Ryan T. Pozzi
@ryantpozzi.bsky.social
Nonfiction writer. Author of The Mess That Made Them (Bloomsbury, 2026) geni.us/TMtMT. Two-time Best of the Net nominee. | 🏠 Council Bluffs, IA (Omaha Metro Area) | Rep: Anderson Literary Agency
I do a fair amount of checking in on the colleagues with whom I have close relationships. Sometimes they think it's weird and it takes time to adjust.
What I think is creative professions are intensely difficult and often lonely. When a pal is doing the damn thing, checking in is part of my job.
What I think is creative professions are intensely difficult and often lonely. When a pal is doing the damn thing, checking in is part of my job.
September 18, 2026 at 2:00 AM
I do a fair amount of checking in on the colleagues with whom I have close relationships. Sometimes they think it's weird and it takes time to adjust.
What I think is creative professions are intensely difficult and often lonely. When a pal is doing the damn thing, checking in is part of my job.
What I think is creative professions are intensely difficult and often lonely. When a pal is doing the damn thing, checking in is part of my job.
Technology can be cool, but did I ever tell you how little I trust it in a live environment? That's why we make these giant physical PowerPoint slides for my talks. The words even fly in from the sides just like in the software, only slower bc I'm almost 50. (Photo credit: Katherine Hamilton-Smith)
September 17, 2026 at 1:35 AM
Technology can be cool, but did I ever tell you how little I trust it in a live environment? That's why we make these giant physical PowerPoint slides for my talks. The words even fly in from the sides just like in the software, only slower bc I'm almost 50. (Photo credit: Katherine Hamilton-Smith)
Quote of the night at CBPL on Monday:
"I'd like to welcome Ryan T. Pozzi who's here tonight to talk about his book The Mess That Made Them [brief pause] and then there's a bunch of other stuff. It has a very long subtitle." -Adult Services Librarian Elisa Cruz
"I'd like to welcome Ryan T. Pozzi who's here tonight to talk about his book The Mess That Made Them [brief pause] and then there's a bunch of other stuff. It has a very long subtitle." -Adult Services Librarian Elisa Cruz
September 16, 2026 at 2:28 AM
Quote of the night at CBPL on Monday:
"I'd like to welcome Ryan T. Pozzi who's here tonight to talk about his book The Mess That Made Them [brief pause] and then there's a bunch of other stuff. It has a very long subtitle." -Adult Services Librarian Elisa Cruz
"I'd like to welcome Ryan T. Pozzi who's here tonight to talk about his book The Mess That Made Them [brief pause] and then there's a bunch of other stuff. It has a very long subtitle." -Adult Services Librarian Elisa Cruz
Writing a book about people who kept working through uncertainty did not vaccinate me against uncertainty. It was never supposed to.
This week in Life on the Midlist: why writing a book about persistence does not mean I’ve conquered fear, doubt, or the occasional Publishers Weekly-induced spiral.
This week in Life on the Midlist: why writing a book about persistence does not mean I’ve conquered fear, doubt, or the occasional Publishers Weekly-induced spiral.
September 15, 2026 at 11:18 PM
Writing a book about people who kept working through uncertainty did not vaccinate me against uncertainty. It was never supposed to.
This week in Life on the Midlist: why writing a book about persistence does not mean I’ve conquered fear, doubt, or the occasional Publishers Weekly-induced spiral.
This week in Life on the Midlist: why writing a book about persistence does not mean I’ve conquered fear, doubt, or the occasional Publishers Weekly-induced spiral.
I found out at my launch party that my wife's boss had seen Kusama's large scale work in person. I haven't yet had the pleasure.
I'm a little sad we can't get away for an Amsterdam trip. #Kusama #artsky
apnews.com/article/kusa...
I'm a little sad we can't get away for an Amsterdam trip. #Kusama #artsky
apnews.com/article/kusa...
September 14, 2026 at 9:56 PM
I found out at my launch party that my wife's boss had seen Kusama's large scale work in person. I haven't yet had the pleasure.
I'm a little sad we can't get away for an Amsterdam trip. #Kusama #artsky
apnews.com/article/kusa...
I'm a little sad we can't get away for an Amsterdam trip. #Kusama #artsky
apnews.com/article/kusa...
Reposted by Ryan T. Pozzi
Monday at 6:30 PM: Ryan T. Pozzi in conversation with Nebraska State Poet Emeritus Matt Mason. Free and open to the public at the Council Bluffs Public Library. The Bookworm will be on hand for all your bibliophile needs.
#CBPL #tmtmt #LibraryLove #MyMidwestMessTour #authortalk
#CBPL #tmtmt #LibraryLove #MyMidwestMessTour #authortalk
September 13, 2026 at 1:49 PM
Monday at 6:30 PM: Ryan T. Pozzi in conversation with Nebraska State Poet Emeritus Matt Mason. Free and open to the public at the Council Bluffs Public Library. The Bookworm will be on hand for all your bibliophile needs.
#CBPL #tmtmt #LibraryLove #MyMidwestMessTour #authortalk
#CBPL #tmtmt #LibraryLove #MyMidwestMessTour #authortalk
You know the big 2-for-1 audiobook sale? Here's what I scored:
-And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
-Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone: A Novel by Benjamin Stevenson
-The Song of Achilles: A Novel by Madeline Miller
-The Underground Railroad: A Novel by Colson Whitehead
🧵
-And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
-Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone: A Novel by Benjamin Stevenson
-The Song of Achilles: A Novel by Madeline Miller
-The Underground Railroad: A Novel by Colson Whitehead
🧵
September 13, 2026 at 4:07 PM
You know the big 2-for-1 audiobook sale? Here's what I scored:
-And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
-Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone: A Novel by Benjamin Stevenson
-The Song of Achilles: A Novel by Madeline Miller
-The Underground Railroad: A Novel by Colson Whitehead
🧵
-And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
-Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone: A Novel by Benjamin Stevenson
-The Song of Achilles: A Novel by Madeline Miller
-The Underground Railroad: A Novel by Colson Whitehead
🧵
What's the point, as an author, of hating on romance/romantasy/etc.? I don't read much of it myself, but I DO READ reading trend and unit sales reports so I'm fairly confident there wouldn't be contracts for nearly as many of "the rest of us" right now without those books. 🧵 #skywriters #booksky
September 13, 2026 at 3:08 PM
What's the point, as an author, of hating on romance/romantasy/etc.? I don't read much of it myself, but I DO READ reading trend and unit sales reports so I'm fairly confident there wouldn't be contracts for nearly as many of "the rest of us" right now without those books. 🧵 #skywriters #booksky
What an honor to be included (AND treated so well) at the Sower Books Second Bithday Bash. Here I am saying something about the nature of artmaking and here's what I've called in my head the Upcoming Events table with mei n the middle there (behind my new turtle friend.) #nonfiction #booktour #LNK
September 13, 2026 at 2:41 PM
What an honor to be included (AND treated so well) at the Sower Books Second Bithday Bash. Here I am saying something about the nature of artmaking and here's what I've called in my head the Upcoming Events table with mei n the middle there (behind my new turtle friend.) #nonfiction #booktour #LNK
Monday at 6:30 PM: Ryan T. Pozzi in conversation with Nebraska State Poet Emeritus Matt Mason. Free and open to the public at the Council Bluffs Public Library. The Bookworm will be on hand for all your bibliophile needs.
#CBPL #tmtmt #LibraryLove #MyMidwestMessTour #authortalk
#CBPL #tmtmt #LibraryLove #MyMidwestMessTour #authortalk
September 13, 2026 at 1:49 PM
Monday at 6:30 PM: Ryan T. Pozzi in conversation with Nebraska State Poet Emeritus Matt Mason. Free and open to the public at the Council Bluffs Public Library. The Bookworm will be on hand for all your bibliophile needs.
#CBPL #tmtmt #LibraryLove #MyMidwestMessTour #authortalk
#CBPL #tmtmt #LibraryLove #MyMidwestMessTour #authortalk
I sat down with my colleague and new friend James Edgar to make a video in which I seem determined to look like a villain with a nefarious plan.
I am, but it didn't come up. Hear about my debut book and how it took shape. (We saved the masterplan for next time.) www.youtube.com/watch?v=wusg...
I am, but it didn't come up. Hear about my debut book and how it took shape. (We saved the masterplan for next time.) www.youtube.com/watch?v=wusg...
The First is the Worst Interview with Non-Fiction Writer Ryan T. Pozzi
Welcome to The First is the Worst, the only podcast dedicated to helping writers perfect those opening pages before they reach the eyes of an editor or literary agent.
I'd like to thank today's…
www.youtube.com
September 12, 2026 at 9:56 PM
I sat down with my colleague and new friend James Edgar to make a video in which I seem determined to look like a villain with a nefarious plan.
I am, but it didn't come up. Hear about my debut book and how it took shape. (We saved the masterplan for next time.) www.youtube.com/watch?v=wusg...
I am, but it didn't come up. Hear about my debut book and how it took shape. (We saved the masterplan for next time.) www.youtube.com/watch?v=wusg...
I'll bet you didn't know that the wonderful twin actresses, whose praise graces the back cover of my book, are two of my wife's three sisters.
You'd have to know that in order for these other blurbs we considered using, but rejected, to make sense. #skywriters #booksky #nonfiction
You'd have to know that in order for these other blurbs we considered using, but rejected, to make sense. #skywriters #booksky #nonfiction
September 12, 2026 at 6:39 PM
I'll bet you didn't know that the wonderful twin actresses, whose praise graces the back cover of my book, are two of my wife's three sisters.
You'd have to know that in order for these other blurbs we considered using, but rejected, to make sense. #skywriters #booksky #nonfiction
You'd have to know that in order for these other blurbs we considered using, but rejected, to make sense. #skywriters #booksky #nonfiction
One writer's morning affirmation. YMMV:
"Get your life right you ********* ******** ***** of ****. What the **** is wrong with you? Do you even ******* have a ****** *** ****** or did you just get up this morning to ****** ****** and **** ********** up? Damn, dude."
"Get your life right you ********* ******** ***** of ****. What the **** is wrong with you? Do you even ******* have a ****** *** ****** or did you just get up this morning to ****** ****** and **** ********** up? Damn, dude."
September 12, 2026 at 3:04 PM
One writer's morning affirmation. YMMV:
"Get your life right you ********* ******** ***** of ****. What the **** is wrong with you? Do you even ******* have a ****** *** ****** or did you just get up this morning to ****** ****** and **** ********** up? Damn, dude."
"Get your life right you ********* ******** ***** of ****. What the **** is wrong with you? Do you even ******* have a ****** *** ****** or did you just get up this morning to ****** ****** and **** ********** up? Damn, dude."
I know my bajillion author friends are doing EXACTLY what they have to do for their books and their careers, but I'll admit that the first thing I think every time a B&N preorder sale ends is, "Thank f---! Now my feed won't just be low key B&N ads."
September 12, 2026 at 2:41 PM
I know my bajillion author friends are doing EXACTLY what they have to do for their books and their careers, but I'll admit that the first thing I think every time a B&N preorder sale ends is, "Thank f---! Now my feed won't just be low key B&N ads."
Friends,
Gold Shoe Books is having its grand opening today in St. Louis! I don't have a relationship with the shop (yet!) - it just felt like we could all use some good news and another bookstore opening is pretty much always good news! #booksky www.goldshoebooks.com
Gold Shoe Books is having its grand opening today in St. Louis! I don't have a relationship with the shop (yet!) - it just felt like we could all use some good news and another bookstore opening is pretty much always good news! #booksky www.goldshoebooks.com
Gold Shoe Books
A new independent bookstore in Saint Louis, Missouri nestled where UCity meets Clayton. Popular and literary fiction, non-fiction, children's/YA, and all things writing and gifts.
www.goldshoebooks.com
September 12, 2026 at 1:07 PM
Friends,
Gold Shoe Books is having its grand opening today in St. Louis! I don't have a relationship with the shop (yet!) - it just felt like we could all use some good news and another bookstore opening is pretty much always good news! #booksky www.goldshoebooks.com
Gold Shoe Books is having its grand opening today in St. Louis! I don't have a relationship with the shop (yet!) - it just felt like we could all use some good news and another bookstore opening is pretty much always good news! #booksky www.goldshoebooks.com
At the end of launch night standing between Nebraska's former state poet and the owner of The Tea Smith - who, in this photo, sadly for them, look a little like they're my new Weight Watchers coaches and they're gonna do whatever it takes, darn it, to help me lose the weight and keep it off! #tmtmt
September 11, 2026 at 2:00 AM
At the end of launch night standing between Nebraska's former state poet and the owner of The Tea Smith - who, in this photo, sadly for them, look a little like they're my new Weight Watchers coaches and they're gonna do whatever it takes, darn it, to help me lose the weight and keep it off! #tmtmt
Things I learned while on tour in Lincoln this week #24:
Always look to trains when you need advice or guidance in your life. #skywriters #booksky
Always look to trains when you need advice or guidance in your life. #skywriters #booksky
September 10, 2026 at 1:35 AM
Things I learned while on tour in Lincoln this week #24:
Always look to trains when you need advice or guidance in your life. #skywriters #booksky
Always look to trains when you need advice or guidance in your life. #skywriters #booksky
What an honor to be a BOTN nominee again this year! Here I thought 2026 would be all about the book and no lit mag love. I was wrong. There's always room for #litmaglove.
#BestOfTheNet nominees! We are so honored to have published these writers and artists!
@vignettes.bsky.social @angelvleal.bsky.social @amandatrout.bsky.social @lauraupat5am.bsky.social @ryantpozzi.bsky.social @whichwaytorome.bsky.social @bronwengriffiths.bsky.social
@vignettes.bsky.social @angelvleal.bsky.social @amandatrout.bsky.social @lauraupat5am.bsky.social @ryantpozzi.bsky.social @whichwaytorome.bsky.social @bronwengriffiths.bsky.social
September 9, 2026 at 5:56 PM
What an honor to be a BOTN nominee again this year! Here I thought 2026 would be all about the book and no lit mag love. I was wrong. There's always room for #litmaglove.
Anne Sexton has entered the chat...
September 9, 2026 at 1:05 PM
Anne Sexton has entered the chat...
Insomia is bad again - for reasons. This AM, I stumbled onto 2018ish YT videos of white folks doing First Reaction videos to Childish Gambino's This is America.
Watching shock to revulsion to grief to realization makes me wanna write what I assume would be the zillionth essay on the power of art.
Watching shock to revulsion to grief to realization makes me wanna write what I assume would be the zillionth essay on the power of art.
September 9, 2026 at 7:40 AM
Insomia is bad again - for reasons. This AM, I stumbled onto 2018ish YT videos of white folks doing First Reaction videos to Childish Gambino's This is America.
Watching shock to revulsion to grief to realization makes me wanna write what I assume would be the zillionth essay on the power of art.
Watching shock to revulsion to grief to realization makes me wanna write what I assume would be the zillionth essay on the power of art.
I've mentioned at several public book events now that it doesn't feel real to me when the box of author copies shows up or even when I open that box and hold the book in my hand for the first time.
It feels real when I can talk to readers. Here are some of the first regular book readers to review.
It feels real when I can talk to readers. Here are some of the first regular book readers to review.
September 9, 2026 at 2:28 AM
I've mentioned at several public book events now that it doesn't feel real to me when the box of author copies shows up or even when I open that box and hold the book in my hand for the first time.
It feels real when I can talk to readers. Here are some of the first regular book readers to review.
It feels real when I can talk to readers. Here are some of the first regular book readers to review.
I launched my first book Thursday and immediately learned five things: cry less, say less, worry less, forget about the damn numbers, and be more present.
This week’s Life on the Midlist is the longer version of what being in the room taught me: mailchi.mp/c66c1cc47d4e...
#nonfiction #booklaunch
This week’s Life on the Midlist is the longer version of what being in the room taught me: mailchi.mp/c66c1cc47d4e...
#nonfiction #booklaunch
September 8, 2026 at 11:18 PM
I launched my first book Thursday and immediately learned five things: cry less, say less, worry less, forget about the damn numbers, and be more present.
This week’s Life on the Midlist is the longer version of what being in the room taught me: mailchi.mp/c66c1cc47d4e...
#nonfiction #booklaunch
This week’s Life on the Midlist is the longer version of what being in the room taught me: mailchi.mp/c66c1cc47d4e...
#nonfiction #booklaunch
Reposted by Ryan T. Pozzi
Q: What is the absolute, #1 best thing you can do to support an author and help their ability to publish more books?
A: PREORDER THEIR BOOK!
🧵
A: PREORDER THEIR BOOK!
🧵
August 24, 2026 at 5:09 PM
Q: What is the absolute, #1 best thing you can do to support an author and help their ability to publish more books?
A: PREORDER THEIR BOOK!
🧵
A: PREORDER THEIR BOOK!
🧵
In preparation for my book tour, I also wrote a few guest essays (three so far) about experiencing specific works of art. They're still with their respective editors and not available yet, but I'm posting this status because I can't wait for you to read them later this month! #occasionalessayist
September 7, 2026 at 9:56 PM
In preparation for my book tour, I also wrote a few guest essays (three so far) about experiencing specific works of art. They're still with their respective editors and not available yet, but I'm posting this status because I can't wait for you to read them later this month! #occasionalessayist
Leaving for Lincoln now. I hope we see you at the Sower Books Second Birthday!
I have a trio of book talks I'm taking on tour this fall, but Lincoln is ❤️ so I wrote a fourth one just for Tory. This is the only time it will be given on this tour. #booktour #lincolnnebraska #SowerBooks #shoplocal
I have a trio of book talks I'm taking on tour this fall, but Lincoln is ❤️ so I wrote a fourth one just for Tory. This is the only time it will be given on this tour. #booktour #lincolnnebraska #SowerBooks #shoplocal
September 7, 2026 at 3:30 PM
Leaving for Lincoln now. I hope we see you at the Sower Books Second Birthday!
I have a trio of book talks I'm taking on tour this fall, but Lincoln is ❤️ so I wrote a fourth one just for Tory. This is the only time it will be given on this tour. #booktour #lincolnnebraska #SowerBooks #shoplocal
I have a trio of book talks I'm taking on tour this fall, but Lincoln is ❤️ so I wrote a fourth one just for Tory. This is the only time it will be given on this tour. #booktour #lincolnnebraska #SowerBooks #shoplocal