About Ryan L. Smith

Ryan L. Smith writes fantasy, science fiction, and adventure stories for middle grade, young adult, and curious readers of all ages.

His tales blend quiet magic, layered mysteries, and just enough mischief to make you grin—or cry, depending on the page. Inspired by mythology, folklore, and the oddities hiding in everyday life, he builds immersive worlds full of wonder and what-ifs. He’s fueled by black coffee, dad jokes, and a suspiciously encyclopedic knowledge of sci-fi and fantasy.

Ryan is also the founder of Mythic Quill Studios and Publishing, dedicated to strange and wonderful stories that color outside the lines.

Crafting Meaningful Stories

Storytelling isn’t just something I do—it’s part of who I am. Every world I build, every character I shape, carries a spark of something deeper. This isn’t about chasing trends or writing what’s expected. It’s about creating stories that matter—stories that linger. Stories that might help someone feel a little more seen, or offer a feel-good escape from a chaotic world.

“My Voice. My Legacy. My Way.”

I built Mythic Quill Studios and Mythic Quill Publishing to carry this mission forward—my way, on my terms. I’m not waiting for permission from agents or publishers who don’t get it.

I believe in family. In faith. In God. And in the kind of magic that actually means something.

I’m not here to chase trends. I’m here to tell soulful stories—with wonder, with heart, and with courage. Stories that aren’t afraid to mean something.

I believe everyone—especially kids—deserves more than agendas, and as a father, this means something deeply personal to me. Kids deserve hope, adventure, and characters who feel like home and adventures for the mind, just not on a screen or tablet.

So I write with purpose. I build worlds that matter—worlds that are immersive, creative, and sometimes rooted in truths.

I hope I'm writing books that help kids grow up with a sense of adventure and imagination. Stories grounded in good morals and alive with curiosity. Stories that light a spark, hold out a hand, and stay with them when the world gets loud.

Let the industry sleep on it.

I’m wide awake.

And I’m just getting started, so buckle up!

This is why I write. Not just for the story… but for the spark it might leave behind.

Why I Write – Part Two

There’s another reason I write, beyond the joy of building worlds and telling stories.

In the summer of 2024, someone incredibly close to me passed away without warning. He was my first cousin, but to me, he was my big brother. Losing him so suddenly tore through the fabric of my life in ways I never expected.

In the months that followed, everything shifted. I began to reevaluate what truly mattered—my purpose, my dreams, and the things I had always said I would get around to "someday." That grief lit a fire in me. And while I wish it hadn’t taken something so painful to wake me up, I believe things happen for a reason. I may not know what God's plan is, but I’ve stopped waiting for a perfect map. I’ve chosen to start walking the path in front of me.

So I pulled out my old notebooks—half-finished adventures, scattered sci-fi and fantasy ideas—and started writing again. At first, the goal was simple: finish what I had started years ago. But it quickly turned into something much more. I launched Mythic Quill Studios to create tabletop RPG content. Then I wrote my first two novels. That journey sparked the founding of Mythic Quill Publishing. Somewhere along the way, those books grew into full series. And I kept going, still grieving, still honoring the one I lost.

The first book in the Phineasverse™ series, Phineas Fitch and the Curious Chest, is a children's sci-fi adventure written for my own children, and for the children of the cousin I lost. The other series, Echoes of the Emerald Vale™, begins with Whispers of the Fallen, a mythic fantasy full of quirky heroes and ancient magic. It’s the kind of story I’ve carried with me for years. Both series have grown into four-book arcs, and I’m committed to seeing them through.

I chose July 4th as the launch date for a reason. It’s close to the anniversary of his passing, but it also symbolizes something deeply personal to me—freedom, purpose, and the choice to build something meaningful on my own terms. It's how I honor him. It's how I step into the life I believe I was meant to live, even if I don't know where it leads.

Mythic Quill Studios and Mythic Quill Publishing weren’t born from a business plan. They were born from grief, from hope, from faith, and from a quiet sense that maybe there’s a larger story unfolding—and I’m just following the thread. The business plan came later.

This is why I write. Not just for the stories, but for the spark they carry. For the hands they might hold. And for the chance to leave something behind that matters.

And because of all that, I’ve chosen to publish independently, to help others do the same, and still get to write the stores I love to share with you.