Ryan Mercer

Ryan Mercer loves to read SHTF survival fiction, science fiction, and LitRPG stories centered on resilience, faith, sacrifice, personal growth, and relationships tested under extraordinary circumstances. A longtime fan of all three genres, he is drawn to stories about ordinary people forced to adapt when the familiar rules of life suddenly disappear.

His survival fiction combines practical preparedness with emotionally driven characters whose convictions, loyalties, and relationships are tested as modern society is pushed to its breaking point. His science fiction carries those same themes into deep space, where salvage crews, damaged starships, dangerous discoveries, and unfamiliar technologies create new challenges for characters searching for purpose, connection, and hope.

In his LitRPG stories, Ryan explores unconventional characters, strange systems, unexpected abilities, and the consequences of trying to survive in worlds governed by rules that are not always fair. Whether the setting is a disaster-stricken community, an abandoned spacecraft, or a world shaped by levels and character builds, he is fascinated by people who must decide what matters most when resources are scarce, and the cost of failure is high.

A Mormon and descendant of Mormon plural marriage, Ryan draws on his faith, his family’s plural marriage heritage, and extensive research to explore themes of devotion, sacrifice, family, and enduring relationships with authenticity and respect.

Outside of writing, Ryan is a special education teacher working with students in grades seven through twelve. He is also a YouTuber who creates videos about emerging technology, 3D printing, electronics, portable power, computers, and other tools that interest him. His background in education and online content creation shapes how he approaches storytelling, especially his interest in overlooked characters, creative problem-solving, and explaining complex ideas in an accessible way.

When he is not writing, teaching, or making videos, Ryan enjoys researching emergency preparedness, self-reliance, space exploration, emerging technology, and the practical details that make fictional worlds feel believable.