M. Shayne Bell, an American author specializing in science fiction, contributed three short stories to the expansive Star Wars universe. These stories found their home within the anthologies Tales from the Mos Eisley Cantina, Tales from Jabba's Palace, and Tales of the Bounty Hunters.
His writing career commenced in 1986 with "Jacob's Ladder", a story that garnered first prize in the Writers of the Future contest and was subsequently published in their anthology. While he has penned only one novel, Nicoji (published in 1991), he has consistently produced shorter works. His story "Mrs. Lincoln's China" earned a Hugo Award nomination for Best Short Story in 1995, and "The Pagodas of Ciboure" received a Nebula Award nomination for Best Novelette in 2002. The Association for Mormon Letters (AML) recognized his editorial talents with an AML award for his work on Washed by a Wave of Wind: Science Fiction from the Corridor, a compilation of science fiction short stories by authors with connections to Utah.
Chris Moriarty has described Bell as "a key figure in science fiction addressing GLBT and AIDS themes," while Orson Scott Card has lauded him as "one of the most insightful and kind individuals I have had the pleasure of knowing."
For six years, Bell served as the poetry editor for Sunstone Magazine. He obtained a master's degree in English from Brigham Young University and currently resides in Salt Lake City.
- " Drawing the Maps of Peace: The Moisture Farmer's Tale " — Appears in Tales from the Mos Eisley Cantina (1995)
- " Of the Day's Annoyances: Bib Fortuna's Tale " — Appears in Tales from Jabba's Palace (1996)
- " Of Possible Futures: The Tale of Zuckuss and 4-LOM " — Appears in Tales of the Bounty Hunters (1996)