Ward Serrill

Praise for To Crack the World Open - Solitude, Alaska, and A Dog Named Woody:

In this lyrical coming-of-age story, I’m uncertain if Ward Serrill learns more from wild Alaska or from his cosmic dog, Woody. Either way, it’s an inspiring ride, and a welcome addition to the literature of the north.

-Kim Heacox, author of The Only Kayak

This well written, deeply personal account of one man's struggle to find his place in the world will find a place on the shelf alongside such Alaska classics as Jonathan Raban’s Passage to Juneau and Rockwell Kent’s Wilderness.

-Lynn Schooler, author, photographer, outdoorsman, and Alaskan wilderness guide.

A compelling and poetically written memoir about a young man running from corporate America and the impact of a neglectful and painful upbringing. Living alone with his wise and loyal dog in the remote wilds of Alaska, he contemplates, interrogates and confronts the painful places within, and ultimately understands the transformative journey of his life.

-Anna Quinn, bestselling author of The Night Child

BIO

Ward Serrill has written, directed, or produced over ninety short films and writing projects for progressive causes. His feature-length film, The Heart of the Game, shot over seven years, debuted at the Toronto Film Festival in 2005 and was released nationally by Miramax Films in 2006. The film won high praise across the country from the likes of Jay Leno, Ebert and Roeper (“an Oscar level piece of work”), People Magazine, USA Today, O Magazine, Rolling Stone, and others.

He was executive producer for Wild America, narrated by Sissy Spacek, and he codirected and produced Building One House, narrated by Robert Redford. Ward’s other documentaries include: The Bowmakers, the story of the most important instrument you’ve never heard of, Song of the New Earth about the power of sound; Catching Fire, on Peter Scott, developer of a cook stove to save lives and forests in the developing world; Babies Behind Bars for Soledad O’Brien and TreeStory about humanity’s relationship to trees.

He is currently working on his fourth feature film, Dancing with the Dead: The Life and Times of Red Pine. Ward taught advanced non-fiction film at Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle. He lives in Port Townsend, Washington, dances tango, and plays harmonica.

https://wardserrill.com/