Tag: fantasy author diary

Finished RAF Dragon Corps Book 3, Back to Ravenglass Legends & Clearing the Backlog | July 23, 2026

This week: I finished RAF Dragon Corps Book 3, began The Hammer and the Crown, completed two long-abandoned stories, and enjoyed Unsouled by Will Wight.

This week I wrapped up my draft of RAF Dragon Corps Book 3.

I’ll be letting it rest for a while before coming back with fresh eyes, but it’s always a great feeling to reach the end of another novel.

With that finished, I’ve started outlining—and even written the first chapter of—The Hammer and the Crown, the fifth book in my Ravenglass Legends series. It feels good to be returning to Ragnar and Maja.

I also decided to tackle a couple of older projects as part of my ongoing audit of unfinished work.

I completed Family of the Wasteland, a novella I originally drafted back in 2017. It’s now available exclusively on my Patreon, where even free members can download and read it.

I also finished Threads of Wolfsbane, a Ravenglass Legends prequel starring Maja. That story will be landing on Patreon this weekend, and I’m pleased to finally cross another long-standing project off the list.

On the reading front, I’ve been reading Unsouled by Will Wight and thoroughly enjoyed it.

It’s my first real taste of progression fantasy. I’m still not entirely sure where the genre boundaries lie, but the focus on steadily developing the protagonist’s abilities gave it an almost anime-like feel.

A really entertaining read, and I’m looking forward to continuing the series.

Five of Swords Complete, Audiobook Progress & A Decade of Unfinished Stories, July 17, 2026

This week: Five of Swords goes to my editor, I proof-listen to The Ravenglass Throne audiobook, and audit more than 15 unfinished novels from the past decade.

This week I finished Five of Swords and sent the manuscript off to my editor, marking another milestone in The Ravenglass Chronicles.

I also completed a proof-listen of The Ravenglass Throne: Parts 5–8 audiobook, and once again Emmy Coates has done an outstanding job bringing the story to life. I can’t wait for listeners to hear it.

One of the more interesting things I did this week was a full audit of all my open writing projects. The results surprised even me: more than 15 novels, around 10 novellas, and several short stories in various stages of completion—including ideas dating back more than a decade.

Some of them still excite me and will definitely get finished. Others have probably had their day. It was a fascinating exercise in taking stock and deciding which stories are still worth telling.

Finished Five of Swords & A Return to the Black Death World | Author Diary, July 10, 2026

This week: I finished the draft of Five of Swords, outlined Six of Swords, and planned a new Black Death apocalyptic thriller set in the UK.

This week I’ve been focused on bringing Five of Swords to the finish line.

The third draft is now complete! Before it heads off to my editor, I’ll do one final read-through to catch any lingering issues and make sure everything hangs together.

Looking ahead, I’ve also finished outlining Six of Swords, so I’m ready to keep the momentum going with The Ravenglass Chronicles.

One unexpected development came from looking through some of my old, unused book covers. That sparked an idea to return to the world of Black Death.

I’ve now outlined a second novel—an apocalyptic thriller set in the UK—and I’m excited by the possibilities.

It’s still early days, but it reminded me how ideas can come from the most unexpected places.

Midway Through Five of Swords & Rediscovering the Ray Bradbury Challenge | July 3, 2026

This week: I reach the midpoint of Five of Swords, continue writing RAF Dragon Corps Book 3, and restart the Ray Bradbury Reading Challenge.

This week I reached the midpoint of Five of Swords as I continue writing the next instalment of The Ravenglass Chronicles.

I’ve also carried on writing RAF Dragon Corps Book 3, returning to the skies over Britain during the Battle of Britain.

Outside of writing, I’ve restarted the Ray Bradbury Reading Challenge. The idea is simple: read one short story, one poem, and one piece of non-fiction every day.

I’d forgotten just how rewarding the habit is. It’s a great way to keep the creative well topped up and discover voices and ideas I might otherwise have missed.

A productive week of writing, reading, and getting back into good creative habits.

Writing Through the Heatwave & Returning to Mark, The Chosen One | Author Diary, June 26, 2026

Writing through the UK heatwave, revisiting Mark, The Chosen One, and reading The Hobgoblin Riot. Plus updates on my fantasy writing and the sequel to Orphan Farm Boy of Destiny.

This week’s been a challenge thanks to the UK heatwave, but I’ve still managed to make progress on my latest fantasy project.

I’ve been working through what I have so far on Mark, The Chosen One, a follow-up to my Patreon novella Orphan Farm Boy of Destiny.

The story picks up 20 years later. Mark is now in his forties, has a teenage son, and hasn’t picked up a sword in over two decades.

The Dark Lord never appeared when prophecy said he would… but now the prophecy has finally come true.

After years of living an ordinary life, Mark must decide whether he can become the hero everyone expected him to be.

On the reading front, I finished Dominion of Blades by Matt Dinniman and immediately started Book 2, The Hobgoblin Riot. I’m really enjoying the series and seeing another side to Dinniman’s writing outside Dungeon Crawler Carl.

Dragons, Guardians & Giant Monsters | Author Diary – June 5. 2026

This week: outlining RAF Dragon Corps Book 3, planning the Keeper-focused Ravenglass Guardians novel, and reading the dark and gripping Kaiju Battlefield Surgeon by Matt Dinniman.

This week, I finished outlining  RAF Dragon Corps Book 3 and wrote the first chapter, officially kicking off the next stage of the series.

This instalment takes the story into the Battle of Britain and the Blitz, so there’s plenty of research and planning involved before the dragons take to the skies once more.

I’ve also been planning the next Ravenglass Guardians novel, this time focusing on the Keepers.

Each Guardians book explores a different path within the order, and I’m excited about the themes and conflicts this one will tackle.

On the reading front, I’ve been making my way through Kaiju Battlefield Surgeon by Matt Dinniman.

It’s much darker than Dungeon Crawler Carl, with less humour and more horror, but it’s exceptionally well done and has completely pulled me into its world.

A week of planning, plotting, dragons, Guardians, and giant monsters.

Rome, Rollercoasters & New Releases | Author Diary, June 1, 2026

This week: a trip to Rome, a day at Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Guide Dog updates, and the release of Two of Swords on Kindle. Plus plans for the week ahead.

This week’s Author Diary is a little different as I look back on a fantastic trip to Rome.

From ancient ruins and historic landmarks to wandering streets packed with history, it was a great chance to recharge and gather plenty of story inspiration.

Before heading off to Italy, I also enjoyed a fun day at Blackpool Pleasure Beach, proving that rollercoasters and holidays make a pretty good combination.

I provide an update on my application for a new Guide Dog, which continues to move forward as my current guide approaches retirement. It’s a significant change on the horizon, and I share a little about the process.

I also talk about my plans for the coming week and some of the projects I’ll be getting back to now I’m home.

And finally, Two of Swords (The Ravenglass Chronicles, Part 23) is out today on Kindle!

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.

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.

Finished Three of Swords, Back to Guild of Assassins, and More Dungeon Crawler Carl | Author Diary, February 13, 2026

Finished Three of Swords, made progress on Guild of Assassins Book 4, and started the second Dungeon Crawler Carl. A busy and productive week of writing and reading.

This week, I wrapped up Three of Swords (The Ravenglass Chronicles, Part 24)and moved straight onto writing a few chapters of Guild of Assassins Book 4.

It’s been great shifting gears between projects while keeping the momentum going.

On the reading front, I’ve jumped into the second Dungeon Crawler Carl book, and I’m thoroughly enjoying the ride so far. Safe to say, the series has me hooked.

A productive week all round—on the page and off it.