Jean Ryan, a native Vermonter, lives in Lillian, Alabama. Her stories and essays have appeared in a variety of journals and anthologies. Nominated for several Pushcart Prizes, she has also published a novel, LOST SISTER. Her short story collections, SURVIVAL SKILLS and LOVERS AND LONERS, are available online. STRANGE COMPANY, her collection of short nature essays, has been published in paperback, digital and an audio version.
“There are no shortcuts. Writers must stay on course, figuring out what they want to convey, putting their idea into words, then finding the right words—precise and beautiful at once. Every so often the perfect word or phrase arrives unbidden, but writing in general is hard work. If it isn’t, it probably isn’t worth much.”
To read a Q&A with the author, please follow this link to the Ashland Creek Press blog.
Jean Ryan 
I am all choked up and so very proud that you followed your heart!
Thanks so much, longtime friend. Clearly you are as dear as I remember.
Gorgeous writing, lovely courage and appreciation of solitude, the desert, observations–I will look for you books. Thanks for the story and being such a good writer.
Thank you, Merimee, for your kind comments. They matter more than you know.
It was a pleasure meeting you. I’m enjoying your stories.
Thanks very much, Carol. How kind of you to “dive right in.” I enjoyed meeting you as well and hope to see you again soon.
Your blog on “Accountable” brought tears to my eyes along with some quilt. I’ll think twice before I step on another living creature regardless of how pesty they are. Great job as always my dear friend! ❤
Why thank you, sweets! So kind of you to read my posts 🙂
Lovely!
Best wishes and continued success to you!
Jennifer
Thank you, Jennifer.
Dear friend, Thank you very much, I was really happy to have been following your blog. I’m still a lot to figure out, and here I can only say that you are an awesome blogger, full Inspiring and hope you can inspire more readers. Thanks and greetings compassion from Gede Prama 🙂
Thank you, Gede Prama. I can say the same of your blog. Beautiful writing, beautiful posts. I love your affirmative viewpoint.
Thanks for following my blog, Jean! I hope you enjoy my take on things. I certainly enjoy yours.
Every time I see your picture I have the sense we have met. I moved to Portland a few years ago after 35 years in San Francisco and the East Bay. The only possible connection I can come up with is Book Passage, near Larkspur. Did you ever take a class there with Annie Lamott?
No I didn’t. Wish I had–she’s great.