Contributor Bios
Alycin Hayes is Echo Hill Productions Creative Director. She is a Writer of Poetry & Prose, an Actress, Filmmaker, Producer, Singer, Song Writer and Wildlife Conservationist - a real Renaissance Woman.
Alycin grew up backstage at the renowned Stratford Shakespeare Festival of Canada. Duke Ellington introduced her to music on her family's piano when she was just three years old. Glen Gould played piano for her at her home when she was 5. Ravi Shankar dropped by for tea with his sitar to share his insights on Indian music and philosophy with her when she was an impressionable 13 years of age.
Since then, she has spent most of her life exploring and adventuring around the world. Alycin studied yoga in India, Drama at the University of Texas, is a Certified Reiki Practitioner and has a degree in Zoo Animal Technology. Her animal behaviour research has been published internationally. Alycin uses her understanding of animals and nature to do conservation work with wildlife and their habitats.
She has performed music in United States, Canada, Iceland, Thailand, Malaysia and France with a wide range of musical groups and has played on several CD's. She wrote a handbook on Gourd Music and has even designed instruments for The Thai Elephant Orchestra's Elephants, for their 3rd CD, Water Music.
Alycin's newest book, a true adventure travel memoir, AMAZON HITCHHIKER - A Woman’s Adventures from Canada to Brazil is about her adventures in the 1970's hitchhiking overland to South America and then paddling a dugout canoe deep into the mystical dangerous rainforest of the Amazon River.
She is the Producer and Co-Director of the Award Winning short film WILD FLORIDA'S VANISHING CALL which won Best Local Film at the Cinema Verde International Environmental Film & Art Festival 2020. She is also the Singer/Songwriter and Co-Composer of the film's sound track.
Alycin Hayes is the author of the Award Winning children's picture book MILO AND THE MUSTANG which was won the R. Morrow Book Award as a great Great Kid Book For Road Trips.
Alycin grew up backstage at the renowned Stratford Shakespeare Festival of Canada. Duke Ellington introduced her to music on her family's piano when she was just three years old. Glen Gould played piano for her at her home when she was 5. Ravi Shankar dropped by for tea with his sitar to share his insights on Indian music and philosophy with her when she was an impressionable 13 years of age.
Since then, she has spent most of her life exploring and adventuring around the world. Alycin studied yoga in India, Drama at the University of Texas, is a Certified Reiki Practitioner and has a degree in Zoo Animal Technology. Her animal behaviour research has been published internationally. Alycin uses her understanding of animals and nature to do conservation work with wildlife and their habitats.
She has performed music in United States, Canada, Iceland, Thailand, Malaysia and France with a wide range of musical groups and has played on several CD's. She wrote a handbook on Gourd Music and has even designed instruments for The Thai Elephant Orchestra's Elephants, for their 3rd CD, Water Music.
Alycin's newest book, a true adventure travel memoir, AMAZON HITCHHIKER - A Woman’s Adventures from Canada to Brazil is about her adventures in the 1970's hitchhiking overland to South America and then paddling a dugout canoe deep into the mystical dangerous rainforest of the Amazon River.
She is the Producer and Co-Director of the Award Winning short film WILD FLORIDA'S VANISHING CALL which won Best Local Film at the Cinema Verde International Environmental Film & Art Festival 2020. She is also the Singer/Songwriter and Co-Composer of the film's sound track.
Alycin Hayes is the author of the Award Winning children's picture book MILO AND THE MUSTANG which was won the R. Morrow Book Award as a great Great Kid Book For Road Trips.
Elliott Hayes
Elliott Hayes - Author, Playwright, Poet, Novelist ( June 22, 1956-Feb 28, 1994) was born in Stratford, Ontario Canada to a theatrical family, the son of John Sullivan Hayes, one of the original company members of the Stratford Festival of Canada. He graduated from Old Vic Theater School in Bristol England, and worked in Hollywood, California before returning to Canada in 1981. He worked for several years as the literary manager, dramaturge and occasional lyricist and assistant director at the Stratford Festival.
After his untimely death at age 37 when Elliott was killed by a drunk driver, The Literary Managers and Dramaturges of the Americas created an award in his honor lmda.org/elliott-hayes-award-outstanding-achievement-dramaturgyThe Elliott Hayes Dramaturgy Award. His career produced several important works, including short stories, novels, poems and plays. His most produced play was Homeward Bound. It was first produced at the Stratford Festival and has since been performed across Canada and United States, Britain, Australia and Latvia. Several of his other plays Blake being one, have been produced internationally and more of his writings are being made into films. Learn more about Elliott on his Facebook Page.. Recently some of his plays have been made into films: A short film Poison and a feature film Six LA Love Stories. His plays continue to be produced internationally.
After his untimely death at age 37 when Elliott was killed by a drunk driver, The Literary Managers and Dramaturges of the Americas created an award in his honor lmda.org/elliott-hayes-award-outstanding-achievement-dramaturgyThe Elliott Hayes Dramaturgy Award. His career produced several important works, including short stories, novels, poems and plays. His most produced play was Homeward Bound. It was first produced at the Stratford Festival and has since been performed across Canada and United States, Britain, Australia and Latvia. Several of his other plays Blake being one, have been produced internationally and more of his writings are being made into films. Learn more about Elliott on his Facebook Page.. Recently some of his plays have been made into films: A short film Poison and a feature film Six LA Love Stories. His plays continue to be produced internationally.
John and JoAnn Hayes
John and JoAnn Hayes started Echo Hill Publishing in 1971 with a powerful book of poetry by their son, Elliott Hayes. Both John and JoAnn were early environmentalist who planted thousands of trees on their family farm dedicating much of their land to wildlife conservation.
John Sullivan Hayes - Author (September 1 ,1919 - July 5, 1993) was born in London, England to British stage and screen actor George Hayes and Canadian sculptress Margaret Scobie Hayes. Following in his father's footsteps John pursued a career working as an actor, stage manager and theatrical producer in England, the United States and Canada. In 1953 Tyrone Guthrie invited John and his wife JoAnn to help launch the Stratford Shakespearean Festival in Stratford, Ontario, Canada. From that date forward John was instrumental in planning and organizing 27 consecutive theatrical seasons. Originally named in his honour the John Sullivan Hayes Training Programme for Theatre Training is now called the Birmingham Conservatory for Classical Theatre at the Stratford Festival.
John Sullivan Hayes was also a passionate collector of over 6000 antiquarian children's books. Near the end of his life he wrote his own children's book, "The Stratford Adventure of Adrian & Tiddlywinks" which has elements of his life in the theatre told brilliantly through the eyes of a shy boy and brave mouse. John and JoAnn Hayes started Echo Hill Publishing in 1971 with a book of poetry by Elliott Hayes.
John Sullivan Hayes - Author (September 1 ,1919 - July 5, 1993) was born in London, England to British stage and screen actor George Hayes and Canadian sculptress Margaret Scobie Hayes. Following in his father's footsteps John pursued a career working as an actor, stage manager and theatrical producer in England, the United States and Canada. In 1953 Tyrone Guthrie invited John and his wife JoAnn to help launch the Stratford Shakespearean Festival in Stratford, Ontario, Canada. From that date forward John was instrumental in planning and organizing 27 consecutive theatrical seasons. Originally named in his honour the John Sullivan Hayes Training Programme for Theatre Training is now called the Birmingham Conservatory for Classical Theatre at the Stratford Festival.
John Sullivan Hayes was also a passionate collector of over 6000 antiquarian children's books. Near the end of his life he wrote his own children's book, "The Stratford Adventure of Adrian & Tiddlywinks" which has elements of his life in the theatre told brilliantly through the eyes of a shy boy and brave mouse. John and JoAnn Hayes started Echo Hill Publishing in 1971 with a book of poetry by Elliott Hayes.
Adrian Hayes Santos
Adrian Hayes Santos - Publishing Producer and Technical Advisor grew up in Gainesville, Florida. He has a BA in Finance with a minor in Urban Planning and a Master's in International Business from the University of Florida. His studies took him from the jungles of Bolivia and Brazil to the tulips of Holland. Adrian is the Co-Founder/Executive Producer of his own company Saturday Morning Apps. He is also a city commissioner in Gainesville, Florida. Adrian was very involved in the editing and production of his grandfather, John Sullivan Hayes' children's chapter book "The Stratford Adventure of Adrian & Tiddlywinks", our Award Winning children's book Milo and the Mustang as well as our non-fiction adventure travel memoir, AMAZON HITCHHIKER - A Woman’s Adventures from Canada to Brazil by Alycin Hayes.
Jacqui Corn Uys - Editor of our newest book, AMAZON HITCHHIKER - A Woman’s Adventures from Canada to Brazil by Alycin Hayes.
Jacqui has a BA cum laude from the University of South Africa as well as numerous editing and formatting for publishing credits from the South African Writers College. Working as a professional editor for the past seven years, Jacqui’s attention to detail and her ability to both listen and recognize the strengths and voice of a writer have made her a highly regarded international editor. She specializes in manuscript appraisals, copy editing, proofreading and developmental editing of fiction, narrative non-fiction and nonfiction books. For more information about her work go to her website.
Jacqui has a BA cum laude from the University of South Africa as well as numerous editing and formatting for publishing credits from the South African Writers College. Working as a professional editor for the past seven years, Jacqui’s attention to detail and her ability to both listen and recognize the strengths and voice of a writer have made her a highly regarded international editor. She specializes in manuscript appraisals, copy editing, proofreading and developmental editing of fiction, narrative non-fiction and nonfiction books. For more information about her work go to her website.
Donika Mishineva - Book Cover Designer for our newest book AMAZON HITCHHIKER: A Woman's Adventures From Canada to Brazil by Alycin Hayes. Donika also designed the maps and book trailer for this book. Based in Bulgaria, Donika has created many beautiful book covers that inspire readers throughout the world. She is an exceptionally talented artist who has been working professionally in graphic design for over ten years. To see more of her international design work please go to her website.
Beverly Marie Melton - Illustrator of Alycin Hayes' Award Winning children's picture book Milo and the Mustang. Through the insight of her own deafness, Beverly Marie's beautiful hand painted illustrations for Milo and the Mustang bring to life the wonderful therapeutic connection that physically and mentally challenged children can share with horses. More of her art and graphic designs can be seen on her website.
Ben J Greene with his daughter
Ben J Greene - Illustrator of the beautiful cover design for John Sullivan Hayes' The Stratford Adventure of Adrian & Tiddlywinks. Ben is also an art director and concept artist in the video game industry. More of his art work and illustrations can be seen on his Blog.
Michael Bawtree - Narrator of The Stratford Adventure of Adrian and Tiddlywinks Audio Book. A multi talented artist, Michael was a friend and colleague of the author John Sullivan Hayes at the Stratford Shakespearean Festival where the both worked. In Michael's long and varied career he has been a playwright, author, director, journalist, educator and actor, and an initiator of many new and original artistic projects from British Columbia to Nova Scotia, Canada – where he now lives. For more information on Michael visit his website.
Brent Jones Recorded and Edited The Stratford Adventure of Adrian and Tiddlywinks Audio Book at his Quiet Earth Recoding Studio on his heritage farm just outside London, Ontario, Canada. Brent is also the Co-composer with Alycin Hayes and Sound Editor of the soundtrack of our Award Winning short film Wild Florida's Vanishing Call which premiered February 13th, 2020 at Cinema Verde International Environmental Film and Art Festival. A Singer, pianist and composer Brent is a busy musical collaborator. He contributes to the work of many artists both local and international through sessions, production, and performance. Brent is an internationally accomplished, talented musician and songwriter who has performed and recorded in Canada, United States, Australia and Europe. He is co-founder of the Back To The Garden Music and Arts Festival. Brent's work focuses on building sustainable creative communities – combining artistic expression and natural systems - to help teach, heal, and celebrate the human experience.
Jimmy Evans - Co-director with Alycin Hayes, Cinematographer and Editor for our Award Winning short film Wild Florida's Vanishing Call which premiered February 13th, 2020 at Cinema Verde International Environmental Film and Art Festival. A Florida-based filmmaker and graduate of the University of Florida, Jimmy specializes in non-fiction character-driven films about climate change and social issues that affect his home state. Jimmy's film Naturally Selected about Miami environmentalist Sam Van Leer won awards at film festivals throughout the United States and is currently distributed by PBS. He is the founder and programming coordinator of the Gainesville Latino Film Festival's Short Film Competition. Jimmy's first feature film, Urban Paradise, further explores the characters and topics of his film, Naturally Selected and is scheduled to be completed soon. You may follow Jimmy's work on his website.
