Stories, worlds, and the lives within them.

The official home of A. M. Hayes — author of works in development across fiction, humor, and richly imagined worlds.

Explore current projects

Lead Project in Development

Dating Over 50

The clearance rack of modern romance.

Dating Over 50 takes on unfortunate photographs, fake profiles, first-date interrogations, and spectacularly misplaced confidence. It may not help you find love, but it will make you laugh—and repeatedly wonder how A. M. Hayes potentially got hold of your dating history.

Currently in development Join the Readers List

Extremely occasional updates only. No clutter.

Cover of Dating Over 50: The Clearance Rack of Modern Romance by A. M. Hayes

About the Author

A. M. Hayes

A. M. Hayes writes about people, places, and the complicated business of figuring out what comes next.

After a career spent solving problems, managing people, and navigating the unexpected, she turned to writing—bringing with her a lifelong appreciation for sharp observations, complicated characters, and the humor that tends to emerge when life refuses to cooperate.

She writes from her home in Maine, where the woods, wildlife, changing seasons, and complicated business of living in community provide endless inspiration. Her projects range from contemporary fiction and a middle-grade series to candid, humorous reflections on life, reinvention, and surviving. Across genres, she is drawn to intelligent characters, richly developed worlds, and stories about what happens when life refuses to follow the expected plan.

Series in Development

Bird Borough

There is a world in the woods that has been there all along.

Deep in the woods of Maine, beyond the paths most humans notice, lies Bird Borough.

It is a place of old traditions, distinct neighborhoods, shared responsibilities, and stories passed from one generation to the next.

Its citizens have lived beside us all along. Most of us simply never learned how to see them.

From the Naturalist’s Notes

I first noticed that the animals were not moving randomly.

They followed certain routes. Returned to certain places. Waited for one another.

Eventually, I began to wonder whether I was looking at wildlife at all—or at a community.

A Field Note

The Great Perch is not a neighborhood.

No one lives there.
Everyone belongs there.

From the Author’s Desk

News from the Borough

August 2026

I recently spent six inspiring days at WorldShift: The Speculative Fiction Writers’ Conference, learning from authors, editors, and publishing professionals. I left extraordinarily informed, thoroughly inspired, and even more excited about the work ahead.

Meanwhile, Bird Borough has been growing. I’ve been deepening its woodland world, getting to know its young heroes, and beginning to shape their first adventure, The Whispering Woods.

There is much more to come from the Borough—and I can’t wait to share it.

Media & Speaking

Let’s have a conversation.

A. M. Hayes is available for interviews, podcasts, live storytelling events, author talks and readings, book festivals, and programs at libraries and bookstores.

Her current subjects include the comedy and absurdity of modern dating after fifty, reinvention when life changes without permission, and the craft of turning close observation into story.

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Contact & Follow

Stay connected.

Email A. M. Hayes to join the Readers List for publication news and occasional updates from the writing desk.

Extremely occasional updates only. No clutter.

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Official website: amhayesauthor.com

Professional affiliations

Member, The Authors Guild Member, Maine Writers & Publishers Alliance