Jim Butcher biography, married, wife, shannon butcher, books, net worth

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<h2>Early Life and Influences</h2>
<p>Jim Butcher was born on October 26, 1971, in Independence, Missouri, USA. He is the youngest of three siblings and has two older sisters. During his childhood, Butcher explored a wide range of interests including sports, music, football, drama, and horseback riding. He began reading fantasy and science fiction at an early age, influenced by books such as <em>The Lord of the Rings</em> and <em>The Han Solo Adventures</em>, which were introduced to him by one of his sisters. Inspired by these works, Butcher developed a strong desire to become a writer.</p>

<h2>Education and Early Writing Career</h2>
<p>After completing high school, Jim Butcher enrolled in the Professional Writing program at the University of Oklahoma to study the craft of novel writing. He eventually earned a degree in English Literature. At age 19, he wrote his first novel, which he has since described as “truly awful.” He went on to write two more novels, both of which did not meet publishing standards. These early works served as classroom projects and foundational experiences for his future career.</p>

<p>Using the online handle "Longshot," Butcher began participating in writing forums during the early 1990s, seeking to improve his skills and break into the publishing industry. Through continued revision and practice, he developed the character Harry Dresden, a wizard detective who became the focal point of his breakout series, <em>The Dresden Files</em>. Following numerous rejections from agents and editors, the first novel in the series was finally accepted and published by Roc Books in 2000.</p>

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<h2>The Dresden Files</h2>
<p><em>The Dresden Files</em>, a contemporary fantasy series featuring the professional wizard Harry Dresden, has been Butcher’s signature work. The series blends detective fiction with supernatural elements and quickly gained a loyal fan base for its engaging plotlines and witty dialogue. As of now, the series includes 15 published novels, with additional short stories and novellas expanding Dresden’s universe.</p>

<h2>The Codex Alera and Other Works</h2>
<p>Following the success of <em>The Dresden Files</em>, Jim Butcher embarked on a traditional epic fantasy series titled <em>The Codex Alera</em>. Set in the Calderon Valley of the fictional realm of Alera, the story follows a young man named Tavi as he navigates a world governed by elemental furies. The first book in the series, <em>Furies of Calderon</em>, was released in 2004. Originally contracted for a trilogy, Butcher ultimately expanded the series to six books. Several of its installments, including later entries, landed on the <em>New York Times</em> Best Seller list.</p>

<p>In addition to his main series, Butcher began work on another trilogy called <em>The Cinder Spires</em>, a steampunk fantasy adventure. He has also contributed numerous short stories to anthologies and side publications, including titles like <em>Welcome to the Jungle</em>, <em>Even Hand</em>, <em>Curses</em>, <em><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bigfoot">Bigfoot</a> on Campus</em>, and <em>Bombshells</em>.</p>

<h2>Personal Life and Interests</h2>
<p>Jim Butcher married his high school sweetheart, Shannon Butcher, who is also a novelist. The couple had one son, James Joseph. They resided in Missouri until their divorce in 2013. Despite the personal changes, Butcher has maintained a strong presence in the writing world.</p>

<p>Outside of his literary career, Butcher is an avid <a href="/biography/jim-butcher">martial arts enthusiast</a>, with training in various disciplines including Ryukyu Kempo, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taekwondo">Tae Kwon Do</a>, Goju-Shorei Ryu, and elements of Kung Fu. He has also worked as a summer camp horse wrangler and has performed in stunt riding and equestrian drill team shows. His hobbies further include fencing, singing, watching low-budget science fiction films, and participating in live-action role-playing games. Although his net worth has not been publicly disclosed, his substantial bibliography and bestseller status suggest a successful writing career.</p>

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