Tag: creative writing process

🌲 Mini-Break, Nautical Fantasy Rewrite & Staying Prolific | Author Diary – August 15, 2025 🐚🚀

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 https://britishfantasysociety.org/meet-jon-cronshaw/

Project Tracker

Upcoming launches

Punks Versus Zombies trilogy – all three books go live on August 31 (paperbacks are already available, audiobooks in production).
Dark Gambit (The Ravenglass Throne: Part Six) – launches September 1 on Amazon.
The Ravenglass Throne (Parts One to Four boxset) – goes live September 15 (paperback available, audiobook in production).

Post-edit, final checks

The Ravenglass Throne: Part Seven – need to schedule the final three chapters for Patreon.

Drafts completed, with editor

The Ravenglass Throne Parts Eight to Twelve.
Dragon Squadron (RAF Dragon Corps, book 1).

Final edits before sending to editor

Ravenglass Legends book 4 – 70% complete, chapters posting on Patreon.
The Silent Watcher (Ravenglass Guardians).

Current focus

Hunters – rewrite from space opera to nautical fantasy, 50% complete.

Open projects

Sentinel’s Mercy (Ravenglass Guardians) – 40% through first draft.
Scoundrels – 25% first draft (last worked on March 2025).
Mark, The Chosen One – 70% first draft (last worked on April 2025).
Dawn of Assassins 4 – last worked on July 2024.
Guild of Assassins 4 – last worked on January 2025.
Lord Sidebottom novel – 25% first draft (last worked on April 2025).
Churchill’s Dragons (RAF Dragon Corps, book 2) – 10% (last worked on March 2025).
Pen name sci-fi book 2 – 20% (last worked on June 2025).

Planned / outlined

Ravenglass Guardians – Seekers.
Ravenglass Guardians – Keepers.
Ravenglass Guardians – Apothecaries.
Ravenglass Guardians – Inquisitors.
Ravenglass Guardians – Shadows.

🚀 Book Launch & Series Finale | Author Diary – August 30, 2024📚🧟‍♂️

Join me in this week’s Author Diary as I celebrate the launch of a new book and the completion of a beloved series.

📘 “The Wolf and the Wyvern” Launch:

This week marked a major milestone with the launch of “The Wolf and the Wyvern,” the second installment in the Ravenglass Legends series. It’s always exhilarating to see a project come to fruition, and I’ve been busy with the various aspects of the book release—from coordinating with distributors to engaging with readers. The feedback so far has been incredibly encouraging, and I’m thrilled to see how the book resonates with fans old and new.

🧟‍♂️ Finishing “Punks Versus Zombies”:

In addition to launching the book, I’ve completed the redrafting of the final two episodes of “Punks Versus Zombies.” Bringing this series to a close has been a bittersweet journey. These last episodes wrap up the story arcs that have been building over time, and I hope they provide a satisfying conclusion to the saga that has captivated so many.

📝 Reflections and Next Steps:

As I reflect on this week’s accomplishments, I’m also planning the next steps in my writing career. Finishing one project and launching another opens up new opportunities for creative exploration and development. I’m looking forward to diving into new stories and possibly revisiting familiar ones, depending on where inspiration leads.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on series endings, book launches, or any advice you might have on transitioning between major projects. Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more weekly insights into my author’s journey and the evolution of my work!

follow jon on youtube.

📚 Expanding Universes & Upcoming Launches | Author Diary – August 23, 2024🎉✨ #amwriting

Join me for this week’s Author Diary as I delve deeper into side stories, progress with new chapters, and prepare for an exciting book launch.

📝 Continuing Niamh’s Story:

This week, I’ve been working on Niamh’s story, a side narrative to “Punks Versus Zombies.” Expanding this universe allows us to explore different dimensions and perspectives, enriching the overall saga and providing deeper insights into the characters’ lives.

🗡️ Progress on “Guild of Assassins” Sequel:

Exciting developments in the “Guild of Assassins” series as well! I’ve successfully completed the first two chapters of the sequel and have a draft of the third. The story is shaping up to be thrilling, building on the foundations laid in the earlier book and introducing new twists and challenges.

📘 Book Launch Prep for “The Wolf and the Wyvern“:

We’re on the final countdown to the launch of “The Wolf and the Wyvern,” Ravenglass Legends book 2, set for release on August 29. The anticipation is building, and I’m putting the finishing touches on marketing and distribution to ensure a successful release.

📖 “The Knight and the Rebel” on Patreon:

Meanwhile, on my Patreon, I continue to post chapters of “The Knight and the Rebel,” book 3 of Ravenglass Legends. For those eager to get early access to the latest adventures, visit patreon.com/joncronshawauthor.

Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more insights into my author life!

🎧 Audio Edits & Integrating Narratives | Author Diary – July 12, 2024 📚🎤

Dive into this week’s Author Diary as I refine “The Knight and the Rebel” and immerse myself in engaging reads and lively music performances.

🔊 Audio Pass for “The Knight and the Rebel”:
This week involved a detailed audio pass of “The Knight and the Rebel,” where I listened to the manuscript through text-to-speech technology. This method is incredibly helpful for spotting plot inconsistencies, repetitive word usage, and other textual nuances that might be missed during regular editing. It’s a crucial step in ensuring the narrative flows smoothly and cohesively.

📖 Weaving Together POVs:
Another major task was integrating the two distinct POVs into a single, seamless narrative. This process enhances the storytelling by ensuring the perspectives complement each other and build upon the overarching plot, adding depth and intrigue to the entire story.

📚 Reading Journey:
I continued my reading adventure with Maria V. Snyder’s works, finishing both “Magic Study” and “Fire Study.” Her captivating style and compelling character developments offer both inspiration and a delightful escape into her fictional worlds.

🎤 Glastonbury Catch-Up:
My enjoyment of this year’s Glastonbury festival performances extended into this week, with standout acts from Bombay Bicycle Club, Confidence Man, and Bloc Party. Each group brought their unique energy and creativity to the stage, providing a fantastic backdrop to my week’s work.

As I wrap up another productive week of editing, reading, and enjoying vibrant music, I look forward to the next stages of preparation for my book’s release and the ongoing enjoyment of great performances.

Feel free to share your experiences with audio editing, your thoughts on Maria V. Snyder’s books, or your favorite acts from Glastonbury this year. Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more insights into my author’s life and creative journey!

Jon’s author diary – February 9, 2024 #amwriting

In this week’s Author Diary, join me as I delve into the progress of “Punks Versus Zombies” and the significant rewrites for “The Wolf and the Wyvern,” along with my current reading adventure.

📝 “Punks Versus Zombies” Update:
Exciting news for fans of the series! I’ve completed writing episodes 20 and 21 of “Punks Versus Zombies.” It’s been a thrilling ride developing these episodes, and I can’t wait to share them with you.

✍️ Rewriting “The Wolf and the Wyvern”:
This week also involved a deep dive into rewriting the final scenes of “The Wolf and the Wyvern,” book 2 of the Ravenglass Legends. It’s always a unique challenge to refine these crucial moments in a story, and I’m eager to bring you a more impactful and satisfying conclusion.

📚 Current Read – “Esrahaddon” by Michael J. Sullivan:
I’ve started “Esrahaddon,” book 3 in Michael J. Sullivan‘s Rise and Fall series. About 20 percent in, I’m still immersing myself in the story’s world and getting to grips with the unfolding narrative.

Stay tuned for more updates and insights into my writing and reading journey. Share your thoughts on creating climactic scenes in writing or your current reads in the comments below. Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for weekly insights into my author’s life!

follow jon on youtube.

Jon’s author diary, February 2, 2024 #amwriting

Welcome to this week’s Author Diary, where I share my progress with “Punks Versus Zombies” and the importance of rest, especially when under the weather.

🖋️ Progress on “Punks Versus Zombies”
This week, I focused on developing “Punks Versus Zombies.” Despite the challenges of feeling unwell, I managed to make some headway with this exciting project. I’m eager to share more about the developments.

🤒 Battling a Cold
Unfortunately, I caught a cold, which meant I had to slow down and prioritise rest. This week has been a reminder of the importance of listening to our bodies and taking the necessary time to recover.

🛌 The Importance of Rest
Being unwell has highlighted the need for rest and self-care, especially in creative professions. It’s crucial to balance work with health and well-being.

Next week, I’m looking forward to getting back on track with “Punks Versus Zombies” and sharing more updates with you all.

Feel free to share your own experiences with balancing health and work, or any tips you have for staying creative while recovering from an illness. Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for weekly insights into my author’s journey!

follow Jon on Ream.