Tag: fantasy author diary

Three of Swords, Running Blind, and Loving Dungeon Crawler Carl | Author Diary – February 6, 2026

60% through Three of Swords, loving Dungeon Crawler Carl, and starting Couch to 5K with my wife as my sighted guide. Writing progress, reading joy, and a new running challenge.

This week I’ve been making strong progress on Three of Swords (The Ravenglass Chronicles, Part 24), reaching around 60% of the draft.

It’s always a great feeling when a story starts accelerating towards the final stretch.

I’ve also been reading Dungeon Crawler Carl, which I’m enjoying immensely—fast, funny, and brilliantly inventive.

On a personal note, I’ve started the Couch to 5K running programme. As someone who is legally blind, this is a new challenge, but my wife has trained as a sighted guide, so we’re tackling it together. It’s early days, but I’m excited to see where the journey leads.

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.

2025 in Review – A Year of Highs, Lows & Lessons | Author Diary – December 26, 2025

In this year-end episode, I reflect on my author journey throughout 2025—month-by-month wins, struggles, and lessons—and share my hopes for a successful 2026.

In this special year-end episode, I take a look back at 2025, reflecting on the high points, challenges, and key milestones in my author career.

I walk through the year month by month, revisiting the projects I launched, the goals I met (and missed), and everything I’ve learned along the way.

Thank you for being part of the journey—wishing you all the best for an exciting and creative 2026!

Final Checks Done & A Fascinating Read | Author Diary – December 12, 2025

This week, I wrapped final checks on Churchill’s Dragons, completed post-edit reviews of The Ravenglass Throne Books 11–12, and read Tara Westover’s brilliant memoir Educated.

This week, I completed the final check of Churchill’s Dragons (RAF Dragon Corps, Book 2), which means it’s now officially ready for the editor.

It’s always a great feeling getting a book to that stage.

I also finished my post-edit checks on The Ravenglass Throne Books 11 and 12, bringing me one step closer to wrapping up that epic series.

For reading, I’ve been immersed in Educated by Tara Westover—a gripping and powerful memoir that I’d highly recommend.

It’s a deeply personal and thought-provoking story about resilience, identity, and the power of learning.

🐉 Fighting Through SAD & Nostalgic Movie Nights | Author Diary, November 14, 2025 🎬📚

This week, I talk about writing through SAD, hitting 50k words on Churchill’s Dragons, finishing House of Cards, and revisiting classic movies with my son like Brewster’s Millions.

This week’s been tough—I’ve been struggling with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which has made writing harder than usual.

Still, I’ve kept pushing forward with Churchill’s Dragons (RAF Dragon Corps, Book 2), and I’m now at around 50,000 words into the draft.

To switch off, I finally finished watching House of Cards on Netflix… and honestly, it didn’t quite land for me.

So I decided to dig out the DVD player and introduce my son to some classic films, starting with Brewster’s Millions. A much-needed hit of nostalgia.

🐉 Churchill’s Dragons Progress, Audiobooks & Rest | Author Diary – November 1, 2025✍️🎧

This week, I hit 24k words on Churchill’s Dragons, prepped Punk’s Not Dead audiobook for final checks, and took a short AirBnB break with family to rest and manage early SAD symptoms.

This week, I passed the 24,000-word mark on my current work-in-progress, Churchill’s Dragons (RAF Dragon Corps, Book 2).

The story’s really taking shape, and I’m enjoying building on the world established in Book 1.

I also received the completed audiobook for Punk’s Not Dead and will be doing my final listen-through before it’s ready to go live.

On a personal note, I’ve Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) creeping in, so I took a few days off. I booked a short AirBnB break with my wife and son to rest, reset, and recharge.

Sometimes, rest is the work.

🐉 Back to Fantasy: Edits, Dragons & Getting Back into the Flow | Author Diary – October 24, 2025 ✍️📚

This week, I returned to fantasy—working on edits for The Ravenglass Throne Parts 10 & 11, and prepping RAF Dragon Corps Book 2. Great to be back in these worlds!

This week, I’ve been getting back into fantasy, and it feels great to return to the worlds I love.

I received Part 10 of The Ravenglass Throne back from my editor and spent time going through the edits.

I also completed final edits on Part 11, getting it ready to send off.

Alongside that, I’ve been getting back into RAF Dragon Corps Book 2—revisiting the outline, characters, and worldbuilding as I prepare to continue the series.

It’s been a productive week and a satisfying return to epic and military fantasy!

📦 Boxed Set Launch, Audiobooks & Q&A | Author Diary – September 19, 2025 🎧📚

This week, I launched The Ravenglass Throne boxed set, released Punks Versus Zombies and Trial of Thieves on audiobook, and answered questions about my writing process and worldbuilding.

This week’s been packed with releases and reader questions!

I launched The Ravenglass Throne: Parts 1–4 as a boxed set, available now in ebook and paperback formats.

The Punks Versus Zombies audiobook is now live, as is the Trial of Thieves audiobook (Dawn of Assassins, Book 2)—great news if you’re an audio listener!

I also took time to answer questions from readers about my writing process and worldbuilding techniques.

🛡️ Midpoint Milestone & Launch Weekend Incoming! | Author Diary – August 29, 2025 🧟📚

This week, I reached the midpoint of The Sentinel’s Mercy and prepared for the launch of the Punks Versus Zombies trilogy, releasing August 31. Feeling better and back in the writing flow!

This week, I’ve been recovering and feeling much better—just in time to reach the midpoint of The Sentinel’s Mercy, my latest Ravenglass Guardians novel.

The story’s hitting its stride, and I’m excited with how it’s coming together.

I’ve also been hard at work preparing for the launch of the Punks Versus Zombies trilogy, which goes live this weekend on August 31!

Can’t wait to get this wild post-apocalyptic ride into readers’ hands.

😷 Writing Through Sickness & Book Launch Prep | Author Diary – August 22, 2025 🧟📚

Despite a throat infection, I made progress on The Sentinel’s Mercy, wrapped up The Silent Watcher, and prepared for the Punks Versus Zombies launch on August 31. Busy week for the Ravenglass Universe!

This week’s been a bit rough—I’ve been dealing with a throat infection that had me in bed for a few days.

Despite that, I made good progress on The Sentinel’s Mercy (Ravenglass Guardians, Book 2), reaching eight chapters out of a planned 24.

I’ve also finished my final readthrough of The Silent Watcher (Book 1 in the same series). Though I’m calling them Books 1 and 2 for now, the Ravenglass Guardians series will be seven standalone novels, so their final order may shift.

Meanwhile, I’m gearing up for the launch of Punks Versus Zombies on August 31—just a few weeks to go!