When a gang lord told novelist Ryan Gattis to cut to the chase, he did. Surprising to the Chapman University professor was that the command was also a gift that released his creativity and helped guide him to the completion of his acclaimed novel about the Los Angeles riots of 1992, All Involved: A Novel of the 1992 L.A. Riots.

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

Gattis is also the author of novels Kung Fu High School and Roo Kickkick