Days of Sun and Shadow

Praise for The Song of the Blue Bottle Tree

“Set in rural Arkansas in 1967, India Hayford’s evocative and beautifully crafted tale is infused with magical realism and dark humor. This powerful narrative of belonging and the unexpected gifts and challenges of finding one’s place in the world is a mesmerizing read that will leave you pondering the interplay of fate and free will. It’s a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring quest for home.” —Susan Wiggs, # 1 New York Times bestselling author

“Gives you everything you want in a Southern gothic novel, served up in a fresh, nervy new voice in this wonderful debut. I didn’t want the story to end, but when I came to it, the ending was especially rich and satisfying. Don’t miss this one.” —Elizabeth Hardinger, author of All The Forgivenesses

“Hayford brings a deep-rooted sense of place to the story … about finding connection in unexpected places, and the slow, strange work of healing. There’s a hint of magical realism here, but it’s subtle and lived-in — more front porch story than fairy tale. Hayford’s prose is measured and unfussy, letting the setting and characters carry the weight…[A] well-crafted debut from a writer who clearly knows the land she’s writing about, and treats it with both honesty and care.” —The Arkansas Democrat Gazette

“A poignant tale of ghosts and found family…Hayford seamlessly weaves the supernatural elements with lush details of the Southern landscape. Readers are in for a treat.” —Publishers Weekly

India Hayford is a naturalist, teacher, historical reenactor, artist, and author. She is the recipient of the Neltje Blanchan Memorial Writing Award for best work informed by a relationship with the natural world. She has authored two nonfiction books and a short story collection. Her debut novel, The Song of the Blue Bottle Tree, was an Arkansas Gems selection by the Arkansas Center for the Book.

Hayford also writes The Howl, a quarterly wildlife newsletter with national distribution. Her articles have appeared in various regional and national publications, including Threads and Needle Arts.

A member of Wyoming Writers and Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers, she is a regular speaker at the Werner Wildlife Museum, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, the Embroiderers Guild of America, and local historical and arts organizations.

Born in Arkansas, where her family roots go back to the 1830s, her family tree farm still stands in Hempstead County. She now lives with her husband in Wyoming, but she returns every year to visit the hills, swamps, and pine forests of southwest Arkansas.

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