Biography
Ryan Dennis grew up on a farm in Canaseraga, NY. He taught writing at the University of Education Schwäbisch Gmünd (Germany), rode a bicycle from Boston to San Francisco, and was awarded a Fulbright to write about farmers in Iceland. Afterwards, he received a PhD from the National University of Ireland, Galway. Since then, he has lived in the west of Ireland for 13 years and taught creative writing at various Irish universities. He is also the editor of the literary journal The Milk House, which focuses on writing about rural subjects.
The first story he wrote, at the age of 14, was about the area myth of the Hairy Women of Klipnocky. It was published in the Canaseraga Creek Crier, the monthly flyer for the residents of the 500-person town. The experience taught Ryan the value of telling someone's story and giving voice to their experience. Since then, he has published fiction, essays, and poems in highly-recognized literary journals, as well as published the memoir Barn Gothic: Three Generations and the Death of the Family Dairy Farm (Island Press). as well as the novel The Beasts They Turned Away (2021) with époque press.
“Ryan Dennis writes with honesty, insight, and great skill. His story is deeply personal and unique; yet at the same time, it captures the kind of challenges faced by so many of American’s farm families. We owe a debt to the farmers who feed us—and to Dennis for this memoir.”
- John Piotti, President of American Farmland Trust on Barn Gothic
Recent Publications and Life Notes
2025 - Published Barn Gothic: Three Generations and the Death of the Family Dairy Farm with Island Press
2025 - Taught at University College Dublin
2021-2022- Maynooth University Writer-in-Residence
2021 - Published the novel The Beasts They Turned Away with époque press
2020 - Founded The Milk House, a literary journal that focuses on rural subjects
2019 - Received a PhD in English from the National University of Ireland, Galway
2011-present - Writes the column The Milk House for print journals in three countries and two languages
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“A novel like no other. Mythic and intimate, original yet recognisable, the barbed wire prose of Ryan Dennis draws down storm clouds and grey crows over a world at the end of its tether. Half mad, wholly inspired and completely brilliant.”
- Mike McCormack – author of Solar Bones and winner of The Goldsmiths Prize
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“I enjoyed the vivid imagery Dennis used as it sent chills down my spine.”
- Review on Bunny's Pause
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"5 of 5 stars to The Beasts They Turned Away."
- Stephanie Jane, Literary Flits
“Ryan Dennis writes with honesty, insight, and great skill. His story is deeply personal and unique."
-John Piotti, American Farmland Trust
