Kelowna father-of-3 publishes his first novel after being asked to write a story by his children

A commodities trader who spent his life as “the numbers guy” has realized a 10-year dream by writing his first novel.

Ryan Watt, 44, moved to Kelowna from Calgary in 2012 with the hope of enjoying the “quiet life”.

He had worked as a gas commodities trader for the likes of Enron, UBS and BP.

His book, As Silver is to the Moon, originally started as a story for his children.

But since being picked up by an editor and published, the novel – which is about a 15-year-old’s encounter with a werewolf – has shot to the top of a series of Amazon best seller categories.

“I was trying to write a complicated thriller for adults,” Ryan explained.

“I started numerous books, got a quarter of the way through and didn’t finish them.”

It was the nighttime task of reading to his children – two sons aged six and nine, one daughter aged 16 – that gave him the inspiration to write a simpler book.

“We got to book four of the Harry Potter series and my youngest lost interest,” Ryan said. “He wanted simple stories – he thought it got far too complicated.

“My kids then asked me to write them a book instead.”

At first, he only wanted the book to be 10,000 words long. But as he got further into it, he “couldn’t stop writing”.

He then got in touch with an editor in the U.K. who helped him simplify and rewrite the book before it was chosen for publication.

Ryan explained that he taught himself how to write by reading “a ton” of books on the subject.

“I actually hated writing when I was at school,” he said. “I just used to make movies instead.”

Now, though, it is the “most fun hobby” he’s ever had. He’s already outlined a potential sequel.

He also praised the local Kelowna writing group he attends monthly as well as Mosaic, which he said has been “very supportive” of his book.

As Silver is to the Moon is available at Mosaic, Indigo, Barnes & Noble and Amazon.