Jon Cronshaw – The King of Nobledark
Author of epic fantasy with heart, grit, and moral weight. Where hope bleeds, but never dies.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
Started writing Four of Swords, re-watching The Good Place, and developing a new thriller inspired by Influenced. Plus thoughts on hitting a reading lull with Dungeon Crawler Carl.
This week I’ve started work on Four of Swords as I continue with The Ravenglass Chronicles.
It’s always exciting to begin a new instalment and see where the story leads next.
I’ve also begun re-watching The Good Place with my son, which has been a lot of fun revisiting together.
On the reading front, I talk about flagging a little with Dungeon Crawler Carl—still enjoyable, but I may take a short break before continuing.
I’ve also been developing a new psychological thriller, inspired by one of my short stories from Influenced, and exploring where that idea might lead.
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.
