Ryan Thomas LaBee

About Ryan Thomas LaBee

Ryan Thomas LaBee is a freelance entertainment and culture writer for Military.com, where he covers film, television, gaming, streaming, and pop culture through the lens of military life and veteran experience. His work helps bridge the gap between service and storytelling, spotlighting how military themes, values, and representation show up across today’s media landscape.

A U.S. Air Force veteran with a decade of service, Ryan brings a unique perspective to his writing, combining firsthand military experience with years of professional work in arts journalism and creative media.

Ryan’s writing has appeared in major outlets such as CinemaBlend, Fast Flesh Literary Magazine, Flash Fiction Magazine, and Night Picnic Journal, as well as across creative publications he’s founded and edited, including Pyre Magazine.

Beyond journalism, Ryan is a photographer, filmmaker, and fiction writer with a focus on Southern Gothic and horror storytelling. He lives in southwest Missouri with his family and a lively mix of pets.

Expertise

Entertainment and streaming coverage for audiences (2023–present)
U.S. Air Force veteran with 10 years of service (2007–2017)
Arts, culture, and genre journalism (2019–present)
Creative writing and horror fiction (2015–present)

Professional Roles

Writer and contributor, Military.com
Freelance features writer, CinemaBlend
Founder & Editor-in-Chief, Pyre Magazine
Contributor, Fast Flesh Literary Magazine, Night Picnic Journal, and Flash Fiction Magazine

Education

MFA in Creative Writing, Lasell University (in progress; expected 2026)
BA in English & Creative Writing, Missouri State University

Achievements

Published author of the horror novella Killing My Flesh Without You and The Halloween Party: and Other Tales of All Hallows’ Eve Terror
Developed and led community-based creative writing workshops focused on horror and genre fiction

Publications

Featured in CinemaBlend
Featured in Fast Flesh Literary Magazine
Featured in Five on the Fifth
Featured in Micro Fiction Monday Magazine
Founder and editor of Pyre Magazine

Connect with Ryan

Email: ryan.l@military.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-labee/

Latest Articles

A scene from the British war film, 1917, directed by Sam Mendes, taken as a screengrab from the movie.

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