Darlene Ryan

1958-

Darlene Joy (Arsenault) Ryan (novelist, non-fiction writer, copywriter, journalist, poet, and editor) was born in Fredericton, New Brunswick. Ryan spent her childhood outside of Saint John and attended Saint John High School and went on to study forestry at the University of New Brunswick in 1976. She later switched to biology. During her time at UNB, she worked in the Herbarium, as a maid at Keddy's Motel, and as a lab instructor; she also won the N. Myles Brown Science Scholarship. After earning her Bachelor of Science degree in 1980, then entered the Bachelor of Education program at St. Thomas University in 1981. She graduated the following year and worked as a fitness instructor and started writing radio commercials for CFNB, a radio station based in Fredericton. Between 1997 and 2002, Ryan began writing newspaper articles for The New Brunswick Reader, Futures Mystery Anthology Magazine, First Draft, and MochaSofa.com. Her first book was a memoir entitled A Mother's Adoption Journey (2001). In 2004, Ryan submitted a manuscript to the Two-and-Under Story Contest, part of the Born to Read program run by UNB’s Early Childhood Care Centre. Her entry won, and the story Kisses, Kisses, Kisses was published as a children's picture book by the Centre. Ryan has published several young adult novel:  Rules For Life (2004), Saving Grace (2000), Responsible (2007), and Five Minutes More (2009).  Ryan also writes the Magical Cats series under the name Sofie Kelly, which includes: Curiosity Thrilled the Cat (2011); Sleight of Paw (2011); Copycat Killing (2012); Cat Trick (2013); Final Catcall (2013); A Midwinter's Tail (2014); Faux Paw (2015); Paws and Effect (2016); A Tale of Two Kitties (2017); The Cats Came Back (2018); A Night's Tail (2019); A Case of Cat and Mouse (2020); Hooked on a Feline (2021); Whiskers and Lies (2022); and, Paws to Remember (2023). In 2006, Ryan received the Dr. Marilyn Trenholme-Counsell Early Literacy Award.  Ryan continues to live in Fredericton.
 

Predominant New Brunswick Residences:

Fredericton, Saint John