Patrick Ryan KNOWS Fiction, Wordplay, Literary Success, Jenna Bush Hager & BUCKEYE

What does it take to write the #1 Book of the Year? In this episode of ON THE KNOWS with Randall Kenneth Jones, Randy sits down with Patrick Ryan, the NYT bestselling author behind the 2025 literary sensation, Buckeye. As a "Read with Jenna" book club pick and Amazon’s top choice for Best Book of the Year, Buckeye is a masterclass in family sagas and deep-dive storytelling. Patrick opens up about the eight-year journey of crafting this novel, the shocking family secret that inspired it, and his unique creative process. Why You Should Listen to This Episode: • Behind the Scenes of a Bestseller: Discover how Patrick Ryan spent eight years crafting Buckeye, drawing inspiration from his own family's history and a shocking decades-old secret involving his grandmother in a small Ohio town. • The Art of "The Know": Host Randall Kenneth Jones is celebrated for his ability to ask "questions no one else can ask," moving beyond standard press junket talk to uncover the "little truths" that define his guests, his characters, and their shared belief systems. • Deep Themes of Forgiveness and Grief: The conversation delves into the heart of Ryan's work, exploring how individuals are defined by their mistakes and how the often unspoken words between loved ones shape generations. • A Journey Through American History: Learn how Ryan uses a small-town Ohio setting to reflect sixty years of American history, from the 1920s to the 1980s, through the intertwined lives of two families. Podcast Highlights: • Mastering Narrative Voice: Randy breaks down Patrick's unique gift for descriptive language and exposition. • The Writing Process Revealed: A deep dive into Patrick’s daily routine and how he builds a story from scratch. • Story Origins & Themes: Why this specific setting, these characters, and the exploration of complex themes were chosen. • Sense of Place: Patrick discusses his personal connection to Ohio and how the setting shapes the narrative. • The Nuance of Forgiveness: A philosophical look at the "complicated nature of forgiveness" in modern fiction. • Aging & The Passage of Time: Reflections on getting older, featuring a special shoutout to Allison Janney. • The Objective Narrator: Why Patrick chooses to observe his characters without passing judgment. • Redefining the Villain: A discussion on "life" as the antagonist, featuring comparisons to Randy’s book, “Ruby: Magic Comes From the Heart,” and the “Dirty Dancing” inspiration behind it. • Crafting the Supernatural: The decision to include a psychic character and a surprising reveal from Psychic Medium Linda Spellman Patrick Ryan is the author of the story collections "The Dream Life of Astronauts" (named one of the Best Books of the Year by the St. Louis Times-Dispatch, Literary Hub, Refinery29, and Electric Literature, and longlisted for The Story Prize) and "Send Me." His work has appeared in The Best American Short Stories, the anthology Tales of Two Cities, and elsewhere. The former associate editor of Granta, he is the current editor-in-chief of the literary magazine One Story. He lives in New York City. Described by recurring guest Erin Brockovich as "The best podcast and host ever," "ON THE KNOWS with Randall Kenneth Jones" is a premier podcast and media platform dedicated to exploring the intersection of professional success, personal fulfillment, and human potential. Through a series of high-energy conversations with celebrities, changemakers, and thought leaders, Jones delves into the minds of entertainment industry icons and beyond to extract actionable leadership and lifestyle insights. With its frequent focus on authors and books, the arts and humanities, the show skillfully balances the glamour of fame, success, and/or the power of influence with the humor and pathos of everyday life, creating a rich tapestry of human nature and shared experience. Host Randall Kenneth Jones is a bestselling author, speaker, and creative communications consultant. The announcer is the celebrated voice actor Susan Bennett, widely known as the original voice of Siri. "ON THE KNOWS" is produced and edited by Kevin Randall Jones. Connect with ON THE KNOWS with Randall Kenneth Jones • Website: www.OnTheKnows.com • Facebook Group:   / 244655249729029   • Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... • Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2QsH2DJ... Credits: • Host: Randall Kenneth Jones • Announcer: Susan Bennett (The original voice of Siri) • Producer/Editor: Kevin Randall Jones