Ryan Gattis

Ryan Gattis is a novelist, curator, creative writing instructor at Chapman University, and Narrative Director for urban art crew UGLAR (uglarworks.com).

Sceptre UK published his debut novel, ROO KICKKICK & THE BIG BAD BLIMP.  His second novel, KUNG FU HIGH SCHOOL (Sceptre UK/Harcourt USA), set a new standard for the depiction of fighting in fiction and was a Barnes & Noble “Discover Selection.”  Its film rights were acquired by The Weinstein Company with producers Neal Edelstein and Mike Macari (THE RING and MULHOLLAND DRIVE) and screenwriter Ernesto Foronda (BETTER LUCK TOMORROW) attached.  His latest, THE BIG DROP: HOMECOMING, is an L.A. crime tale set in Little Tokyo and one of three launch titles from Black Hill Press, leading-edge publisher of contemporary American novellas.  Both it and its sequel, THE BIG DROP: IMPERMANENCE, will be released in the new year on 01/01/2013 and 04/01/2013 respectively.

As a creative writing instructor at Chapman University, he teaches various courses, from Storytelling (for the University Honors Program) to Writing for Video Games, Writing the Short Story, and Writing the Novel.  His teaching focuses on essential techniques of storytelling (both cross-genre and cross-media), reading (and watching) like a writer, how to research for fiction writing, and an emphasis on the professional aspects of the craft.

In 2012, he joined urban art crew UGLAR: Unified Group of Los Angeles Residents as Narrative Director, overseeing story development and content for projects such as mural commissions and unique art exhibitions like “Public Works,” an outdoor art exhibit on billboard space all over Los Angeles.  Certainly, it is an utterly unique collaboration, possibly the first of its kind between a fiction writer and street artists anywhere in the world, and it provides groundbreaking opportunities for pushing the boundaries of conventional storytelling, testing new artistic possibilities, promoting literacy, as well as capturing, documenting, sharing, and celebrating oral history in various urban environments.

In January 2012, he was commissioned by ISM: A Community Project to create a narrative-based art show, “The Art of Kung Fu: Myths and Legends,” to celebrate the Year of the Dragon.  Through sixteen retold tales and accompanying black ink pieces, the exhibit covered the evolution of kung fu from the Bronze Age to the modern era.  A book on the show is forthcoming.

He also has an avid interest in contemporary art, has written for ISM: A Community Project and Arkitip magazines, and occasionally covers street art in L.A. for Vandalog.  Raised in Colorado, he now resides in Los Angeles.