Ryan Kirk on Building a Fantasy Career, Writing Consistency, and Supporting Authors

Host Patrick J, D'Silva introduces a Worlds Beyond Worlds interview with Twin Cities science fiction and fantasy author Ryan Kirk, noting mid-episode audio issues on Patrick’s track while Ryan remains clear. Ryan recounts stumbling into novel-writing through National Novel Writing Month, finishing a first “trash” draft, then writing a 120,000-word novel that self-published successfully on Amazon and launched a hybrid career; his breakout book was Night. They discuss writing in quiet early/late hours, Ryan’s flexible daily process (handwriting, typing, dictation) and goal of 2,000–3,000 words a day, emphasizing consistent small effort. Ryan cites influences including Fonda Lee, The Count of Monte Cristo, and Ender’s Game, and outlines business challenges in a saturated market. He explains how readers can best support authors via direct sales/Kickstarters and word-of-mouth, summarizes his standalone The Last Fang of God and its rune-based divine power system, and previews a new fantasy-thriller series slated for March and June. They end by exploring why fiction helps make sense of life and how readers co-create meaning with authors.

00:00 Audio Disclaimer

00:52 Podcast Launch Intro

02:16 Ryan Writing Origin

03:34 NaNoWriMo Breakthrough

06:03 First Book Success

08:08 Influences and Favorites

10:24 Daily Writing Routine

12:56 Consistency Over Sprints

16:04 Publishing Market Challenges

18:55 How Readers Support Authors

23:18 Father Daughter Fantasy

24:55 Gods Dreams and Devotion

26:12 Runes as Divine Language

28:32 Standalone vs Series Pressure

31:06 Stakes Spoilers and Media Savvy

33:06 Cozy Fantasy and Reading Taste

36:18 Books as Co Created Worlds

37:53 New Thriller Fantasy Series

39:36 Why Start a Podcast

43:09 Fiction as Safe Insight

48:59 Letting Stories Go

50:00 Closing Thanks and Wrap

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit worldbeyondworlds.substack.com