“And this is another great thing about being a writer, that nothing you do in your life ever goes to waste. You cut it out in little stars and scatter it into the heaven of everything you write.”

About the Author

Arliss Ryan

Dear Readers,

I would much rather talk about books and writing than about myself. In an age where everyone seems to want to be famous, I would prefer my novels to be famous while I remain happily unknown.

But an author’s work is inevitably shaped by her own life and experiences, and knowing a bit about the writer can give a reader extra insight into her books. In that spirit, you may like to know a little about me.

I was born in Detroit, Michigan, and graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.A. in English. For much of my professional career I was a freelance writer and marketing consultant in advertising and public relations.

I have worked at the United Nations in New York City, at one of the beautiful Gilded Age mansions in Newport, Rhode Island, and as a tour guide/storyteller in historic St. Augustine, FL. My husband, Eric Sponberg, and I have also lived in Connecticut, California and England.

In January 2017, Eric and I left Florida on our 35’ sailboat Corroboree with the goal of sailing around the world. We landed back in Florida in June 2023, completing our 6.5-year voyage. You can read about our adventure on my sailing blog, “The Old Woman and the Sea.”

Like most fiction writers, I have spent years working my way up, from short stories in literary magazines to unpublished novels to seven published books. I am fortunate to have a husband and children whose support of my efforts is generous and unswerving.

But as I said, I really prefer to talk about books and writing. Please visit the other pages of my website and see for yourself.

Best wishes, Arliss