Kay grew up in Texas and spent 16 years teaching American literature, culture, and English at Japanese universities. She was a regular guest on Ohsugi-sensei's NHK radio English Conversation program for two years. After that she began writing montly essays for NHKs English language textbook series and continues to write for NHK. She is also currently writing a montly column for the English Journal (ALC Press). NHK has published five books of Kay's collected essays on Japanese and American culture, and ALC Press has published one bilingual collection.
Kay currently lives in San Marcos, Texas, with her two dogs, and works at the university library.
