Eric Butow

The publishers are responsible for the designs, but the authors get to review/approve them. I don't do illustrations, but I have plenty of screenshots. In the case of screenshots with photos, the publishers require us to get approvals from those people w/consent forms. Or we ask to blur faces/names.

I’m finishing up one book now and another book will be published next week. I’ll have more soon.

Eric Butow holding a copy of AI ChatBots For Dummies that he wrote with Kelly Noble Mirabella.

I enjoyed working with @stellar247.bsky.social , the chatbot expert, on this book. I wrote Digital Etiquette for Dummies with her and @kendralosee.bsky.social a few years ago, and I'm happy to co-author with Kelly again. I learned a lot in writing this book, and you'll learn a lot by reading it. 2/2

Book 55 is here and it's available for you to buy today! AI ChatBots For Dummies is a no-nonsense and easy-to-read guide to finding and using AI chatbots for your business, as well as creating effective marketing campaigns with them. Buy your copy on Amazon here: bit.ly/4bvkxrG 1/2

Time to take a neighborhood walk to get my blood pumping. I hope you’re well and have a great weekend! 3/3

Though I feel like my head is at a 30-degree angle since I returned home, I’m stable enough to do my usual activities. This weekend, I’m updating several chapters in Instagram & Facebook All-in-One For Dummies as my co-author @thedigitalgal.bsky.social and I work to beat our deadline in 10 days. 2/3

2026 hasn’t treated me well so far. On January 13, I felt substantially worse and called for an ambulance. CT and MRI scans were negative. Even so, only an MRA scan can show if my brain’s blood vessels and aneurysm are in worse shape. I’m waiting for UC Davis to call and schedule the scan. 1/3

A rainbow appears in Jackson, California, on New Year's Day afternoon after the first of several storms rolled through. This photo was taken from the front deck of Eric Butow's house.

Happy New Year, and I hope your 2026 is off to a good start. 2025 was illuminating and bracing, and my neurologist has put me on limited work duty to start 2026. I'll set a small win each day and pace myself. I expect to share some exciting news next week. Have a great weekend!

You’re very welcome, and I hope you enjoy the book!

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This will be my last post of 2025. I'll reduce my social media activity due to worsening health. If you seek gift ideas, check out my Amazon author page here: amzn.to/3Uy4HC5

Thank you for being in my life in 2025. I wish you and yours a happy, safe, and sane holiday season. #happyholidays

The Amazon listing for Master Your Money, Secure Your Future by Marc Butler and Eric Butow shows an average reviewer rating of 5 stars out of 5!

My new book Master Your Money, Secure Your Future has been out for about a month now, and it has a five-star rating on Amazon! The book is available in print and on Kindle here: bit.ly/4mHAhdq

Have a wonderful holiday season and good financial health in 2026! #AuthorSky #BookSky #financialliteracy

The entrance to the Festival of Trees display and competition at the corner of California and Main Streets.

After a busy eight-day stretch, I'll relax and write for most of the weekend. Have a great weekend and a good start to December! 4/4 #jacksonca #amadorcounty #christmas

Looking north on Main Street from the corner of Court and Main Streets.

This blow-up Christmas display is new this year. It's in front of the fence where the Ratto Theater once stood before it burned down in the '90s.

Unfortunately, we didn't do any Plaid Friday shopping because I hurt my left leg early on in our walk, but I'm glad I was able to finish our tour of Main Street. My mom was pleased, and I have Aleve and pain cream. 3/4 #christmas

More decorations on the second floor of The Globe building.

The historic National Hotel is where Santa greets the kids.

The Tunnel of Lights on the bridge over Jackson Creek between the National Hotel and the Jackson Civic Center.

Looking north across the Jackson Creek bridge.

We were happy to walk around and see the decorations, including the Festival of Trees event inside a vacant store, where visitors could review trees decorated by different community organizations and vote for their favorite. 2/4 #christmas

An activity area for kids was in the parking lot of the automotive repair shop.

Main Street Designs is a Christmas-only shop that's open from late October through early January. We walked through the shop and admired all the trees.

Looking south on Main Street and at the decorated lampposts.

The upper floors of historic buildings were all decked out.

My mom and I went to Jackson Main Street on Friday afternoon for the first day of the annual Christmas Delights festival. We came early to find a reasonably close parking spot and avoid the large crowds that peaked around 6 p.m. for the tree lighting ceremony at the fire station. 1/4 #christmas

Eric Butow holding two-year-old Jack, his mom's daycare charge, with an inflatable turkey in the playroom of Eric's house on November 25, 2025. (Jack's face is blurred for privacy.)

Thanksgiving dinner at the Butow household featured turkey, rolls, tater tots, cranberry sauce, and green bean casserole.

Eric's mom makes mincemeat pie for Thanksgiving dessert each year.

After dinner, Eric Butow enjoyed his first slice of mincemeat pie with Grandmother's mincemeat filling.

It's late on Thanksgiving night, and I just finished cleaning my home office. I enjoyed dinner with my mom and took walks before and after dinner to work off the calories.

I'm thankful for our connection here. I hope you had a fulfilling Thanksgiving, and enjoy the rest of your holiday weekend!

Thanks very much, Carrie — I appreciate it!

Eric Butow marking 56 completed orbits around the sun at Taste Restaurant in Plymouth, California, on November 22, 2025.

Eric's birthday Taste Burger featured arugula, mushrooms, and bacon jam along with a medium-rare beef patty, all between a brioche bun. Rosemary truffle fries came on the side.

Eric ordered a fig tart and vanilla pudding for dessert. Two halves of a fresh fig, four pecans, two dollops of pudding, and a small dark chocolate bar with the words Happy Birthday appeared around the inside of the plastic container Eric brought home with him so he could eat his dessert in the evening.

Here I am at Taste in Plymouth, California, for my 56th birthday. I've lived in Amador County for 16 years and I never ate at this popular spot until today. I'm glad I went.

The chances of reaching my 57th birthday are not good. But I'll keep working and writing as long as my body will allow.

The books are here! I received my complimentary author copies of Master Your Money, Secure Your Future this afternoon. I wrote this book (my 54th now) with financial expert Marc Butler so readers can learn how to achieve financial security. Order your copy now by clicking here: bit.ly/4mHAhdq

Thanks very much, Amber — I appreciate it!

Eric Butow holding his mom's daycare charge Jack (age 2) next to a seven-foot-tall stack of inflatable jack-o-lanterns on the back deck of his home on Halloween 2025.

Happy Authors Day to my fellow authors. October: nerve EMG tests showed no damage, 4 books in different stages of development, more books coming, and I'm writing an article for Laserfiche. I hope you had a great Halloween and have a prosperous November! #authors #halloween #November

Happy Thanksgiving to all my Canadian friends and colleagues! 🇨🇦 🥧

Eric Butow and Michelle Silva at the Starbucks coffee shop located at 53rd Street and Folsom Boulevard in Sacramento on September 24, 2025.

September brought confirmation of chronic small vessel disease and an aneurysm in my brain, so I'm at high risk for a stroke. I'm still able to write/edit books and catch up with people like @thesavvycmo.bsky.social on 9/24. I'll update when I have news, and have a prosperous October!

10 for me.

I don’t have characters in these books per se, but there were several daycare kids I took photos of for screenshots in several books who I enjoyed having around.

The person reading the book!

Today's unsolicited e-mail from a reader of my Microsoft Word exam book from 2021: "I just want to let you know that I appreciate your communication style in presenting Word Exam MO-100. Would you believe I am now confident in exploring Microsoft Word!" Cool beans. #authorlife

The bad news: I'm not being paid fast enough. My health has worsened in the past 6 weeks, especially with a lot more head pressure, dizziness, and left side weakness. I'll keep working and have an update later this month. In the meantime, have a prosperous September!

Yvonne Heimann and Eric Butow at The Cheesecake Factory in Roseville, California on September 5, 2025. Yvi is lovely, and if you need systems in your business, talk to her right now.

The raisin pie in all its glory, and you didn't even see the spillage on the kitchen counter and in the oven. I used a recipe from Allrecipes.com, and the pie was baked with stevia instead of sugar.

The first slice of pie was good, but after the pie sat for a couple of nights, the second slice was even better.

The good news: 6 books in various stages of production. Signed a contract to write Instagram & Facebook All-in-One for Dummies with @thedigitalgal.bsky.social. Enjoyed lunch on 9/5 with @askyvi.bsky.social. Finally got neck/brain scans scheduled. Baked a raisin pie and it turned out pretty well.

I’m very sorry for your loss, Jendia. Take care.