Jon Cronshaw's Author Diary - The Real Life of an Indie Author | Writing | Publishing | Disability

This week I hit the 60,000-word mark on Reign of Daggers (Dawn of Assassins, Book 4), and the story’s continuing to build momentum as I head toward the final stretch.I also talk about the end of the Knowledge Fight podcast and my love of conspiracy debunking/deconstruction shows, including Some Dare Call it Conspiracy, Conspirituality, and QAA. There’s something fascinating about pulling apart modern myths and misinformation.On the viewing front, I’ve started watching the classic 1980s Poirot series, which I’m really enjoying, and revisited an early 1961 David Attenborough documentary on Madagascar. I love the slow pace and calm tone of those older documentaries.Outside of writing, I reached 6k running, which feels like another solid milestone. I’ve also been reading Heir to Atlantis by Chris Fox, an archaeological thriller drawing inspiration from pseudo-history, which has been a fun read so far.

This week I passed the midpoint of Dawn of Assassins Book 4 and officially reveal the working title for the project. It’s been great getting back into this world after such a long break away from the series.I also received The Prince and the Fool back from my editor, so that’s now moving into the next stage of the publishing process.Outside of writing, I’ve continued with my running and managed 5.8k without stopping, which felt like a huge milestone. I also took part in a tandem cycling taster session, which was a lot of fun and something I’d love to do more of.

This week I’ve returned to Dawn of Assassins after a few years away and made solid progress on the draft. It’s been great getting back into that world and finding the story again.I also share my thoughts on a disappointing WrestleMania, particularly from a storytelling perspective.On the publishing side, Ravenglass Legends Books 1–3 are launching this Monday, and The Prince and the Fool is currently with my editor. Lots happening behind the scenes!

This week I’ve finished the draft of Four of Swords, which feels like a great milestone as I continue The Ravenglass Chronicles.I’ve also started reading The Wandering Inn and I’m really enjoying it so far—huge world, compelling characters, and a very different pacing to what I usually read.I also share some thoughts on the build-up to WrestleMania, which, from a storytelling perspective, has felt a bit off—more corporate than compelling.Finally, I’ve been taking another look at my Dawn of Assassins series, and considering whether it’s time to return and work on Book 4.

This week I’m finally feeling better after a month of illness, which means a welcome return to proper momentum. I’ve been working on Four of Swords and also going back over my progress on Guild of Assassins Book 4, getting a clearer sense of where that story is heading.I also went to see the film adaptation of Project Hail Mary, which I thoroughly enjoyed. It’s well worth a watch if you liked the book.A much more positive and productive week all round.

This week I’ve continued working through edits on Churchill’s Dragons and Four of Swords, keeping the momentum going across both projects.On the reading front, I finished Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir, which I thought was excellent—a brilliant mix of science, tension, and heart.I also talk about my dark domestic fantasy project, Until the Wyvern Spoke, and share that I’ll be starting to post Silent Watcher on Patreon from Monday. Lots of new content on the way!

I’m still not feeling 100%, so it’s been another editing-focused week. I’ve now finished editing RAF Dragon Corps Book 1 and moved straight on to Book 2, keeping things ticking along despite the illness.Big news this week: Final Flight—the finale of The Ravenglass Throne—is now live on Kindle! A huge milestone bringing the series to its conclusion.On the reading front, I’ve just finished This Inevitable Ruin (Dungeon Crawler Carl, Book 7), which I thoroughly enjoyed—a brilliant, chaotic end to the arc.

The illness is still hanging around, so it’s been another editing-focused week. I’ve now finished my edits for The Prince and the Fool and sent it off for a professional edit.I’ve also been revisiting Dragon Squadron (RAF Dragon Corps, Book 1), going through the manuscript and tightening things up.On the creative side, I’ve written a short piece of music to accompany Until the Wyvern Spoke, which was a fun change of pace.I also share some storytelling lessons from Dungeon Crawler Carl—what’s working, what keeps readers hooked, and what I’m taking into my own writing.Grab yourself a cuppa—this one’s a bit longer than usual.

I’m still feeling under the weather this week, so instead of drafting I’ve been focusing on editing. I’ve been working through ** The Prince and the Fool (Ravenglass Legends, Book 4)** to prepare the manuscript for a professional edit next month.I’m now around 70,000 words into the edit, so if all goes well I should have the manuscript finished early next week.On the reading front, I’ve moved onto the sixth Dungeon Crawler Carl book. I absolutely loved book five, but so far this one isn’t quite grabbing me in the same way.

This week’s been a quieter one as I’ve been under the weather with a spring virus. Even so, I’ve been working through the edits for The Silent Watcher, making progress on polishing the manuscript.I’ve also been doing some reading and picked up Don’t Let Him In by Lisa Jewell, which was a gripping psychological thriller.Not the most energetic week, but still moving things forward behind the scenes.

This week I’ve started work on Four of Swords as I continue with The Ravenglass Chronicles. It’s always exciting to begin a new instalment and see where the story leads next.I’ve also begun re-watching The Good Place with my son, which has been a lot of fun revisiting together.On the reading front, I talk about flagging a little with Dungeon Crawler Carl—still enjoyable, but I may take a short break before continuing. I’ve also been developing a new psychological thriller, inspired by one of my short stories from Influenced, and exploring where that idea might lead.

This week I completed my final edits of The Silent Watcher and have now sent it off for a professional edit. I’ve also received the cover, and I’m looking forward to starting to post chapters on Patreon from March 2.Outside of writing, I went to see Deftones in Manchester—an excellent gig with a set leaning more into their shoegaze/epic rock side, which was perfect for me.On the reading front, I’m now onto the third Dungeon Crawler Carl book and still thoroughly enjoying its wacky, grimdark world.

This week, I wrapped up Three of Swords (The Ravenglass Chronicles, Part 24)and moved straight onto writing a few chapters of Guild of Assassins Book 4.It’s been great shifting gears between projects while keeping the momentum going.On the reading front, I’ve jumped into the second Dungeon Crawler Carl book, and I’m thoroughly enjoying the ride so far. Safe to say, the series has me hooked.A productive week all round—on the page and off it.________________________________________Meta-description (240 characters):Finished Three of Swords, made progress on Guild of Assassins Book 4, and started the second Dungeon Crawler Carl. A busy and productive week of writing and reading.

This week I’ve been making strong progress on Three of Swords (The Ravenglass Chronicles, Part 24), reaching around 60% of the draft. It’s always a great feeling when a story starts accelerating towards the final stretch.I’ve also been reading Dungeon Crawler Carl, which I’m enjoying immensely—fast, funny, and brilliantly inventive.On a personal note, I’ve started the Couch to 5K running programme. As someone who is legally blind, this is a new challenge, but my wife has trained as a sighted guide, so we’re tackling it together. It’s early days, but I’m excited to see where the journey leads.

This week I finished writing Two of Swords and started work on Three of Swords, continuing my return to The Ravenglass Chronicles. I also enjoyed reading Dark Matter by Blake Crouch. In exciting news, The Ravenglass Throne: Parts 5–8 boxed set is out today on Kindle and paperback. And if you’ve not started the series yet, Parts 1–4 is free on Kindle until February 1.

This week I’ve nearly finished Two of Swords, with just three chapters left to draft. I also share my thoughts on using Meta’s smart glasses and how they’re proving surprisingly useful for someone like me with a visual impairment.

This week I reveal my long-hinted secret project—I'm back writing The Ravenglass Chronicles! The first two chapters of Ace of Swords is now live on Patreon, and I'm deep into Two of Swords. I also tried out Meta’s Smart Glasses, a game-changer for accessibility, and share my thoughts on the Stranger Things finale.Visit: patreon.com/joncronshawauthor

This week I’m back to writing after the Christmas break. I'm working on Guild of Assassins Book 4 and the third Ravenglass Guardians novel, this time focusing on the Seekers faction.On Patreon, I'm letting readers decide what gets posted next—options include:– Guild of Assassins 4– The Silent Watcher– The Sentinel’s Mercy– A wacky side-projectI also talk about upcoming January releases, including:– Broken Wings (Ravenglass Throne: Part 11) – January 19– The Ravenglass Throne: Parts 5–8 Boxed Set – January 30– The Ravenglass Throne: Parts 1–4 audiobook now live on AudibleJoin the community on Patreon at ⁠patreon.com/joncronshawauthor⁠

It’s a brand new year, and in this week’s Author Diary I share my plans for 2026. Over the Christmas break, I wrote several short stories, including a new Soren tale set in the Guild of Assassins universe, now live on Patreon.I’m currently on Chapter 7 of Guild of Assassins Book 4, and looking ahead to the spring launch of The Prince and the Fool. I’ll also be wrapping up The Ravenglass Throne releases this year—with Book 1’s audiobook now live on Audible!Other updates include:– RAF Dragon Corps will remain a Patreon-exclusive for now– Ravenglass Guardians series continues—two books finished, third underway– Boxed sets coming in 2026 for:– Punks Versus Zombies– The Ravenglass Throne– Ravenglass Legends (Books 1–3)– Guild of Assassins (Books 1–3)My release schedule for retail will depend on fitting around my wife’s editing availability, as she’s kindly squeezing me in between her paid clients.Visit: patreon.com/joncronshawauthor

In this special year-end episode, I take a look back at 2025, reflecting on the high points, challenges, and key milestones in my author career.I walk through the year month by month, revisiting the projects I launched, the goals I met (and missed), and everything I’ve learned along the way.Thank you for being part of the journey—wishing you all the best for an exciting and creative 2026!

This week, I wrote a new Soren short story set in the Guild of Assassins universe, exclusively for Patreon supporters. It’s always great to return to Soren’s world and explore new corners of the guild.I also talk about struggling with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), and how I’m starting to wind down for the Christmas break to rest and reset before the new year.Visit: patreon.com/joncronshawauthor.

This week, I completed the final check of Churchill’s Dragons (RAF Dragon Corps, Book 2), which means it’s now officially ready for the editor. It’s always a great feeling getting a book to that stage.I also finished my post-edit checks on The Ravenglass Throne Books 11 and 12, bringing me one step closer to wrapping up that epic series.For reading, I’ve been immersed in Educated by Tara Westover—a gripping and powerful memoir that I’d highly recommend. It’s a deeply personal and thought-provoking story about resilience, identity, and the power of learning.

This week, I’ve been hard at work on the final edits for Churchill’s Dragons (RAF Dragon Corps, Book 2)—I’m about halfway through and pleased with how it’s shaping up.I’ve also been writing a few short stories, including a wacky progression fantasy that’s been a real blast to put together. Sometimes it’s fun to let loose and experiment a little.For reading, I’ve been deep into Entitled: The Fall of the House of York—a fascinating exposé on the Prince formerly known as Andrew and his ex-wife. It’s a grim but revealing look at corruption and privilege in British high society.

This week, I’ve been bravely battling man flu (the most fearsome of ailments), but still managed to finish my draft of Churchill’s Dragons (RAF Dragon Corps, Book 2)! Next step: a final polish before I start posting the unposted chapters on Patreon.The Punk’s Not Dead audiobook (Book 3 in the Punks Versus Zombies trilogy) is now live on Audible, and Ken has done an amazing job with the narration.I’ve also been reviewing the audiobook for The Ravenglass Throne Parts 1–4—I’m about halfway through and really happy with how it’s sounding so far.I’m hoping to have it live on Audible before Christmas.

This week, I’ve been making great progress on Churchill’s Dragons (RAF Dragon Corps, Book 2)—I’m just two chapters from finishing the draft!I also had a lovely visit from my mum and her new partner, which gave me a nice break from the writing cave.In downtime, I’ve been reading Garth Marenghi (gloriously ridiculous) and getting ready to see the brilliantly weird band HENGE this weekend—should be quite the experience.

This week’s been tough—I’ve been struggling with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which has made writing harder than usual. Still, I’ve kept pushing forward with Churchill’s Dragons (RAF Dragon Corps, Book 2), and I’m now at around 50,000 words into the draft.To switch off, I finally finished watching House of Cards on Netflix… and honestly, it didn’t quite land for me. So I decided to dig out the DVD player and introduce my son to some classic films, starting with Brewster’s Millions. A much-needed hit of nostalgia.Visit: patreon.com/joncronshawauthor to start reading RAF Dragon Corps.

This week, I reached the midpoint of Churchill’s Dragons (RAF Dragon Corps, Book 2) and have started posting editor-ready chapters on Patreon for early access readers. The story’s coming together well, and it’s exciting to share it as it develops.I also talk about the upcoming release of Rising Storm (The Ravenglass Throne, Part Eight), which is out this Monday! If you’ve been following the series, be ready—things are about to escalate.

This week, I passed the 24,000-word mark on my current work-in-progress, Churchill’s Dragons (RAF Dragon Corps, Book 2). The story’s really taking shape, and I’m enjoying building on the world established in Book 1.I also received the completed audiobook for Punk’s Not Dead and will be doing my final listen-through before it’s ready to go live.On a personal note, I’ve Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) creeping in, so I took a few days off. I booked a short AirBnB break with my wife and son to rest, reset, and recharge. Sometimes, rest is the work.

This week, I’ve been getting back into fantasy, and it feels great to return to the worlds I love. I received Part 10 of The Ravenglass Throne back from my editor and spent time going through the edits. I also completed final edits on Part 11, getting it ready to send off.Alongside that, I’ve been getting back into RAF Dragon Corps Book 2—revisiting the outline, characters, and worldbuilding as I prepare to continue the series. It’s been a productive week and a satisfying return to epic and military fantasy!

This week’s been a bit of a struggle—I talk about feeling off and wondering if Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) has kicked in earlier than usual. It usually hits me in November, but with autumn feeling like it arrived early, the dip may have too.Creatively, I’ve been working on thriller projects and thinking ahead to my next fantasy book. I’m torn between starting Ravenglass Guardians Book 3 or working on RAF Dragon Corps Book 2—both exciting in their own ways.I also share what’s coming up soon on Patreon, with exclusive content and early chapters for supporters.

This week marks eight years since I started this podcast—back in October 2017, I recorded the first episode, and here we are in 2025, still going strong!I reflect on the lessons I’ve learned about author branding, especially as I launch my new pen-name, J. Cronshaw, focused entirely on domestic psychological thrillers. Narrowing the audience has made everything—from messaging to marketing—so much easier.Branding has always been a challenge for me. I’ve wrestled with how to define what I do when my books range from dark fantasy to wacky steampunk to near-future sci-fi. Maybe I should have embraced pen-names earlier… but then again, setting up a new website, newsletter, and socials has been a lot of work.

This week, I’ve made the decision to close my paid Substack and focus fully on Patreon as the central hub for my writing, early releases, and community. It feels like the right move to streamline things and better serve my readers.On the writing front, I’ve continued working on my psychological thrillers, while also reviewing the audiobook editions of The Ravenglass Throne and Undead Anarchy (Punks Versus Zombies, Book 2).Lots going on behind the scenes as I keep building stories across genres!

This week, I’ve been juggling projects—working on my psychological thrillers while doing final checks on the first two Ravenglass Guardians novels. I’m also getting ready for the upcoming launch of Divided Crown (The Ravenglass Throne, Book 7), and exploring the idea of putting together Kindle boxed sets for other series.On a less exciting note, I talk about my disappointment with the Punks Versus Zombies launch, which didn’t land as well as I’d hoped.Outside of writing, I saw Spinal Tap 2 (yes, it goes to eleven), and reflect on the fact that my son’s about to turn 13—where does the time go?

This week’s been packed with releases and reader questions! I launched The Ravenglass Throne: Parts 1–4 as a boxed set, available now in ebook and paperback formats.The Punks Versus Zombies audiobook is now live, as is the Trial of Thieves audiobook (Dawn of Assassins, Book 2)—great news if you’re an audio listener!I also took time to answer questions from readers about my writing process and worldbuilding techniques.

This week, I’m happy to share that I’ve finished the draft of The Sentinel’s Mercy, the latest standalone in my Ravenglass Guardians series. With that wrapped up, I’ve shifted gears and started writing a psychological thriller under a new pen name—an exciting side project that’s been on my mind for a while.I also talk about something more personal: I’ve received the official retirement date for my guide dog, Digit. It’s a big emotional moment, and one that marks the end of an important chapter.

foreshadow cellarThis week, I took a research trip to Lytham to scout locations for a future psychological thriller. I’ve got two domestic thrillers planned and will be writing them as side projects under a new pen-name to keep them separate from my fantasy work.On the fantasy side, I made solid progress on The Sentinel’s Mercy (Ravenglass Guardians). I’ve now reached 75% of the draft and hope to finish it next week.Also—though I forgot to mention it in the video—both the Punks Versus Zombies trilogy and Dark Gambit (Ravenglass Throne: Part Six) are now live on Amazon!Visit: joncronshaw.com to find out more.

This week, I’ve been recovering and feeling much better—just in time to reach the midpoint of The Sentinel’s Mercy, my latest Ravenglass Guardians novel. The story’s hitting its stride, and I’m excited with how it’s coming together.I’ve also been hard at work preparing for the launch of the Punks Versus Zombies trilogy, which goes live this weekend on August 31! Can’t wait to get this wild post-apocalyptic ride into readers' hands.

This week’s been a bit rough—I’ve been dealing with a throat infection that had me in bed for a few days. Despite that, I made good progress on The Sentinel’s Mercy (Ravenglass Guardians, Book 2), reaching eight chapters out of a planned 24.I’ve also finished my final readthrough of The Silent Watcher (Book 1 in the same series). Though I’m calling them Books 1 and 2 for now, the Ravenglass Guardians series will be seven standalone novels, so their final order may shift.Meanwhile, I’m gearing up for the launch of Punks Versus Zombies on August 31—just a few weeks to go!

This week, I took a mini-break to Chester, enjoying peaceful walks in Delamere Forest, the stunning Chester Cathedral, and strolling the historic city walls—a great way to reset.Creatively, I’ve been working on Hunters, my wacky Space Western originally written as a Patreon side project. I’m now rewriting it as a nautical fantasy set in the Ravenglass Universe, and it’s been a fun challenge adapting the tone and setting while keeping the spirit of the original.I also reflect on my prolific writing strategy—following my energy and excitement rather than rigid plans, which keeps things creatively fulfilling.Elsewhere, Trial of Thieves has now been submitted to ACX, so the Audible edition should be available soon. And my interview with the British Fantasy Society just went live—check it out at britishfantasysociety.org/meet-jon-cronshaw/

It’s been a busy week! I’ve been reviewing alpha reader feedback for The Silent Watcher and checking through the audiobook edition of Trial of Thieves (Dawn of Assassins, Book 2).The paperbacks for the Punks Versus Zombies trilogy are now ready, and audiobook production is underway. I’m also thrilled to have Emmy Coates back to narrate The Ravenglass Throne—she was brilliant on The Ravenglass Chronicles, so it’s great to have her voice returning to the Ravenglass Universe.Plus, I’ve put the Ravenglass Throne Boxed Set (Books 1–4) up for pre-order ahead of its September 15 release.To find out more about Jon, visit joncronshaw.com/books

This week, I finished my draft of The Silent Watcher—the first completed novel in my Ravenglass Guardians series—and sent it to alpha readers for early feedback. I’ve also begun the next standalone in the series, centred on the Sentinel faction. While The Silent Watcher is a slow-burn psychological thriller, the Sentinel novel is shaping up to be a gritty military fantasy—both firmly in nobledark territory. On a personal note, my son is off to Denmark to compete in the Youth Games for karate.

This week, I’ve made solid progress on my Watcher story in the Ravenglass Guardians series, hitting the 75% mark in my draft. If everything continues smoothly, I should have a complete draft by the end of next week.I’ve also been outlining the next standalone novel, which will follow a character from the Guardians’ Sentinel faction. Each book in this series will explore a different path of the Guardians, with all seven forming a powerful nobledark saga.Find out more about my work at joncronshaw.com.

This week, I hit the mid-point in drafting my first Ravenglass Guardians novel, focusing on the Watchers faction. It’s a nobledark fantasy with strong political thriller elements.Since each of the seven planned books will be standalone, this may not be the first released—but my goal is to write the full series before launching it on Patreon.I’m aiming for 60k-word novels (like my Guild of Assassins books), which allows me to draft a solid book in about four weeks, writing 3,000 words per weekday—a pace I’ve kept up for years. It’s a challenge, but one I’m excited to push through!Visit: joncronshaw.com/books

This week, I’ve dived into my new series set in the Ravenglass Universe, focusing on the Guardians—a seven-novel, nobledark fantasy exploring the different paths within the order. I’ve written the first six chapters of Book 1, putting me at 25% of the draft already.I also reflect on my shift toward writing more 60,000-word novels, similar in length to the Guild of Assassins books. This feels like the sweet spot for the kinds of focused, intense stories I want to tell going forward. Exciting times ahead!To claim your free copy of Blades of Wolfsbane, visit joncronshaw.com.

This week has been a busy and intense one! I’m thrilled to share that I’ve finished the draft of The Prince and the Fool (Ravenglass Legends, Book 4). It’s always a huge relief hitting that final chapter.On top of that, I’ve been deep in website work—the book page platform I’d been using suddenly stopped working, so I rebuilt everything from scratch. You can now browse my updated book catalogue at joncronshaw.com/books.I’ve also leaned further into my King of Nobledark rebrand, making sure everything aligns with the tone and themes of my work. It’s been a lot—but worth it.

This week, I’ve made solid progress on The Prince and the Fool (Ravenglass Legends, Book 4), hitting the 75% mark in the draft. The story’s really coming together now as I push toward the final act.I’m also busy getting Punks Versus Zombies ready for launch on Kindle, September 1, 2025. It’s up for pre-order now, so lock in your copy for a wild post-apocalyptic ride!On a personal note, I had a fun night away in Blackpool—a much-needed change of scene that’s helped recharge the creative batteries.#AuthorDiary #ThePrinceAndTheFool #RavenglassLegends #PunksVersusZombies #ZombieFiction #KindlePreOrder #EpicFantasy #BlackpoolTrip #WritingProgress #JonCronshawBooks

This week was mostly spent on admin tasks—the essential but less exciting side of the author life. From scheduling to organising releases, it’s been a practical sort of week.The highlight, though, was seeing Nine Inch Nails live in Manchester! It was an incredible show with a set packed full of early album tracks—intense, loud, and absolutely brilliant.Best of all, my back held up, so I’m hoping that means I’m finally over the worst of it and can get back into the writing groove soon.

This week, I’ve hit the 60 percent mark on the draft of The Prince and the Fool (Ravenglass Legends, Book 4). The story is moving steadily, and I’m excited to see it coming together.I’ve also been reading the 33 1/3 book on Kate Bush’s Hounds of Love—a fascinating deep dive into one of my all-time favourite albums. And I’ve finally started watching House of Cards on Netflix—dark, sharp, and brilliantly acted.I’m still dealing with a bad back, which has been slowing me down. I’m really hoping it improves soon, especially with Nine Inch Nails coming up next week—fingers crossed I’ll be well enough to go!

After taking last week off, I’m back at the writing desk and making great progress on The Prince and the Fool (Ravenglass Legends, Book 4). I’ve just hit the mid-point of the book—and the series itself! I’ll be sharing unedited chapters on Patreon over the next few weeks for those following along early.This week, I also chat about reading Homecoming by Robin Hobb—a beautifully written book as always—and watching Baby Reindeer on Netflix, a dark but excellent drama that’s definitely stayed with me.On a less fun note, I’ve been nursing a bad back, which means I’ve had to miss out on seeing one of my favourite bands, James. Hoping to be back on my feet properly soon!Join the Patreon at patreon.com/joncronshawauthor.

In this follow-up to the 400th episode celebration, I’m back with part two of the Q&A, this time answering questions from Facebook.Once again, I’m joined by my wife and editor, Claire, for more behind-the-scenes chat about writing, editing, and the creative life. Thank you to everyone who submitted questions!And if you're looking for a brilliant editor, check out Claire’s work at cherryedits.com.