Works
"Medousa" is a work of myth-based fantasy set in ancient Greece. It is a re-telling of the myth of Medousa from her own point of view, focusing on Medousa's struggles to find love and acceptance, and to retain the best parts of her humanity while living under a Goddess' curse. The book traces her life, from her childhood as a slave in Sparta, to her death at the hands of Perseus on a remote island at the end of the world. This book tells the story of who Medousa was, rather than the monster that she has been portrayed to be throughout written history. She was one of the most loathsome monsters of the ancient world. Feared by man, shunned by the Gods, with a visage so hideous, all living creatures who looked upon her turned to stone. Multitudes were slain at her hand until the hero Perseus finally killed her. Today, if we remember Medousa at all, we envision her as that monster. Very few remember what led to Medousa's transformation from one of the world's most beautiful women to one of the world's most terrifying monsters. Even fewer remember the girl she once was, or the woman she strove to be, even under Athena's curse. Who was Medousa? How did she become the creature so feared and reviled by mortals? Who was she before the curse of the Goddess fell upon her? Most people only remembered Ovid's tale of a vain young woman who was so proud of her beauty, and especially of her golden hair, that Athena herself punished her by making her a Gorgon. But in fact, Ovid does note that Medousa, a priestess of Athena, was raped by Poseidon, in Athena's temple. Medousa's story is an unjust and troubling tale that remains relevant today. How could Medousa herself be punished for being the victim of a violent crime because it somehow defiled Athena's temple? Why didn't Athena defend her priestess? Why didn't she bring complaint against Poseidon? Why did Medousa have to be destroyed because of what was done to her? Hadn't her rape been enough to suffer through, but then she had to be driven from mortal lands, a monster, living in lonely desolation? A woman is sexually assaulted, and she bears the stigma, while her attacker is protected. The woman is expected to take responsibility for protecting herself, but we do not teach our boys not to rape. Men with vast sexual experience, consensual and not, are respected, but women who even express interest in sex, are shamed. This issue transcends mythical stories, as it bares relevancy in the world today. In America, a girl is raped, but the boy goes free because "he just made a mistake" or "we don't want to ruin his entire life over one moment of poor judgement." In central and south Asia, a woman is raped, and then she herself is punished for bringing "dishonor" upon her family, while her attackers go free. We have pity for the men, unwilling to see their lives ruined by their own actions; but we have none for their victims, the women whose lives have in fact been destroyed by them. And when those women dare cry out for justice, they are met with incredulity, and threats of murder and rape. Every time a woman is attacked, she must carry the blame and guilt. Every time a woman is cast out of her community for being who and what she is, through no fault of her own, Medousa's story continues. This book tells that story, and it allows us to truly understand Medousa the victim, not the monster.
Second Edition, January 2021
"You Call This Living" is a memoir of Michael Butchin's early life, recounting some of the abuse he endured, and how he became a religious zealot because of it. It also recounts the first, last, and only romantic entanglement he ever endured. Butchin takes you on a journey through self-discovery that led him away from religious faith to the freedom of atheism. Everything recounted in this book is true, to the best of the author's recollection, though names have been hidden or changed in order to protect the privacy of those who were involved. Butchin's memoir shares a powerful journey of self-actualization and personal liberation. This book serves as a reminder that we all can heal and overcome trauma and abuse. Regardless of who you are or what you believe in, this memoir is an unforgettable account of courage and growth.
This work depicts actual events in the life of the author as truthfully as recollection permits and/or can be verified. Allowances shall be granted for the vagaries of memory. Occasionally, dialogue consistent with the character or nature of the person speaking has been approximated. Names have been changed for the sake of privacy.
New, revised edition February 2021
Formerly published under the title Wednesday's Child: How Christianity Destroyed My Life
Medousa
Medousa is a work of myth-based fantasy, set in ancient Greece. It is a re-telling of the myth of Medousa from her own point of view. It focuses on Medousa’s struggles to find love and acceptance as she tries to retain the best parts of her humanity while living under a Goddess’ curse. The book traces her life, from her childhood as a slave in Sparta, to her death at the hands of Perseus on a remote island at the end of the world. We come to know the woman Medousa was, rather than the monster we think we know.
Wednesday's Child
How Christianity helped to ruin my life, and how an ill-fated relationship helped to save me. This memoir is a thinly fictionalized account of how I became religious, how doubts were sown, and how I sloughed off the manacles of superstition. Names have been changed, descriptions altered, and images blurred in order to protect the guilty.
Nabu's Ignominy
Nabu's Ignominy is a small collection of poems, short stories, and nonsense parables I have composed over the years. I had waited for several years to put together a poetry book, a collection of short stories, and so on. But not being a particularly prolific writer, I got tired of waiting, and decided that I should stop procrastinating, collect the best of my doggerel, and publish it in a "chapbook." The result of that decision is Nabu's Ignominy. Nabu is, of course, the Ancient Mesopotamian God of Writing and Literature