Melvin Barry Hines was born in Hoyland Common, England on June 30, 1939. He trained as an apprentice mining surveyor before studying physical education at Loughborough Training College. He taught for two years in a London comprehensive before returning northern England to teach physical education.
His debut novel, The Blinder, was published in 1966. His other novels included Signs, Unfinished Business, The Heart of It, and Elvis over England. A Kestrel for a Knave, The Gamekeeper, The Price of Coal, and Looks and Smiles were adapted to films by Ken Loach, with Hines writing the screenplays. Hines wrote intermittently for radio and television. His works included Billy's Last Stand, Speech Day, Two Men from Derby, and Threads. He was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2007. He died on March 18, 2016 at the age of 76.
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