Santa Versus Zombies! (A Zombie Comedy Christmas Story)

When zombies crash the mall’s Christmas festivities, a jaded mall Santa must trade his gift list for a weapon and lead a ragtag group of survivors to safety.

Facing hordes of techno-infected undead and malfunctioning decorations, Frank discovers that sometimes the greatest Christmas magic comes from believing in yourself—even if you’re wearing a polyester beard.

This week on Patreon! (December 9-14, 2024)

Here’s what’s new on Patreon this week:

For Paid Members:

  • Chapters 13 and 14 of Forged in Blood (Guild of Assassins, Book 2) are now live.
  • Episode 6 of Hunters, my space Western side project.
  • Episode 6 of Niamh’s Journey (Punks Versus Zombies side story).

For Free Members:

  • As the Gravity Flipped—a sci-fi story about a cleaner caught in a rebellion on a space station, now with an audio version available!
  • My weekly author diary video, offering insights into my writing process and updates.
  • Coming this weekend: The Mediocre Maverick, a satirical story you won’t want to miss.

Whether you’re a free or paid member, there’s plenty to enjoy this week. Thank you for your continued support and for being part of this creative journey!

Join me on Patreon now!

Jon

P.S. Use the promo code RAVENGLASS to get 50% off your first month’s subscription!

The Mediocre Maverick (A Satire)

Meet Millie, the self-proclaimed queen of mundane who preaches the gospel of mediocrity to her devoted followers.

But behind her carefully curated beige existence lies an adrenaline junkie with a secret—and she’ll do anything to keep it.

When a chance encounter threatens to expose her double life, Millie discovers that maintaining her brand of boring might be the most thrilling challenge of all.

This week on Patreon

Here’s what’s been happening on Patreon this week:

For Paid Members:

  • Chapters 11 and 12 of Forged in Blood (Guild of Assassins, Book 2) are now live.
  • A new chapter of Hunters, my space Western side project.
  • The latest chapter of Niamh’s Journey (Punks Versus Zombies side story).

For Free Members:

  • Prisoner of the Wasteland—a side story set in the world of my Wasteland series.
  • As the Gravity Flipped—a sci-fi tale about a cleaner unwittingly joining a rebellion on a space station.
  • The Perfect Daughter—a brand-new satirical short story about a woman who uses an AI voice clone to call her mother.

Cyber Monday Special:

The 70% off offer for your first month on any paid tier ends Monday!
Use the promo code WYVERN to claim this incredible deal and get access to exclusive chapters, audio stories, and more.

Apple Users: To avoid the 30% surcharge in the app, please sign up through a browser.

Join me on Patreon now!

Visit: patreon.com/joncronshawauthor

Thank you for your support, and I can’t wait to share more stories with you!

– Jon

The Perfect Daughter: A Story About Automating What We Can’t Fix

Ever wondered what would happen if we could outsource our family guilt to AI?

I did, and the result is my new short story, “The Perfect Daughter” – available now to read for free on Patreon.

Meet Ellie, a management consultant who’s mastered the art of minimising her mother’s calls during client meetings.

When she discovers an AI service that promises to handle her family obligations, it seems like the perfect solution.

VoiceEase will maintain her relationship with her mother while she focuses on selling certainty to people who can afford to buy it.

This story emerged from watching all of us become increasingly skilled at maintaining the appearance of connection while drifting further apart.

It’s about the small compromises we make in the name of efficiency, the ways we try to optimise relationships that were never meant to be optimised, and the messy reality of mother-daughter dynamics in an age where everything can be automated—except the feelings we’re trying to avoid.

“The Perfect Daughter” explores what happens when we apply startup solutions to human problems.

It’s about artificial intelligence and authentic avoidance, about the ghosts in our machines and the ones in our family trees. You can read it right now on my Patreon—no subscription required.

Important Announcement – RE: Ream

Dear Ream Subscribers,
I want to thank you all for your incredible support on this platform. It’s been a wonderful experience connecting with you and sharing my stories, but I’ve made the decision to transition fully to Patreon.

What Does This Mean for Ream?
I’ll be wrapping up all open projects for paid members here on Ream, so no one misses out.
However, all current and future updates will now also be available on Patreon, alongside:
– Hunters, my new space Western side project.
– Audio stories for immersive storytelling.
– Regular short stories and updates.

Why the Move?
I need a more robust platform to continue building and sharing my work. Patreon provides the tools and community features to help me grow as a creator and deliver even more content to you.

What’s Waiting for You on Patreon?
Even free members of Patreon get plenty of regular updates, including short stories, behind-the-scenes posts, and author diary videos.
Paid subscriptions offer even more, with access to exclusive content like early chapters, bonus projects, and more.

I hope you’ll join me on Patreon to continue this journey. Your support has meant the world to me, and I’d love to keep sharing my stories with you.
Join me on Patreon today!
Thank you for everything,
Jon
Visit: patreon.com/joncronshawauthor.

This week on Patreon

Exciting updates for both free and paid members this week!

For Paid Members:

  • Early access to Forged in Blood (Guild of Assassins, Book 2), with chapters seven and eight now available.
  • New chapters of Niamh’s Journey (Punks Versus Zombies side story).
  • A fresh chapter of Hunters, my fun space Western side project.

For Free Members:

  • The Speed of Boredom, a dark flash fiction piece about a young man convinced boredom is the secret to eternal life.
  • The Gibson Continuum, a cyberpunk-inspired short story.

At the moment, I’m posting four different chapters weekly, alongside a short story. Free members also receive regular updates, including short stories and author diary videos.

Paid subscriptions start at just $4.99 per month, so don’t miss out on all the exclusive content!

Join me on Patreon today at patreon.com/joncronshawauthor.

This week on Patreon

Here’s what’s new for subscribers this week on my Patreon:

New for Members:

  • Forged in Blood (Guild of Assassins, Book 2) Chapters five and six are now available! Dive deeper into Soren’s journey as he trains within the Guild of Assassins, grappling with loyalty, betrayal, and the shadows of his past.
  • Niamh’s Journey (Punks Versus Zombies Side Story) The second chapter of this gripping tale is up. Follow Niamh and Sean as they navigate a zombie outbreak in Philadelphia, blending survival with heart-wrenching family drama.
  • Hunters (Wacky Space Western Side Project) The next chapter of Hunters is live. Join Dex, Kara, and Torin as they balance chaos and camaraderie on their space-faring escapades.

Free Content:

Even if you’re not a paying member, you can still enjoy some fantastic stories:

  • Lord Sidebottom and the Pirate Pandemonium Steampunk absurdity at its finest! Lord Sidebottom faces a pirate uprising with his usual mix of wit and Victorian manners.
  • The Speed of Boredom A bizarre flash fiction piece exploring the limits of ennui—or is it something more?

Membership Options:

Gain access to all these updates and more for just $4.99 per month. Plus, free members still enjoy regular updates!

Visit: patreon.com/joncronshawauthor

Note: Apple has introduced a 30% surcharge for subscriptions made through the Patreon iPhone app. To avoid this extra cost, sign up via a browser instead. Your support is invaluable and keeps these stories coming!

FORGED IN BLOOD is now available for early access on Patreon!

Join Soren as he trains under his father’s killer and discovers the true price of power. Watch his friendship with Alaric crumble as ambition corrupts everything it touches…

Soren once sought justice for his father’s murder…

…now he’s becoming everything he once despised.

How far would you go for power?

For Soren, the answer becomes darker with every lesson from his new mentor—the very assassin who killed his father.

As he delves deeper into the Guild’s deadly arts, the line between justice and vengeance blurs, and his closest friendship hangs by a thread…

FORGED IN BLOOD is now available for early access on Patreon! Get it months before the retail release:

🖤 First two chapters available instantly.

📖 Two new chapters weekly.

💭 Chat with me about Soren’s descent into darkness as the story unfolds.

Perfect for readers who love morally grey characters and the seductive pull of darkness.

Come witness the price of power…

🚀 Preparing for New Ventures & Ancient Explorations | Author Diary – September 6, 2024 📚🏛️

This week’s Author Diary takes a step back from writing to focus on administrative duties, setting up new platforms, and gearing up for an inspiring journey.

🌐 Launching Patreon:

My week has been heavily focused on preparing to officially launch my Patreon page.

This platform will provide a dedicated space for more personalized interactions with my readers and offer exclusive content that dives deeper into the worlds I create.

I’m excited about the opportunities this will open up for both new projects and the community that has been with me throughout my writing journey.

🛫 Preparing for Pompeii and Rome:

In preparation for an upcoming trip to Pompeii and Rome, I’ve been planning the details of the visit.

This adventure isn’t just a vacation; it’s a chance to gather rich historical insights and inspiration from some of the world’s most storied ruins and artworks.

The history and mystery of these places are bound to infuse new ideas into my future writings.

📖 Reading “Pompeii” by Mary Beard:

To enhance my upcoming trip, I’ve been reading Mary Beard’s “Pompeii.”

Her detailed exploration of the ancient city provides a fascinating backdrop to the remains I will soon see firsthand.

The book is an excellent primer, enriching my understanding and anticipation of the historical context I will explore.

As I prepare for these exciting ventures, I’m reminded of the importance of taking time to fuel creativity with new experiences and dedicated planning.

I look forward to sharing the insights and inspirations from these adventures with you all.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on balancing creative work with travel, experiences with Patreon, or your favourite historical reads.

Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more updates from my author’s life and the experiences that shape my stories!