BT Urruela

BT Urruela is a combat wounded amputee, purple heart recipient, contemporary author who has written both independent and traditionally published books.  He is a RARE under 40 award recipient, Rockwood Summit High School and Rockwood School District Hall of Fame inductee, Co-founder and Brand Ambassador for VETSports, People Magazine Tribute for Heroes winner, Cover Model, Motivational Speaker and Philanthropist.

At an early age he began writing short stories having been inspired by reading books authored by RL Stein. His maternal grandmother’s bookshelf was filled with literature that inspired his young mind and cultivated his vivid imagination.

Upon graduation from high school his desire to have a 20-year military career was cut drastically short by an improvised explosive device. Taking the life of his commander, and leaving the remaining four team members badly wounded.

After careful consideration and multiple surgeries, he along with the guidance of his doctors made the decision to amputate. It was the only surgery he ever left with a smile on his face, as if a weight had been lifted. He struggled for two more years through 4-5 hours of physical therapy a day, five days a week to get adapted to his new prosthetic. He medically retired from the Army with high hopes. His focus on restoring his physical shape being the most eminent battle caused him to neglect his psychological state.

Meeting people was difficult and there were very few options for veterans to utilize that would stimulate friendship, and ultimately, allow communication barriers to be breached. After moving to Tampa, Florida, he co-founded the veteran community sports nonprofit, VETSports, with two other combat wounded veterans. It was their mission to change the way veterans transitioned back to civilian life through organized team sports, community involvement, and leadership opportunities.  

After being invited to attend a photoshoot with acclaimed photographer Michael Stokes, he flew to California in December of 2014, with incredible excitement. His photos were so widely publicized that he soon gained exposure to the literary world like he’d always dreamed. That opportunity launched him into his present writing career. He first co-wrote the novel A Lover's Lament with author KL Grayson. He has also co-written three other novels with Stevie J. Cole (Wicked Little Words), CD Bradley (King’s Ransom), and his wife, Anne Malcom (Hush), as well as four of his own (Broken Outlaws, Bishop, Thirty Days, and Echoes of a Dream), along with several short stories for anthologies supporting charities.

He currently lives in St. Louis, Missouri with his wife and their two dogs, Kiko and Scout, where he attends Lindenwood University for his MFA in Cinema and Media Arts, and he continues to write both novels and screenplays.