The Book Case: Episode Summary – "Our Writer in Residence Finishes His First Draft"

Release Date: August 14, 2025

Introduction

In this engaging episode of The Book Case, hosts Kate Gibson and Charlie Gibson delve into a heartfelt conversation with their Writer in Residence, J. Ryan Straddle. This episode not only celebrates Ryan’s significant achievement of completing his first draft but also explores the profound personal journey that shaped his latest novel. Additionally, the hosts shine a spotlight on Words Bookstore in Maplewood, New Jersey, highlighting its unique mission to support individuals with autism.

Celebrating Completion: Interview with J. Ryan Straddle

[01:25]

Kate and Charlie open the discussion by introducing J. Ryan Straddle, a prolific author known for works like Kitchens of the Great Midwest, The Logger Queen of Minnesota, and Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club. As Ryan’s Writer in Residence, the Gibsons have been closely following his progress on his fourth novel over the past year and a half.

Completion of the First Draft

At [02:05], Kate shares her excitement:
"I'm very excited to say that he is finished with his first draft and taking notes from professionals in the industry and is in the edit phase."
Ryan responds at [07:03]:
"I finished on June 18 and then immediately hit the road on a family road trip starting in Ohio and driving to California. But yeah, wow. It feels really good."
He reflects on his disciplined writing schedule:
"I would work until 1 or 2 in the morning. I would take two naps during the day..." ([07:35])

Crafting a Personal Narrative

Ryan's latest novel is deeply personal, inspired by his late mother, who passed away at 55. He writes from the perspective of a character loosely based on her, incorporating elements of food and her role as a lunch lady to infuse his signature culinary themes. At [02:58], Kate elaborates:
"It's from one character's point of View, the character is loosely based on his mom... There's always that taste of food in Jay Ryan's writing."

Character Development Challenges

Creating a character who starts at age 55 presented unique challenges. As Kate explains at [02:58]:
"Writing a character that starts at the age of 55 proved to be a unique challenge for Jay... he needed to write those experiences out even though they never appeared in the book."
Ryan adds at [09:48]:
"I wasn't sure if I could keep that tone going... a really optimistic, hopeful story and a story that to me was pretty funny as well."

Emotional and Therapeutic Process

The novel serves as a therapeutic endeavor for Ryan, mirroring the grief therapy process he discovered:
"I felt like I got to that point in the grief process where my heart's open to it in a different way." ([20:17])
He likens the experience to writing a letter back to his mother, finding solace and fulfillment in giving her character a vibrant, continued life.

Structural and Thematic Choices

Ryan opted for a sequential writing approach, starting at the beginning and maintaining a single point of view throughout the novel. This method differs from his previous works and has allowed for a more focused and fulfilling writing experience:
"I stuck with the same character every chapter. And that was tremendously fulfilling." ([13:47])
He acknowledges the need to streamline characters during the revision phase, aiming for a tight narrative that avoids redundancy.

Future Steps and Revisions

With the first draft completed, Ryan is poised to enter the revision phase. He plans to incorporate feedback from his agent, Ryan's notes, and collaborate closely with his partner, Brooke, who provides critical early-stage feedback:
"She's got an MFA in theater. She's a really sophisticated storyteller and has a great... she’s really funny and very brutally honest." ([17:04])
Ryan anticipates dedicating the next few months to refining his manuscript, aiming for a polished second draft post-Labor Day.

Engaging the Audience

In a charming segment of rapid-fire questions towards the episode's end, Ryan shares personal anecdotes and insights, further endearing him to listeners. For instance, upon completing his draft, he enjoyed a quiet moment with a glass of wine:
"I cracked open a bottle and had a glass of wine and sat in the dark before I fell asleep." ([24:29])
He also emphasizes the importance of pre-orders:
"Pre-orders... tell booksellers to carry the book... helping them with that achievement in their career." ([25:13])

Spotlight on Words Bookstore: Empowering Through Books

[30:27]

Transitioning from the literary achievements of Ryan, Kate and Charlie highlight Words Bookstore in Maplewood, New Jersey, owned by Jonah and Ellen Zemilius. This community-centric bookstore not only thrives commercially but also plays a pivotal role in supporting individuals with severe autism.

Mission and Impact

Jonah explains at [34:33]:
"We realized that there really weren't good employment opportunities... we wanted to get back and help."
Words Bookstore employs and trains autistic individuals, providing them with valuable skills and integrating them into the community. Ellen's nonprofit, True Professional, further extends this mission by offering foundational training for direct support professionals working with special needs individuals:
"It provides foundational development for direct support professionals here in New Jersey." ([37:00])

Operational Excellence

Despite increasing demands, Jonah attributes the bookstore's success to empowering staff:
"I've been tied up with some other things and letting our talented staff run things more. And miraculously, things are doing better." ([32:42])
Their approach emphasizes community ties, exceptional customer service, and creating an inclusive environment for both employees and customers.

Community Integration

The Gibsons praise the Zemilius family for their dedication:
"Bookstores should always give back. And they give back in a bigger way than most." ([31:38])
Their store operates within a larger community framework, including a specially designed movie theater for those with sensory issues, fostering a supportive and understanding environment.

Conclusion

This episode of The Book Case masterfully intertwines the celebratory completion of J. Ryan Straddle’s latest novel with the inspiring narrative of Words Bookstore’s commitment to empowering individuals with autism. Through heartfelt discussions and thoughtful insights, Kate and Charlie Gibson provide listeners with both literary inspiration and a glimpse into meaningful community work. Whether you're an avid reader or someone passionate about inclusive community initiatives, this episode offers valuable perspectives and heartfelt stories worth exploring.

Notable Quotes:

• Kate Gibson on Jay’s accomplishment:
  "I'm very excited to say that he is finished with his first draft and taking notes from professionals in the industry and is in the edit phase." — [02:05]

• J. Ryan Straddle reflecting on writing schedule:
  "I would work until 1 or 2 in the morning. I would take two naps during the day." — [07:35]

• Jay Ryan Straddle on therapeutic writing:
  "I felt like I got to that point in the grief process where my heart's open to it in a different way." — [20:17]

• Jonah Zimilis on bookstore success:
  "I've been tied up with some other things and letting our talented staff run things more. And miraculously, things are doing better." — [32:42]

Stay tuned to The Book Case every Thursday for more journeys through the literary world, featuring inspiring authors, tastemakers, and independent bookstore owners.