Donald Hays is the author of two novels and a collection of short stories. The Dixie Association was a finalist for the PEN/Faulkner Award. The Hangman's Children was a Los Angeles Times Critics Choice book. The title story of Dying Light and Other Stories was reprinted in Best New Stories from the South. Another story won a Pushcart Prize. His stories have appeared in prestigious literary journals and a variety of anthologies. He lives in Fayetteville, Arkansas with his wife, Patty.