Start here / A reader's way in

Start with the story.

New to We Ruined Ourselves? Begin the draft, learn how versions work, then explore the notebook.

I'm writing my first novel, We Ruined Ourselves. It's a family story set in Alderbourne, a city built by corporations. There are already 25 chapters; this isn't a project starting from a blank page.

Read the novel

Start with Chapter One, or find your place in the chapter index. Read Chapters 1–25, each in its first edition: v1.

These are working drafts, not a finished book. They contain strong language, coercion and family violence.

What changes, and what stays

New chapters will start at v1. When an existing chapter gets a public revision, its version will advance independently to v2, v3 and so on. Its address will stay the same, with the current version shown on the page and in the index. Private edits won't silently replace the edition readers have seen.

Later revisions will have their own dates and short change notes. Each chapter page shows the current edition; earlier versions aren't available to browse.

Follow the making of it

The writing notebook is separate from the novel's reading order. It has an introduction, opening-chapter notes on Alderbourne and the Ashworths, and a short excerpt. Notes that discuss story details carry a reading boundary or spoiler warning.

X / @hexakin is the place for conversation and shorter updates. This website is the reading home. New chapters will follow as they're ready, rather than on a promised weekly schedule.

The working premise

A family story set in Alderbourne, a city built by corporations. The Ashworths have plenty to keep from the people they love.

A few places to begin

  1. 01Start with Chapter OneBegin We Ruined Ourselves. Working draft · v1.
  2. 02Find your chapterAll 25 chapters in reading order, with current versions.
  3. 03Explore the writing notebookProject context, characters and world details—not the novel’s reading order.

Join the conversation on X / @hexakin ↗, or leave your email below.

Read each chapter the day it lands.

New chapters and notes from the notebook, by email. Free, and you can unsubscribe any time.