Jennifer RJ Ryan- Author
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Currently working on a YA Fantasy titled Máiréad, The Selkie Queen So I shared six story ideas and opened it up to public voting.
After writing short stories and contest entries for a few years I decided it was time to put my effort into a single story. Máiréad and the very beginning of her story were, hands down, the crowd favorite so I started writing. Now I'm 55,000 words into her story and I get closer to finishing it every time I get a minute to write.
Where do stories truly begin? Sometimes, at a windswept, rocky shore. Sometimes, in a great-grandmother’s trunk filled with secrets and salt air.
Today, I found myself listening to the waves, thinking of the women who came before me. Their journeys carried across oceans and generations, shaping the stories I tell.
If you love family legends and your cultural roots, share a piece of your own heritage below. Let’s keep these stories alive. 🌊
Still writing, but this part of the story has been stuck for months as I’ve tried one idea and then another.
Waves whisper secrets to those who listen.
Some days, the story flows as easily as the tide. Other days, teaching and life pull me away from Máiréad’s world.
Today, I’m at 70,000 words, each one a step closer to the Selkie Court. Balancing early mornings and late-night writing isn’t easy, but the ocean reminds me to rest and return.
Curious about how I weave Irish myths into Máiréad’s journey? Ask below, or just share a word of encouragement. 🌊
Thank you for traveling along these shorelines with me.
05/11/2026
Where teaching and storytelling quietly intertwine daily.
How does a civics classroom shape a selkie queen? Real student voices echo in Máiréad’s choices, empowering every page I write.
Curious how 28 years of teaching influence my world-building? Let’s connect. I’d love to share more about the journey from lesson plans to legends. 🌿
What secrets does the Irish moon hold?
Irish folklore brims with tales of selkies and moonlit transformations. But how much do you know about the real legends behind the myths?
Every detail in *Máiréad, The Selkie Queen* is rooted in genuine research. From matriarchal succession to the magic of The Sight, I weave authentic Irish tradition into every page.
Curious about the real stories that inspired the novel? Visit Jennifer-Ryan.org for a deeper dive into Celtic magic. 🌕
04/21/2026
I entered a writing battle last week and after I was given a genre, a character, and a setting I had a lot of fun, pushing myself to try something new.
I don’t know how the story ends because I haven’t finished it yet, but I really like the character I created and I love the twist that I came up with in the middle of the night one night lol
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04/11/2026
For our new followers, a selkie is an interesting myth to know more about!
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8gMjHDo/
Visit TikTok to discover videos! Watch, follow, and discover more trending content.
03/30/2026
What stories live inside an old trunk?
Each photo, every pearl, holds a secret from my family's Irish past. Sometimes I wonder if these keepsakes remember more than I do.
I’m piecing together Máiréad’s world from memories like these. Would you open the trunk with me? 💫
03/25/2026
What if teaching shaped a fantasy queen?
Every lesson in my classroom echoes in Máiréad’s journey. The choices, the courage, the questions my students ask, they all find new life in the Selkie Court.
Curious how a civics teacher weaves Irish myth into YA fantasy? Let me know if you’d like a peek behind the scenes.
You might inspire my next chapter. 🌊
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