After over a decade of doing it full time, damn do I still love this job. More with every passing year.

I think I've largely weathered hitting middle-age well, aside from getting really into backpacks and slings for no explicable reason, but I do find myself a lot more cognizant of how long it takes me to write books versus how many years I've got left under fair-to-good circumstances.

I’m rewatching Jingle All the Way and realizing that Arnold was so damn charming you sort of miss how long they go without giving his character Any redeeming moments.

I feel a bit bad for anyone who runs an actual book group and finds themselves wondering why every email is suddenly being blocked or ignored. Sadly, the scammers have found a new hook to imitate over and over, so the Spam filters have gotten an update.

As much as I know alerting folks to a release is important because some readers do want that information, there's always the shadow of this feeling every time a new book drops. 😵‍💫 Anyway, the final Fred book is out on Kindle and Print! Audio arrives on 1/12/2026, when we get to do this dance again.

With the Fred finale on the horizon tomorrow, I've realized it's been nearly a decade since I've wrapped a series. There's always a sense of pressure with any book, but the last one weighs heaviest. Thankfully, I really like how the Fred books wrap up. Hopefully you all will too. We'll see soon 😅

Two more days until the final Fred book releases on print and ebook! And my audio folks, I have happy to announce that Tantor has given the date of 1/13/26 for the audiobook version, so not too long of wait to hear Kirby Heyborne's always amazing performance

There’s still a long journey of rewrites, edits, and other preparations, but NPCs #6’s rough draft is officially finished! And only 48k words over what is planned. Which, compared the 60k I went over in #5, is sadly still progress 😅

One week left until the Fred finale releases on ebook and print. I'd nearly forgotten the mix of excitement and terror when a series is about to end.

It's been so long since I wrote Holly's Jolly Christmas, I nearly forgot how much fun her stories are. Last time it was a slasher/romcom fusion set at Christmas, this time we're going full slasher/Christmas movie combination.

I try not to post too much about my Patreon cause I know we all get enough ads already, but I do make an exception when a new story kicks off. Especially because this is the first time I've done a sequel! Today the first chapter of The Holly Claus went live: www.patreon.com/c/drewhayesn...

The new writer scam hotness is the email that purports to be from a book club that meets on Zoom, who invites you to discuss [title of yours plucked from an AI database], and who needs you to pay a "small reservation fee" to participate. Gotten three just today. Fuck that noise, plonk it into spam.

This Halloween, confront something truly scary: Finality. Fred the Vampire Accountant #9: All Accounts Settled is the last entry in the series and will coming out in print and ebook (I'll add audio dates once they're known) on October 31st. amzn.to/475voWv

The longer I do this job, the more I realized that, at least for me, writer's block is actually my brain flagging that something isn't working and I need to address it before moving on.

Nothing like getting spam from shifty AI audiobook companies trying to sell me on using them for a book that already has an audiobook out. Granted, I'd tell them to fuck off with that regardless, but extra layer of laziness really makes hitting the block button all the more satisfying.

Adventure, Alchemy, and Adorable familiars! Join Wumble and Wanda for Roverpowered #4, out today in ebook, print, and audio: amzn.to/4me2lVf

Wanda and Wumble are back! Since this story is designed somewhat episodically, I wrote Roverpowered #4 to act as a sort of season (not series!) finale which means it's both a bit bigger and more bombastic. I hope you enjoy the duo's most action-packed adventure yet: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B...

Another year, another amazing Dragon Con! Big thanks to everyone who came out to say hello, see a panel, or grab a signature. It’s awesome getting to come to this event and meet readers, along with seeing all the amazing costumes and events. See y’all again in 2026!

Heads up to my Dragon Con folks! I have signed all the remaining stock for Roverpowered (Books 1-4) at the Aethon booth. Happy to personalize it you see me around, but wanted folks to know that what they have remaining is all signed.

On my way to Dragon Con! For the signing Friday, while I’ll have some stock of books on hand, if you want any specific titles signed it’s highly recommended you bring them. If you’re interested in sitting with me and talking about writing, signups for 15 Minute Mentor are at the Writing Track.

Hot holy hell, you folks have really turned out for Villains' Vignettes: Volume II. We are sitting around the #150 rank for all of Audible! For anyone who missed the news yesterday, Villain's Vignettes: Volume II (Villains' Code #3.5) has released on audiobook. www.audible.com/pd/Villains-...

Villains Vignettes: Volume II (Villains’ Code #3.5) is now officially out on audio! www.audible.com/pd/B0FH5S65NF

The horror movie trope that bumps me most often is someone seeing a bulb burn out and going over to investigate. If I see a bulb pop, my first thought is not “Demon!”, it’s knowing I have drag the giant god damn ladder out to fix it. Which is a more a creeping, anxious horror than a jump scare.

In all the excitement of preparing for Dragon Con, I nearly forgot I've got an audiobook coming out on Tuesday! Villains' Vignettes: Volume II (Villains' Code Book #3.5) will be out on 8/26, once again narrated by the outstanding Amy Landon. www.audible.com/pd/Villains-...

Dragon Con is next week, and here is where you can find me! I've also got some special badge ribbons for folks who say hello when I'm out and about, so keep your eyes peeled for a tall man in a garish hat!

On my way back to Denver for another con, this time I’ll be at Convergence 27! If you’re in the area, hope you can stop by and say hello.

Heads up to all my Denver readers, I'll be at Convergence 27 this weekend! They've got me on a few panels and have even dedicated some time for a signings, so please stop by and say hello! convergence27denver.com

With any long-running series, when there's a new entry, people wonder how close that moves us to the final book. Typically, I tend not to say what the final book is until we're there, like with Fred #9 That said, for anyone wondering, we haven't even hit the halfway point of Villains' Code yet. 😎

At the airport waiting for my Denver flight to LitRPG Con! I’ve got some fun freebies if you find me wandering around and say hi, so keep your eyes peeled for the giant in a ridiculous hat!

Villains' Vignettes: Volume II officially has an audiobook launch date, and I am happy to announce it will very much Not be over a year away! The audiobook is narrated (as always) by Amy Landon and releasing on August 26th, meaning we're only a few months away. www.audible.com/pd/Villains-...

Folks in and around Denver, I’ll be at LitRPG con this weekend, along with a great deal of other amazing authors! I hope you can come out and say hi! Please feel free to bring any books you want signed along, or just pop by for a panel or a hello. Meeting readers is a highlight of every con.

Congratulations, the universe sent you this dog because you have been chosen. Joy awaits. 13/10

Hot damn! Chilling Reflections hit Audible's Top #100 and Villains' Vignettes: Volume II is in Amazon's Top #700. Not to mention each has taken #1 in a category or two! Thrilled to see so many readers taking time for some villainy!

Despite the long wait, Chilling Reflection has come out swinging, taking a #1 spot in Superhero Fantasy! With 32 hours to enjoy, there's no better time to start listening today.

But wait, there's more! Villains' Vignettes: Volume II (Villains' Code #3.5) is out today on kindle! As with Volume I, these stories will play a part on the main series. Though I may have added a *bit* more world lore for Volume II 😁 amzn.to/3HW1ppZ

Over a year of waiting finally come to an end. Villains' Code #3: Chilling Reflections, is now available on audiobook! Narrated by the always incredible Amy Landon and clocking in at 32 hours, at last the latest chapter in this saga of villainy is available in all formats. amzn.to/45xTCbK

After a week of shilling, only 1 day left until Villains' Code #3 comes out in audiobook form and Villains Vignettes: Volume II (#3.5 in the series) debuts in ebook and print!

Only 2 days left until Villains' Code #3: Chilling Reflection comes out in audiobook and Villains' Vignettes: Volume II arrived in print and ebook!

3 days left until a double serving of Villains' Code with the Chilling Reflections audiobook and Villains' Vignettes: Volume II in print and ebook both dropping 6/24!

4 Days left until a double dose of Villains' Code with the release of Chilling Reflections (VC #3) in audiobook and Villains' Vignettes: Volume II (VC #3.5) in print and ebook!

5 days left until Villains’ Vignettes: Volume II releases in print and ebook while Chilling Reflections comes out in audiobook! (Those are Villains Code books #3.5 and #3, respectively)

With less than a week until a double dose of Villains' Code is releasing (Book #3: Chilling Reflections will be on audio and Book #3.5: Villains Vignettes Volume II will be coming out in print/ebook) I thought I'd count us down to the big day by sharing some tidbits and behind-the-scenes details!

10 days left until Villains’ Code #3: Chilling Reflections is out on audiobook AND Villains Vignettes: Volume 2 will be out in print and ebook. Whatever your preferred literary medium, there’s fresh Villains’ Code content on the horizon!

Three days since I watched a single episode of Quantum Leap and the theme song remains stuck in my head. No wonder that show ran for five seasons.

I genuinely think that singing might be the purest form of artist expression I’m capable of, in large part because I’m so wildly tone deaf. When I sing, there is no expectation of praise or acclaim. I sing for the sole and single reason that I want to sing. And that’s enough.

One Friday morning way back when I was doing office work near a beach, I stopped for gas and inside was behind a dude in a swimsuit and sandals buying a 6-pack of Mike’s. I spent a long time thinking about how differently our days would be. Ultimately that was the last office job I ever had.

When the last full-time authors have faded into memory due to AI destroying the entire creative industries, the LLM's, who need a constant influx of new material, will be forced to feast only on fanfic and eventually rendered unable to generate anything but Sam/Steve/Bucky throuple porn.

Got my Jetlag home game! Now I’m wondering how viable it would be to play at this year’s #DragonCon.

When talking about the origins of Super Powereds from over a decade ago, the part where I say “I was having trouble finding superhero media” sounds more and more ridiculous with every passing year. 😅

Finally made time for the new season of Hacks and damn this show is incredible. You’d think Season 4 they’d be losing steam but it genuinely feels like they’re only getting started.