Katy Hays’s writing is as intricate and compelling as the art history she spent years studying. A California native, Katy’s fascination with the past, particularly the worlds captured in art and museums, ignited her journey into storytelling. But it wasn't just the past that called to her—it was the unspoken mysteries, the secrets hidden between the layers of time, and the shadows lurking behind academia that truly inspired her.
Before becoming a novelist, Katy earned an MA in Art History from Williams College and pursued doctoral studies at UC Berkeley. Her professional path took her through some of the most renowned art institutions, including The Clark Art Institute and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SF MoMA). These years of academic immersion shaped her perspective on storytelling, infusing her writing with a deep understanding of human nature, ambition, and the complexities of belief.
Katy's debut novel, The Cloisters, was an immediate hit, earning a spot as an instant New York Times bestseller. Set in the atmospheric Met Cloisters museum in New York, the novel explores the intersections of art, tarot, and the darker side of academia. The Cloisters drew comparisons to Donna Tartt’s The Secret History, a fitting association given the novel's exploration of obsessive relationships and moral ambiguity. The novel also became a selection for Jenna Bush Hager’s book club, further cementing Katy’s place in the literary world.
Her next project, Saltwater, slated for release in 2025, promises to be equally captivating. Set against the stunning backdrop of Capri, Italy, it weaves a tale of family secrets and betrayal, sure to pull readers into a web of suspense and intrigue.
Katy’s work is a blend of intellectual depth and accessible narrative, using her background in art history to explore themes of ambition, secrecy, and the human desire to uncover the truth. Whether through the haunting corridors of a museum or the glamorous landscapes of Italy, her novels invite readers to dig deeper, revealing not just the stories of her characters, but the darker truths of human nature itself.
