Biography

Ryan Dennis grew up on a farm in Canaseraga, NY. He taught creative writing at the University of Education Schwäbisch Gmünd, 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, and has lived in the west of Ireland for 8 years.

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 novel The Beasts They Turned Away (2021) with époque press.

“Replete with symbolism and imagery, this is a demanding debut, dense and dark, but ultimately rewarding in its strange beauty.”

- The Irish Times on The Beasts They Turned Away

Recent Publications and Life Notes

2021-2022- Maynooth University Writer-in-Residence

2021 - Published the novel The Beasts They Turned Away with époque press

2021 -Published the essay "Naming Fields" in The New England Review

2021 - Published the essay "The Sparrow and the Robot" in Fourth Genre

2019 - Received a PhD in English from the National University of Ireland, Galway

2011-present - Write the column The Milk House for print journals in three countries and two languages

“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
“I enjoyed the vivid imagery Dennis used as it sent chills down my spine.”

- Review on Bunny's Pause
"5 of 5 stars to The Beasts They Turned Away."

- Stephanie Jane, Literary Flits