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Search forFormer Derbyshire magician wins publishing deal
Thursday, August 28, 2008, 13:30
Tony Butler spent years entertaining children through his work as a professional magician, both at parties and the former American Adventure theme park in Shipley.
But 12 years ago, he put pen to paper after joining a writing club, using his experiences as a children's entertainer to create stories that would appeal to youngsters.
He decided to make his books available on the internet as e-books, enabling people to download his stories and read them on their computers.
His work has proved such a hit that his American-based publisher, Mystic Moon Press, has now agreed to release several of his books as paperbacks.
The 65-year-old, of Morley Drive, Ilkeston, said: "I would encourage any writer to make their books available online, like I have.
"It's very difficult to get a publisher straight away and this is a good way of getting your work noticed."
Mr Butler's first e-book, Merlin's Granddaughter, was published on the internet in November 2007 and tells the story of Rowena, who is raised by Merlin the wizard, frozen in ice for 1,500 years and then befriended by 13-year-old twins when she reawakes.
This year, Mr Butler released two more e-books, this time aimed at adult readers.
Different is about a teenager who discovers she is part of a genetic experiment which gives her unusual powers and Killing Cat tells the story of a woman framed for a murder she did not commit.
In the last three months, more than 250 people have downloaded the three books and, as a result, in the next few months they will be available to buy as paperbacks via the internet and in bookshops.
For Mr Butler, who is chairman of Eastwood Writers' Group and a member of Nottingham Writers' Club, the news is a dream come true.
He said: "It will be fantastic to actually hold a copy of the books. I was so pleased when I heard they were going to be published – it's every writer's dream."
This is not the first time Mr Butler's work has been recognised.
In 2002, he won Derbyshire's Read On,Write Away adult literary competition for his children's short story trilogy Abby and Jackdaw's Adventures, which his publishers have also agreed to release.
kickerx: Please note - caption no longer have full pointsxx
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