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IN LIFE
Her award-winning debut memoir WHEN I GROW UP I WANT TO BE A CHAIR set off sparks in Ryan’s belly and a yearning for change within disability representation in literature.
With words in Huffington Post, Newsweek, Insider, Motherwell, and New Mobility Magazine, Ryan has shared her own life experiences as a wheelchair user caused by a spinal cord injury in her teens. With tremendous pride, she’s excited to share her picture book, middle grade, and adult stories with the world.
Born and raised in Denver, Colorado, Ryan has been a teacher, coach, mentor, and mom, and she’s on a mission to change the perspective and the narrative within both children and adult literature, one word at a time. Visit her blog here.
incoming . . .
What am I working on these days?
I've been extremely empowered by the notion of disability representation in literature. Since publishing my memoir, the overwhelming support of such a story, combined with the strong desire to need more— I've turned to writing again.
But this time, it's all fiction. ​
Or is it?
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With two picture books awaiting reveal, I have been busy in all things kidlit. Stay tuned for more news to come on these works that are extremely close to my heart.
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RUTABAGA RAE is my middle grade novel with series potential. It's centered around a 10-year-old wheelchair user who is able to solve problems of accessibility and feeling different than her peers through the power of her own imagination. ​
Editors with interest in a middle grade fantasy with an empowering message and disability representation should reach out to my agent, Esty Loveing-Downes, directly.
Working on an adult fiction novel as well, this one is a powerful ode to a question I have often pondered myself: If the world didn't constantly remind me of my own disability, would I even notice?
Stay tuned for updates on my writing journey and help keep some fingers crossed for the adventures that unfold ahead. Join my Substack HERE.
