Category: Latest News

🏰 Crafting “The Ravenglass Throne” & Enjoying Michael J. Sullivan’s “Ezrahaddon” | Author Diary – December 6, 2024 📚✨

Join me in this week’s Author Diary as I make exciting progress on my new fantasy serial and dive into the world of epic reads!

👑 Introducing “The Ravenglass Throne”

This week, I continued developing my new project, The Ravenglass Throne, a 12-novella serial releasing monthly episodes. Subscribers on Patreon can enjoy three chapters per week before the full novellas are released on ebook platforms.

Set in the Ravenglass Universe, this epic fantasy follows three royal sisters navigating corrupted magic, political intrigue, and the shadowy conspiracy surrounding their father’s mysterious assassination.

📘 Current Reading

Alongside writing, I’ve been savouring Ezrahaddon by Michael J. Sullivan. It’s been a joy immersing myself in his world.

💷 Special Offer on Patreon

Don’t miss out on my 70% discount on your first month of Patreon membership, running until December 9!

Use promo code WYVERN when signing up. If you’re using the Apple app, please subscribe through a browser to avoid the surcharge.

Visit: patreon.com/joncronshawauthor

📅 What’s Next

As I continue crafting The Ravenglass Throne, I’m diving deeper into the lore and political dynamics that shape the sisters’ journeys. This world is brimming with secrets, and I can’t wait to share them with you.

🤔 Your Turn!

What are your favourite YA fantasy reads, or recent stories that have inspired you? How do you enjoy seeing conspiracy and mystery woven into epic tales? Share your thoughts below, and don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more updates on my writing journey!

Cyber Monday Special: 70% Off Your First Month!

This Cyber Monday, I’m offering an exclusive deal for new paid members on Patreon—get 70% off your first month on any paid tier!

Use the promo code WYVERN to unlock this incredible discount and gain access to:

  • The Knight and the Rebel (Ravenglass Legends, Book 3).
  • The complete Wyvern Rider novella.
  • Early access to chapters of Forged in Blood (Guild of Assassins, Book 2).
  • Niamh’s Journey (A Punks Versus Zombies side story).
  • My side project Hunters, a space Western adventure.
  • Audio stories, regular short fiction, and more!

How to Redeem the Offer:

  1. Visit my Patreon page via your browser (important for Apple users—see below!).
  2. Choose your preferred tier.
  3. Enter the promo code WYVERN at checkout.

A Quick Note for Apple Users:
To avoid the 30% surcharge in the app, make sure you sign up through a browser instead. It’s quick, easy, and ensures you get the best value.

This offer is only available for a limited time, so don’t miss out on this chance to join my Patreon community at a fraction of the cost!

Claim Your Discount at patreon.com/joncronshawauthor.

Thank you for your continued support,
Jon

🏰 New YA Fantasy Project & Epic Reads | Author Diary, November 29, 2024 📚✨

Join me in this week’s Author Diary as I embark on an exciting new writing adventure and share my latest reading experiences.

👑 Introducing “The Ravenglass Throne”:

This week marks the beginning of a new venture into YA epic fantasy with my latest project, “The Ravenglass Throne.”

The story unfolds around three princesses thrown into turmoil after their father, the king, is mysteriously assassinated without naming an heir.

Set against a backdrop of looming conspiracy and dark secrets, the narrative explores themes of power, loyalty, and the quest for truth.

📘 Current Reading:

Alongside developing this new tale, I’m engrossed in “Ezzraharden” by Michael J. Sullivan. Sullivan’s ability to weave intricate plots and richly drawn characters never fails to inspire.

I’m reading “Wild Faith” by Talia Levin, a book that offers a fresh perspective on spirituality and belief systems within the context of far-right politics.

Both books provide a wonderful blend of escapism and intellectual engagement, feeding into my creative process.

📅 What’s Next:

As “The Ravenglass Throne” begins to take shape, I’m focused on outlining the complex relationships and political intrigue that drive the heart of the story.

I’m excited to develop this world and its rulers, bringing to life the struggles and triumphs of each princess.

I’d love to hear about your favourite YA fantasy books or any recent reads that have captured your imagination.

How do you like to see conspiracy and mystery handled in fantasy settings?

Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more weekly insights and updates from my author’s journey!

listen to the audio version.

The Perfect Daughter: A Story About Automating What We Can’t Fix

Ever wondered what would happen if we could outsource our family guilt to AI?

I did, and the result is my new short story, “The Perfect Daughter” – available now to read for free on Patreon.

Meet Ellie, a management consultant who’s mastered the art of minimising her mother’s calls during client meetings.

When she discovers an AI service that promises to handle her family obligations, it seems like the perfect solution.

VoiceEase will maintain her relationship with her mother while she focuses on selling certainty to people who can afford to buy it.

This story emerged from watching all of us become increasingly skilled at maintaining the appearance of connection while drifting further apart.

It’s about the small compromises we make in the name of efficiency, the ways we try to optimise relationships that were never meant to be optimised, and the messy reality of mother-daughter dynamics in an age where everything can be automated—except the feelings we’re trying to avoid.

“The Perfect Daughter” explores what happens when we apply startup solutions to human problems.

It’s about artificial intelligence and authentic avoidance, about the ghosts in our machines and the ones in our family trees. You can read it right now on my Patreon—no subscription required.

Read Here.

Important Announcement – RE: Ream

Dear Ream Subscribers,
I want to thank you all for your incredible support on this platform. It’s been a wonderful experience connecting with you and sharing my stories, but I’ve made the decision to transition fully to Patreon.

What Does This Mean for Ream?
I’ll be wrapping up all open projects for paid members here on Ream, so no one misses out.
However, all current and future updates will now also be available on Patreon, alongside:
– Hunters, my new space Western side project.
– Audio stories for immersive storytelling.
– Regular short stories and updates.

Why the Move?
I need a more robust platform to continue building and sharing my work. Patreon provides the tools and community features to help me grow as a creator and deliver even more content to you.

What’s Waiting for You on Patreon?
Even free members of Patreon get plenty of regular updates, including short stories, behind-the-scenes posts, and author diary videos.
Paid subscriptions offer even more, with access to exclusive content like early chapters, bonus projects, and more.

I hope you’ll join me on Patreon to continue this journey. Your support has meant the world to me, and I’d love to keep sharing my stories with you.
Join me on Patreon today!
Thank you for everything,
Jon
Visit: patreon.com/joncronshawauthor.

This week on Patreon

Exciting updates for both free and paid members this week!

For Paid Members:

  • Early access to Forged in Blood (Guild of Assassins, Book 2), with chapters seven and eight now available.
  • New chapters of Niamh’s Journey (Punks Versus Zombies side story).
  • A fresh chapter of Hunters, my fun space Western side project.

For Free Members:

  • The Speed of Boredom, a dark flash fiction piece about a young man convinced boredom is the secret to eternal life.
  • The Gibson Continuum, a cyberpunk-inspired short story.

At the moment, I’m posting four different chapters weekly, alongside a short story. Free members also receive regular updates, including short stories and author diary videos.

Paid subscriptions start at just $4.99 per month, so don’t miss out on all the exclusive content!

Join me on Patreon today at patreon.com/joncronshawauthor.

📚 Draft Completion & Delving into New Reads | Author Diary – November 22, 2024 🖋️📖

Join me in this week’s Author Diary as I celebrate a major milestone in my writing journey and share my current literary indulgence.

📘 Finishing “Blade of Sorrows”:

I’m thrilled to announce that I’ve completed the draft of “Blade of Sorrows,” the third book in the Guild of Assassins series.

📖 Current Reading:

As I take a brief pause from writing to recharge, I’ve started reading “Ezzrahdon” by Michael J. Sullivan. It’s proving to be an engaging read, filled with the compelling storytelling and rich character development.

📅 Looking Ahead:

With “Blade of Sorrows” now in draft completion, my focus will soon shift towards the editing process, a critical step in preparing the book for its journey to the readers.

I’d love to hear about your experiences with completing big projects or the books that currently captivate you. How do you transition from intense writing phases to other creative or leisure activities?

Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more weekly insights and updates from my author’s life!

This week on Patreon

Here’s what’s new for subscribers this week on my Patreon:

New for Members:

  • Forged in Blood (Guild of Assassins, Book 2) Chapters five and six are now available! Dive deeper into Soren’s journey as he trains within the Guild of Assassins, grappling with loyalty, betrayal, and the shadows of his past.
  • Niamh’s Journey (Punks Versus Zombies Side Story) The second chapter of this gripping tale is up. Follow Niamh and Sean as they navigate a zombie outbreak in Philadelphia, blending survival with heart-wrenching family drama.
  • Hunters (Wacky Space Western Side Project) The next chapter of Hunters is live. Join Dex, Kara, and Torin as they balance chaos and camaraderie on their space-faring escapades.

Free Content:

Even if you’re not a paying member, you can still enjoy some fantastic stories:

  • Lord Sidebottom and the Pirate Pandemonium Steampunk absurdity at its finest! Lord Sidebottom faces a pirate uprising with his usual mix of wit and Victorian manners.
  • The Speed of Boredom A bizarre flash fiction piece exploring the limits of ennui—or is it something more?

Membership Options:

Gain access to all these updates and more for just $4.99 per month. Plus, free members still enjoy regular updates!

Visit: patreon.com/joncronshawauthor

Note: Apple has introduced a 30% surcharge for subscriptions made through the Patreon iPhone app. To avoid this extra cost, sign up via a browser instead. Your support is invaluable and keeps these stories coming!

📖 Deep Dive into Writing & Engaging Reads | Author Diary – November 15, 2024🖋️📚

Join me in this week’s Author Diary as I make significant progress on my latest fantasy novel and share exclusive content with my Patreon community.

 Progress on “Blade of Sorrows”:

This week, I reached a new milestone in the writing of “Blade of Sorrows,” the third book in the Guild of Assassins series. I’ve now penned 40,000 words, diving deeper into the intricate plot and complex character dynamics that define this series.

📘 Patreon Updates:

I’ve been actively engaging with my Patreon supporters by sharing early chapters of “Forged in Blood” as well as the enthralling narratives of “Hunters” and “Niamh’s Journey.”

📚 Current Reading:

In terms of reading, I’m currently immersed in “Leviathan,” the third book in the Illuminatus series by Robert Anton Wilson and Robert Shea. This series continues to impress with its complex narratives and thought-provoking themes.

Follow Jon on Patreon.

🍂 Navigating Seasonal Challenges & Diving into New Stories | Author Diary – November 10, 2024 📚🖋️

This week’s Author Diary touches on managing seasonal affective disorder while progressing on exciting literary fronts.

🌨️ Managing Seasonal Affective Disorder:

As November rolls in, so does my annual encounter with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). It’s a familiar challenge by now, and understanding what to expect helps me navigate it more effectively. While SAD does pose its difficulties, recognising the symptoms early allows me to adjust my schedule and self-care routines to maintain productivity and well-being.

📖 Starting “Blade of Sorrows”:

In terms of writing, I’ve begun drafting “Blade of Sorrows,” the third book in the Guild of Assassins series. I’m currently 15,000 words in, about 25% through the manuscript. Diving back into this dark, intricate world is exhilarating, and the initial chapters are shaping up to bring more thrilling twists and deep character explorations.

📚 Reading Insights:

My reading this week included “Opus” by Gareth Gore, a deep dive into the enigmatic world of Opus Dei. The book provides an intriguing glimpse into the inner workings and controversies surrounding this Catholic institution. Additionally, I’m about halfway through “The Damnation of Power” from the Horus Heresy series, which continues to expand on the epic saga with intense conflicts and rich, detailed lore.

📅 Looking Ahead:

Despite the challenges posed by SAD, I remain committed to my writing goals and literary explorations. The support and understanding of the writing community also play a crucial role in managing these seasonal hurdles.

I’d love to hear from you about how you cope with seasonal changes or manage personal challenges while keeping up with creative or professional commitments.

Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more weekly updates from my author’s life and the ongoing journey through worlds both real and imagined!

Jon Cronshaw Guild of Assassins dark assassin fantasy novel