Ryan Southwick - Ryan Southwick, Author

Ryan Southwick, Author

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Ryan Southwick

Science fiction author of The Z-Tech Chronicles, Timeless Keeper Saga, Lost Colonies series, and other titles. Also a programmer, hiker, dad, and gamer.

Audiobook cover: Red Rising by Pierce Brown. Narrated by Tim Gerard Reynolds.

Book Review: Red Rising

Red Rising has been recommended to me by everyone, everywhere (all at once) for so long that I must be the last sci fi lover on the planet to have read it. But in case I'm not, here's a review to convince you why you should drop everything and read it right now.

July #WritingWonders, listing questions. Actual questions are in the body of this blog.

Timeless Keeper - Writing Wonders July 2023

Thought-provoking Q&A about the Timeless Keeper Saga and writing in general.

3 authors standing behind a table of books: "Small Publishing in a Big Universe Marketplace"

Holtondome sold out at BayCon 2023

Yeah, those two stacks of paperbacks on the left side of the table? Those were Holtondome and New Denver, and they were gone by the end of Day 3! Fortunately I had 2 more paperbacks of New Denver in stock, but I ended up selling a few Holtondome hardcovers for

Left: Author Tamsyn Muir. Right: Book cover of Gideon the Ninth

Book Review: Gideon the Ninth

Gideon was so good that it threw me into a book coma and has made me question my skills as an author, and I mean those in the best possible ways.

"June #WritingWonders." A list of questions for every day of the month. See post for questions.

Z-Tech Chronicles - Writing Wonders June 2023

My collected answers for Writing Wonders, June 2023, which in honor of Pride Month focuses on The Z-Tech Chronicles.

Picture "May #WritingWonders" with 31 questions, 1 for each day of the month. See blog post for question text.

Enigma - Writing Wonders May 2023

My collected answers for Writing Wonders, May 2023, which focuses on Enigma (Lost Colonies Book 1), releasing later this year.

Book Review: Rhythm of War

Book Review: Rhythm of War

An amazing sequel that took me 2+ years to finish because it has all the excitement—and the long buildup—of 4 books combined.

Book cover: The Red Scholar's Wake by Aliette De Bodard. "Book Review"

Book Review: The Red Scholar's Wake

The Red Scholar’s Wake ticks many boxes on my science fiction checklist: artificial lifeforms (can’t call them “AI”s these days) with human-like emotions; focus on relationships, complicated by extra-human concerns; realistic romance that complements the plot, instead of overshadowing it; great world building; a well-thought-out, imperfect, futuristic

"Book Review: Legends & Lattes" overlaid on a cover of the book (an orc and a succubus behind a coffee bar)

Book Review: Legends & Lattes

What an amazing fantasy tale! At its heart, Legends & Lattes is a “retired adventurer” trope in a fantasy setting with a twist of steam punk, yet those descriptions alone don’t do the story justice. The protagonist, Viv, is endearing, as are her partners in crime, especially Tandri. The female

Book cover: "Magus". Illustration of a fantasy village below a castle.

Book Review: Magus

Chalut really delivers with this last book of the Unwoven Tapestry fantasy series, wrapping up Donovan and Ruben's epic struggles in a memorable finale that kept me turning pages into the night. Magus expands on the unique magic system outlaid in the previous books, answering every question I had. It

Welcome

My newsletter caters to science fiction and fantasy book fans (mainly science fiction, but I'm a sucker for fantasy and urban fantasy, too). Each monthly email contains original stories (written by yours truly), exclusive subscriber-only snippets, book reviews, links to free books and book sales, book-related events, fun character interviews,

Science Fiction Books That Broke the Mold

Science Fiction Books That Broke the Mold

Shepherd.com just posted my list! This list contains some of the science fiction titles that inspired me to push genre boundaries and explore new territory with every series and book I publish. Each entry also has a brief summary of why I believe it belongs on the list. Shepherd

4 books against a purple background: Angels Found; Holtondome; Dragon Assassin; One Man's Trash

2022 In Review, 2023 Ahoy

As with every year, 2022 had its ups and downs, but I'd like to reflect on the good book-related things that happened, with the hope of doing even better in 2023. My contributions to the boatload of great novels published by author across the world last year included: * Angels Found

Woman with flowing hair in a blue blouse and khakis, hand outstretched, a chi glow around it

Character Spotlight: Cappa

Name: Cappa Z Series: The Z-Tech Chronicles Occupation: Chief Operations Officer at Z-Tech Enneagram Type: 3 - Achiever Gender identity: Female Age: Appears 30 Height: 5' 7" Weight: Appears 138 lbs. Hair: Dark brown Eyes: Blue Complexion: Fair with pink undertones Q & A What is your perfect day? Oh my!

Book cover: Enigma: The Lost Colonies Book 1. Cover Coming Soon

Enigma officially announced

Two official new book announcements in one week? How is that possible? Did I really write a second book in that short a time? I wish I was that cool. I started Enigma long before New Denver and had mostly finished it, but I put it aside in favor of

Book cover: "New Denver: Timeless Keeper Saga Book 2. Cover coming soon"

New Denver officially announced

When a book gets a description and its own page on the website, you know stuff is getting real. New Denver (Timeless Keeper Saga Book 2) is heading for second-draft status and will be in the hands of beta readers soon. That means no more procrastinating on blurbs and placeholder