John Ryland: From Ghost Stories to Gothic Novels
Tue Aug 26 2025
In this episode, I sit down with John Ryland, author of ten books in the Southern Gothic and dark psychological suspense genres. John grew up surrounded by the folklore and ghost stories of the South, which shaped his passion for storytelling from an early age.
We talk about his journey from writing at 14 to self-publishing, and eventually moving into traditional publishing. John opens up about the hustle it takes to share your work with the world, the influence of Southern culture on his stories, and how he now mentors young writers to help them find their own voices.
If you’ve ever thought about writing a book, wondered what it takes to get published, or simply love a good story—you’ll enjoy this conversation.
📌 Show Notes
In this episode, you’ll hear about:
John’s early love of storytelling and the folklore that shaped his imaginationHow he wrote his first book at just 14 years oldThe realities of self-publishing versus traditional publishingThe persistence and resilience required to build a career as an authorWhy community and mentorship are so important for creative growthJohn’s advice for aspiring writers who want to share their own stories
About John Ryland:
John is the author of ten books spanning Southern Gothic and dark psychological suspense. His work draws deeply from the rich storytelling traditions of the South, blending atmosphere, folklore, and unforgettable characters. Beyond writing, John mentors young writers and helps them discover their creative voices.
Resources & Links:
Connect with John via his website where you will find information about the author and how to find his books:
gspressbooks.com
More
In this episode, I sit down with John Ryland, author of ten books in the Southern Gothic and dark psychological suspense genres. John grew up surrounded by the folklore and ghost stories of the South, which shaped his passion for storytelling from an early age. We talk about his journey from writing at 14 to self-publishing, and eventually moving into traditional publishing. John opens up about the hustle it takes to share your work with the world, the influence of Southern culture on his stories, and how he now mentors young writers to help them find their own voices. If you’ve ever thought about writing a book, wondered what it takes to get published, or simply love a good story—you’ll enjoy this conversation. 📌 Show Notes In this episode, you’ll hear about: John’s early love of storytelling and the folklore that shaped his imaginationHow he wrote his first book at just 14 years oldThe realities of self-publishing versus traditional publishingThe persistence and resilience required to build a career as an authorWhy community and mentorship are so important for creative growthJohn’s advice for aspiring writers who want to share their own stories About John Ryland: John is the author of ten books spanning Southern Gothic and dark psychological suspense. His work draws deeply from the rich storytelling traditions of the South, blending atmosphere, folklore, and unforgettable characters. Beyond writing, John mentors young writers and helps them discover their creative voices. Resources & Links: Connect with John via his website where you will find information about the author and how to find his books: gspressbooks.com