Jon Cronshaw – The King of Nobledark
Author of epic fantasy with heart, grit, and moral weight. Where hope bleeds, but never dies.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
This week, I hit the midpoint of Churchill’s Dragons and started posting chapters on Patreon. Plus, Rising Storm (Ravenglass Throne Part Eight) launches Monday!
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 talk about early signs of SAD, working on thriller projects, planning my next fantasy book, and what’s coming soon to Patreon. Feeling the early autumn blues but pushing forward.
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.
