Tag: author diary

Halfway Through Six of Swords, Revisiting Old Stories & a Cradle Craft Lesson | Author Diary, August 14, 2026

This week: halfway through Six of Swords, revisiting The Hammer and the Crown, publishing Blind Sight, returning to Black Death and reading Ghostwater by Will Wight.

This week I’ve been making good progress on Six of Swords.

I’m 12 chapters into the draft, which probably puts me somewhere around the halfway point.

I’ve also been going back over what I’ve written so far for The Hammer and the Crown, continuing work on the next Ravenglass Legends novel.

One of the more satisfying things this week has been returning to older projects. I revisited Blind Sight, a prequel novella to Blind Gambit that I originally abandoned back in 2018. I’ve finally finished it and published it on Patreon.

I’ve also been working through another story from my open projects folder, this time set in the Black Death world, which should hopefully be ready next week.

On the reading front, I’m continuing with Will Wight’s Cradle series and have now reached Book Five, Ghostwater. I’m really enjoying the series, and I’ve also finally worked out why I struggled to follow parts of the second book, Soulsmith. It turned out to be a useful lesson in storytelling craft.

No Writing This Week: Adventure Week in the Lake District | Author Diary, August 8, 2026

This week I swap writing for an Adventure Week in the Lake District with Galloway’s, trying canoeing, fell climbing and sailing, including a brilliant session on a Dart catamaran.

This week’s Author Diary is a little different because I did absolutely no writing.

Instead, I spent the week at Coniston in the Lake District on an Adventure Week organised by Galloway’s, a charity supporting blind and visually impaired people.

It was a brilliant week packed with canoeing, sailing, fell climbing and plenty of other activities.

One of the best parts was getting to meet other blind and visually impaired people, hearing how they approach different challenges, and picking up ideas about ways of doing things that I hadn’t considered before.

The highlight for me was definitely the sailing. I especially loved getting out on a Dart catamaran, which was enormous fun. It’s something I’d really like to do more of, so I’m now looking into what sailing opportunities might be available locally.

No word count this week, then, but plenty of new experiences, new people and perhaps the start of a new hobby.

Preparing RAF Dragon Corps Book 3, Starting The Hammer and the Crown & Taking a Break | Author Diary, July 31, 2026

This week I prepare RAF Dragon Corps Book 3 for my editor, begin drafting The Hammer and the Crown, share my thoughts on Soulsmith and decide to take a much-needed break.

This week I’ve been getting RAF Dragon Corps Book 3 ready to send to my editor.

After finishing the draft, I’ve been working through the manuscript one last time, checking that everything is in place before handing it over.

I’ve also started drafting The Hammer and the Crown, the fourth book in my Ravenglass Legends series. It feels good to be back with Ragnar and Maja and moving forward with the next stage of the story.

On the reading front, I’m halfway through Soulsmith by Will Wight. I really enjoyed Unsouled, but I’ve found parts of the second book harder to follow. I’m going to keep reading for now, as so many readers love the Cradle series, and I’m hoping the story finds its footing again.

I also talk about feeling increasingly tired. I haven’t had a proper break since our trip to Rome in May, so I’ve decided to take next week off and give myself some time to recharge.

📤 Leaving Substack, Focusing on Patreon & Audiobook Work | Author Diary – October 3, 2025 🎧📚

This week, I closed my paid Substack to focus on Patreon, continued working on thrillers, and reviewed the audiobooks for The Ravenglass Throne and Undead Anarchy.

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!

🐉 Draft Progress, Kate Bush, and Hoping for Healing | Author Diary – June 13, 2025📚🎶

This week, I’m 60% through The Prince and the Fool, reading about Kate Bush’s Hounds of Love, and watching House of Cards. Still nursing a bad back—hoping to recover in time to see Nine Inch Nails next week!

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!

🏰 Progress on The Ravenglass Throne & My First Contest! | Author Diary – January 17, 2025 📚✨

This week, I’ve been making slow progress on The Ravenglass Throne—I’m now just three chapters away from finishing Book 7.

The story is heating up, and I can’t wait to share it with you.

I’ve also been enjoying The Diplomat on Netflix. It’s a gripping show full of political intrigue, and it’s been a nice way to recharge between writing sessions.

For the first time ever, I’m running a contest!

You could win a year of free access to my Patreon’s Hero Tier, where you can enjoy exclusive chapters, updates, and behind-the-scenes content.

Enter here.

📚 Wrapping Up 2024 and Big Plans for 2025 | Author Diary – December 27, 2024 🏰✨

In this week’s Author Diary, I share exciting developments and reflections as the year draws to a close.

I’ve just completed the fourth novella in The Ravenglass Throne series, only to realise that what I’ve created is a full novel, not four novellas! Moving forward, I’ll start posting chapters exclusively on Patreon, as I shift to a Patreon-first publishing approach for my work.

I also look back on 2024, reflecting on the progress of the Ravenglass Legends series and my plans to expand it in the coming year. With several books currently with my editor—including Guild of Assassins 2 & 3 and the Punks Versus Zombies trilogy—I’m gearing up for a busy and productive 2025.

I discuss my open projects, including Dawn of Assassins 4 and Scoundrels Book 1, which are on my must-finish list for next year.

Additionally, I touch on a crucial area for growth: marketing. Feeling that my author business has plateaued, I’ve started a course on book marketing to refine the strategies I’ve been using since 2017.

Join me for updates, plans, and insights into what’s next for my writing journey!

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🏰 Slow Progress, Winter Blues, and Exciting News | Author Diary – December 20, 2024 📚✨

In this week’s Author Diary, I share the challenges of making slow progress on The Ravenglass Throne while navigating the struggles of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

On a brighter note, I’ve received edits back for my upcoming novel, The Knight and the Rebel (Ravenglass Legends, book 3), and I’m thrilled to announce its release date: January 30, 2025! This story blends adventure, rebellion, and political intrigue, and I can’t wait to share it with you.

Join me as I discuss the ups and downs of the creative process, upcoming releases, and how I’m managing writing during the darker months.

pre-order the knight and the rebel.

🏰 Writing “The Ravenglass Throne” & Exploring Riyria’s World | Author Diary 📚✨

This week, I’ve been writing the third novella in The Ravenglass Throne serial and reading Drumindor by Michael J. Sullivan. Join me for updates on my writing journey and thoughts on the Riyria series!

 I’ve been making great progress on the third novella in my ongoing serial, The Ravenglass Throne.

The story continues to unfold with twists, political intrigue, and the personal struggles of its three royal sisters as they face mounting conspiracies and power plays.

In addition to writing, I’ve been rading Drumindor by Michael J. Sullivan, the latest instalment in his Riyria series.

Sullivan’s ability to craft rich characters and intricate plots is as gripping as ever, and it’s been a fantastic source of inspiration for my own storytelling.

Join me as I share updates on my writing process, thoughts on the Ravenglass Universe, and reflections on the brilliant world of Riyria!

📘 Draft Completion & Seasonal Reflections | Author Diary – October 25, 2024 🍂📚

In this week’s Author Diary, I celebrate a significant milestone in my writing journey and share my plans for the coming weeks as the seasons change.

📖 Completing “Forged in Blood”:

I’m thrilled to announce that I’ve completed the draft of “Forged in Blood,” the second book in the Guild of Assassins series. Finishing this draft marks a major achievement in the development of the series, and I’m looking forward to the next stages of editing and refining.

📚 Current Reading:

Continuing my literary exploration, I’m currently delving into “Illuminatus Part II” by Robert Shea and Robert Anton Wilson. This series, known for its complex narrative and intriguing themes, provides a thought-provoking read that perfectly complements the darker, introspective months.

🕰️ Adjusting to Seasonal Changes:

With the clocks changing and the onset of colder weather, I’m mindful of the impact this time of year tends to have on me, notably Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). In anticipation, I plan to take things a bit easier over the next few weeks, allowing myself some needed rest and recalibration to stay healthy and maintain my creative output.

🍁 Looking Ahead:

During this quieter period, I will be focusing on self-care, continuing my reading, and beginning the initial edits on “Forged in Blood.” It’s important to balance productivity with personal health, and I’m committed to managing both as we move into November.

I’d love to hear how you adjust to seasonal changes and manage your creative projects during these times. Do you find certain times of the year more challenging or inspiring? Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more weekly insights and updates from my journey as an author!