About S.C. Butler
S.C. Butler was born in Cambridge, MA in the middle of the last century, which really isn't so very
long ago. He currently resides in Brooklyn, NY with no dogs, no cats, and certainly no shape
shifting bears. He is the author of the popular Stoneways Series:
1. Reiffen's Choice (2006)
2. Queen Ferris (2007)
3. The Magicians' Daughter (2008)
For more information on S.C. Butler, please visit his website at www.valingstoneways.com.
S.C. Butler was born in Cambridge, MA in the middle of the last century, which really isn't so very
long ago. He currently resides in Brooklyn, NY with no dogs, no cats, and certainly no shape
shifting bears. He is the author of the popular Stoneways Series:
1. Reiffen's Choice (2006)
2. Queen Ferris (2007)
3. The Magicians' Daughter (2008)
For more information on S.C. Butler, please visit his website at www.valingstoneways.com.
S.C. Butler -- May 10, 2008
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Post Meeting Write-up
S.C. "Sam" Butler was a great guest. As Steve points out, he started out reading an excerpt from
Reiffen's Choice, the first book of the Stoneways Series: Reiffen's Choice (2006), Queen
Ferris (2007), and coming soon, The Magicians' Daughter (2008). The reading was lively, fun
and had us engrossed and hooked.
After reading, Mr. Butler said he preferred to let us guide the discussion with our questions. The
question poured out and Mr. Butler was having a lot of fun answering them. We learned he likes
to write to music - punk music being a favorite. He described writing a "tranquil" scene with the
Ramones blasting in the background! We learned about his influences - Anthony Trolloppe,
Tolkien. He discussed how he never writes with an outline and why that can be good. Imagine
writing an outline then never going in that direction with the story - he does it a lot. Mr. Butler had
a lively and personable wit that kept things flowing. We couldn't stop asking questions.
Mike P found out that Mr. Butler is a HUGE Dr. Strange fan. This led to a great story about a
12-year-old Sam and some friends realizing some of their comic book heroes worked in New
York City, not far from their Brooklyn homes. Road trip, elevator ride to offices, blocked by
secretary, "want to buy some back issues", the boys thinking this was surely the greatest offer
ever when out comes Stan Lee! Autographs, happy campers and a one-of-a-kind autograph.
You could envision the 12-year-old and feel the excitement.
Todd asked about world building and Sam described the world he had created for his series and
the things he does/doesn't make specific and why. Remi had been to his website and was
hooked on a novella that was an earlier work. This novella was set in the same world in the
Stoneway Series, but came years after. The science of his worlds was discussed, as was the
magic and research that goes into them. He discussed his characters, his logic for certain
choices (i.e. no religion, no description of the abyss), his likes and dislikes in current reading
material, his early writing attempts, how he likes the world the Hobbits live in, and how he really
wants to go to Hogwarts - really!
All in all, a fantastic meeting and a wonderful guest. A lot of laughing, a lot of information, and Mr.
Butler happily told us he'd love for us to do his one of his books at a meeting so he could come
back to discuss it with us. To oblige this request, we will see if Sam can join us for July's Modern
Masters to discuss Reiffen's Choice.
The diner followed the event where we continued the fun. At least this time Bill did not bite
anyone. Talk ranged from anime to Iron Man to Todd profusely apologizing - run Todd run. Thom
was pickle eating again. Paul described his college photo that had him looking like the
sociopath next door. Taras pretended to behave at the head of the table - pretended being the
operative word - lol. Good time. (Ann-Marie)
Let us not forget that it was not just Stan Lee that he got to meet, but Wally Woods, Steve Ditko,
and Jack Kirby! And he got those notables to sign a piece of Marvel Corporate stationary!
Seriously, though, SC Butler was amazing and highly animated. I loved it when he was talking
about the over-abundance of Elves in fantasy, and that the Dwarves always just seem to be there
but not doing much other than hoarding gold. The idea of Dwarves as scientists and inventors
has been done before, but not to the depth that Sam seems to have taken, and I was intrigued by
the concept of the upside down cities suspended over the abyss and the dirigibles that the
dwarves were using as transport.
Another nifty idea is the character of the shape-shifting bear god (Redburr). He is a bear based
subconsciously on Falstaff from Henry IV. How cool is that?
I also want to say that the reading was really great. Sam has a great voice and the scene was
definitely dark and powerful. I am looking forward to reading this one. (Todd)
The guest speaker of this past Saturday's meeting of the Science Fiction Society of Northern New
Jersey (www.sfsnnj.com/index.html) was S C Butler, author of a current fantasy series from
TOR. Besides citing authors as diverse as Tolkien and Heinlein as early influences and/or
reading favorites, Mr.. Butler also discussed loving reading Edgar Rice Burroughs, especially the
first three volumes of the Tarzan and Mars series. (Bill)
We started the Whispers From Beyond segment of the show at around 7:30 when I (Steve
Spinosa) read a scene from the Return of The Jedi novelization by James Kahn illustrating this
month's theme of Rebellions & Revolutionaries (this is the scene where the rebel alliance maps
out its final attack plan against the Empire/Death Star). Chris Hasselkus read an excerpt from
Watership Down, and Master Todd read a trial scene from the novel Crossover. Todd finished by
8:00 p.m. promptly, and then I introduced "Sam" Butler, who started by reading an excerpt from
his novel Reiffen's Choice (which is the first of his series). He talked about Reiffen's story being
the overarching theme of the book series (two are already published, with the third coming out in
the fall, if all goes well). He also discussed the many ideas he had for stories that failed (A
western with baseball players! A science fiction/rock 'n' roll story with accompanying music &
lyrics!!!) before hitting upon this magical fantasy trilogy idea. Remy asked about the
novella on his website which was written before the trilogy but actually is set afterwards, and Sam
suggested that folks not read it until after the third book comes out, but then changed his mind.
He also discussed his influences (including classic literature, J.R.R. Tolkien, and Dr. Strange
(Steve Ditko's classic Marvel comic's character). It was a very entertaining meeting that wrapped
up by 9:45,after which some, but not all the folks in the group went to the diner (Jim & I didn't due
to allergies). On Friday Face The Fiction Part II will convene at the GSP Borders with our special
guest Mystery author E.J. Rand. See y'all then! (Steve)
S.C. "Sam" Butler was a great guest. As Steve points out, he started out reading an excerpt from
Reiffen's Choice, the first book of the Stoneways Series: Reiffen's Choice (2006), Queen
Ferris (2007), and coming soon, The Magicians' Daughter (2008). The reading was lively, fun
and had us engrossed and hooked.
After reading, Mr. Butler said he preferred to let us guide the discussion with our questions. The
question poured out and Mr. Butler was having a lot of fun answering them. We learned he likes
to write to music - punk music being a favorite. He described writing a "tranquil" scene with the
Ramones blasting in the background! We learned about his influences - Anthony Trolloppe,
Tolkien. He discussed how he never writes with an outline and why that can be good. Imagine
writing an outline then never going in that direction with the story - he does it a lot. Mr. Butler had
a lively and personable wit that kept things flowing. We couldn't stop asking questions.
Mike P found out that Mr. Butler is a HUGE Dr. Strange fan. This led to a great story about a
12-year-old Sam and some friends realizing some of their comic book heroes worked in New
York City, not far from their Brooklyn homes. Road trip, elevator ride to offices, blocked by
secretary, "want to buy some back issues", the boys thinking this was surely the greatest offer
ever when out comes Stan Lee! Autographs, happy campers and a one-of-a-kind autograph.
You could envision the 12-year-old and feel the excitement.
Todd asked about world building and Sam described the world he had created for his series and
the things he does/doesn't make specific and why. Remi had been to his website and was
hooked on a novella that was an earlier work. This novella was set in the same world in the
Stoneway Series, but came years after. The science of his worlds was discussed, as was the
magic and research that goes into them. He discussed his characters, his logic for certain
choices (i.e. no religion, no description of the abyss), his likes and dislikes in current reading
material, his early writing attempts, how he likes the world the Hobbits live in, and how he really
wants to go to Hogwarts - really!
All in all, a fantastic meeting and a wonderful guest. A lot of laughing, a lot of information, and Mr.
Butler happily told us he'd love for us to do his one of his books at a meeting so he could come
back to discuss it with us. To oblige this request, we will see if Sam can join us for July's Modern
Masters to discuss Reiffen's Choice.
The diner followed the event where we continued the fun. At least this time Bill did not bite
anyone. Talk ranged from anime to Iron Man to Todd profusely apologizing - run Todd run. Thom
was pickle eating again. Paul described his college photo that had him looking like the
sociopath next door. Taras pretended to behave at the head of the table - pretended being the
operative word - lol. Good time. (Ann-Marie)
Let us not forget that it was not just Stan Lee that he got to meet, but Wally Woods, Steve Ditko,
and Jack Kirby! And he got those notables to sign a piece of Marvel Corporate stationary!
Seriously, though, SC Butler was amazing and highly animated. I loved it when he was talking
about the over-abundance of Elves in fantasy, and that the Dwarves always just seem to be there
but not doing much other than hoarding gold. The idea of Dwarves as scientists and inventors
has been done before, but not to the depth that Sam seems to have taken, and I was intrigued by
the concept of the upside down cities suspended over the abyss and the dirigibles that the
dwarves were using as transport.
Another nifty idea is the character of the shape-shifting bear god (Redburr). He is a bear based
subconsciously on Falstaff from Henry IV. How cool is that?
I also want to say that the reading was really great. Sam has a great voice and the scene was
definitely dark and powerful. I am looking forward to reading this one. (Todd)
The guest speaker of this past Saturday's meeting of the Science Fiction Society of Northern New
Jersey (www.sfsnnj.com/index.html) was S C Butler, author of a current fantasy series from
TOR. Besides citing authors as diverse as Tolkien and Heinlein as early influences and/or
reading favorites, Mr.. Butler also discussed loving reading Edgar Rice Burroughs, especially the
first three volumes of the Tarzan and Mars series. (Bill)
We started the Whispers From Beyond segment of the show at around 7:30 when I (Steve
Spinosa) read a scene from the Return of The Jedi novelization by James Kahn illustrating this
month's theme of Rebellions & Revolutionaries (this is the scene where the rebel alliance maps
out its final attack plan against the Empire/Death Star). Chris Hasselkus read an excerpt from
Watership Down, and Master Todd read a trial scene from the novel Crossover. Todd finished by
8:00 p.m. promptly, and then I introduced "Sam" Butler, who started by reading an excerpt from
his novel Reiffen's Choice (which is the first of his series). He talked about Reiffen's story being
the overarching theme of the book series (two are already published, with the third coming out in
the fall, if all goes well). He also discussed the many ideas he had for stories that failed (A
western with baseball players! A science fiction/rock 'n' roll story with accompanying music &
lyrics!!!) before hitting upon this magical fantasy trilogy idea. Remy asked about the
novella on his website which was written before the trilogy but actually is set afterwards, and Sam
suggested that folks not read it until after the third book comes out, but then changed his mind.
He also discussed his influences (including classic literature, J.R.R. Tolkien, and Dr. Strange
(Steve Ditko's classic Marvel comic's character). It was a very entertaining meeting that wrapped
up by 9:45,after which some, but not all the folks in the group went to the diner (Jim & I didn't due
to allergies). On Friday Face The Fiction Part II will convene at the GSP Borders with our special
guest Mystery author E.J. Rand. See y'all then! (Steve)