt", ranked 21st in the New York Times and 91 in the USA Today. Jim's book "White Night" was ranked among the top five best-selling books, according to the New York Times, with a circulation of more than 100,000 copies.

The next work, released in April 2008, is a "Little favor". She took second place in the list of bestsellers by the New York Times and third in the rating of USA Today. This result is the highest in Jim's career. In all, at the moment, the series includes 15 novels and is expected to continue.

Audiobooks and video games

Audiobooks based on the novels The Thunderstorm of Hell are included in the set of 8, "The Moon Shines for the Madmen" of 9 and "The Grave as a Gift" of 10 CDs.

Butcher was friends with the founders of Evil Hat Productions, which specializes in the development of computer role-playing games. Jim's representative Jennifer Jackson advised him to contact them and agree on cooperation. As a result, in 2004 appeared a game based on the book series.

TV series

In June 2003, screenwriter and producer Morgan Hendel received the rights to screen the series. In April 2004, the Sci Fi television channel produced a two-hour film based on the novel "The Thunderstorm from the Underworld" in conjunction with Lions Gate Television and Saturn Films. The executive producers of the picture were Nicolas Cage and Norman Golightly. In turn, Morgan Handel was appointed screenwriter and executive producer of the television series.

In October 2005, Sci Fi gave a green light to the launch. Actor Paul Blackator became the main actor. The first season consisted of 12 episodes, and his final was in April 2007. Fans collected signatures for its continuation, but Sci Fi refused to fulfill their demands and resumed filming.

"Thunderstorm from the Underworld"

It is worth noting that the very first novel of the series of books "The Dresden Dossier" is "The Thunderstorm of Hell". His story is that private detective Harry Dresden hires a woman to find his missing husband Victor Sells, the beginning illusionist. The next day, it becomes known about the brutal murder of two people, whose witness Viktor could have become. Next, the book introduces us to vampires, unknown magicians, suspicious custodians. The reader is waited by an unexpected denouement, which Jim Butcher was able to gracefully present. "The storm from the underworld" will not leave indifferent fans of modern fantasy.

"Peace talks"

Currently, Jim Butcher is busy writing his sixteenth book for the series "Dresden's Dossier" - "Peace Talks". On Butcher's official website, the release date is still unknown. Therefore, it is not yet clear when Jim Butcher will release his new book. "Peace talks" is the most anticipated book for many readers.

Reaction of readers

The work of Jim Butcher for many is an opening. With each novel there is an evolution of the author and his style. Many note that the main plot of all the works consists of a confrontation between good and evil, and Jim Butcher presents this simple but well-played idea to readers. "The storm from the underworld" should not be an exception in this regard. Critics are wiping their glasses, while true fans release space on the shelves. Once having touched the work of Jim Butcher, it is impossible not to love his subsequent work.