Draft:Aidan Ryan
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Aidan Ryan is an American writer, filmmaker, publisher, and businessperson.
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Early Life
Ryan was born in Buffalo, New York and attended Canisius College[1], where he was involved in the Creative Writing Program and served as editor-in-chief of The Griffin student newspaper. He was known as a critic of President John J. Hurley, J.D., and while still an undergraduate student nominated himself for the open position of Dean of Admissions.[2][3]
Early Writing and Foundlings Press
After graduating from Canisius, Aidan studied at the W.B. Yeats Society in Sligo, Ireland[4] and at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland[5]. While a student, he worked as a journalist, primarily covering music for the alternative weekly newspaper The Skinny.[6] His long interview with the writer George Saunders appeared in The White Review.[7]
Upon returning to the United States, Ryan co-founded Foundlings Magazine, which became Foundlings Press,[8] with fellow Canisius alumnus Darren Canham and University at Buffalo students Steven Coffed and Max Crinnin.[9][10] The press evolved from a local and regional focus into a nationally recognized publisher with the 2018 release of Constant Stranger: After Frank Stanford, an anthology of old and new writing about and inspired by the poet Frank Stanford.[11][12] Since then the press has published well known and award-winning poets including Mary Ruefle and Franz Wright.[13]
I Am Here You Are Not I Love You
In May 2025, Ryan published his first book, I Am Here You Are Not I Love You (The University of Iowa Press), a biography of his aunt Cindy Suffoletto and uncle Andrew Topolski, both visual artists. Ryan said the idea for the book began when he gave Suffoletto's eulogy in 2012.[14][15] He also produced, directed, and narrated a short documentary film version of the book, which premiered at the Buffalo International Film Festival in October 2024.
Critical reception was positive. In a blurb, the writer Mary Gabriel heralded the book as "[restoring] restored an important missing chapter of the history of American art."[16] The Brooklyn Rail called it "an original and deep exploration not only of the world of two underrated artists, but of the power of the creative mind to reimagine others’ realities."[17] Art critic John Haber praised the "lyrical text" that "shines in fleeting moments ... 'opening onto a much wider world'".[18]