James Hayden

Chris James Hayden won his first writing award at age 12. The prize was a year’s free pass to a local movie theater. This was also the age when he started wearing shoes on a regular basis! Armed with new shoes, he explored the outdoors, and it was this sense of adventure that led to teaching positions in Oregon, USA and Queensland, Australia.

His passion for street photography helped James' observation of interactions between people and places. This interest helped with on-location research for his first novel, 3 WISE MEN (now reprinted). He is a teacher and lives with his wife in Taupo, New Zealand. James also co-authored a textbook that enjoyed several reprints, but he prefers writing fiction and especially thrillers. However, he doesn't like reading fiction - which may explain why his novels lean towards a more authentic voice, connecting current events into each sub-plot. His goal in writing is to provide a gripping story filled with surprises. He loves it when readers feedback comments like, "I never saw that coming!" Perhaps, after all, this sums up James's life.