Matt Hayward's Blog, page 2
January 27, 2020
THOSE BELOW THE TREE HOUSE - A NEW NOVEL
I'm delighted to announce my new coming-of-age novel, Those Below The Tree House, will be releasing later this year via Poltergeist Press. It's quite possibly my favorite thing I've ever worked on, and has taken two years to come to fruition. If you like Brian Keene's Ghoul, or Richard Laymon's The Traveling Vampire Show, then this one is for you. It's a novel with teeth, and a big heart. I hope readers end up loving it as much as I loved writing it. The cover art and release date will be revealed soon. For now, here are some very kind words from the one and only Richard Chizmar:
"If you like apocalyptic coming-of-age horror stories, Those Below The Tree House is for you. Fast paced, scary, and refreshingly inventive, Hayward has crafted a barn-burner of a thriller.”--Richard Chizmar, author of Gwendy's Magic Feather
"If you like apocalyptic coming-of-age horror stories, Those Below The Tree House is for you. Fast paced, scary, and refreshingly inventive, Hayward has crafted a barn-burner of a thriller.”--Richard Chizmar, author of Gwendy's Magic Feather
December 29, 2019
on 2019
It's currently 6am. I'm about to have some coffee and tuck into edits for Lady Luck, the sequel to A Penny For Your Thoughts. But with less than 48 hours left in 2019, I wanted to take a moment and look back on the year that was. It's been a good one, but a strange one. Why? I usually do multiple short stories throughout the year, and 2019 only saw one from me, a short in Craig Spector's latest anthology. A couple of anthologies got cancelled, some were pushed back to 2020, and that's just how things went. Either way, it felt odd not having consistent stories releasing, and it left me feeling a little out of the loop. Still, 2019 was a great year. Here's why.
In January, my back catalog received hardcover re-releases via Poltergeist Press. Those included Brain Dead Blues, The Faithful, Practitioners, and What Do Monsters Fear? The latter also received a new mass market paperback and eBook release with a foreword by Edward Lee. Following that came the release of A Penny For Your Thoughts by Robert Ford and myself. The reaction was insane. I couldn't be more proud of that novel. I finished a new survival horror titled The Flood, and it's currently doing the rounds via my agent, Lane. Fingers crossed we get a bite in early 2020. I attended Scares That Care in Williamsburg, VA, had the pleasure of hanging out with my horror pack once again, ate some great food, drank a little too much, and returned home to knock out the sequel to A Penny For Your Thoughts with Bob Ford. We finished in early December, and are deep into the editing phase. Expect that to release next summer.
Another Ghost, a new imprint of Thunderstorm Books run by Poltergeist Press, announced their first two limited, lettered editions. Those included A Place For Sinners by Aaron Dries, and A Penny For Your Thoughts. Both titles sold out in under two hours, and are currently at the printers. They will be seriously stunning editions, all signed and leather bound, so if you're a collector, keep an eye out for future AG titles.
I rounded out the year with a reading with Tim Lebbon and Seán O'Connor in Dublin, followed by my second exclusive release, a new short story collection called Various States of Decay. So far, reviews have been extremely kind, and I'm truly humbled. The short story is a form I adore, I cut my teeth writing for magazines and anthologies. This collects everything post-Brain Dead Blues, as well as a handful of new exclusives.
So, that's where we're at. In 2020, so far the release schedule looks like this:
Lady Luck (the sequel to A Penny For Your Thoughts with Robert Ford) - July
Those Below The Tree House (a dark coming-of-age novel) - Late 2020
A Penny For Your Thoughts (limited lettered edition) first quarter 2020
The Lurker In The Basement (Short Story) via Death's Head Press
Cretins (Short Story) late 2020 for an untitled anthology
I doubt that'll be everything released in 2020 as projects pop up and get moved around, but that's where we're at so far. I hope you all had a great 2019, and can't thank you enough for taking the time to read my work. It truly means the world.
Matt
In January, my back catalog received hardcover re-releases via Poltergeist Press. Those included Brain Dead Blues, The Faithful, Practitioners, and What Do Monsters Fear? The latter also received a new mass market paperback and eBook release with a foreword by Edward Lee. Following that came the release of A Penny For Your Thoughts by Robert Ford and myself. The reaction was insane. I couldn't be more proud of that novel. I finished a new survival horror titled The Flood, and it's currently doing the rounds via my agent, Lane. Fingers crossed we get a bite in early 2020. I attended Scares That Care in Williamsburg, VA, had the pleasure of hanging out with my horror pack once again, ate some great food, drank a little too much, and returned home to knock out the sequel to A Penny For Your Thoughts with Bob Ford. We finished in early December, and are deep into the editing phase. Expect that to release next summer.
Another Ghost, a new imprint of Thunderstorm Books run by Poltergeist Press, announced their first two limited, lettered editions. Those included A Place For Sinners by Aaron Dries, and A Penny For Your Thoughts. Both titles sold out in under two hours, and are currently at the printers. They will be seriously stunning editions, all signed and leather bound, so if you're a collector, keep an eye out for future AG titles.
I rounded out the year with a reading with Tim Lebbon and Seán O'Connor in Dublin, followed by my second exclusive release, a new short story collection called Various States of Decay. So far, reviews have been extremely kind, and I'm truly humbled. The short story is a form I adore, I cut my teeth writing for magazines and anthologies. This collects everything post-Brain Dead Blues, as well as a handful of new exclusives.
So, that's where we're at. In 2020, so far the release schedule looks like this:
Lady Luck (the sequel to A Penny For Your Thoughts with Robert Ford) - July
Those Below The Tree House (a dark coming-of-age novel) - Late 2020
A Penny For Your Thoughts (limited lettered edition) first quarter 2020
The Lurker In The Basement (Short Story) via Death's Head Press
Cretins (Short Story) late 2020 for an untitled anthology
I doubt that'll be everything released in 2020 as projects pop up and get moved around, but that's where we're at so far. I hope you all had a great 2019, and can't thank you enough for taking the time to read my work. It truly means the world.
Matt
October 15, 2019
VARIOUS STATES OF DECAY - A NEW COLLECTION - 15 DECEMBER
Happy to announce my new collection, Various States of Decay, drops December 15th. Featuring 20 stories and a foreword by Kelli Owen, I can't wait for readers to get a hold of this. Read the synopsis:
FEATURING A FOREWORD BY KELLI OWEN, AUTHOR OF TEETH AND BLACK BUBBLES
From the Bram Stoker Award-nominated author of What Do Monsters Fear? and A Penny For Your Thoughts comes twenty new tales of terror!
Including the Irish Short Story of the Year-nominated Intercepting Aisle Nine
From a white doomsday crawling with abominable beasts to the bizarre case of a marketing company advertising within people’s dreams, these stories explore the extremes of Hayward’s prose—contrasting the heartfelt with the deeply disturbing.
These are.. VARIOUS STATES OF DECAY
FEATURING A FOREWORD BY KELLI OWEN, AUTHOR OF TEETH AND BLACK BUBBLES
From the Bram Stoker Award-nominated author of What Do Monsters Fear? and A Penny For Your Thoughts comes twenty new tales of terror!
Including the Irish Short Story of the Year-nominated Intercepting Aisle Nine
From a white doomsday crawling with abominable beasts to the bizarre case of a marketing company advertising within people’s dreams, these stories explore the extremes of Hayward’s prose—contrasting the heartfelt with the deeply disturbing.
These are.. VARIOUS STATES OF DECAY
August 19, 2019
NEW EDITION OF WHAT DO MONSTERS FEAR? AVAILABLE NOW
Poltergeist Press just released a brand new edition of What Do Monsters Fear?, now featuring the foreword by Edward Lee previously found in the limited edition from Thunderstorm Books.
This new edition is available as an eBook, trade hardcover, and mass market paperback. You can grab it right HERE. Paperbacks can also be ordered from bookstores worldwide.
This new edition is available as an eBook, trade hardcover, and mass market paperback. You can grab it right HERE. Paperbacks can also be ordered from bookstores worldwide.
July 23, 2019
FREEDOM OF SCREECH - EDITED BY CRAIG SPECTOR
Horror legend Craig Spector's new anthology Freedom of Screech released earlier this month, and contains my story Intercepting Aisle Nine. The tale could not have found a better home. It won me an Irish Short Story Of The Year nomination from Penguin Books / Sunday Business Post back in 2017, and this is the first time the story sees print. Now, if you're worried it gets political due to the anthology's title, don't be. I don't get political with my work. There's no agenda here. If anything, the story was inspired by Bill Hick's marketing joke. It's me riffing on the subject of invasion of privacy.
The anthology also includes absolute icons of the genre and newcomers alike. Here's a full list of authors: Chet Williamson, Elizabeth Massie, Matt Hayward, Jessica McHugh, Richard Christian Matheson, Jenny Orosel, Jack Ketchum, Georgia R. Buns, Tom Monteleone, Patricia Lee MacComber, David Niall Wilson, Robert Guffey, Joseph Mulak, Michael Picco, and Norman Spinrad.
I've always dreamed of having my name in print alongside Jack Ketchum, and though it may be posthumously, it's still an honor. A big thank you to Spector for having me onboard. You can grab the anthology in paperback or as an eBook from Crossroad Press right HERE.
Now, I have a few days before leaving for Scares That Care. Looking forward to seeing everyone on the road. Take care.
The anthology also includes absolute icons of the genre and newcomers alike. Here's a full list of authors: Chet Williamson, Elizabeth Massie, Matt Hayward, Jessica McHugh, Richard Christian Matheson, Jenny Orosel, Jack Ketchum, Georgia R. Buns, Tom Monteleone, Patricia Lee MacComber, David Niall Wilson, Robert Guffey, Joseph Mulak, Michael Picco, and Norman Spinrad.
I've always dreamed of having my name in print alongside Jack Ketchum, and though it may be posthumously, it's still an honor. A big thank you to Spector for having me onboard. You can grab the anthology in paperback or as an eBook from Crossroad Press right HERE.
Now, I have a few days before leaving for Scares That Care. Looking forward to seeing everyone on the road. Take care.
June 1, 2019
A PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS - OUT NOW
A Penny For Your Thoughts by myself and Robert Ford is officially out as a hardback, paperback, or as an eBook. You can buy it now right
HERE
. A massive thank you to everyone who read, reviewed, and just overall helped us promote this book. It's something different for both Bob and I, and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. To the readers, we really hope you enjoy this one. I'm off to celebrate by playing a show with my good buddy Dave Peyton tonight. Have a great weekend, and stay safe. 
May 24, 2019
SCARES THAT CARE PROGRAMMING
The author programming for STC is live. Besides signing all weekend, I'll be at:
Friday
6:15pm to 7:00pm – Matt Hayward and Patrick Lacey: Reading and Q&A
Sunday
3:00pm to 3:45pm – NEW BLOOD: The new generation of horror discuss the authors and books that inspired them. With Kenzie Jennings (moderator), Dan Padavona, Matt Hayward, Aaron Dries, Patrick Lacey, Wesley Southard, Dacia M. Arnold, John Boden, and Somer Canon.
See you there
Friday
6:15pm to 7:00pm – Matt Hayward and Patrick Lacey: Reading and Q&A
Sunday
3:00pm to 3:45pm – NEW BLOOD: The new generation of horror discuss the authors and books that inspired them. With Kenzie Jennings (moderator), Dan Padavona, Matt Hayward, Aaron Dries, Patrick Lacey, Wesley Southard, Dacia M. Arnold, John Boden, and Somer Canon.
See you there
May 17, 2019
WATCH ROBERT FORD READ A 'PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS'
If you've ever attended a horror convention and had the pleasure of watching Bob Ford read, you know he's one of the best in the business. I'm delighted to share this video of Bob reading the entire first chapter of A Penny For Your Thoughts. Coming 1st June from Poltergeist Press as a hardback, paperback, and eBook.
getbook.at/Penny
getbook.at/Penny
May 14, 2019
A PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS - COMING SOON
With just three weeks until the launch of A Penny For Your Thoughts, I wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone who took the time to review an ARC. Bob Ford and myself are extremely excited for readers to sink their teeth into this one. Coming 1st June via Poltergeist Press:
"...A Penny For Your Thoughts is a smooth, easy, engaging read, and if I had but one wish it’d be for more Ford and Hayward collaborations." - Michael Patrick Hicks, High Fever Books
"Incredible story. Well-written, great plot twists, and characters that make you want to dive into the pages to help them. Put this on top of your must-read list for 2019. It's THAT good." - Tim Meyer, author of Kill Hill Carnage and The Switch House
"Matt Hayward and Robert Ford blend together so beautifully, you'd think they'd been collaborating for years... and hope they do it again." - Kelli Owen, author of Six Days and Teeth
"...this book drew me in and made me laugh. Made me cry with happiness and sadness. Made my heart race with anxiety. And kept me guessing until the very end. This is a must read and is solidly in my top 10 books for 2019. You’re going to love it." - Tracy Robinson Reviews
"A Penny For You Thoughts gave me that Twilight Zone vibe. I love that feeling the reader gets when the writers are just "in the zone". This is a story which is humorous, dark, bittersweet, and despite its outlandish plot, it somehow manages to be completely believable."-- Frank Errington Reviews
"A PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS is a well-crafted tale. Every single story promise is paid off in spades. Every character shines. Every page pulls the reader deeper into Joe’s personal noir nightmare. The story contains hits of humor, which somehow make the emotional cuts even deeper. This new spin on the old adage “be careful what you wish for” is a wild and scary thrill ride." - Suz Jay Reviews
"While still being a completely modern story, this book has the vibe of a great mass-market horror novel from back in the day. A solid premise, great characters, and a twist into the supernatural that worked on every level—it was magical, it offered laughs, and then it was downright scary." - Ouija Doodle Reads
"...A Penny For Your Thoughts is a smooth, easy, engaging read, and if I had but one wish it’d be for more Ford and Hayward collaborations." - Michael Patrick Hicks, High Fever Books
"Incredible story. Well-written, great plot twists, and characters that make you want to dive into the pages to help them. Put this on top of your must-read list for 2019. It's THAT good." - Tim Meyer, author of Kill Hill Carnage and The Switch House
"Matt Hayward and Robert Ford blend together so beautifully, you'd think they'd been collaborating for years... and hope they do it again." - Kelli Owen, author of Six Days and Teeth
"...this book drew me in and made me laugh. Made me cry with happiness and sadness. Made my heart race with anxiety. And kept me guessing until the very end. This is a must read and is solidly in my top 10 books for 2019. You’re going to love it." - Tracy Robinson Reviews
"A Penny For You Thoughts gave me that Twilight Zone vibe. I love that feeling the reader gets when the writers are just "in the zone". This is a story which is humorous, dark, bittersweet, and despite its outlandish plot, it somehow manages to be completely believable."-- Frank Errington Reviews
"A PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS is a well-crafted tale. Every single story promise is paid off in spades. Every character shines. Every page pulls the reader deeper into Joe’s personal noir nightmare. The story contains hits of humor, which somehow make the emotional cuts even deeper. This new spin on the old adage “be careful what you wish for” is a wild and scary thrill ride." - Suz Jay Reviews
"While still being a completely modern story, this book has the vibe of a great mass-market horror novel from back in the day. A solid premise, great characters, and a twist into the supernatural that worked on every level—it was magical, it offered laughs, and then it was downright scary." - Ouija Doodle Reads
April 19, 2019
APRIL UPDATE
Pull up a seat and let's talk. I'm not one for doing these kinds of updates, anyone who knows me knows I keep my cards close to my chest, but I today I decided why not. What's the worst that could happen? I wanted to fill you in a little on what's been happening behind the scenes, because although you all probably see the upcoming novel on the 1st June, what you probably don't know is I had three (yes, three) books finished and ready to go since The Faithful. The first was a crime novel written for an agent back in November who was positive an Irish crime novel is what he wanted from me. It wasn't. The book was called The Devil Came Home, and I've since slapped duct-tape around its spine, strapped concrete blocks to its feet and dropped it from the highest peer. You'll most likely never read it. The second is a novel titled From Up Here which is currently doing the rounds at traditional publishing houses thanks to my incredible agent, Lane Heymont. This is a coming-of-age horror. It's visceral. It's got teeth. And I love it so. I hope you all have a chance to read it soon. Third is a new collection called Various States Of Decay. It collects most of my recent published short stories as well as a truck load of new ones. Some teasers are Things Found In Couches, Happiness Inc., The Mutt, and my "Irish Short Story of the Year"-nominated Intercepting Aisle Nine. By the time A Penny For Your Thoughts releases, I'll have finished another (I guess that makes it four), a survival horror based in Ireland titled The Flood. This will also be sent by carrier pigeon to the major publishers, where I hope it'll stay. I guess I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you, and give you a brief peek into the kitchen. Some things are on fire, yes, and some have burned completely, but I'll be serving up something tasty very soon. Stick around, and thanks for reading.
Matt
Matt
