Releasing my fear with a new program (influence my next novel)

"I don't have readers."

For the last six months, I've made this complaint to close friends and family. Gates of Okinawa (my second novel) released about 6 months ago. I know of one person who's read it.

But this is no one's issue but mine.

Because I've been afraid of getting feedback.

I didn't want to hear input from outsiders who were ignorant of my crafted message and characters.

This has been a mistake.

Today, you expect a level of access to creators like me. Fifteen years of interactive social media has conditioned you for that. And I haven't been allowing that access when it could make the biggest difference to your experience of my characters, stories, and worlds.

All because of fear.

Where's the "collective" in Hayden Academy Collective Studios? It hasn't been there. A single man collective is a castaway. That's been me.

Today, no more.

The fear is gone.

I know I'm a good, maybe even a great, fiction writer. Now I want your help to not only realize greater potential, but to create something that speaks to your lived worldly experience.

That's why I'm launching the "LiveBeta Read Program."

What is it?

This program will provide you access to my upcoming works in real time. Your insights will be invaluable in making these stories the best they can be for future readers .

As a LiveBeta Reader you get to:

• Read story ideas before anyone else
• Influence the final narrative
• Contribute your thoughts to strengthen ideas

And that's not all.

You'll also get the following perks:

• Acknowledgement in the final versions of the book (e-book, print, audio)
• Exclusive discounts on final versions

I will share a Beta version on a Google Doc and you can drop in and out as your schedule allows, offering feedback on specific sections or the overall narrative.

Simple. Easy.

Time an issue?

Feedback can be as detailed or brief as you like. My plan is to add to the Beta whenever I finish a chapter/section/act of the story.

So don't worry about eating the whole horse before the hog. One bite at a time is good.

If you're interested in participating, hit the button below.

There'll be a quick survey, then I'll send you the link(s).

Currently, I'm seeking LiveBeta Readers for:

• Novel - Cereus & Limnic: Escape From Okinawa (Sci-Fi, Drama, Crime, War)
• Novella - Foreign Variables (Working Title) (Sci-Fi, Drama, War)

If either of the above sounds compelling to you, hit the button below.

I'm genuinely excited to embark on this collaborative journey with you and build a vibrant community around my stories.

-Keith