About Me

I’m Jerry Ryan, a middle-grade horror writer who believes scary stories can do something powerful for kids.

They can help them grow brave.

For many years, my work focused on fear. I listened to adults talk about stress, worry, and anxiety. I noticed something surprising. Most of their fear did not start in adulthood. It started much earlier, when they were kids and never learned how to face it safely.

That discovery changed my path.

Kids experience fear differently than adults.

When kids get scared, they often recover quickly. They hide behind a pillow, laugh a few minutes later, and move on. Fear comes and goes. When it’s handled in a safe way, it teaches confidence instead of avoidance.

That’s why I write middle-grade horror.

My stories are spooky, but safe. They are written for kids ages 9–13 who love mysteries, creepy places, and brave characters. The fear lives inside the story, not in real life. Kids know they are safe while they read.

Inside my books, kids get to:

• Feel scared without being overwhelmed
   
• Watch characters face fear and keep going
   
• Learn that fear does not mean danger
   
• Discover courage through story, not lectures
   

Adults often try to avoid fear. They push it down or ignore it. Over time, fear can grow into stress, anger, or burnout.

Kids don’t need fear removed from their lives. They need practice facing it.

Safe scary stories give kids that practice. Each chapter is a chance to say,
“I was scared, and I made it through.”

Those lessons last.

Kids who learn how to face fear early grow into adults who trust themselves. They don’t panic when things get hard. They remember they’ve been scared before—and survived.

This website is home to my books, stories, and writing journey.

You’ll find:

• Middle-grade horror series like Stay Out of the Attic
   
• Blog posts about fear, courage, and storytelling
   
• Resources for parents, teachers, and librarians
   
• Updates on new books and upcoming projects
   

If you’re a parent looking for safe scary books, a teacher helping kids build confidence, or a young reader who loves a good creepy mystery, you’re in the right place.