Author of ten books and over one hundred shorter pieces of fiction, Dave Smeds works across any genres and types of writing. His endeavors, called "stylistically innovative, symbolically daring examples of craftsmanship at the highest level" by the New York Times Book Review, have seen print in over a dozen countries. A Nebula Award finalist, his contributions can be found in multiple issues of such magazines as The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, Asimov's, and Realms of Fantasy, and in anthologies such as Full Spectrum 4, Best New Horror 7, David Copperfield's Tales of the Impossible, In the Field of Fire, Warriors of Blood and Dream, Sirens, Nanodreams, and the Sword and Sorceress series. Dave's books include novels The Sorcery Within, The Schemes of Dragons, Piper in the Night, X-Men: Law of the Jungle, and the young-reader biography Martial Arts Masters: Chuck Norris. Dave lives in the Napa/Sonoma wine country of northern California with his wife, Connie, and children Lerina and Elliott. In addition to writing, he has worked as a typesetter, karate instructor, and commercial artist.

Volume 1 of Dave Smeds: Short Stories contains the Fictionwise.com member favorite "The High Altar" and more excellent short works, spanning the science fiction, fantasy, dark fantasy, alternate history, and young adult genres.