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.

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An Ode to the Perfect Ride Nov 01, 2025

A humble roller coaster exists, a sacred jewel of a ride that we as a culture don't talk about enough. This attraction features both open flames and footage of a young Brendan Fraser toting a whippy mochaccino. It invites the rider into a cinematic l... Read More

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Stop Trying to Sell Me Plastic Souvenir Cups! Oct 25, 2025

It's fall festival season, haunted house season, trunk-or-treat season. Amid the 50/50 raffles, soft pretzels, paper plate crafts and carnival rides with names like MAWS OF DEATH, we must steel for the greatest horror of all: Commemorative plastic cu... Read More

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Adults Need To Use Their Imaginations Oct 18, 2025

Have you been in touch with your imagination lately? I don't mean by hatching conspiracy theories or trying to manifest wealth, "The Secret"-style. I mean, have you let your mind get real weird with zero material stakes? Have you daydreamed for no re... Read More

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Halloween Costumes That Will Offend No One Oct 11, 2025

It used to be that Halloween offered a release valve on the year's serious discourse, a chance to invoke political parody and partake in the grand American tradition of free expression through overpriced synthetic outfits wrinkled from plastic casing... Read More