A Simple Rebellion is Christopher Ryan's eleventh work of fiction. He earned his MA and Rutgers University's English Award for Highest Distinction in Literary Studies for his "master's thesis" -- a first novel, City of Woe, which he published independently through his Seamus and Nunzio Productions, LLC. The debut novel earned theBookcast.com's first-ever "Book of Exceptional quality" and "Best New Voice (fiction) honors from the Independent Book Publishers Association. City of Woe features detectives Mallory and Gunner, who have also been featured in its sequel City of Pain, and a prequel collection of short stories, City of Sin. He is currently planning City of Love, which will complete his modern urban re-interpreting of Dante's The Divine Comedy. He has also written a YA novel, Genius High, and is working on its follow-up, Perfect. Additionally, he is producing a line of illustrated children's detective books, The Ferguson Files.
Additionally, he has written several adventures staring Alex Simmons' African-American soldier-of-fortune Blackjack, including stories in the anthology Shooters, the novellas Ransom for a Dead King, Dark End of the Rainbow, and Driven.Chris spent eight years as an award-winning Bronx crime and politics reporter, earning accolades as Best News Columnist (NYS Newspaper Association), Journalist of the Year (Children Are Precious) and being presented the DeWitt Clinton Masonic Award for Community Service, among other distinctions.He earned additional honors for playwriting (Bronx Council on the Arts) and screenwriting (a T.W. Wharton Award, and nods as a top 10 percent then top 100 Nicholl's Fellowship finalist). He also spent years as a founding member/head writer for the Salsoul Comedy Troupe, contributing over 30 original sketches, and performing as both a cast member and stand-up comedian. Primarily a writer, Chris has acted onstage and in the Feenix Films movie projects "Lock, Load, Love" (which he also co-wrote and produced), "Nicky Newark" and "Clandestine" (earning another producer credit on the latter) as well as in his screenwriting/directorial debut, "Zombies of New Milford". He teaches at Hackensack High School, having served there as Senior English, Journalism, Creative Writing, and Drama teacher, as well as a stint as president of the union.
He has also served on the New Milford Board of Education.He lives in northern New Jersey with his wife and twin sons.