Ryan Olson, Author
As a child, Ryan was diagnosed with T-Cell leukemia at the Alberta Children’s Hospital in Edmonton. With the unending help of his Doctor, nurses, family and friends, Ryan beat a rare form of leukemia that had a thirty percent survival rate. As an adult, his novel, Carnival of Heaven, details the experiences that remain with him, along with a dream-like reality he created in order to face the demons that haunted him.
Author’s Note
My debut novel, 'Carnival of Heaven', was the novel I needed to write. Initially, I had no intention of making the project more than a love letter to my family, but it transcended before long into an outlet for conquering the demons which had plagued me my entire life. My family sacrificed so much for me back then and I could think of no better way to honor them, then through the creation of this narrative.
It might not make sense to some that I had darkness to overcome in the first place. After all, I survived--right? I wish that were enough, but to be honest, it never was. Ever since I entered remission, I had been searching for a reason to substantiate why I survived in the first place. So many others fell (many friends), so why me? What made me so special? After rewrite three (or was it four?) I found my answer. I realized there was no one true meaning to life--only whatever we ascribe to it. And when the clock stops for me, I can only hope I made a difference in someone's life through my writing.
I know how hard each of our journeys are. All of us struggle. All of us fight an invisible war no one else will ever know. But you're not alone. That's the message I hope readers will take away from this novel. If I can get that through to even one person; inspire even one reader to not give up, then the two years of tears and nightmare was worth it. If not, then at the very least, I hope the read was enjoyable.
In closing, writing this novel has meant everything to me. Through sharing it, each reader has helped me to heal. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you.
Sincerely,
Ryan Olson
Ryan and his wife Chris on their wedding day in 2018.
