Jon Cronshaw – The King of Nobledark
Author of epic fantasy with heart, grit, and moral weight. Where hope bleeds, but never dies.
This week, I reached 75% of my Watcher draft in the Ravenglass Guardians series and began outlining the next standalone novel, which will follow the Guardians’ Sentinel faction.
This week, I’ve made solid progress on my Watcher story in the Ravenglass Guardians series, hitting the 75% mark in my draft.
If everything continues smoothly, I should have a complete draft by the end of next week.
I’ve also been outlining the next standalone novel, which will follow a character from the Guardians’ Sentinel faction. Each book in this series will explore a different path of the Guardians, with all seven forming a powerful nobledark saga.
This week, I reached the midpoint of my first Ravenglass Guardians novel, a nobledark fantasy with political thriller vibes. I’m planning seven 60k-word standalones, written before Patreon release.
This week, I hit the mid-point in drafting my first Ravenglass Guardians novel, focusing on the Watchers faction. It’s a nobledark fantasy with strong political thriller elements.
Since each of the seven planned books will be standalone, this may not be the first released—but my goal is to write the full series before launching it on Patreon.
I’m aiming for 60k-word novels (like my Guild of Assassins books), which allows me to draft a solid book in about four weeks, writing 3,000 words per weekday—a pace I’ve kept up for years. It’s a challenge, but one I’m excited to push through!
This week, I began work on my new seven-book nobledark fantasy series about the Guardians in the Ravenglass Universe, reaching 25% of Book 1. Plus, I share why I’m focusing on shorter, 60k-word novels.
This week, I’ve dived into my new series set in the Ravenglass Universe, focusing on the Guardians—a seven-novel, nobledark fantasy exploring the different paths within the order. I’ve written the first six chapters of Book 1, putting me at 25% of the draft already.
I also reflect on my shift toward writing more 60,000-word novels, similar in length to the Guild of Assassins books. This feels like the sweet spot for the kinds of focused, intense stories I want to tell going forward. Exciting times ahead!
Jon Cronshaw declares himself the King of Nobledark—because someone had to. In this post, he explains what nobledark fantasy is, why it matters, and how a ravenglass sword and some highly trained wyverns keep the crown in place.
I didn’t mean to become the King of Nobledark.
Truly.
I was just minding my own business, poking around the edges of grimdark, whispering sweet nothings to hope, when I stumbled upon a dusty old crown lying in a forgotten corner of the fantasy genre.
No one was wearing it.
No one was even looking at it.
So, I picked it up, gave it a polish, and popped it on my head.
It fits rather well.
Naturally, I assumed someone would try to stop me. Perhaps a grimdark usurper, still drunk on blood and betrayal, lurching from the shadows, broadsword in hand, quoting Nietzsche and snarling about nihilism.
But alas, no.
Apparently, claiming the crown of Nobledark—that little corner of fantasy where honour still breathes (barely), where sacrifice means something, and where good people try to stay good in worlds that want them broken—isn’t high on anyone’s to-do list.
So here I am.
Jon Cronshaw. The King of Nobledark.
Now, I realise some of my fellow authors might feel tempted. You may think, “That crown would look rather fetching atop my morally complex, world-weary protagonist, actually.”
And I respect that.
But before you mount your literary siege engines, a word of warning: I’ve got wyverns. Highly trained ones. They don’t breathe fire—they just watch. Constantly. Silently. Judgementally. And if that doesn’t unsettle you, it really should.
I also carry a Ravenglass blade, forged with my own blood and tears. Beautiful, yes—but with the rather unfortunate side effect of burning its victims from the inside out. You won’t notice at first. You’ll think you’re fine. And then the screaming starts.
So if you, too, write stories where the world is cruel, but your characters dare to care anyway… then by all means, take up the mantle. Write nobledark. Spread the word. Let readers know that fantasy doesn’t have to choose between despair and delusion.
But the title?
That’s mine.
Unless, of course, you think you can take it.
(You can’t.)
Long live nobledark.
Long live the King.
🖤⚔️👑
After taking last week off, I’m back at the writing desk and making great progress on The Prince and the Fool (Ravenglass Legends, Book 4).
I’ve just hit the mid-point of the book—and the series itself!
I’ll be sharing unedited chapters on Patreon over the next few weeks for those following along early.
This week, I also chat about reading Homecoming by Robin Hobb—a beautifully written book as always—and watching Baby Reindeer on Netflix, a dark but excellent drama that’s definitely stayed with me.
On a less fun note, I’ve been nursing a bad back, which means I’ve had to miss out on seeing one of my favourite bands, James.
Hoping to be back on my feet properly soon!
This week, I finished compiling four speculative fiction collections—Influenced, Outraged, Cancelled, and Muted. I’m also back writing The Prince and the Fool, and considering an Amazon-only release for The Ravenglass Throne.
This week, I completed work on my four speculative fiction collections: Influenced, Outraged, Cancelled, and Muted. If you’d like a taste, you can grab a free collection at joncronshaw.com/optimised.
I also returned to writing The Prince and the Fool (Ravenglass Legends, Book 4). It feels great to be back in the world of epic fantasy after a detour into short fiction. The story’s gaining momentum again, and I’m excited to see where it leads.
On the publishing front, I’ve received two new covers for The Ravenglass Throne and am considering a pivot to releasing the series exclusively on Amazon—though it will remain Patreon-first for early access.
Thanks for following along!
