Why We Pray
Why We Pray is an explosive short story collection that weaves a narrative thread from a juvenile prison, to a military unit, to the sex underground, to the drug underground, and beyond. And Why We Pray ties it all together in a revelatory manner that rewards the reader over and over again. Sure to become a new American classic, Why We Pray has received high praise, often being compared to Denis Johnson’s iconic Jesus’ Son.
About
Ryan Stroud is a writer recognized for his stories about life on the edge. He is the author of Why We Pray, and the weekly column Veritable Genuis. His work has been also been published in Oregon Humanities Magazine. From 2009 through 2017 he was a regular in the Pacific Northwest storytelling scene, performing at legendary venues such as The Alberta Rose Theater and Pickathon. From 2014 through 2016 he voluntarily founded and ran an applied storytelling project called CommuniTalks, facilitating restorative narrative workshops for trauma survivors in collaboration with the Portland Office of Equity and Human Rights, and Portland State University’s Disability Resource Center, Women’s Resource Center, and Veterans Resource Center. In 2016 and 2017 Stroud was an Oregon Humanities Conversation Project Leader, facilitating public conversations about homelessness in communities around the state. In recent years he studied with Chuck Palahniuk (Fight Club), who taught Stroud how to turn his work into literature. Stroud holds a Master of Science in Conflict Resolution from Portland State University, and is a military veteran.
