Our Writer in Residence Finishes His First Draft

The Book Case · Aug 14, 2025 · 39m

J. Ryan Stradal is our Writer in Residence, if you have been following along. What does that mean? Well, we have been with him from step one since he started his fourth novel, as yet unnamed. A deeply personal novel that imagines the third act his mother might have lived if she had progressed past the age of 55. She was J.’s person, his guiding light and his North Star. He has now finished his first draft and we talk to him as he tackles notes and thinks about bringing the novel to market. Also joining us is Jonah Zimiles, one of our all-time favorite booksellers with his mission based…