Tag: Dark Fantasy Series

Nine Years of Publishing, Dragon Corps Progress & Sentinel Edits | Author Diary – June 19, 2026

This week: 60% through RAF Dragon Corps Book 3, editing The Sentinel’s Mercy, and celebrating nine years since publishing Wizard of the Wasteland.

This week I’ve continued working on RAF Dragon Corps Book 3 and have now reached the 60% mark in the draft.

 It’s been great returning to the skies over wartime Britain and continuing the series.

I’ve also been working through The Sentinel’s Mercy, getting the manuscript ready to send off for a professional edit. It’s always satisfying to move a project closer to publication.

And this week marks a special milestone: nine years since I published my first novel, Wizard of the Wasteland.

Looking back on nearly a decade as an indie author, I reflect on how far things have come, the lessons I’ve learned, and the stories still waiting to be told.

Thanks to everyone who’s joined me on this journey. Here’s to the next nine years!

Meta Description:
This week: 60% through RAF Dragon Corps Book 3, editing The Sentinel’s Mercy, and celebrating nine years since publishing Wizard of the Wasteland.

Birthday Break, Dungeon Crawler Carl, and Finishing Reign of Daggers | Author Diary, May 15, 2026

Birthday break, a brilliant new Dungeon Crawler Carl novel, and near-finished drafts. This week I worked on Reign of Daggers and listened to A Parade of Horribles in just two days.

This week I took a few days off for my birthday and ended up listening to the new Dungeon Crawler Carl book, A Parade of Horribles, over the space of just two days.

Safe to say, I absolutely loved it. The series continues to balance chaos, humour, and surprisingly emotional storytelling brilliantly.

I also continued working on Reign of Daggers (Dawn of Assassins, Book 4).

I initially thought I’d finished the draft, but realised the story needed a little more room to breathe, so I’m adding three extra scenes plus epilogues for each of the core characters.

That should bring the draft to a proper conclusion next week.

Back to Dawn of Assassins, WrestleMania Letdown & New Release Incoming | Author Diary, April 24, 2026

Back working on Dawn of Assassins after years away, sharing thoughts on a disappointing WrestleMania, and gearing up for the launch of Ravenglass Legends Books 1–3. Plus updates on The Prince and the Fool.

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!

Draft Done, New Reads & Rethinking Old Projects | Author Diary, April 17, 2026

Finished Four of Swords, started The Wandering Inn, and reflected on WrestleMania storytelling. Also considering a return to Dawn of Assassins Book 4.

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.

Edits Done, Dragons Revisited & Storytelling Lessons | Author Diary, March 20, 2026

Finished edits on The Prince and the Fool and sent it to my editor. Also revisiting Dragon Squadron, composing music, and sharing storytelling lessons from Dungeon Crawler Carl.

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.

Editing Through Man Flu: The Prince and the Fool | Author Diary, March 13, 2026

Still feeling unwell, so I’ve focused on editing The Prince and the Fool (70k so far) ahead of a professional edit. Also reading book six of Dungeon Crawler Carl, which hasn’t hooked me yet.

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.

Spring Virus, Silent Watcher Edits, and a Lisa Jewell Thriller | Author Diary, March 6, 2026

A slower week thanks to a spring virus. I worked through edits on The Silent Watcher and read Don’t Let Him In by Lisa Jewell, a gripping psychological thriller.

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.

Starting Four of Swords, Revisiting The Good Place, and New Thriller Ideas | Author Diary, February 27, 2026

Started writing Four of Swords, re-watching The Good Place, and developing a new thriller inspired by Influenced. Plus thoughts on hitting a reading lull with Dungeon Crawler Carl.

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.

Silent Watcher Edits Done, Deftones Live, and More Dungeon Crawler Carl | Author Diary, February 20, 2026

Final edits of The Silent Watcher are done and it’s off to the editor. Cover revealed soon on Patreon from March 2. Plus Deftones live in Manchester and more Dungeon Crawler Carl reading.

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.

Kicking Off 2026: Plans, Projects & What’s Coming Soon | Author Diary – January 2, 2026

In this first Author Diary of 2026, I share writing updates, new short stories on Patreon, and upcoming releases including The Prince and the Fool, boxed sets, and Ravenglass Throne on Audible.

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.