Hartford Native Kirker Butler Releasing First Novel “Pretty Ugly” [VIDEO]

The first time I heard of Kirker Butler, I still knew him as Kirk, it was more than likely through my Dad. He had Kirk as a student at Ohio County Middle School in the early 80s. When I first saw him, he was onstage with my Dad in a Hartford Courhouse Players production of another Kentucky native Jesse Stuart's play 'The Thread That Runs So True'. That was a LONG time ago. Now, after finding success behind the scenes as a TV writer/producer ('Family Guy', 'What I Like About You', 'The Cleveland Show', 'The Neighbors', and most recently, ABC's 'Galavant') Butler is releasing his first novel "Pretty Ugly" this week and it centers around the world of, get ready for it, child beauty pageants!

And...it is set in Owensboro! Here is a really good interview with Butler where he talks about Kentucky bourbon & Mountain Dew, writing for TV, meeting George Lucas, and being an "Honorary Sorehead" from Hartford. Watch!

"Pretty Ugly" comes out this Tuesday (3/31) and Butler will be doing a Kentucky book tour, including a stop Saturday, April 11, 2 p.m. at Books-A-Million in Owensboro. Butler will also be signing books in Bowling Green on April 14 at Western Kentucky University's Augenstein Alumni Center at 7 p.m.

One tidbit, Kirker's actual first name is Leslie. My Dad loves this guy.