Fernando Benzo (Madrid, 1965) began his literary career at the age of 23 when he won the Castilla-La Mancha Prize with his first novel, Los años felices. Since then, he has published short stories and novels, some of which have received literary awards such as the Max Aub Short Story Prize, the Ciudad de Majadahonda Prize, and the Kutxa – Ciudad de Irún Novel Prize. Among his most notable works are Mary Lou y la vida cómoda, Después de la lluvia, and Las cenizas de la inocencia, as well as the short story collection Diez cuentos tristes. His most recent novels, all published in this collection, include Nunca fuimos héroes (2020), Los viajeros de la Vía Láctea (2021), and Los perseguidos, which won the Azorín Novel Prize in 2023.