About Don Ray Smith

• Don Ray Smith grew up in Louisville, KY. Some of his most rewarding work has been as a newspaper reporter, a prize-winning journalist,  a reading mentor, a pickle-weigher, a public relations man and a tour guide. But not in that order.

• Don Ray  is a member of  the Kentucky Storytelling Association and the Cherokee Round Table writer's group. He is also an emerging actor, appearing in 'Ragtime' and 'Harriet.'

Don is a Mass Media (Journalism) and English Literature graduate of Morehead State University/Western Kentucky University. His humor, features, essays  and profiles have appeared in many regional publications, including the Louisville Courier-Journal, Louisville Magazine, Kentucky Living Magazine, African American Journal, The Lane Report, LEO, The Cincinnati Enquirer and Louisville Business First newspaper. 

Published: Short-humor collections Feel My Humerus and Kentucky Shorts. Also the comic-romance novel, Racebook, or How He Found His Nubian Prin-cess. 

A 4th BOOK, AN ANTHOLOGY OF DON RAY'S 50 BEST PIECES, WILL BE OUT IN THE SUMMER OF 2026. 

 Kentucky Shorts ($10.00) and Racebook ($15.00) (Both for $20) can be purchased through Don's PayPal account or directly from Don Ray Smith, 9014 Hurstbourne Ln., Louisville, KY. 40220. 

email: donthewriter@mac.com or call (502) 499-5664

DON RAY'S STORYTELLING REPERTOIRE AND HIS ONE-MAN PLAY, 'GROWING UP WHITE ON WILSON,' have taken him to---African American Cemetery No. 2, Lexington, KY; DOCA women's group, Louisville; Memories Event Venue, Frankfort; Earth & Spirit Center, Louisville; Roots-101 African American Museum, Louisville; DREAM Kentucky Storytelling Festival & Fundraiser, Williamstown, KY; The Russell Theater under New Directions, Louisville; Woman's Club of Louisville; Little Loomhouse Annual Storytelling Festival, Louisville; Wandering Storytellers, Lexington; Kentucky Storytelling Conference, various cities; plus numerous festivals, community centers, theaters, coffee houses and senior care facilities in southern Indiana and Kentucky, from Louisville to Harlan, Bowling Green to Shelbyville,  Owensboro to Eminence.