Soul Screaming
A weekly newsletter about ignoring age and chasing dreams, thankfully
I often mock myself for staying home so much and writing, etc., but once in awhile I venture out. This past Saturday, I attended the NYC Indie Horror Book Fair and it was great. I sold lots of books, met cool people, and enjoyed a wonderful vibe. Apropos of this week, I am thankful to Brooklyn Attic Books for creating and hosting this great event.
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Hi, I’m Christopher Ryan, a hybrid author with forty years of experience in journalism, education, sketch comedy, indie film, unions, community service, parenting, public speaking, acting, fiction, pop culture writing, and podcasting. Now I’m working to discover what more I can achieve and share with the world, and whether an older author can find a place in the storytelling business. Together, let’s see whether I can get there.
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Tell The Damn Story still going strong at 391 episodes
Continuing with my thankful tour, I’m grateful that this podcast for writers by writers designed to help writers on their creative journey is still rocking. I’ve been friends with co-host Alex Simmons almost forty years and I cannot conceive of doing this fun and free series with anyone else. This week’s installment is a solo Alex episode, and I highly recommend it.
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It’s been a productive year
The idea this year was to get more work done and out there, and I am thankful that this goal was met. Better still, many of the works were published by others. I am grateful to Becky Books, Alien Buddha Press, and the Horror Zine for these opportunities.
Here’s a look at most:
And there’s one more. The most recent project was a departure for me, a gamble, and a labor of love. Soul Screaming Music 1975 is a fan’s love letter to an amazing year in music, offering memories for each of 138 songs for fans of that era, aimed at inspiring a return to those great tunes.
Here’s a look:
Here’s a link to all my books:
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Christopher-Ryan/author/B007GKW7GM?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=b502eeda-846d-412e-888c-4b3675102d99
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But wait, there’s one more!
This morning I received a great surprise in my email. The Horror Zine’s December issue is now available with features from some big names, including my writing hero Joe R. Lansdale, and stories including “Beasts”, a Mallory and Gunner horror crime tale by…me!
My sincerest thanks to Jeanni Rector, editor and publisher of this legendary zine.
Here is a fun teaser:
And a personal thrill listing:
The December 2025 issue of The Horror Zine is now available for free viewing here:
https://www.thehorrorzine.com
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In memoriam
Some of you are familiar with my tiny publishing company, Seamus and Nunzio Productions, an entity so small I am the entire working staff. But part of the company schtick is that the family pets are employees, which leads to our loss.
Silvio “Steve” Licitra (pictured below), who “served” as our managing editor and climbed all over me to keep me working, passed this year. He remains in our heart, and I am thankful for the time we had him in our lives.
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And there was joy
I’m still floating from an enormous highlight for the year. It is, in fact, the third most blessed day of my life (all three rank immensely close to each othe): 1)our wedding day, 2) the birth of our sons, and 3) my son’s wedding to his wondrous wife earlier this month.
Here’s a pic of the newlyweds:
I am deeply grateful that they found each other and have launched their adventure together.
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Speaking of marital gratitude
The other special day coming this week is our wedding anniversary. Even 39 years later, I’m still thrilled and eternally grateful for the life-saving blessing that is Glorious.
Here we are way back when:
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And of course I’m grateful for this handsome guy
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Finally, I’m equally thankful for…
You, all of you. While my numbers aren’t staggering, I am grateful for each and every one of you who have generously chosen to subscribe to what I’m doing. Here’s to continuing to grow in 2026.
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Current obsessions
Stranger Things 5 debuts tonight. Is there room for any other obsessions right now?
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Alright, thanks for stopping by. Have a great holiday. Talk atcha next week.