Author Interview with Ryan Krone
- S.S. Fitzgerald
- Aug 3
- 4 min read
Updated: Aug 8
As much as authors like to pretend, they are isolationists, we don’t succeed that way. A major part of being an author is supporting other authors. For the most part, this is pretty simple. Authors are readers, and we support other authors by reading their works. But with all the modern technology, there is also the problem of trying to establish yourself to be seen among expanse the internet has become. To assist the author, and spread your awareness of other authors, I reached out to Ryan K, the author of Stairwell: A Horror Anthology. He is also a Dark Veil Society author.
Who is Ryan?
Ryan is me, and I am Ryan. Outside of writing, I'm a registered nurse who works in pediatric and psychiatric nursing. I'm a husband. I'm a father. In truth, I am many things, but overall writing is my passion. Of all the arts in this world, it's the one I am most fond of.
What are you currently working on? Can you tell us a bit about it?
Currently I'm working on a series of anthologies that each have a wrap-around story that weaves between individual shorts. I have an anthology that leans into science fiction horror (which should be coming out in the summer). It centers on the main character coming to terms with the fact that he is the last man on earth. I also have another anthology coming, set in New Orleans. It is vampire themed. I do have a sci-fi horror novel set on the moon that I am working on, but that will take some time to finish. I actually took a break from the novel to work on short stories and once I started that path it's been hard to stop.
What is most difficult about building your brand as an author?
Marketing has been the most difficult for me. Getting my name out there. In general I'd rather be writing. So, more often than not, that's where I put my focus.
Where do you draw your inspiration from?
I draw inspiration from anywhere. As a child in the early 90s, I grew up with horror anthologies everywhere: Are You Afraid of the Dark, Goosebumps, Ghostbusters (the cartoon), The X Files, Tales From the Crypt and many more. While being immersed in horror, I became enamored with the idea that horror can come from anywhere. With children's books, such as Goosebumps, there were questions like: Can a sponge be scary? Can a clock? Can a mirror? The idea that anything can be scary to someone got me thinking about unconventional things that had potential for horror. For me it's been: Can a set of stairs be scary? Can a cake be scary? Can abundance be scary? In my view, if you look at things from a slightly different angle you can make a story out of pretty much anything. For me, it's more fun to make that story a horror story.
How do you make time to write?
Sometimes I write during my lunch break. Sometimes I get up early or stay up late. Sometimes I write a sentence here, a sentence there, in between various tasks. Whenever I can. There is a madness to the method.
What do you need in your workspace?
I just need my computer. I can write anywhere. I can use my recorder on my phone to save ideas or passages. Scraps of paper to be transcribed later. Whatever it takes. When I'm writing, I try to zone into the task at hand and let distractions fade to the background.
What advice would you give to new authors?
The advice that improved my writing is simple, it's one that I urge all new writers to try. Separate drafting from editing. I too often see writers try to get things "perfect" on their first draft. That's impossible. It also interrupts flow. Get the idea out, be it sloppy, be it not quite there. So what? Revision is where the magic happens.
Do you have any other talents or hobbies?
I fiddle with my guitar. I make bismuth crystals. I also love to cook (which does crop up in my writing). I enjoy being out in nature: hiking, camping, canoeing. Overall, I love life and its myriad presentations. Anthropology and psychology are subjects I gravitate more towards when I'm looking away from fiction.
How do you develop your characters? Are any of them based on people you know?
My characters are never just me or just people I know. They are archetypes and amalgamations distilled to the most human I can make them, with traits to serve the story.
What is your dream project you hope to complete?
I'd like to see a revival in horror anthologies and if I can spearhead that, I'd be okay with it. I also want to see more weird off the wall set ups for horror. I think it would be cool to do a film at some point, but really overall, I'd just like to be a part of the current horror zeitgeist and ride that wave wherever it goes.
Check out Ryan's horror anthology!
