Drew Hayes

Drew Hayes is an American author known for writing web serials and novels across multiple genres including urban fantasy, superhero fiction, and LitRPG. His work frequently incorporates elements of humor and features character-driven narratives within fantastical settings. Hayes gained initial recognition through his web serial "Super Powereds," which follows the lives of students with superhuman abilities at a special university program. The series was later published as novels and helped establish his presence in the independent publishing space. Notable works include the "Fred, the Vampire Accountant" series about an undead CPA navigating supernatural society, and "NPCs" which explores what happens when background characters in a fantasy role-playing setting become protagonists. He has also authored the "Spells, Swords, & Stealth" series and "Villains' Code" series. Hayes maintains a consistent publishing schedule through both traditional and self-publishing channels, with many of his works appearing first as serialized content before being collected into novel format. His background in tabletop gaming and improvisational comedy often influences his storytelling style and choice of subject matter.

Readers consistently highlight Hayes's humor and character development across his series. Many reviews note his ability to blend comedy with genuine emotional depth, particularly in the Super Powereds and Fred series. What readers liked: - Character growth and relationships over multiple books - Integration of humor without undermining serious moments - Detailed worldbuilding that expands logically - Consistent writing quality and release schedule - Fresh takes on familiar genres What readers disliked: - Some books considered too long with repetitive descriptions - Early editing issues in self-published works - Occasional pacing problems, especially in series openings - Similar character voices across different series Ratings: - Goodreads: Most books average 4.2-4.5 stars - Amazon: Typically 4.5+ stars with 1000+ reviews per book - Specific praise focuses on character arcs and humor - Common criticism mentions length and occasional editing Example review: "Hayes excels at making you care about characters who start as tropes but develop into complex individuals" - Amazon reviewer for NPCs

Super Powereds: Year 1 - College students with uncontrolled powers learn to become professional heroes while keeping their abilities secret from the general population.

Super Powereds: Year 2 - The second year of training continues as the students face harder challenges and uncover conspiracies within the hero certification program.

Super Powereds: Year 3 - The hero students enter their third year of training while dealing with mounting threats and personal revelations.

Super Powereds: Year 4 - The final year sees the remaining students preparing for their hero certification trials while confronting their greatest challenges.

Corpies - A former top-ranked hero takes a job training corporate-sponsored heroes while trying to rebuild his reputation.

NPCs - Four non-player characters in a fantasy world are forced to impersonate real adventurers after a tragic tavern incident.

Split the Party - The accidental adventurers continue their deception while exploring more of their world's mysteries.

Going Rogue - The fake adventurers face greater challenges as they delve deeper into their roles and encounter new threats.

Fred, the Vampire Accountant - An ordinary accountant turned vampire maintains his mundane lifestyle while dealing with supernatural events.

Undeath and Taxes - Fred continues his accounting practice while becoming more involved in paranormal affairs.

Bloody Acquisitions - Fred establishes his own firm and faces competition from both supernatural and mundane sources.

The Fangs of Freelance - Fred takes on new responsibilities in the supernatural community while maintaining his accounting practice.

Forging Hephaestus - A supervillain apprentice learns the craft of making devices for other villains under the guidance of a veteran.

Second Hand Curses - Three professional fairy tale problem solvers take jobs resolving magical situations in their own unconventional way.

Pears and Perils - A young man discovers he can travel between worlds through the use of enchanted fruit.

Jim Butcher writes urban fantasy featuring wise-cracking protagonists who grow in power while facing supernatural threats. His Dresden Files series shares Hayes' combination of humor and action-packed plot progression.

John Scalzi employs first-person narration with similar conversational tone and self-aware humor found in Hayes' works. His stories often feature underdogs who navigate complex systems while maintaining their wit.

A. Lee Martinez creates fantasy narratives with regular people thrust into supernatural situations. His books contain the same blend of comedy and genre elements that Hayes utilizes.

Lindsay Buroker writes series focusing on character development through multiple books while mixing action and humor. Her works feature similar power progression and relationship dynamics to Hayes' stories.

William D. Arand produces fantasy and LitRPG novels with protagonists who build their abilities and teams over time. His writing incorporates the same gradual character advancement and group dynamics present in Hayes' works.