AUTHOR.
EDUCATOR.
STORYTELLER.

Aida Zilelian is a first-generation American-Armenian writer, educator and public speaker. She is the author of novels THE LEGACY OF LOST THINGS (winner of the Tololyan Prize) and ALL THE WAYS WE LIED. Aida has told stories across the country, on PBS’ Stories from the Stage, Confabulations, Suitcase Stories and other storytelling platforms. She was a storyteller in residence with Keepsake House in 2025. Aida is the co-producer and co-host of the first Armenian storytelling show in NYC, The Armenian Power Hour , in collaboration with storyteller and comedian Anoush Froundjian. In 2025, she was a speaker coach for TEDx Cabarete. Aida’s debut poetry chapbook DISSONANCE won the Swan Scythe contest in 2025. She is giving her first TEDx talk in April with TEDx Cabarete. 

Order link for DISSONANCE: https://www.swanscythepress.com/books/dissonance.html

Read her full bio here.