“A lyrical and sweet coming-of-age story. … Wolf creates an emotional tone that beckons to readers, inviting them to reflect on their own mortality and place in the world.” —Kirkus Reviews
Meet Ryan Wolf—the talented author behind captivating novels for YA and middle grade readers, including the fun and quirky Creepy Critter Keepers chapter book series. With a passion for storytelling, Ryan’s work spans everything from imaginative fiction to poetry and nonfiction. A graduate of Canisius College with a B.A. and a Masters in Humanities from the University of Chicago, Ryan’s writing has earned recognition from Kirkus Reviews, the Junior Library Guild, and a nomination for the North Star YA Award. When he’s not crafting unforgettable stories, Ryan calls Buffalo, N.Y. home, where he lives with his wife and two children.
Get ready to dive into his latest release, Songs for the Offseason, as we chat with Ryan about what inspired his newest novel and what’s next for this rising author!
Q: Describe your upcoming title in your own words.
A: It’s the summer before his senior year, and Dustin can’t wait to take a special trip to Japan with his high school baseball team. His plans are quickly dashed by the sudden death of his similarly athletic cousin. While attending his first funeral, Dustin meets Andrea, who seems to have a playlist for every occasion. As the summer continues, death seems to be stalking them both. More funerals crop up, one after another, challenging Dustin’s sense of stability. Andrea is there at every gathering, each with its own flair and antics by quirky family members. As they reflect on life, death, and music, they learn to embrace the weird ways people cope—and find a path forward.
Q: What inspired the idea for Songs for the Offseason?
A: If you told me a decade ago I would one day publish a young adult romantic dramedy involving sports and written in free verse, I would’ve been very confused! The initial concept involved two teenagers developing a relationship while attending back-to-back funerals. My editor suggested possibly adding a sports angle, which surprised (and terrified) me since I’m not an athletic person. But, I took the bold step and made my protagonist a baseball player. This wasn’t too far off from Martin Scorsese deciding to direct the classic boxing film Raging Bull, even though he found the sport “extremely boring.”
The fragility of life, and the de-stabilizing power of death, became that much more apparent with a main character who relied on his health, strength, and athletic training to maintain his sense of safety and control. I also learned a lot about baseball from passionate fans and found unexpected ways to connect the sport to my overall vision. I even tapped into some of my memories of living in Chicago when the Cubs won the World Series, which really energized the city.
Strangely, Songs for the Offseason might be the most “me” book I’ve crafted yet. It’s stuffed with my obsessions and idiosyncrasies. The chapter titles provide a soundtrack for each scene that I might’ve enjoyed listening to on my iPod in high school—and that I might still like listening to today!
Q: What themes do you explore in your novel, and why are they important to you?
A: I was a teenager who worried, and probably thought too much, about death, dying, and loss. It never felt like my fears were something I could safely or adequately express. As a high schooler, I would have appreciated more books that took death’s ever-present specter seriously.
There are so many beliefs, traditions, anxieties, and open questions surrounding death, which can make it a challenging topic to touch. With Songs for the Offseason, I wanted to lean into that tension in a way that felt honest, while also creating a work that wasn’t oppressively dark. Songs for the Offseason is, somehow, my lightest and most hopeful book. Kirkus Reviews even called it “lyrical and sweet”. The memento mori, or remembering of death, at its best can bring a more vivid energy to living. It helps us focus on what matters most.
Q: What do you hope that readers take away from your book?
A: I hope the book encourages resilience and community when tragedy strikes. Perhaps it will also make some readers feel less alone in their thoughts and questions. When I write books for young adults, I always try to honor the complex emotions that come with growing into the next phase of life.
Q: What do you think sets your novel apart from other YA books?
A: The book is written in a verse format that’s friendly for struggling readers without making the content any less compelling. It also takes a hybrid approach to fiction, borrowing from the romantic comedy and sports genres, while tackling potentially heavy themes in a fairly light way.
Q: Who are some of your favorite authors or books that influenced your writing?
A: The authors who had the greatest impact on me include Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Don DeLillo, William Faulkner, Cormac McCarthy, James Joyce, Kurt Vonnegut, C.S. Lewis, Roberto Bolaño, and Flannery O’Connor. Mick Cochrane, my mentor at Canisius University, also published a couple of great baseball-related books and I’m proud to have now written one he seems to like.
While Songs for the Offseason probably reflects my “English major side,” I also have an interest in horror and speculative fiction, which shows up in some of my titles for children and middle graders. Ray Bradbury is a big influence in that space.
The Bailey School Kids and Magic Treehouse books were formative for me as a young child and had a clear impact on my Creepy Critter Keepers series. When I was a little older, I joined the Redwall fan club, snuck scary story books home from the school library, and read most of the Great Illustrated Classics.
Q: What advice would you give to young writers hoping to publish their work?
A: Get involved with writing groups and make connections with fellow writers! Having people who support, encourage, critique, and offer thoughtful advice are essential for success in any field.
As you work to improve your writing, you should also read often and widely. Find authors you admire and study their approach. You can also grow as a writer by paying attention to interesting and powerful use of language that you encounter throughout your day, whether it be on social media or television, in the lyrics to a song you find especially meaningful, or in the rhythms of ordinary conversation.
Q: What are you currently working on, and what can readers expect next?
A: Next year, I have two more verse titles coming out! One is a work of paranormal horror fantasy for middle graders, set in an abandoned amusement park. The other is a YA contemporary thriller that involves bounty hunting and questionable parenting decisions. I also recently finished my first book for middle graders written from a non-human perspective (and set in the future). So stay tuned for a bit of genre-hopping!
Check out Ryan’s website here to learn more. Follow him on socials to stay connected!