Creator Interview Plus a Giveaway: Ryan Rae Harbuck
- Julie Hauswirth
- 13 hours ago
- 7 min read
From Picture Books to Middle Grade to Memoir, there's Nothing Ryan Can't Do (Or Write!)
I was introduced to Ryan by my critique partner Maria Piñero Pope a couple of years ago. We were all working on middle grade novels and began leaning on each other as CPs through the drafting and revising process. I fell in love with Ryan's manuscript and had so much fun getting to know her. She's exactly the kind of CP anyone would want: gives honest feedback, knows what she's talking about, and is so kind and encouraging. If you've never met or interacted with Ryan before, find her on X! She's a welcoming member of the Kidlit writing community and she shares a ton of wisdom and encouragement in that space.
I'm a big fan of Ryan's work. Her memoir, WHEN I GROW UP I WANT TO BE A CHAIR, is a self-published work of art. She wrote a picture book of the same name, and it's delightful: sweet and uplifting, with bright and colorful illustrations by Barry Lee. I hope the next book of Ryan's I get to buy is the middle grade novel I fell in love with, because that main character and her adventures NEED to be in the world!
The main character of WHEN I GROW UP I WANT TO BE A CHAIR is Vo, who uses a wheelchair. Vo's experience is based on Ryan’s, who began using a wheelchair after a spinal cord injury. Her memoir, which won the Silver 2024 Nautilus Award, was adapted into a version that could be shared with younger children. But like Ryan, Vo isn’t defined by her disability. Ryan’s stories create a much needed place across genres for characters who have disabilities, and invite the reader to get to know the whole, beautiful, complex people they are.
And what better time to celebrate Ryan than July, which is Disability Pride Month! I’m so excited to share more about Ryan and her writing journey. Ryan is also generously offering an AMA or a copy of her memoir to one lucky reader, so read on for details on how to enter the giveaway!
July is Disability Pride Month, so it's a really special time for me—not solely in reflection, but also in that sort of yelling-from-the-rooftops way. Just like the main character in my debut children's book, Vo can push to the tippity top of the hill, but she can also fall down it. Both are so important to recognize and even celebrate, as a person with a disability. In my memoir, I write that struggles and victories are often the very same things, and I'm on a quest to bring light to more layered topics within literature, especially in kidlit. Because those stories are meant to be told too. - Ryan Rae Harbuck
Tell us a bit about yourself! What do you love to write/create? Do you have an agent? A book deal? Any published works or awards? Feel free to BRAG!
I’m a bit of a genre omnivore, as I enjoy so many things that I cannot settle on one! I’ve written a bouquet of picture books, a middle grade grounded fantasy, an adult women’s fiction novel, and am currently drafting a chapter book series, outlining a YA thriller, all after publishing my memoir first!
My memoir was the thing that started it all, though, and I’ve even won a couple of awards (the Nautilus Book Award & the CIPA EVVY Award) and been featured in places like Insider and the Moms Don’t Have Time to Read Books podcast.
My children’s book debut, WHEN I GROW UP I WANT TO BE A CHAIR, was published by Barefoot Books in April and is a direct tie to my memoir as well–isn’t that the coolest?! I currently do not have an agent, but have found that in the kidlit world, there are still many doors open to publishing, so I remain hopeful!
How did your journey as a KidLit creator begin?
I started writing books for my children’s birthdays when they were really young, and it became a fun tradition of mine. I didn’t realize it was a cry to create until many years (and many terrible illustrations) later, ha!
What is your favorite thing about creating for children?
What I love most about creating for children is being a voice to highlight and uplift disabled characters. I was in a car accident when I was 16 years old, and still very much a child. I was paralyzed from my ribcage down and had to relearn my life as a wheelchair user. Had I been exposed to characters and concepts centering around disabilities and diverse experiences, things may have been easier to come to terms with. But, ultimately, after many years, I learned that there is so much I’ve gained because of my disability–and it’s what drives all of my writing for kids.
This is an industry full of high highs and low lows. What are some of the peaks and valleys you've experienced in your career?
Okay, hold on for this ride… I connected with a senior editor, she told me to write a book based off my memoir…signed a contract on that book (AND a second one!!)...got an agent…wrote a bunch more books and joined a couple of amazing critique groups…parted ways with agent because she stopped repping kidlit…queried adult novel…published debut PB…got 2nd place in Vivian Kirkfield’s 50 Precious Words contest…was a finalist in PBParty… still querying all of it!
Do you have a "day job"? If so, what is it, and how do you create balance between your "day job" and your work as a creator?
My hubby and I own a swim team, so it’s basically like we are swim coaches who own a small business as well. Swimming has always been a huge part of my life, and now my whole family’s life! I was a high school teacher before my oldest kiddo was born, so I continue to fill that bucket by working at their elementary school–last year I worked as a math interventionist, and I loved geeking out on all things math!
Describe your perfect writing/illustrating/creating day.
Wait…day?! As in, I get a whole day to create?!! As a busy mom, I’ve learned to create in 7-minute chunks–that’s the sweet spot of time that I can devote attention to writing without suffering on either end (kid or book).
But if I were to dream, it would probably be a day when I got to go on a long walk or swim in the morning, I love the feeling of being completely taxed physically before getting to writing. It would also probably involve some dark chocolate and chill French vibes playing in the background. My husband built a sort of “she shed” for me in our backyard to write, and it is such a warming, energizing space for me, that I would likely just stay there for my perfect creating day! Lucky me!
What motivates you to keep going when this industry gets you down?
In my life, I have learned to let go of things that don’t serve me–I learned that from a REALLY early age. That mindset has been crucial in this industry. That, and the sense of perseverance in order to continue to create my own opportunities. When it’s all said and done, I will be most proud because I tried.
What is a favorite craft tip you'd like to share with other creators?
This sounds horrible, but when editing, go back through your manuscript backwards, line by line. It is extremely tedious, but incredibly valuable in recognizing line-level impacts.
What are your top 3 favorite books of all time (any age range)?
The Count of Monte Cristo (Dumas) , Goodnight Moon (Brown), Still Life with Woodpecker (Robbins)
Who are some authors or illustrators that inspired your style as a creator?
Oh gosh… so many! Dave Eggars, Liz Gilbert, Maurice Sendak, Oliver Jeffers, Shel Silverstein, Jacqueline Woodson, Tom Robbins, Mary Shelley, C.S Lewis, to name a few.
What advice do you have for someone considering starting their journey as a KidLit creator?
My advice would be to jump into it. There is no way to do better if you don’t first DO. Get yourself a great group of writer friends who are in different parts of their own writing journey. Treat yourself often and never be too serious. Write it down, even if it’s terrible. That first draft is just made of place-holder words for the thing you will eventually create. Never sell yourself short.
Is there anything else that you'd like to share?
July is Disability Pride Month, so it's a really special time for me—not solely in reflection, but also in that sort of yelling-from-the-rooftops way. Just like the main character in my debut children's book, Vo can push to the tippity top of the hill, but she can also fall down it. Both are so important to recognize and even celebrate, as a person with a disability. In my memoir, I write that struggles and victories are often the very same things, and I'm on a quest to bring light to more layered topics within literature, especially in kidlit. Because those stories are meant to be told too.
Speed Round: This or That!
Let us get to know you better! You must pick ONE- no "I don't know" or "neither" allowed! Ready... Go!
Summer or Winter? | Summer |
Chocolate or Vanilla? | Vanilla |
Cats or Dogs? | Dogs |
Playlists or Podcasts? | Podcasts |
Text or Call? | Call |
Unicorn or Dragon? | Unicorn |
Ice Cream or Cake? | Ice Cream |
Physical Books or E-Books? | Audiobooks! |
Fiction or Non-Fiction? | Fiction |
Sunrise or Sunset? | Sunrise |
It’s Giveaway Time!
Ryan is offering one reader an AMA or a copy of her book, When I Grow Up I Want to Be a Chair: a Memoir. Click below to enter!
That's it! The giveaway closes on Tuesday, August 4th at 11:59pm EST!
Be sure to connect with Ryan! Visit her website or follow her on social media:
Instagram: @ryanraeharbuck
Don't forget to subscribe to my mailing list to be among the first to see future Creator Interviews and giveaways!
