For 35 years, I have been a quiet architect of words, crafting stories, poetry, and songs that echo the pulse of human emotion. Writing has never been a mere pastime; it has been a relentless pursuit, a calling that transcends time and trends. Spanning decades, these works lingered in the shadows, private treasures waiting for the right moment to step into the light. That moment arrived just over one year ago when the desire to illuminate modern leadership practices sparked a bold transformation.

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     Through the release of two powerful non-fiction books, I have emerged as a voice of clarity and inspiration in the leadership space, blending profound insights with artful prose. This wasn’t just a leap into publishing; it was the culmination of a lifetime’s devotion to storytelling, finally shared with the world. But the journey didn’t stop there. Determined to chart an independent path, I founded Short Beard Publishing, a haven for creativity where stories are not only written but thrive.

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     Under the banner of Short Beard Publishing, I have created a platform that honors the freedom of the indie spirit while elevating the craft of storytelling. This is where poetry meets leadership, where songs become chronicles, and where books transform into bridges connecting author and reader. It is a living testament to the belief that words when given the right stage, can shape not just minds but lives.

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     Now fully immersed in the art, I have begun to turn the page to a thrilling new chapter: fiction. A two-book romantic thriller is underway, promising to weave suspense and desire into a tapestry of unforgettable storytelling. This project marks a new frontier, where the lessons of a lifetime meet the boundless possibilities of the imagination. Each page is a declaration. A reminder that storytelling is as much about discovery as it is about creation.

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     I am not defined by genres but by the themes that give writing its power: resilience, connection, leadership, and the unyielding human spirit. From unpublished poetry to leadership guides, from songs to novels, every word carries the weight of experience and the spark of artistry. My work is to embark on a journey, not just through the narrative but into the soul of an author who has lived, dreamed, and written with unrelenting passion.

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     Discover the stories that have been waiting to be told at shortbeardpublishing.com, where I don't just write words on the page, but dare to inspire, challenge, and transform with every word. Originally from Michigan, I now reside in North Carolina where it tends to be a bit warmer throughout the year. If I could give back anything to young writers, artists, and aspiring professionals it would be through these words:

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     "If I could rewrite the chapters of my life, I would erase the years spent caged by doubt and muted by the fear of failure. I would not have waited until my late 40s to ignite the fire of my passions, allowing the weight of others' opinions to dim my light. The tragedy was not in failure... it was in the silence, in the moments when I let hesitation drown the voice yearning to create. If I could go back, I would tell my younger self this: success is not measured by the world’s approval but by the courage to begin, to create, to live boldly in the pursuit of your purpose. Yet, even now, I am grateful, for while I cannot reclaim lost time, I can honor it by making every moment from here unforgettable, unshackled, and unapologetically mine."

 

     I will leave you with one final thought. I do not write to escape life but to confront it, to distill its beauty and chaos into forms that linger long after the page is turned. If my words haunt you, move you, or make you question, then I have succeeded.

 

Best wishes to all who aspire to achieve their dreams.

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-Matthew Haylett