A life-long Chicagoan, Dennis Foley is the author of two award-winning screenplays and five books. Not a Stranger was filmed on Chicago’s Southside in 2015. It received a 3-star review from film critic Richard Roeper—who called it “the epitome of an independent film,” upon its screening in 2016. The film went on to gain several nominations on the film festival circuit including Top Screenplay (Golden Gate Film Festival) and Top Debut Film (Winner-Route 66 Film Festival). It received distribution in 2018.

Dennis’ first book, The Streets and San Man’s Guide to Chicago Eats, won a Midwest Independent Publishers Association award (1st place for humor) while Dennis’ memoir, The Drunkard’s Son, garnered strong reviews from the Chicago press upon its release and has been used as part of the curriculum at several Chicago-area high schools. Dennis’ first novel, The Blue Circus, received strong local reviews for its hyper-realism. In No Ketchup, Dennis returned to his food-writing roots with this fan-favorite about Chicago’s Top 50 hot dog stands and the stories behind them. In Feloniously Yours – a memoir, Dennis picks up where The Drunkard's Son left off with stories told in braided memories, anecdotes, and imaginings.

Dennis holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Columbia College-Chicago, and a J.D. from The John Marshall Law School. Over the years, he has had the pleasure of working as a bouncer, prosecutor, criminal defense attorney, dog-walker, electrician, beer-line cleaner, teacher, and coach. He still uses his legal skills on occasion to keep his friends out of jail.