Manuel Munoz sets his first novel, What You See in the Dark, in 1950s Bakersfield, California, where life begins to imitate art once a famous movie actress arrives from Hollywood with her legendary director to scout for an upcoming movie shoot.

Munoz is the author of two short story collections: Zigzagger and The Faith Healer of Olive Avenue. He is the recipient of a 2008 Whiting Writers’ Award and a 2009 PEN/O.Henry Award. He lives in Tucson where he teaches creative writing at the University of Arizona.