Hayden Casey's Blog

These past couple weeks, two of the coolest things in the history of my writing “career” happened: we revealed the cover of my first novel, A Harvest of Furies; and my first galleys arrived!

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For those of you who are unfamiliar, galleys (aka “ARCs” [short for “advance reader copies”]) are uncorrected proof copies of a book printed in advance of publication, to send to trade reviewers/booksellers/librarians/bloggers/etc. They’ve usually got a little sticker-ish graphic on the front that says “ADVANCE READING COPY – NOT FOR SALE” or something of the like, along with the publication date.

Back in middle school & high school, I used to write YA book reviews, and I always coveted ARCs whenever I happened across them—it meant a publisher thought I was cool enough to get a sneak peek. I dreamed, as a kid, of having ARCs of my own books, and it’s cool as hell to see that dream take shape over a decade later.

Some photos, because they’re so fucking pretty (shoutout Kimberly Glyder for the cover design and Hadley Hendrix for the interior design):

the front cover in all its glory! the back cover, with my ugly mug & cool marketing stuff! a stack (u know u want one…)

The book is also up for preorder: it’s available pretty much everywhere, including the publisher’s website (best choice!), Bookshop.org (which helps support local independent bookstores), Barnes & Noble, and, of course, Amazon. I’d greatly appreciate a pre-order if you’re able—they do a lot for the lifespan of the book!

It comes out October 14, just in time for spooky season. Genuinely can’t wait for this beast to be out in the world; it’s one of my favorite things I’ve ever worked on. It’s strange, it’s playful, and it’s got a big heart—I can’t wait to hear what people think!

Bug ya later—
H

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Hello, family & friends, Romans & countrymen, lovers & haters—

We are right around the corner from the official release date of my first book, Show Me Where the Hurt Is. It has been so wonderful & wild to see the pre-orders (which, side note, if you pre-ordered: thank you again!) arriving in people’s houses, to see my book—my book!—on people’s coffee tables and kitchen counters and bookshelves. Old friends, new friends, red friends, blue friends picking up copies—so many kindnesses I’m so grateful for.

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At the AWP conference in LA last month, I got to see the book for sale on a table for the first time:

I also got to do my first book signing!!:

I had a $9 Diet Coke (fucking LA) and a Muji pen on its last legs and I was on top of the world.

Looking forward now: I’ve got some events on the ol’ calendar and I thought I’d blast ‘em one more time now that I have some more deets! Two are accessible to anyone in the whole world, and one of them is for AZ folks.

Apr. 22: Split/Lip Press virtual book launch w/ Tucker Leighty-Phillips

My pal Tucker will join me on the evening of the book’s release for a launch party slash celebration!! Come listen to some stories & a deeply erudite Q&A! You can register for the Zoom here.

Apr. 28: Piper Writers House in-person book launch w/ Winslow Schmelling

On Monday, April 28 at 5:30pm, my pal Winslow will join me in person at the Virginia G. Piper Writers House (on ASU’s campus) for a discussion and Q&A! Rumor has it I may even perform some of the songs on the album I wrote to accompany the story collection—time will tell…

May 1: Writers Center Virtual Craft Chat w/ Zach Powers

On May 1, I’ll join Zach Powers for a chat about the story collection! Registration is free here. Come join us!

—

OK—I think that’s it in terms of events and things! Very, very ready for summer—right around the corner. But it’s been a fun whirlwind of a spring.

Till next time—
H

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Well, today is the day I can finally stop saying “I really should set up a newsletter”! People* have been asking for a something like this for a while now, and it’s here. The big ol’ subscribe button is below:

Subscribe now

Allow me to introduce you to my Substack. Substack, reader, reader, Substack. How do you do. This first post will go down in two sections: first, a rundown of how I plan to use this newsletter going forward; and second, a catch-up on all the recent news!

*(not that many, maybe three or four)

The rundown

My plan for this newsletter is to drop a post in your inbox any time something big happens in my artistic life: book news, cover reveals, the like. I don’t want to flood your inbox—if it’s anything like mine, it’s already near-bursting—so I won’t send a newsletter any more than once per month. (Maaaybe twice if it’s a huge month. But no more than that!)

The catch-up

It’s been a big year—here are some of my recent happenings:

Item #1: My first book is coming out next month!

Last year, I sold my short story collection, Show Me Where the Hurt Is, to the amazing folks at Split/Lip Press. Its release date—April 22—is coming up fast!

my gorgeous firstborn

The book is up for preorder at the publisher’s website (and, for international folks, it’s cheapest to order from Asterism). Preorders are super helpful, and they’ve already begun shipping out, so if you preorder now, you’ll get it way early!

Item #2: Launch events are happening!

Events for the book’s release are being scheduled as well:

First up is a virtual launch on the day of the book’s release, April 22, with the folks at Split/Lip Press and with my MFA pal and Split/Lip press-mate Tucker Leighty-Phillips. There isn’t a link for that yet, but there will be soon!

Next up, for Phoenix folks, is an in-person launch event on April 28 at the Virginia G. Piper Writers House on ASU’s campus. More details about that coming soon!

Third up, on May 1 at 4pm PST, is a Virtual Craft Chat on Fiction at the Writer’s Center, where I’ll chat with Zach Powers. You can register in advance—come hang!

Item #3: My second book is coming out in October!

Last year, I also sold my debut novel to Lanternfish Press! It’s called A Harvest of Furies, and it’s coming out on October 14. More info about that is coming soon—preorder, cover, etc.—but for now, there’s some plot info about it here, if you want some deets.

Item #4: Another novel of mine was shortlisted for a book prize!

My novel, Tracing the Shadow, made the shortlist for the Dzanc Books Prize for Fiction. While this doesn’t mean publication, I’m hoping it’s a sign this book has a chance to find a home someday!

Whew, OK, I think that covers it for now. Subscribe to get more news down the line!

Bug ya later—

H

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Today, I'm thrilled to announce that my debut novel, A Harvest of Furies, is forthcoming from Lanternfish Press on Oct. 14, 2025! Just in time for spooky season...



It doesn't have a Goodreads page quite yet, but it will shortly! More soon—

H

An unbelievable thing—my first book is available for preorder, and has a Goodreads page! I've dreamed of this moment since before I made my account in 2009. At the time, I was working on a book about a teenage boy in a mental institution—thankfully, this is not that book. Though I did recently dig up the document and have a good laugh at my young... uh... "brilliance."

It's a short story collection, called Show Me Where the Hurt Is. I'd be honored if you'd add it to your to-read lists. The book is available for pre-order here, if you're so inclined.

Happy Goodreadsing!