J. M. "Mike" Hayes is an author of mystery novels. He was born and raised in Kansas and later attended the University of Arizona for graduate studies. He moved to Tucson where he lives with his wife, Barbara. His first novel, The Grey Pilgrim, was published in 1990. The novel's fictional characters are living in 1940s Arizona in an alternate reality. The novel was originally published by Walker and Company, but would later be re-published by Poisoned Pen Press in 2000.

Materials in this collection include manuscript uncorrected proofs of The Grey Pilgrim, early and intermediate drafts of the novel, a later draft of the novel pre-publication, author questionnaires, correspondence between Hayes, agents, and publishers, and copies of publicity materials and newspaper clippings.