Tag: FantasyCon

📚 Fantasycon Highlights & Creative Endeavours | Author Diary – October 18, 2024🎩🎃

In this week’s Author Diary, I share my experiences from Fantasycon, delve into new and ongoing writing projects, and explore some intriguing reads.

🏰 Fantasycon Adventures:

This past weekend at Fantasycon was a whirlwind of inspiration and connection. Participating in panels, enjoying the banquet, and meeting both fellow authors and avid readers was fantastic. It’s always exhilarating to be part of such a dynamic gathering of creative minds.

🎩 Crafting a New Lord Sidebottom Tale:

In the spirit of Halloween, I’ve started working on a new Lord Sidebottom story. This steampunk adventure promises to be as wacky and inventive as its protagonist, perfectly fitting for the spooky season. I’ll be posting this as a free story on my Patreon on October 31! Visit: patreon.com/joncronshawauthor

🗡️ Progress on “Forged in Blood”:

I’m also nearing the completion of “Forged in Blood,” the second book in the Guild of Assassins series. Currently 80% through the draft, the final stages are both the most challenging and exciting as I tighten the narrative and escalate towards a compelling climax.

📖 Reading Update:

After finishing “The Eye in the Pyramid,” the first book of the Illuminatus! trilogy by Robert Shea and Robert Anton Wilson, I’m still processing its wild and intricate narrative. Now, I’ve moved on to “Incarcerat,” part of the TerrorTome series by Garth Marenghi. This horror parody offers a refreshing and humorous take on the genre, proving to be an entertaining read.

I’d love to hear about your experiences at conventions, any Halloween-themed stories you’re working on, or your thoughts on blending humour with horror in literature.

Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more weekly insights from my author’s journey!

🎉 Celebrating 7 Years & Gearing Up for Fantasycon | Author Diary – October 4, 2024 📚🎙️

Join me in this week’s Author Diary as we celebrate a significant milestone, delve into current projects, and look forward to an exciting event.

🎉 7th Anniversary of the Author Diary Podcast:

This week marks the seventh anniversary of my Author Diary podcast. It’s been a wonderful journey of sharing insights, challenges, and triumphs from my writing life. I’ve enjoyed connecting with all of you, and I’m grateful for your continued support.

📖 Current Writing and Reading:

I’ve been making steady progress on “Forged in Blood,” the latest installment in the Guild of Assassins series. Writing this book has been an intricate process, weaving complex characters and dark themes into the narrative fabric. Alongside writing, I’ve been immersed in “Vengeful Spirit” from the Horus Heresy series, a gripping tale that complements the intense and dramatic tone of my own work.

👥 Reader Interaction:

In this special anniversary episode, I took the opportunity to answer some reader questions.

🏰 Prepping for Fantasycon:

Looking ahead, I’m thrilled to be attending Fantasycon next weekend. I’ll be participating in four panels discussing topics ranging from rogues and grimdark to post-apocalyptic fiction and the portrayal of disability beyond the trope of ‘superpower.’ As I prepare for the convention, I’m excited to meet many of you there, share insights, and explore the diverse and dynamic world of fantasy literature.

Stay tuned for updates from Fantasycon and more adventures from the writing desk!

I’d love to hear your thoughts on podcast milestones, your experiences with fantasy conventions, or any questions you might have about writing and reading. Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more weekly insights and updates from my author’s journey!

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Are you going to Fantasycon?

Hello from Morecambe!

Exciting news! I’m thrilled to announce that I’ll be attending Fantasycon 2024 in Chester, England, from October 11-13.

This is a fantastic opportunity for us to meet in person, chat about all things fantasy, and maybe even share a pint or two!

🗓️ Event Details:

What: Fantasycon 2024

Where: The Queen at Chester Hotel, Chester, England

When: October 11-13, 2024

Website: britishfantasysociety.org/events-calendar/fantasycon-2024/

🎤 Panel Appearances:

I’m honoured to be participating in four author panels this year:

  • The Art of Writing Roguish Characters
  • Exploring the Depths of Grimdark Fantasy
  • Imagining Tomorrow: Post-Apocalyptic Fiction
  • Disability Beyond a Superpower

These panels promise to be engaging discussions, and I’d love to see some familiar faces in the audience!

🐕‍🦺 How to Find Me:

I’ll be easy to spot – just look for the guy who matches my author photo, accompanied by my trusty Guide Dog, Digit. We’re quite the dynamic duo, and Digit is always up for a pat (but please ask first, as he’ll be working).

🎉 Extra Fun:

If the stars align (and I’ve had a pint or two), you might even catch me at the karaoke event. Fair warning: my singing voice is more “enthusiastic” than “melodious”!

💬 Let’s Connect:

I’m really looking forward to meeting you all in person. Whether you want to chat about your favourite characters, geek out about fantasy books, or just say hello, please don’t hesitate to approach me.

If you’re planning to attend Fantasycon, drop me a email at joncronshawauthor@gmail.com. It would be great to know who to look out for!

This is shaping up to be an incredible event, and I can’t wait to share it with you all.

See you in Chester!

Jon

Fantastic Fantasy Blogs for Bookworms

Dive into the realm of fantasy literature with these top blogs, offering reviews, news, and insights on beloved authors and emerging tales. Dive deeper now!

Fantasy fiction has exploded in popularity in recent years, with epic tales of magic, monsters and mythical worlds capturing the imagination of readers across the world.

If you can’t get enough of authors like N.K. Jemisin, Robin Hobb, and George R.R. Martin, you’ll want to check out these top fantasy blogs for your regular dose of news, reviews, and commentary from the world of fantasy literature.

The British Fantasy Society

(www.britishfantasysociety.org/blog/)

Run by the British Fantasy Society, this blog features reviews of new fantasy book releases by British authors and posts from their annual FantasyCon event. It’s a great way to discover new British fantasy writers and series to add to your reading list.

Fantasy Faction

(www.fantasy-faction.com)

One of the most popular fantasy blogs online, Fantasy Faction features in-depth discussions of all aspects of fantasy, from analyses of magic systems in different novels to debates about tropes and trends in the genre. They also post regular author interviews.

Fantasy Café

(www.fantasycafe.com)

Book lover Kristen runs this blog sharing her passion for fantasy books old and new. She posts thoughtful, in-depth reviews and has a “My Favorite Bit” series highlighting fun excerpts from fantasy novels.

The Wertzone

(www.thewertzone.blogspot.com)

British blogger Adam Whitehead reviews an impressively wide range of fantasy books and shares news about upcoming releases. He also covers fantasy computer games and TV/film adaptations of popular fantasy series.

Speculative Fiction Junkie

(www.speculativefictionjunkie.co.uk)

UK blogger Susan clarifies that she’s “a speculative fiction junkie, not a drug addict!” She writes reviews focused on the young adult fantasy genre but also covers adult and children’s fantasy books, short stories and more.

So check out these top sites to discover your next great fantasy read and connect with fellow fantasy fans online. Just beware of getting sucked into magical digital rabbit holes when you meant to be doing work.