Larry Butler was born in Illinois, grew up in northern California, and has lived in Glasgow since 1981. He co-founded the Poetry Healing Project out of which he founded and developed Survivors' Poetry Scotland and Lapidus Scotland (creative words for health & well-being). He also teaches tai-chi in healthcare settings and leads life-story groups at the Maggie Cancer Care Centre. Previously in London he was Director of PlaySpace Trust, Matchbox Theatre, and co-director of the Drama Therapy Centre. In 2004 he completed a feasibility study for the Greater Glasgow Health Board on the idea of 'Arts on Prescription'.

His collection Butterfly Bones was published in 2008 by Two Ravens Press; other publications include 'Beowulf', a verse script for the National Theatre, 'Yuga Night' and 'Vegetable Talk' with Gerry Loose and Caith Sweeny McGee, Han Shan Everywhere (Survivors' Press) and poems in various Scottish anthologies. He also edits pamplets for PlaySpace Publications.