Ian Butler is an award-winning author whose journey to fiction blends creativity, precision, and an enduring love of storytelling. Born in Oxford, England, he grew up in a home steeped in literature and theatrical influence, an environment that nurtured his imagination from an early age. He later relocated to Toronto, Canada, where he built both his career and his family, raising his two children while working extensively in the construction industry. Throughout his professional life, Butler developed a reputation for clarity and detail, producing complex technical documentation that demanded structure and discipline. Over time, that skill set inspired a shift toward more imaginative writing, allowing him to channel his narrative instincts into fiction.
Carnie Kids – The Botanic Bugaboo marks his debut novel, introducing a fresh voice in middle-grade storytelling; one that combines inventive world-building, energetic pacing, and a strong sense of adventure designed to captivate young readers and curious minds alike. This one-on-one interview shares Ian’s background and experience writing Carnie Kids - The Botanic Bugaboo.
Tell us about Carnie Kids - The Botanic Bugaboo.
When a child vanishes and science turns monstrous, only a group of gifted kids can stop the nightmare from spreading.
When Obermaier’s Travelling Carnival rolls into the desert town of Trenthide, it looks like just another show passing through. But behind the faded tents and flashing lights are performers with extraordinary abilities, and children who have inherited powers of their own. Known as the Carnie Kids, they use their talents mostly for mischief and fun…until one of their friends disappears without a trace.
What begins as a daring search quickly pulls the Carnie Kids into the dark orbit of the Stellar Corporation, a ruthless enterprise driven by greed, secrecy, and dangerous experiments. As corporate ambition collides with unrestrained science, the children face a threat unlike anything they’ve imagined: living, man-made botanical creations that turn the town into a battleground of chaos and terror.
Outmatched, hunted, and running out of time, the Carnie Kids must push their abilities further than ever before, or lose everything they care about.
Fast-paced, wildly imaginative, and packed with suspense, Carnie Kids – The Botanic Bugaboo is a thrilling middle-grade adventure that blends carnival magic and high-stakes danger. Perfect for readers who love bold heroes, strange powers, and unforgettable twists!
What inspired you to write Carnie Kids - The Botanic Bugaboo?
The inspiration came directly from my children.
What began as bedtime storytelling, spinning imaginative tales in response to their endless curiosity, gradually evolved into a fully realized world, and over time those stories grew into Carnie Kids – The Botanic Bugaboo, a novel shaped by family, imagination, and the simple joy of creating adventures together.
How did your background and experience influence your writing?
Though I didn’t follow a traditional creative writing path, years of crafting complex technical documentation sharpened my discipline, structure, and attention to detail which were qualities that proved invaluable in storytelling. Paired with a lifelong love of reading, that foundation gave me the confidence to step into fiction and build an imaginative world grounded in both precision and heart.
What is one message you would like readers to remember?
Enjoy it! Reading should leave you inspired, amused, emotional, informed, content - whatever the emotion, a well written piece should give something to the reader.
Purchasing the Book
Carnie Kids - The Botanic Bugaboo has received positive reviews from well-known literary organizations, authors, and reviewers around the world. Book Excellence writes, “A high-energy middle-grade adventure that fuses carnival magic with pulse-pounding danger, Carnie Kids – The Botanic Bugaboo plunges readers into a world where extraordinary talents collide with ruthless ambition. Butler’s imaginative world-building and sharp pacing make this a standout story.”
The book is available for sale on Amazon, Apple iBooks and Kobo. Readers are encouraged to purchase their copy today: https://www.amazon.com/Carnie-Kids-Botanic-Ian-Butler/dp/1366441443/
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