About Stephanie Hayes

Stephanie Hayes

Stephanie Hayes

Stephanie Hayes is a columnist with the Tampa Bay Times. She has been at the Times since 2003, when she became an editorial assistant and just kind of hung around until her bosses gave her more jobs. Before taking on her current role writing humor, she was an editor, leading arts and lifestyle coverage. In that capacity, she oversaw a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize and James Beard Award, as well as winners of the National Headliner Awards, Society for Features Journalism and more. Prior to editing, she was a reporter covering local governments, higher education, nightlife, feature obituaries, fashion and performing arts. She won first place for criticism in the Green Eyeshade Awards and a first place National Headliner Award for lifestyle blogging. She’s the author of the novel "Obitchuary," inspired by her time on the death beat. She is a graduate of the University of South Florida and lives in Dunedin, Florida, with her husband, stepdaughter, giant cat and tiny dog. Read her column here.

...

Who Could Have Predicted Alligator Alcatraz Would Fail? May 16, 2026

Folks, take it easy. There was no way to know it would end like this. Who could have predicted that a stunt with all the subtlety of a juggling bear would fizzle out in less than a year? Don't dare imply that Alligator Alcatraz, Florida's most odious... Read More

...

How To Get Out of a Reading Rut May 09, 2026

Is anyone else in a reading rut? What I mean is, does every book you crack feel like a million pounds, like an obligation, like a thicket of vines with no nearby machete? Does the doomscroll hold more allure than the pages of a novel? Does your brain... Read More

...

In Defense of Jury Duty May 02, 2026

I was called for jury duty. Upon arrival at the courthouse, a bailiff handed every juror a comment card. I thought I'd fill out some of it here. Juror No.: 37 Date of Jury Service: April 27, 2026 Were the instructions on your Summons... Read More

...

The Most Florida Movies of All Time Apr 25, 2026

There's a moment in "Mermaid," one of the most Florida movies to have ever Florida'd, when a character describes the Sunshine State: "It's the only place on earth that can still kind of surprise me." The oddly beautiful sentiment is followed by dialo... Read More