Jim Grimsley is an American novelist and playwright, born on September 21, 1955, in rural eastern North Carolina. Grimsley has gained recognition for his significant contribution to literature with works that often explore themes of identity and societal norms.

His first novel, Winter Birds, published by Algonquin Books in 1994, was a finalist for the PEN/Hemingway Award and won the Sue Kaufman Prize for the best first novel from the American Academy of Arts and Letters. Beyond this debut, Grimsley's bibliography includes several other notable works such as Dream Boy and Kirtan.

In May of 2022, Grimsley released a new novel titled The Dove in the Belly, published by Levine Querido. This book presents a retrospective look at a time when queer individuals led more concealed lives.

Jim Grimsley's literary influence extends into various media, with his short stories and essays appearing in renowned publications such as DoubleTake, New Orleans Review, Carolina Quarterly, New Virginia Review, LA Times, and New York Times Book Review.