Inspiration Porn: Essays

by Ryan O'Connell

Hilarious and bawdy musings on disability, sex, family, and Hollywood, from Emmy-winning writer and creator of the Netflix series Special. This program is read by the author.

"[Ryan] O’Connell’s high-spirited reading makes this one of the most entertaining audiobooks of the year." —Library Journal on Just by Looking at Him (Starred Review)

For years, Ryan O'Connell wished he was different. Raised in a small Southern California beach town described as "Laguna Beach with meth," his dad had taken off for greener pastures, and his alcoholic mom packed him lunches that wouldn't win any Top Quickfire challenges. On top of that, he had to be disabled and gay?! Luckily, Ryan always had a love for writing. There, he could “construct the narrative of my life before anyone can construct it for me.” In essays that range from the poignant to the side-splitting, Ryan takes us along as he grapples with addiction, navigates the early days of writing for online media in NYC, and uses his voice to gain entrance into the cutthroat world of Hollywood, where he becomes a sought-after writer and creator. In other essays he asks the very important "Are Straight People Okay?" (short answer is no), explores the battle between your IRL vs URL identity, and ruminates on the healing power of being gay and on vacation. Finally, Ryan opens up his committed relationship and becomes a slut for the first time, keeping a diary of his sexual misadventures, and bravely healing his soul through his hole.

In the tradition of writers like Samantha Irby and David Sedaris, INSPIRATION PORN is a candid and often raunchy look at a life lived without apologies.

A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin’s Press

Genres: Memoir, LGBT, Nonfiction, Essays, Queer, Biography Memoir

Audible Audio

Expected publication May 26, 2026

About the author

Ryan O’Connell is a writer and professional feeler of emotions living in Los Angeles. He’s written for Thought Catalog, Vice, The New York Times, Medium, and other publications, as well as for MTV’s Awkward. I’m Special is his first book.

Reviews

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC for review. To be published May 26, 2026.

4 stars

Millennial, writer of books and for TV, actor, gay man, person living with CP…I have not much in common with this man and I had never heard of him or his TV show or books, but I enjoyed this. He comes from a fairly dysfunctional home with a raging alcoholic for a mom and growing up both gay and with CP were two big hurdles for him. He eventually made his way as a blogger, then in Hollywood where he still works today. We read stories about that and about his open relationship with his boyfriend which sounds….complicated. I don’t know that I could do it, but glad it works for them. He mostly seems like a pretty good guy with a nice life.

[Richard Propes · Rating 4 out of 5]

The minute you hear the name Ryan O'Connell, you're likely to think to yourself "Where do I know that name from?"

Likely most known as the Emmy-winning writer/creator of the Netflix series "Special," O'Connell's "Inspiration Porn" likely isn't what you're expecting it to be. As someone who is currently the subject of a documentary where my only request to the filmmaker was to not turn it into "inspiration porn," I'll admit I approached "Inspiration Porn" with slightly different expectations. Once I let go of those expectations, I had quite a bit of fun with this frequently hilarious, even more frequently bawdy, and also incredibly revealing through the life of O'Connell. Disability, sex, family, and Hollywood aren't taboo here. In fact, they're the point.

Raised in a small Southern California beach town, O'Connell's childhood was chaotic even without the basic truths that he was both disabled, with cerebral palsy, and gay. However, O'Connell figured out pretty early on that he had a love for writing and a gift for it.

If you're timid, "Inspiration Porn" isn't likely for you. If you're uncomfortable with fairly open depictions of addiction, being gay, sex, being slutty, and/or just plain real life then "Inspiration Porn" isn't likely for you.

Think Samantha Irby. Think a bawdier Sedaris.

Think O'Connell. I was only modestly familiar with O'Connell's work prior to diving into "Inspiration Porn," a collection of essays surprisingly poignant alongside naughtiness galore.

"Inspiration Porn" is unapologetically free and open, a laugh-out-loud collection that also taps into the emotions and frequently becomes relatable even if you're not gay, disabled, or even remotely talented.

O'Connell is talented. If we didn't know that before, we'll know that after reading "Inspiration Porn."

[Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

i rate all works of this nature 5 ⭐️ because it isn’t my place to judge their words, experiences and feelings.

I really liked the vibe of this book. As a millennial, it just gave unapologetic millennial in the best way. The author is so unapologetically himself in every way, and so many of us could take a couple notes of
following on that path.

I enjoyed the audiobook. I feel like I could just chat with him for hours. It was good, pretty light and almost sexually surface level?

My only wishes was more depth. At times I felt like he stayed really surface level to protect himself, which i get.. but as he continued to be unapologetically himself through his entries, i wished i got more of the depth behind the stories. It felt like a diary, which I did enjoy, so that the only piece that was missing for me.

[Bin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vulnerable, hilarious, witty, and unabashed. As a self determined Gen Z I was a little concerned reading this and understanding basically every reference

[Thadeus · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love reading anything that Ryan writes! He is an amazing writer! This collection of essays were funny, heart breaking and amazing. Thanks NetGalley!

[Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Macmillan Audio for the #gifted copy in exchange for an honest review! #MacAudio2006
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

In this memoir, Ryan O'Connell (from Netflix’s Special and Peacock’s Queer as Folk reboot) muses about his life as a millennial in the social media era. This memoir is set after he has completed both shows, and illustrates how cutthroat Hollywood can be. He talks about his personal safe haven of Provincetown, spending time there with both his blood family and chosen family. He discusses his writing career as an opportunity to construct his own narrative, and represent himself when no one else would. Lastly, he discusses his open relationship, and how that has shaped his understanding of himself.

There’s no way to sugarcoat it: this memoir is equal parts raunchy and awkward; and that’s exactly what made it so much fun to listen to. There’s no stone left unturned in this memoir: family and personal substance use and addiction, coming to terms with queer identity, identifying as a sexual being and not limited to his cerebral palsy, and everything in-between. I was a big fan of Special, so listening to this audiobook being narrated by the author himself only added to the quirky and queer humor. There were laugh-out-loud anecdotes and hijinks moments, but there were also periods of deep reflection on addiction, sexual orientation, and relationship fulfillment. O’Connell doesn’t want to be your inspiration p0rn, he’s doing just fine tysm. He’s known for his authenticity and passionate storytelling, including humor that gay millennials will absolutely love, making him one of the most compelling queer voices of a generation. I strongly recommend giving this one a read, listen if you can!

Reviewed as part of an #ARC from #NetGalley.

Read this book if you:
🖤 loved the dark humor in Jennette McCurdy’s I’m Glad My Mom Died
🙄 hate hearing any marginalized group being asked, “where do you get all your confidence from?”
💻 had a LiveJournal, whether you want to admit it or not!

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[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

I requested this ARC because couple of years ago I read Ryan O’Connell’s novel Just By Looking At Him and really enjoyed it.
I appreciated the MMC’s snarky sense of humor and now after reading this memoir, I realize that although it was fiction, the MMC was Ryan.

This book started out showing a huge amount of vulnerability discussing a difficult childhood and having a mother who turned into a complete alcoholic after his parent’s divorced.
I enjoyed it and related a lot.
I respected him being able to write out personal things for strangers to read.
It kind of read like something from Augusten Burroughs or David Sedaris, but in the voice of a Millennial.

I started to lose interest in the middle of the book.
It talked a lot about the cutthroat entertainment industry; I used to live in LA and know enough about “the industry” to know that I’d never want to work in it.
LA and NYC are both places where you can be very well paid, yet judged and treated like crap everyday.

The rest of the book was mostly about his sexcapades.
Hear me out, I am FAR from a prude!
I used to have a job that put me in hotel rooms in random cities and countries and sure, I had certain apps on my phone.
And now part of my job is encouraging gay men to get on PrEP if they aren’t already.
I’d never judge anyone for hooking up, drinking too much, or having an eating disorder because I’ve filled all of those shoes at certain junctures in my life.
I kind of just wish he’d focused more on the solution versus “war stories”, but at the same time, I know what sells the best at the end of the day in Hollywood.

Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and especially Ryan O’Connell for providing me with an ARC to review!

[Jacob Blank · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiration Porn marks a maturation of Ryan O'Connell's voice as well as a willingness to push deeper and introspect without the limitation of keeping things light and bloggy. It's still silly, of course, but lacks the Millennial shield reflex to laugh everything off (we've truly suffered). This book is about the time in your life where you become more comfortable with not laughing it off and still choosing to do so because processing and happiness can coexist. I think this is a real boon for contemporary Gay Guy Lit which is a noble cause to root for in this day and age (where did all the gay guy writers go?).

The section on coming-of-age through a LiveJournal account had me vibrating. That era was captured perfectly, soundtrack and all. Much of this book is grappling with reality vs construction/wanting to be vs being- a central tension of a generation that grew up broadcasting their own reality tv shows through microblogs.

Refreshingly backing off from making grand conclusions, this book is more about sharing the experience and leaving room for humanity. Discussions of eating disorders, addiction, sexcapades, and family are never scolding or apologetic.

This is an easy recommend to gay readers and anyone who is interested in the essay/memoir space.

Advance reader copy provided by NetGalley and St Martin's Press/Macmillan which does not influence my opinions or review.

[Nev · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Ryan O’Connell’s novel Just by Looking at Him when I read it a few years ago. So I was excited to pick up this collection of essays and experience Ryan’s voice in a nonfiction setting. Overall I just had a blast reading this. While some of the subject matter can be heavy, like discussing drug and alcohol addiction, difficult family members, and more, it’s all delivered in a humorous and accessible way.

Queerness, body image, disability, sex, open relationships, Hollywood, and so much more are covered throughout the book. I definitely appreciate how frank and honest Ryan is when giving a peak behind the curtain at different media outlets or TV shows or relaying stories that sometimes aren’t the most flattering.

I listened to this on audio, and I’d highly recommend consuming the book that way. Ryan narrates it himself and his energy, inflections, and overall performance really heightened the experience of reading the book.

Thank you to the publisher for providing an advance copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Mackenzie W · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having had Special on my watchlist for ages, I was eager to dive into Ryan O’Connell’s latest collection, Inspiration Porn (a title pulled directly from the trailer of the show). Reading these essays feels less like a formal memoir and more like a chaotic FaceTime call with a best friend. O’Connell’s voice is unmistakably loud and peppered with stream-of-consciousness interjections, all of which makes his writing so fun.

While the non-linear structure of the essays occasionally feels frantic, the (sometimes) chaotic timeline ultimately serves his brand. The first half is a vulnerable telling of familial tension, his evolving sobriety, and a fascinating look at his career trajectory from LiveJournal to Emmy-winning scripts. However, the latter half pivots sharply into his romantic and sexual escapades. While his raunchy honesty is hilarious, I found myself wishing we’d lingered a bit longer on the deeper, more introspective roots planted in the book's beginning.

I’m so glad the audiobook was narrated by the author – it made for a great listening experience! Thank you to Macmillan for providing both a physical galley and an ALC for review! All opinions are my own.

[Kirk · Rating 3 out of 5]

Am I a prude, is what I ask myself after finishing Inspiration Porn by Ryan O’Connell. I loved his Netflix series, Special, and read his fiction book, Just by Looking at Him. I’m going to have to reference “Horny” by Mousse T. about 80% of the subject matter of this book. “I'm horny. Horny, horny, horny. So horny. I'm horny, horny, horny. I'm horny. Horny, horny, horny.. So horny. I'm horny, horny, horny tonight.” Ryan delivers with the sexual escapades. He writes about his history of pill addiction and his open relationship with his long term boyfriend, Jonathan. Also, did you know he was hit by a car? Like it said in the synopsis, it is a “candid and often raunchy look at a life lived without apologies.” Ryan O’Connell narrates his own audiobook with the exact right inflection and emotion. I guess I am a prude because I didn’t enjoy hearing about his many sexual encounters. Glad you’re having more sex Ryan, I guess. ALC was provided by Macmillan Audio via NetGalley. I received an audiobook listening copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Chris Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

S/O and TY to NetGalley and the publishers St Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio for allowing me to immersive read this title by providing the eArc and the audiobook.

A soul-baring memoir as a collection of essays. Narrated by the author in a casual and abridged format as some of the text is hyperlinks to Youtube videos and quotes that he mentions but doesn’t fully read out. The style if very casual and his personality really shines through with his unique voice and impressions. The content is really relatable in its poignant honesty; nostalgia for early aughts social media, body dysmorphia and eating disorders, gay sex and relationships. Having read this, seen the author’s tv show that’s semi-autobiographical but still totally fiction and read the author’s novel that's also semi-autobiographical but still totally fiction, I can say I’m a big fan of his writing.

I’d recommend this to readers who like heartfelt memoirs, intersectionality, and gay guys.

5/5 stars.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

An incredibly honest, unapologetic and laugh out loud funny memoir from Queer as Folk celeb Ryan O'Connell and his slutty life with cerebral palsy, disordered eating, addiction/alcohol abuse. O'Connell shares about his up and down relationship with his alcoholic mother, the car accident that took a long time to recover from, his love of sex and his open relationship with his partner and fellow Queer as Folk star.

The tv personality slash writer talks about his flaws openly and does not apologize or pretend that he's perfect but that it's okay and this is his disabled, joyful life. Great on audio narrated by the author himself and highly recommended for fans of disability or celeb memoirs like Deaf utopia or Famesick. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Mich Dandonneau · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for the copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

I listened to this while walking downtown and kept giggling aloud. Ryan O'Connell is a fantastic narrator that keeps you thoroughly engaged. This is a great companion piece to his show Special. I was hooked from the introduction.

His relationship with his parents was the most interesting part to me, but even as he writes about being an adult and his sexual adventures, it was a lot of fun. It was a silly good time and it reminded me why I am a fan of Ryan's: he is an incredible storyteller.

[J.J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ryan O’Connell delivers his signature mix of sharp humor and uncomfortable honesty in Inspiration Porn, tackling how disability is perceived and packaged in a way that’s both funny and biting, never letting the reader get too comfortable. And per usual, there are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, endearing quips, and heart-wrenching honesty.

It’s not always perfectly even, but the voice is strong and authentic throughout, thought-provoking, a little messy, and definitely worth the read. I’ve seen tons of comparison to David Sedaris and I’m here for it. I look forward to whatever else Ryan decides to do.

If you haven’t checked out his other two books, you’re missing out!

[Critter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an audio ARC.

I thought this memoir was well written. It wasn’t quite what I was expecting, but once I got into it I thought this was a solid memoir that delves into various topics in ways that feel emotional. It discusses some heavy topics such as addiction and does so in a way that feels honest. This book is very reflective and shares many experiences, but also tries to depict the heavy topics with some humor without sacrificing the emotional aspects. The narration was well done and definitely added a lot of emotion to this book.

[Hilary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed Ryan O'Connell's funny, observant point of view. I appreciate his candour and openness. I loved his novel, Just by Looking at Him, and got a lot out of this book as well, particularly his experience as the child of an alcoholic, his own struggles with substances, and his journey with disordered eating and body image. I also liked the very specific way he described the online millennial and read Hollywood for filth. Oh, and there's definitely a lot of smut. The food in Palm Springs does suck.

[Tori DeFazio · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this collection of essays by Ryan O’Conner for the first 80% of the audiobook. I really enjoyed that he narrates it himself and his words are in his signature voice and style. The parts of the book where he talked about his childhood, his disability identity (and subsequent body identity issues), and being gay were my favorite parts of this book. The last 20% felt very repetitive, boring, and almost a “highlight” reel of his bedroom adventures. 3⭐️

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to the audiobook Inspiration Porn.

[Luna and Co · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book more than I thought I would. It opened my eyes to many disability-related biases I had; I'm so grateful to Ryan O'Connell for his rawness, openness, and honesty. To open a door on his life, it must not be easy. This book is so much more than his disabilities though. I liked the writing style, as well as the very personal stories, reflections and humor.


Thank you, Netgalley and St. Martin's Press, for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been a fan of Ryan since his Thought Catalog days and was excited to read his new book of essays. As usual, I enjoyed his humor interjected with his personal story telling. He covers giving up drugs and alcohol, navigating life and Hollywood as a gay man with cerebral palsy, and his "Slut Diaries" era. Would be great on audio if Ryan reads it.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had not heard of this author or his show before reading this book. Looking forward to reading the other books this author has written. Would love to be his straight female bestie. I will also be checking out his Netflix show Special. I watched the first episode and loved it. Most interesting parts were his talking about living with CP and trying to explain his open relationship with his boyfriend.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you #Netgalley for the advanced copy!

As a fan of "Special" I was excited to get an early copy of this book from Ryan, and it did not disappoint! This memoir takes us back to his childhood and early adult years. We learn about his addiction struggles, how he tried to fit in (even covering up his cerebral palsy) and so much more. Though the content can be heavy at times, there are his typical quips and laugh out loud moments that helped balance out the book.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful book that is both funny and informative. I was interested in this book after watching O’Connell’s tv show and it did not disappoint. Come for the witty stories and leave with more awareness of disability and ableism.

[Charese · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one started off with a lot of potential with all of the collection of essays by Ryan O’Conner. I really enjoyed that he narrates it himself and his words are in his signature voice and style. The book really flows with his narrative, and I like that there were parts of the book where he talked about his childhood, his disability identity, and body identity issues. However, at abought the 60% it seemed to become very repetitive, and I was just waiting for the end of the audiobook. This was especially true when the last 25% of the book felt that it was just his reminiscing about sexual relations.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ALC.

[Kristin D · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is fairly entertaining, with the author's very unique and witty (and often acerbic) point of view. I think he has quite a different perspective on things in life that many people could learn from, if they were open-minded enough to listen.

[Eli · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love O’Connell’s bluntness in his writing. It’s one of the things I loved about his novel, Just by Looking at Him. He’s so unapologetic about being anyone but himself. I enjoyed this book a lot, but I will say it was hard to relate to when considering the so-called ins and outs of being in “The Industry”. The book is enjoyable but hard to feel a connection sometimes.
Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for this advanced reader copy.