In the introduction to Slate's Culture Gabfest "Woodshedding" Edition, they say: "The internet took this very hard." They're referring to "Things I Can Say About MFA Writing Programs Now That I No Longer Teach in One." They describe it as "a rant" and "brutally honest supposed truth-telling." They also refer to this follow-up interview and this rejoinder to Ryan's piece by one of his former students.
The conversation about it begins at the 32:50 mark:
The Guardian has also published a collection of reactions to Ryan's piece.