About

A writer of slightly off-kilter and historically-interested fiction and contemplative non-fiction, Shay began journaling and writing stories as soon as she knew how to hold a pencil, and before she knew she wanted to be a writer. She studied creative writing at Utah State University and an  MFA in Creative Writing (Fiction)  from Roosevelt University. Her short work has been featured in numerous literary magazines and websites including Minerva Rising, A-Minor Magazine, Literary Mama, and The Lindenwood Review. She teaches college English in Washington State, where she resides with her family.

Her debut historical novel The Valley of Sage and Juniper was published with Running Wild/RIZE press in 2023, and won the 2024 Storytrade Awards Story of the Year.