Picture a British storyteller who turned a night shift at a supermarket into the pulse-pounding zombie saga The Undead—meet RR Haywood! With a knack for gritty horror and a cult following, this self-published author has spun over 40 books, selling nearly four million copies worldwide. From zombies to time travel, Haywood’s tales are a wild ride through human grit and humor.
Haywood’s journey from police officer to bestselling author is as thrilling as his stories. His unique blend of real-world experience and raw creativity has made him a standout in speculative fiction, proving you don’t need a traditional publisher to conquer the literary world.
The Making of RR Haywood
Born on May 17, 1975, in Birmingham, England, Richard Haywood—pen name RR Haywood—found solace in books during a self-described 'disjointed childhood.' Moving to the Isle of Wight at eight, he devoured stories, fueling his imagination. Before writing, Haywood served as a policeman with Hampshire Police from 1998, becoming the island’s top arresting officer with 150 arrests a year. In 2012, inspired by a self-published novel, he penned The Undead Day One, launching his career while still patrolling. By 2017, his success let him retire to write full-time, dogs and tattoos in tow.
RR Haywood’s Unforgettable Stories
Haywood’s flagship series, The Undead, spans over 25 books, following Howie, a supermarket night manager, through a zombie apocalypse. Starting with The Undead Day One (2012), the series blends visceral horror with British humor, earning praise for its evolving infection and deep character bonds. Fans laud its 'laugh-out-loud' moments and epic battles, with over 600 top reviews. Haywood’s style—gritty realism, sharp dialogue, and absurd humor—shines through.
Beyond zombies, Haywood’s versatility sparkles in the Extracted trilogy, a time-travel saga that hit Washington Post and Wall Street Journal bestseller lists. His sci-fi trilogy DELIO, with DELIO. Phase One winning the 2023 Discover Sci-Fi Readers’ Choice Award, explores dystopian futures. Fiction Land (2023), a satirical action-adventure narrated by Game of Thrones star Gethin Anthony, showcases his comedic flair. Each work weaves complex characters and societal reflections, making every page a thrill.
Why RR Haywood Matters
RR Haywood’s impact lies in his defiance of publishing norms. Self-publishing under his 1899 Inc imprint, he connects directly with readers, proving indie authors can rival mainstream giants. His stories resonate globally, blending horror, humor, and humanity to reflect our world’s beauty and brutality. With nearly 40 Kindle bestsellers, Haywood inspires aspiring writers to skip creative writing courses and just read widely—1,000 books, he says, before penning one.
His dedicated fanbase, from Reddit threads to Amazon reviews, calls The Undead 'the best zombie series by far,' cementing his cult status. Haywood’s work, ripe for a Netflix adaptation, continues to push boundaries, with new releases like the 2025 mystery Murder Crime on Gallymay on the horizon.
- Born: May 17, 1975, Birmingham, England
- Key Works: The Undead, Extracted, DELIO, Fiction Land
- Awards: Discover Sci-Fi 2023 Readers’ Choice Award (DELIO. Phase One)
- Fun Fact: Lives with four dogs on the Isle of Wight
Snag The Undead Day One and dive into RR Haywood’s thrilling zombie apocalypse! Whether you’re a horror buff or a sci-fi fan, his worlds will keep you hooked.