Check Out Ryan LaMantia’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryan LaMantia.

Hi Ryan, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve wanted to be a writer most of my adult life. People always seemed to enjoy the little things I wrote here and there, and the process of writing and editing, and then seeing the reactions people had with the finished product, told me that writing was for me. As a grown-up, however, I went to work and paid the bills. Writing would have to remain nothing more than a dream.
In 2021, my life took a turn. A breakup left me feeling lost, and I withdrew from people, struggling to process the change. At the time, I had built a solid career at Safelite AutoGlass, where I’d spent over a decade excelling in my role. But with her departure, I found myself questioning everything. Was I going through a midlife crisis, or was it simply that I didn’t have somebody there to tell me ‘No’? Whatever it was, I made a bold choice: I borrowed against my home and decided to pursue my dream of writing a book, a dream I had lived with for about twenty years. I wasn’t even sure if I could do it, but I had to find out.
I started writing Unintended Consequences, which would become my second published novel. Just as I was nearing the end, my sister and brother-in-law visited from California. My brother-in-law casually mentioned that my sister’s father—my former stepfather—was “a shell of the man he once was.” With his words, I realized there may be an unexpected sense of urgency. I had hoped to write a book confronting the emotional complexities of my childhood with him, but hadn’t begun. Suddenly, I wondered just how much time he had left, and whether he would even get the chance to read my perspective before it was too late. That thought was all the motivation I needed. I paused work on Unintended Consequences and poured myself into writing Road Trip, which was published on February 14th, 2023.
I eventually finished Unintended Consequences, but during the editing process, life threw another curveball my way. In September 2022, I received a phone call from my teenage daughter while she was at school. She told me she was outside in the parking lot with much of the student body and staff. Confused, I asked for details, but she wasn’t sure what was happening—only that “there are like thirty cop cars here.” She speculated that it might be a drill, but I knew a drill wouldn’t warrant that kind of police presence. I asked if I could pick her up, but she told me no one was allowed in or out. I kept my voice steady, not wanting to add to her fear. “Stay with your friends, follow instructions, and I’ll see you soon,” I told her.
Helpless, I turned on the TV, desperate for answers. The incident was already flooding the news cycle. Twenty to thirty minutes passed before officials confirmed there was no immediate danger—it had all been a swatting hoax. I wiped the sweat from my brow, and a moment later, I realized that I had the idea for my next story, The E.T. Fort, which was released on August 27th, 2024. The E.T. Fort later earned the honor of “Best of Denver (Self-Published Novel) 2025” from Westword Magazine.
At this time, I have four published novels: Road Trip, Unintended Consequences, The E.T. Fort, and To Serve and Protect. The first three are categorized as Contemporary Fiction, while the fourth leans more into Thriller/Suspense. Personally, I see it as a novel with suspenseful moments rather than an all-out, edge-of-your-seat thrill ride.
Writing is my dream. A writer is what I want to be when I grow up, and I continue to push forward to make it happen. When my initial funds ran dry, I had a choice—return to my nine-to-five at Safelite or find another way to support myself while writing. I opted for flexibility, and began driving for Uber and Lyft. I assumed it would leave me with plenty of time to write. I couldn’t have been more wrong. My driving hours quickly eclipsed those of a full-time job, leaving me exhausted and creatively drained. I managed to edit Unintended Consequences, but my ability to create something new was all but gone. A year passed with little progress, and I felt restless. I knew I had to get back to my passion.
Determined, I consulted my financial advisor about withdrawing money from my 401(k). The penalties were steep, but I felt I had no other choice. He told me that if this was my dream, I certainly had to chase it. Living on the money coming from my 401(k), I was able to finish The E.T. Fort and write To Serve and Protect. Now, I’m deep into a couple of new projects, still chasing this dream, and still determined to see where my writing takes me.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road that led me here wasn’t a smooth one—not by a long shot—but everything that’s happened has helped me grow, and has served its purpose in helping me learn this business. Of course, I still have a lot to learn. I used to believe that writing a good book was like knocking over the first domino—one simple action that sets off an unstoppable chain reaction. The manuscript is polished, a book is released, and then everything falls into place: readers become loyal fans, a streaming service picks up the story for a film adaptation, and suddenly, you have the freedom to write every day, creating the next great novel that leads to even more book sales, followers, and another movie deal.
Since getting serious about my writing, I’ve taken on new levels of stress and financial worry, each presenting their own challenges. One of the biggest hurdles has been figuring out how to get my books in front of the right audience—or really, any audience. Those who have read the books seem to enjoy them, and I’ve received some fantastic reviews. My Amazon ratings sit at 4.3 stars or higher, depending on the book, which tells me there’s potential. The real struggle is visibility.
Like so many things in life, money is often the deciding factor. When I have the financial freedom to focus purely on writing, everything seems to click into place. It’s in those times that life makes sense. But when money runs low and I’m rushing to finish a manuscript before time (money) runs out, the pressure starts to eat away at my creativity, making the process feel more like survival than art.
I just want to write—without the constant worry. I know the stories are there, waiting to be told. I just have to find a way to keep going.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am an independent author based in Denver, Colorado, with four books to my name: Road Trip, Unintended Consequences, The E.T. Fort, and To Serve and Protect. My earlier works lean heavily into drama and, at times, deep sadness. There are moments when I feel a weight I can’t quite shake—whether it’s more or less than what someone else experiences, I don’t know—but sometimes it feels suffocating. Writing has become my way of channeling that pain, of transforming it into something meaningful.
My friend Emily coined the phrase “the Ryan LaMantia gut punch,” referring to my tendency to introduce sudden, emotionally charged shifts in my stories. It’s something I’ve embraced—my writing isn’t afraid to challenge the reader, to evoke strong reactions.
Becoming an author was a leap, but it’s one I’m proud to have taken. Winning an award for The E.T. Fort meant a great deal, but hearing some readers say they preferred To Serve and Protect—released seven months later—felt just as rewarding. I’m proud of all four books, though I find myself focusing on the more recent ones, especially when one of them has been recognized. That journey—seeing each story connect with people in different ways—makes it all worth it

Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I’ve never worked with, or collaborated with anyone in the past, but that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t be open to it. I would say that if somebody wanted to reach out to inquire, they should do so via email ([email protected]).
If someone wants to support my work (or me) but isn’t keen on writing me a check, the best way is simple—buy a book! Or better yet, grab all four.
Beyond that, leaving a review is incredibly helpful. No matter where the books are purchased, readers can still post reviews on the Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Goodreads websites. It only takes a moment, and with the copy-paste feature, they can easily share the same review across all three sites. Every rating and comment helps get the books in front of more people, building momentum for future projects.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Instagram: @ryanlamantiaofficial
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ryanlamantiaauthor
• Other: TikTok: RyanLaMantiaofficial