Picture an American storyteller who turned the gritty streets of Los Angeles into a literary canvas—meet Ryan Gattis! Born in 1978, this globe-trotting novelist has captivated readers with his raw, authentic tales of urban life, most notably in his award-winning novel All Involved. With a knack for immersive storytelling and a heart for mentoring creatives, Gattis is a unique voice in contemporary fiction, blending noir, crime, and social commentary with a vivid, cinematic flair.
From his roots in Colorado to his deep ties with LA’s street art scene, Gattis’s journey is as dynamic as his novels. His works don’t just entertain—they shine a light on the complexities of marginalized communities, earning praise for their unflinching honesty and meticulous research. Ready to dive into his world?
The Making of Ryan Gattis
Ryan Gattis was born on Scott Air Force Base in Illinois and raised in Colorado Springs, where his Air Force family envisioned a military future for him. A high school incident involving a violent encounter derailed those plans, sparking a shift toward storytelling. With a BFA in Creative Writing from Chapman University and an MA from the University of East Anglia, Gattis honed his craft, drawing inspiration from his travels across California, Australia, and England. His outsider perspective and keen ear for dialogue became the bedrock of his narrative style.
Joining LA’s UGLARworks street art collective marked a turning point. Conversations with former gang members, firefighters, and nurses fueled his understanding of the city’s underbelly, shaping his commitment to authentic, character-driven stories. This immersion set the stage for his literary breakthrough.
Ryan Gattis’s Unforgettable Stories
Gattis’s novels are a masterclass in gritty, immersive storytelling, often set in the gang-ravaged neighborhoods of South Central Los Angeles. His breakout work, All Involved (2015), is a tour de force of historical fiction, weaving 17 interconnected first-person narratives across the six days of the 1992 LA Riots. Grounded in 2.5 years of research, the novel captures the chaos and humanity of the era, earning the American Library Association’s Alex Award and France’s Lire Award for Noir of the Year.
Other notable works include Kung Fu High School (2005), a cult classic blending dystopian satire with brutal high school dynamics, and Safe (2017), a heist thriller about a DEA safecracker gone rogue to aid victims of the 2008 market crash. His 2020 novel, The System, delves into the American criminal justice system, following a crime from shooting to verdict through a chorus of vivid voices. Gattis’s style—nervous, visceral, and character-driven—shifts with each narrator, creating a kaleidoscopic view of LA’s tensions and triumphs.
His meticulous research and collaboration with LA’s street culture lend his stories an unmatched authenticity. Whether exploring gang loyalty, systemic injustice, or personal redemption, Gattis’s works resonate with readers who crave raw, unflinching narratives that don’t shy away from life’s complexities.
Why Ryan Gattis Matters
Ryan Gattis’s impact extends beyond his novels. As a PEN America Prison Writing Mentor, he empowers incarcerated writers, reflecting his belief in storytelling as a tool for transformation. His role as Creative Director of UGLARworks bridges literature and visual art, creating murals and projects that amplify LA’s untold stories. His novels, translated into 11 languages, have sparked conversations about race, class, and justice, cementing his place among literary giants like Dennis Lehane and George V. Higgins.
Gattis’s ability to humanize marginalized voices while crafting pulse-pounding narratives makes him a vital voice in modern fiction. His work challenges readers to confront uncomfortable truths while celebrating the resilience of communities often overlooked by mainstream media.
- Born: 1978, Illinois
- Key Works: All Involved, Safe, Kung Fu High School, The System
- Awards: Alex Award, Lire Award for Noir of the Year
- Fun Fact: His back tattoo, part of the '108 Heroes of Los Angeles' project, took hundreds of hours to complete!
Snag All Involved and dive into Ryan Gattis’s electrifying world of noir and grit—your bookshelf will thank you!