Michael Butchin is a writer currently living in Beijing. A Philadelphia native, he was born to a family of scholars, musicians, actors, and singers, and grew up in South Jersey.

Butchin attended Rutgers University, New Brunswick, from which he graduated with a degree in Chinese Language and Literature. He also attended graduate school, where he read for Early Childhood Education.

After graduation, Butchin lived in Taiwan for several years, where he worked as a kindergarten and Pre-K teacher during the day, and as an ESOL instructor at night. He has also traveled extensively in China.

A survivor of abuse, Butchin took refuge in music and literature. Over the years, he has spent much of his life amongst a fascinating variety of unconventional and bohemian characters.