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Writing Harry Dresden: An Interview With Jim Butcher

Storm Front, the first Dresden Files novel, was published in April of 2000 and author Jim Butcher has taken the titular character, Harry Dresden, on a wild ride in the eighteen years, fifteen novels, two short story collections, seven graphic novels, and RPG since (with a sixteenth novel and an eighth graphic novel forthcoming).

In the series’ the most recent installment, Brief Cases: More Stories From the Dresden Files, Butcher uses the opportunities provided by a short story collection not only to fill readers in on more of what Harry gets up to between books (helping the son of Bigfoot out, taking his kid to the zoo, exorcising demons from lovely suburban homes) but also to show us Dresden’s Chicago through different sets of eyes, including those of Baron of Chicago John Marcone; former apprentice, and now Winter Lady, Molly Carpenter; Harry’s daughter, Maggie; and their his trusty, steed-sized canine, Mouse. And of course, there’s the time now-distinguished Warden Anastasia Luccio teamed up with Wyatt Earp to punt some zombies out of town…

In Dresden’s world, the possibilities are endless, the mythology boundless, and the snark bottomless.

I had the opportunity to talk to Butcher about writing an epic series, playing in the world’s larger sandbox, the joy to be found in writing a good villain, and what’s next for Harry. Check it out:

Read the interview HERE!