Hello again. I've published a new post on my website about my new books, health updates, and a book I'm reading by an old friend. You can read it at butow.net. My brain MRI had no new issues, so I'm clear for neurosurgery on 5/4. If you're here in California, stay warm and dry this weekend! #booksky
Me with my usual order at The Old Spaghetti Factory -- the Manager's Special with half clam sauce and half mizithra cheese -- and a big bandage on my right arm from the IV. (The MRI scan was performed with and without contrast.)
The tiramisu from The Old Spaghetti Factory is big and light, so it didn't weigh me down on the night of April 4.
Happy Easter to those of you who celebrate. Yesterday's MRI scan was (mostly) uneventful. After the scan, my mom and I enjoyed dinner at The Old Spaghetti Factory. Today we're enjoying a quiet Easter at home. I hope you're enjoying your Sunday, and have a prosperous first full week of April! #easter
Dogwood trees in full bloom at a neighbor's house at the end of Eric Butow's street in Jackson, California, in March 2026. You'll see this photo in Chapter 3 of Instagram For Dummies, 3rd Edition, which Eric's working on now and will be published this holiday season!
My neurosurgery for deep-brain stimulation hardware installation is set for May 4, so I'll be offline until after the surgery. You can get today's entire update on my LinkedIn profile here: www.linkedin.com/in/ebutow/
I hope March treated you well, and have a prosperous April!
The covers of Eric Butow's most recent Dummies books about Instagram For Business, Digital Etiquette, Programming Interviews, Funding a New Business, Bluesky, and AI ChatBots.
There's only one day left to save! The entire Dummies series is 30 percent off at Barnes & Noble through March 31. You can purchase one of my Dummies books at a healthy discount, and browse the entire Dummies catalog on the B&N website here: www.barnesandnoble.com/s/dummies #booksky
The cover of Instagram & Facebook All-in-One For Dummies by Eric Butow, Amanda Robinson, et al.
My new book Instagram & Facebook All-in-One For Dummies will be released on May 4, and you can pre-order your copy now at Barnes & Noble for 25% off or 35% off for Premium Members! The code PREORDER25 only works through Thursday, March 26, so act now! #booksky
www.barnesandnoble.com/w/?ean=97813...
Eric Butow's mom with her Chicken Marsala at Saluti's on her birthday, March 14.
My mom's Chicken Marsala at Saluti's in Jackson. She said it was good, but not as good as the dish served at another Italian restaurant in the Jackson area.
I kept it (somewhat) healthy and ordered spinach mushroom ravioli, which came with a chunk of bread. There was plenty of spinach and mushrooms, and the garlic cream sauce actually tasted like garlic.
My mom completed 85 orbits around the sun today, so to celebrate, I took her out to a midday lunch at Saluti's, a local Italian restaurant on Main Street in Jackson. Our meals were very good, and we will return.
I hope you're having a relaxing Saturday night, and have a pleasant Sunday!
6 of Eric Butow's For Dummies books that you can buy for 30% off in March at Barnes & Noble.
Good news, everyone! The entire Dummies series is 30 percent off at Barnes & Noble this March. Browse the entire Dummies catalog, including my Dummies titles shown in the photo, on the B&N website here: www.barnesandnoble.com/s/dummies
Eric Butow, one of the four authors of Ultimate Guide to Social Media Marketing, 2nd Edition, holds a copy of the book on March 2, 2026.
Ten author copies came in the box, and I'll give out some signed copies soon.
I received my 10 copies of Ultimate Guide to Social Media Marketing, 2nd Edition today! This book is your resource for using social media and building effective campaigns in 2026. Purchase your copy here: bit.ly/4bVPrtx
I'll have more after my neurosurgery. Have a great rest of your week! #booksky
I have a new website at butow.net, as I test-drive Ghost.org as my website and community platform that supports my books. It's in soft launch mode as I navigate a lot of pain and (maybe) upcoming surgery at the end of the month. I hope you're having a great start to March! #booksky
The front cover of Learn to Lead Effectively, an Entrepreneur Quick Guide by the staff of Entrepreneur Media and Eric Butow.
After a year, I received my author copy of Learn to Lead Effectively. My job was not only to write the introduction, but also select the source material from Entrepreneur Magazine contributors and put them into the why, what, and how parts of the book. Pick up your copy here: bit.ly/4qQ0fgJ #booksky
The Cover of Ultimate Guide to Social Media Marketing 2nd Edition by Eric Butow, Stephanie Garcia, Roberto Blake, and Amanda Robinson.
My new book, Ultimate Guide to Social Media Marketing 2nd Edition, is here and updated with the latest information for 2026, including one chapter devoted to AI. My co-authors are top-flight social media creators and instructors. Learn more and buy your copy here: bit.ly/4bVPrtx #booksky
Hello again. I had a follow-up MRA (the A is for angiogram) of my brain on 2/5. The MRA showed progressive encephalomalacia in the right paramedian frontal lobe. That is, one area of my brain died, liquefied, and is now just fluid instead of brain tissue. Click below for a full explanation.
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!
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.