Douglas Hackney, a native Virginian, has consistently moved westward within the state during his lifetime. Born in the Tidewater area, from age eight to adulthood he lived in Richmond, earning degrees from the University of Richmond and Virginia Commonwealth University in addition to three years study at Union Presbyterian Seminary. As a vocational rehabilitation counselor he relocated to Charlottesville and then to the Shenandoah Valley, obtaining a Master of Divinity degree at Eastern Mennonite Seminary in Harrisonburg.
Though this is his first full-length novel, writing has always been an important and challenging part of his interest, whether a humorous monthly column in an agency newsletter, short stories and poems in school publications, an album of original songs and, most recently, a musical in final stages of production. Future plans include two additional volumes to It Always Rains on Wednesday, creating a trilogy. Wide-ranging work experience over the years has provided varied and eclectic foundations on which to build and explore, from grocery clerk to carpentry, grape vineyard management to ministry, truck driver to vocational rehabilitation counselor.
Married with five children, much of his time is spent cutting firewood for their Valley home. Playing and singing folk music offers entertainment, family and friends joining on a variety of instruments. Hiking, camping, canoeing and other outdoor activities are greatly enjoyed when opportunity permits. A restored 1933 Dodge is sometimes driven on tours and in parades.