Hey there,
It's been a minute since my last email! But there's a reason I've gone quiet, actually two reasons.
1) My wife is returning from a months long work trip tomorrow. So I've been busy doing husband things.
2) I've taken a step back from actively promoting my creations this month.
August 2025 through November 2025 were insane for me.
So this is all an attempt to cool down from what turned out to be a big push to maintain my writing, sell books, client work, while actively doing community events, and staying up on social media.
Now it's break time.
But that doesn't mean doing nothing. Far from it.
Because I've been deep in the lab, developing new skills and refining ones that I've been working on for years.
One of those new skills is animation.
Last year, I had an idea for a romantic comedy based on an event involving my "exotic" furry pet chinchilla.
I revisited and retooled the premise, then turned it into my second animated short "Chinchilla Run."
That's right I said second.
I made my first short last month.
It's a summarized version of the intro scene for my upcoming sci-fi horror novel Cereus & Limnic: Escape From Okinawa Type B.
Why animation?
Over the last 5 years I've explored (and gained respectable proficiency) in writing, audio, music, and storytelling, among many other domains.
The only thing missing from my kit was full motion video.
This is what I plan to double down on in 2026.
Will I still write novels?
Yes.
But storytelling through video has never been more accessible, and it turns out many of the skills I've gained translate well to this medium.
So look out for more in the future.
BIG website update
A huge website refactoring is ongoing on keithhayden.net.
Here are the highlights:
1) I'm redesigning the website around a studio model. There'll be more of a focus on overall storytelling instead of just novel writing.
2) I've re-established Fiction Money Engine. For a small fee, you'll get access to insights, processes, and a fair amount of secrets about how I make so much shit.
And more importantly you'll discover how you can make a lot of shit too while working toward making a sustainable living with your creativity, just like I'm on track to do.
If you're into creative craft, want to expand your creative toolbelt, or are just curious how I run things, you'll want to join.
3) HUGE FOR YOU! Beginning in 2026, my novels and books will be available to read on my website. The only requirement is to be subbed to the Digital Novelist Newsletter. (Which you already are!)
My latest novel, the techno romance duology Prompted Hearts & Grief Algorithm is already up and available!
I'll slowly be adding my back catalogue onto the website.
Why are you giving your novels away for free??
Because "try before you buy" is what consumers expect today.
Think about how much free entertainment is floating out there online.
How much of it do you pay for? If you're like me, not as much as you should. (No shame, this is how we fight inflation)
Why would you pay even 99 cents for a book from an unknown author, if you don't know it'll be any good?
I rarely do it, and I love reading obscure unknown indie fiction.
The hope is that with open access to my work, you'll try it and like it.
And when you do, you'll come back for more and MORE until eventually you're like (okay this guy's good, I should throw him some cash to help him keep going.)
Many social media creators and influencers use this model to make a living, they just do it on popular platforms like YouTube, Patreon, and Kickstarter.
I'm building mine here.
So if you want an introspective techno romance read, that's not too long for this weekend,
Check out the book here.
That's all for now!
Question:
What creative project are you currently working on?
Tell me about it in a reply!