Tag: indie fantasy author

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.

Nine Years of Publishing, Dragon Corps Progress & Sentinel Edits | Author Diary – June 19, 2026

This week: 60% through RAF Dragon Corps Book 3, editing The Sentinel’s Mercy, and celebrating nine years since publishing Wizard of the Wasteland.

This week I’ve continued working on RAF Dragon Corps Book 3 and have now reached the 60% mark in the draft.

 It’s been great returning to the skies over wartime Britain and continuing the series.

I’ve also been working through The Sentinel’s Mercy, getting the manuscript ready to send off for a professional edit. It’s always satisfying to move a project closer to publication.

And this week marks a special milestone: nine years since I published my first novel, Wizard of the Wasteland.

Looking back on nearly a decade as an indie author, I reflect on how far things have come, the lessons I’ve learned, and the stories still waiting to be told.

Thanks to everyone who’s joined me on this journey. Here’s to the next nine years!

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This week: 60% through RAF Dragon Corps Book 3, editing The Sentinel’s Mercy, and celebrating nine years since publishing Wizard of the Wasteland.

Dragons, Swords & Dark Reads | Author Diary, June 12, 2026

This week: seven chapters drafted for RAF Dragon Corps Book 3, work begins on Five of Swords, The Prince and the Fool launches, and Orphan Farm Boy of Destiny is now free on Patreon.

This week, I’ve been making strong progress on RAF Dragon Corps Book 3, completing the first draft of the opening seven chapters.

The Battle of Britain is beginning to take shape, and I’m enjoying getting back into the world of dragon riders, aerial combat, and wartime Britain.

I’ve also started work on Five of Swords, continuing my return to The Ravenglass Chronicles.

On the reading front, I finished Kaiju: Battlefield Surgeon by Matt Dinniman. It’s an incredibly dark book, veering into horror at times, but I found it compelling from start to finish. I’ve now moved on to Dominion of Blades by the same author and am enjoying seeing a different side of his storytelling.

In publishing news, The Prince and the Fool is out today, marking the next chapter in the Ravenglass Legends saga. Also, my satirical fantasy novella Orphan Farm Boy of Destiny is now available free to followers on Patreon.

A busy week of writing, reading, and new releases!

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.