Tag: indie fantasy author

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!

Audio Editing, Battle of Britain with Dragons & Applying for a New Guide Dog | Author Diary, May 21, 2026

This week: audio editing Reign of Daggers, planning RAF Dragon Corps Book 3 during the Blitz, and beginning the assessment process for my next Guide Dog.

This week I’ve been doing an audio pass of Reign of Daggers (Dawn of Assassins, Book 4), listening through the full manuscript to make sure the story flows properly before putting it aside for a while.

I find hearing a story aloud is one of the best ways to catch pacing issues and awkward moments.

I’ve also started work on RAF Dragon Corps Book 3, mapping out the timeline before begininng the draft.

This instalment will take place during the Battle of Britain and the Blitz, which should make for a dramatic backdrop for dragons and aerial combat.

On a more personal note, I talk about beginning the process of being assessed for a new Guide Dog.

My current dog is retiring this year, so I’ve started the application and assessment process for my next guide.

As someone who relies on a Guide Dog to get around, it’s a big life transition.

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.

Conspiracies, Poirot & 60k Words of Assassins | Author Diary, May 8, 2026

This week: 60k words on Reign of Daggers, conspiracy podcasts, classic Poirot, vintage Attenborough documentaries, 6k running progress, and reading Heir to Atlantis by Chris Fox.

This week I hit the 60,000-word mark on Reign of Daggers (Dawn of Assassins, Book 4), and the story’s continuing to build momentum as I head toward the final stretch.

I also talk about the end of the Knowledge Fight podcast and my love of conspiracy debunking/deconstruction shows, including Some Dare Call it Conspiracy, Conspirituality, and QAA.

There’s something fascinating about pulling apart modern myths and misinformation.

On the viewing front, I’ve started watching the classic 1980s Poirot series, which I’m really enjoying, and revisited an early 1961 David Attenborough documentary on Madagascar. I love the slow pace and calm tone of those older documentaries.

Outside of writing, I reached 6k running, which feels like another solid milestone.

I’ve also been reading Heir to Atlantis by Chris Fox, an archaeological thriller drawing inspiration from pseudo-history, which has been a fun read so far.

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.

Back on Form: Four of Swords, Guild of Assassins, and Project Hail Mary | Author Diary, April 10, 2026

Feeling better after a month of illness. Progress on Four of Swords and Guild of Assassins Book 4. Also saw Project Hail Mary at the cinema—thoroughly enjoyed it.

This week I’m finally feeling better after a month of illness, which means a welcome return to proper momentum.

I’ve been working on Four of Swords and also going back over my progress on Guild of Assassins Book 4, getting a clearer sense of where that story is heading.

I also went to see the film adaptation of Project Hail Mary, which I thoroughly enjoyed. It’s well worth a watch if you liked the book.

A much more positive and productive week all round.

Silent Watcher Chapter 1 Free – Read Jon Cronshaw’s New Dark Fantasy on Patreon

Read the opening chapter of Silent Watcher for free on Patreon. A dark political fantasy of espionage, conspiracy, and betrayal set in the Ravenglass Universe.

I’ve started posting my new novel Silent Watcher on Patreon—and you can read the opening chapter right now for free.

This one’s a bit different. Darker. More claustrophobic. The kind of story where the truth keeps shifting just out of reach the closer you get to it.

Here’s the setup:

A dead Watcher. A town that won’t speak. A truth someone is desperate to bury.

Anselma Versen arrives in Halborg to investigate a colleague’s death. Officially, it was an accident.

It doesn’t feel like one.

The streets are scrubbed too clean.

The townsfolk speak like they’ve rehearsed it.

And the dead Watcher left behind a journal he was never meant to write.

Then things start to get… stranger.

Records don’t match.

Witnesses remember different versions of the same events.

And Anselma finds her own name—her own signature—on reports she never wrote.

At that point, it’s no longer just an investigation.

It’s a system.

And it’s already accounting for her.

If she follows orders, she survives.

If she keeps digging… she probably doesn’t.

If you like your fantasy with a strong espionage edge—something closer to a spy thriller in tone—this might be your kind of thing. Think conspiracies, institutional power, and a protagonist who refuses to accept the official version of events.

I’ll be posting chapters on Patreon, starting now, and the first one’s free if you want to take a look.

👉 You can read Chapter 1 HERE.

If you give it a try, I hope you enjoy stepping into Halborg. It’s not a friendly place.

Edits, Andy Weir & New Patreon Chapters Incoming | Author Diary, April 2, 2025

This week: editing Churchill’s Dragons and Four of Swords, reading Project Hail Mary, and starting The Silent Watcher on Patreon. Plus thoughts on dark domestic fantasy.

This week I’ve continued working through edits on  Churchill’s Dragons and  Four of Swords, keeping the momentum going across both projects.

On the reading front, I finished Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir, which I thought was excellent—a brilliant mix of science, tension, and heart.

I also talk about my dark domestic fantasy project, Until the Wyvern Spoke, and share that I’ll be starting to post Silent Watcher on Patreon from Monday.

Lots of new content on the way!