Downriver: Memoir of a Warrior Poet received a 4+ star review, making it an IndieReader Approved title.
Following find an interview with author Ryan McDermott.
What is the name of the book and when was it published?
Downriver: Memoir of a Warrior Poet, published May 20, 2025.
What’s the book’s first line?
The evening was cool and damp in the early spring of 2011.
What’s the book about? Give us the “pitch”.
Downriver emerged as a cathartic response to my combat tour in Iraq, the financial collapse following the Lehman Brothers bankruptcy, and the personal unraveling that ensued. It’s an exploration of what truly matters in life, and the process of writing it over fifteen years became my way home.
What inspired you to write the book? A particular person? An event?
The foundation of this book lies in writings that span over 25 years. I wrote it as a form of personal catharsis while processing past traumas. I chose to publish after witnessing the tragic rise in veteran suicides among friends. My hope is that those navigating dark waters will find comfort and connection in these pages. I’ve also carried guilt for leaving the Army in 2006 while many of my friends continued to serve—some of whom never made it home. This book is, in part, my tribute to their service and sacrifice.
What’s the main reason someone should really read this book?
Readers will find a deeply personal literary memoir set against the backdrop of defining post-9/11 events—the Iraq War and the collapse of Lehman Brothers. It’s a human story of survival, reintegration, and rediscovery.
When did you first decide to become an author?
It wasn’t a conscious decision, but rather an evolution of using writing as an outlet for expression and self-development. I began drafting the early chapters after returning from Iraq in 2003.
Is this the first book you’ve written?
Yes.
What do you do for work when you’re not writing?
I work in national security.
How much time do you generally spend on your writing?
My writing comes in waves—typically long stretches of focused work during quiet weekends.
What’s the best and the hardest part of being an indie?
The hardest part is doing most of the marketing myself. But it’s also the most rewarding—there’s a deep sense of ownership and fulfillment.
What’s a great piece of advice that you can share with fellow indie authors?
Write for the joy or healing it brings you. Whether or not you plan to publish, the process should be meaningful. Refine your work relentlessly—until it feels right.
Would you go traditional if a publisher came calling? If so, why?
It would depend on the offer. Indie publishing allows for greater creative control, and I’ve been fortunate to work with a team that produced a top-tier book. My editor and cover designer exceeded every expectation.
Is there something in particular that motivates you (fame? fortune?).
I’m driven by the hope of impacting others. Early readers have told me that the book helped them in some way—that means everything.
Which writer, living or dead, do you most admire?
Ernest Hemingway.
Which book do you wish you could have written?
Honestly, I’m just grateful to have written Downriver. That was the goal—and now it’s real.