Keith J. Butterick
Contemporary and historical British author.
Keith Butterick is a novelist who writes about power, conflict and in Britain’s past and present. His work explores how neglect, ideology and institutional failure shape ordinary lives.
His debut novel, ‘The Eyes of Sally Taylor’ uses crime as a lends to examine the consequences of silence and abandonment in post-industrial Britain.
ABOUT KEITH BUTTERICK
Keith Butterick exploreshow authority is exercised and resisted – whether in post-industrial Northern town, nineteenth-century centre of labour unrest or the ideological violence of the English Civil War.
He’s drawn to moments when social pressure breaks into open conflict and the ordinary lives caught within it.
“I write about ordinary people, the neglected, the unglamorous and their struggles against an unchanging and often uncaring social system,” Keith explained.
Former Award winning Business Journalist
Keith began his career in local newspapers before progressing to national outlets and magazines, eventually specialising in business journalism. He has won national and regional journalism awards for his work in exposing the truth behind the headlines. He went on to run his own magazine publishing company and Public Affairs consultancy, specialising in helping communities get their voices heard.
Published Academic and Professional Author
Keith also lectured in journalism and public relations. Drawing on his extensive personal background he has written academic books in journalism and communication
‘The Eyes of Sally Taylor’, Keith’s debut fictional novel
Keith’s debut novel, ‘The Eyes of Sally Taylor’ is set in the fictional West Yorkshire town of Brigtown and uses crime as a lens through which to examine institutional failure, political and religious extremism, and the consequences of neglect in contemporary Britain. It explores the nature of belief and doubt.
Alongside his modern fiction he’s working on historical novels exploring industrial unrest in Halifax in 1842 and the English Civil War, focusing on the Battle of Heptonstall and the localised experience of conflict in West Yorkshire.
Books/Fiction
“My fiction explores theme crime, conflict and social change in Britain’s past and present,” Keith said.
The Eyes of Sally Taylor – Out now
In the decaying post-industrial town of Brigtown, West Yorkshire, the brutal linked murders of a teenage girl and a taxi-driver exposes the grim reality of a fractured community. As Detective Ian Ashby leads the investigation he’s forced to confront to take sides and decide what does justice mean.
Haunted by his past, illness and the end of his career, Ashby knows this may be his last chance to do something that matters.
“”The Eyes of Sally Taylor” deals with difficult issues of our day, universal issues – political and religious extremism, the nature of belief and justice, the fracturing of communities and the divisiveness of the politics of hate. Yet in amongst that it also demonstrates that love and hope and can prevail,” said Keith.
“Shadows of the Broken” is a sequel to “The Eyes of Sally Taylor” and explores the consequences of a fractured society as newly promoted Inspector Slater investigates the death of an asylum seeker. “Shadows shows how populist politics has caused division in society, helping to create a harder, less compassionate society.”
Academic Books
– Introducing Public Relations: Theory and Practice (SAGE, 2011)
https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/introducing-public-relations/book229034
– Complacency and Collusion: A Critical Introduction to Business and Financial Journalism (Pluto Press, 2015)
https://www.plutobooks.com/9780745332031/complacency-and-collusion/.
– Financial Communication: A Critical Assessment (Routledge, 2024)
Keith Butterick 