Tag: indie fantasy author

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.

Editing Through Man Flu: The Prince and the Fool | Author Diary, March 13, 2026

Still feeling unwell, so I’ve focused on editing The Prince and the Fool (70k so far) ahead of a professional edit. Also reading book six of Dungeon Crawler Carl, which hasn’t hooked me yet.

I’m still feeling under the weather this week, so instead of drafting I’ve been focusing on editing.

I’ve been working through  The Prince and the Fool (Ravenglass Legends, Book 4) to prepare the manuscript for a professional edit next month.

I’m now around 70,000 words into the edit, so if all goes well I should have the manuscript finished early next week.

On the reading front, I’ve moved onto the sixth Dungeon Crawler Carl book. I absolutely loved book five, but so far this one isn’t quite grabbing me in the same way.

Spring Virus, Silent Watcher Edits, and a Lisa Jewell Thriller | Author Diary, March 6, 2026

A slower week thanks to a spring virus. I worked through edits on The Silent Watcher and read Don’t Let Him In by Lisa Jewell, a gripping psychological thriller.

This week’s been a quieter one as I’ve been under the weather with a spring virus.

Even so, I’ve been working through the edits for The Silent Watcher, making progress on polishing the manuscript.

I’ve also been doing some reading and picked up Don’t Let Him In by Lisa Jewell, which was a gripping psychological thriller.

Not the most energetic week, but still moving things forward behind the scenes.

Silent Watcher Edits Done, Deftones Live, and More Dungeon Crawler Carl | Author Diary, February 20, 2026

Final edits of The Silent Watcher are done and it’s off to the editor. Cover revealed soon on Patreon from March 2. Plus Deftones live in Manchester and more Dungeon Crawler Carl reading.

This week I completed my final edits of The Silent Watcher and have now sent it off for a professional edit.
I’ve also received the cover, and I’m looking forward to starting to post chapters on Patreon from March 2.
Outside of writing, I went to see Deftones in Manchester—an excellent gig with a set leaning more into their shoegaze/epic rock side, which was perfect for me.
On the reading front, I’m now onto the third Dungeon Crawler Carl book and still thoroughly enjoying its wacky, grimdark world.

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.

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.

Vote on my next Ravenglass Universe project

With Churchill’s Dragons complete, readers can vote on what I write next, from Guild of Assassins Book 4 to new Ravenglass Guardians novels, by visiting my Patreon poll.

I’ve just wrapped up Churchill’s Dragons and I’m letting readers decide what I start sharing next.

I’ve put a poll up on my Patreon so you can have a direct say in what comes next.

The first option is Guild of Assassins Book 4, shared as a work in progress for those who like seeing a novel take shape.

The second option is Silent Watcher, a dark, brooding psychological thriller set in the Ravenglass Universe.

The third option is Sentinel’s Mercy, a nobledark military fantasy following the Guardians in the Ravenglass Universe.

The fourth option is a mystery side project in the Ravenglass Universe that may get a little wacky.

If you’d like to influence what I focus on next, head over to my Patreon and cast your vote.

Visit: patreon.com/joncronshawauthor

Your choice will determine what starts posting first.

Thanks for reading, and I hope to see you there.

New Soren Story & Slowing Down for the Holidays | Author Diary – December 19, 2025

This week, I wrote a new Soren short story for Patreon, set in the Guild of Assassins universe, and talk about managing SAD and winding down for the Christmas break.

This week, I wrote a new Soren short story set in the Guild of Assassins universe, exclusively for Patreon supporters.

It’s always great to return to Soren’s world and explore new corners of the guild.

I also talk about struggling with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), and how I’m starting to wind down for the Christmas break to rest and reset before the new year.

Visit: patreon.com/joncronshawauthor

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.

🐉 Midpoint Milestone for Churchill’s Dragons & New Release Incoming | Author Diary – November 7, 2025 📚✨

This week, I hit the midpoint of Churchill’s Dragons and started posting chapters on Patreon. Plus, Rising Storm (Ravenglass Throne Part Eight) launches Monday!

This week, I reached the midpoint of Churchill’s Dragons (RAF Dragon Corps, Book 2) and have started posting editor-ready chapters on Patreon for early access readers.

The story’s coming together well, and it’s exciting to share it as it develops.

I also talk about the upcoming release of Rising Storm (The Ravenglass Throne, Part Eight), which is out this Monday! If you’ve been following the series, be ready—things are about to escalate.