I lived the life of Butch Black, so conveying and exaggerating actual events came as little challenge. I believe that’s what makes this book so hysterical: the fact that 90% of these things actual happen to the people working in retail.

J.B. Maynard – 4 April 2015

The Back Flap

Come toil with me, if you will.

Dare to drink of this tenebrous tincture that is his tale.

Who is he, you ask? His name is that of malice: a malevolent, murderous, maladjusted monster with no equal.

Do not take this invitation into the dark lightly. If you choose to read on; if you decide that curiosity is more important than your sanity, then, by all means, take a peek.

Open the pages of the Black Diary with care – wouldn’t want to offend the beasts within.

Tread lightly, as not to be spotted by the rampaging robots, and please do not dawdle amongst the demons. They tend to be devious and quite dauntless in their desires.

But I digress. If you are reading even this, it is already too late for you.

He has you. Your mind, body, and soul are forfeit.

Worry not. You are with Butch Black now.

Your torment has just begun…

About the book

What is the book about?

The Cautionary Tale of Butch Black is a story about a man whose unwillingness to step outside of his comfort zone has cost him his sanity. Every day he drags himself into a job that he hates, so much so that he can barely remember even leaving each day.

This tale begins after ten years of service, right before he becomes a department manager. When he finds the Black Diary, hidden amongst the pallets in the boneyard, Butch begins journaling his tragedies and triumphs – that’s when things go south. We can only speculate as to whether or not the book accelerated his descent into madness, but, as the days go on, Butch begins to see World-Mart for what it really is: an evil mega-corporation run by the foulest of demons. As the clock winds down, Butch must fight to take down his oppressors and free those who have worked alongside him for over a decade. He must see through the talking rodents, the murderous crows, and the twisted world surrounding him; if he is ever to know freedom…

When did you start writing the book?

I actually started working on The Cautionary Tale of Butch Black without even knowing it. During my last year of retail, I started texting my brother during lunch breaks. I would send him exaggerated messages about my injured foot, or the demons in charge serving human flesh at a company BBQ. This was at the beginning of 2014.

How long did it take you to write it?

The whole project took me about five months to complete, not including the editing process. It would have taken less, but I held down a full-time job at the time.

Where did you get the idea from?

I have been in retail my entire, adult life, so this idea came naturally once I decided to become a writer. As I mentioned before, I started sending satirical texts to my brother, and he would respond in kind. He started sharing these messages with his coworkers, and when they found them to be funnier than I ever realized, I began working on Butch Black immediately. My other inspiration for this type of story would be Alice in Wonderland. The horror of being trapped in one’s own mind has always fascinated me, and I believe I captured it briefly in this story.

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

The main challenge that came with writing this book was the style itself. I had never written in the style of a diary, let alone a diary that writes itself, switching from journal to prose regularly. It took many drafts to master the tenses and consistencies.

What came easily?

That would be the story itself. I lived the life of Butch Black, so conveying and exaggerating actual events came as little challenge. I believe that’s what makes this book so hysterical: the fact that 90% of these things actual happen to the people working in retail. Everything in Butch Black is either fact, or a metaphor for actual, tragic things which happen on a daily basis.

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

All of the characters within The Cautionary Tale of Butch Black are fictional; however, they are archetypal representations of people I have encountered during my career. Most people have worked with the guy who comes to work sick, afflicting everyone else in the office; or the boss that gives you a crappy raise, yet claims he is just a messenger of the company’s will. I tried to cover all of the troubles associated with retail, in this book. Honestly, it would take several stories to do so, which is why I will be writing a second installment.

We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?

I grew up reading RA Salvatore; his stories sparked my interest in D&D, which, in turn, fostered my ability to tell a story. I later discovered the works of H.P. Lovecraft and instantly fell in love. That man’s brand of horror and mystery gave me that feeling of agoraphobia which I feel is lacking in most modern horror. The deep meaning behind his monsters is what I most enjoy. To anyone who has played the series “Silent Hill,” you will know the type of horror to which I am referring. I have other favorite authors, but if I had to name one more, it would be Eoin Coffer, for his work on the Artemis Fowl series. Along the same vein as Shadow Run, Artemis Fowl mixes magic, modern grit, and technology brilliantly. When I was younger, I wrote several fan fictions based on the series, and when I dared to make my own IP (A.T.T.I.S.), his influence shined through once more.

Do you have a target reader?

In my opinion, anyone who has spent time in the workforce will appreciate The Cautionary Tale of Butch Black. Those in retail will love it even more. I wrote it as a sort of catharsis, but I hope that it grants that same feeling of release to those reading it as well.

About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?

I get inspired by nearly anything, but mostly from the dark and strange. To get myself organized, I write a name for my current idea, and a list of chapters. I also workout; my best ideas flow when I exercise.

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

I do outline, yes, but that usually changes immediately when I begin writing. I love writing chapter names. When a title hits me the right way, that’s when an idea becomes solid for me. Other than that, I write a brief summary under each chapter: a bullet point list of things that need to transpire.

Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?

Both. I edit as I go, in order to cut down time later. I’d say I edit a chapter at a time.

Did you hire a professional editor?

It is nearly impossible to find an affordable, professional editor. I have gone through at least four would-be editors and ended up with an unfinished product. Then I found Beth from BZ Hercules. She was very astute and professional about the process, and she even worked with me on pricing.

Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?

YouTube has been my best friend in that regard. I try to play a soundtrack that fits the mood I am attempting to set. For instance, I listened to the Alice: Madness Returns soundtrack throughout the last two acts in Butch Black. I love music in a story. I often associate several songs with the book I am currently working on; e.g., Radioactive for my book Alacrity and Hail to the King for Quinque.

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

I’ll admit that I do think about submitting to an agent from time to time. Self-promotion is extremely difficult. There are many advantages to being an indie author, such as owning your IP and earning more of a profit, but selling the book is any indie author’s greatest challenge.

What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?

My mentor, Sher A. Hart, actually encouraged me to go through with the Indie path. I had been toiling over the decision for a while, and I did get a few rejection letters. That’s when she sent me a very long and detailed email weighing the pros and cons of both routes to publishing. I may go with traditional publishing eventually, but, for now, I am enjoying the indie scene.

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?

I wish I could say I did the work myself, but I can’t. For Butch Black, I did draw the character on the front and the gun on the back cover; however, I have been working with Laura at LLPix for most of my cover art. She does amazing photo manipulation and formatting, the likes of which are second to none I’ve been able to find.

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?

I’m winging it. Don’t try this at home, kids.

Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?

I would say, first and foremost, know your craft. There is a lot more to writing than having a wonderful idea. Study the rules pertaining to your genre. Read a lot, to see what’s been done and what hasn’t. I could give advice all day, so I’ll make this short and sweet, find an editor you trust. I can’t stress this enough. There are a lot of scams out there and they can get quite expensive. A book that is not properly edited will not get the shot that it deserves, regardless of content. Lastly, stick with it. This is an extremely difficult road you chose. Most give up long before success, but not you!!

About You

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in the slums of Hollywood Florida.

Where do you live now?

I didn’t get far, smirk. I now live in the boonies of the sunshine state: Weeki Wachee. It’s peaceful and, oh look, they just put in a Hobby Lobby.

What would you like readers to know about you?

I would like my readers to get to know me on a personal level. If someone is reading my work then they’ve already looked into my mind and soul. Why not tell them what I do for fun? I love video games, comics, and movies. If you would like to know more about me, check out my blog.

What are you working on now?

I am hacking away at book called Quinque. I can’t give too much away, but I will say that it’s a series inspired by the show Supernatural. It showcases a family that gets lost on the way back from Gatorworld. Instead of going home, they end up in Hell; however, this family of five isn’t your typical one. Maybe they’ll raise a little Hell themselves.

End of Interview:

For more from JB, visit his blog, follow him on Twitter, or like his Facebook page.

Get your copy of The Cautionary Tale of Butch Black from Amazon US (paper or ebook) or Amazon UK (paper or ebook).