Jon Cronshaw's Author Diary - The Real Life of an Indie Author | Writing | Publishing | Disability

This week, I’ve been busy going through lots of short stories, organising them into collections ready for release. The first collection, Influenced, will be out on May 10! Influenced is a series of dark, satirical speculative fiction tales, exploring twisted futures, sharp social commentary, and unsettling what-ifs. I'm really excited to share these stories, and this marks the start of more sh...

It’s been a big week! I launched two new books: 🔥 Wyvern’s Shadow (The Ravenglass Throne, Book 2) ⚔️ Blade of Sorrows (Guild of Assassins, Book 3) On top of that, I’ve started work on Book 4 of Ravenglass Legends. I’ve made the decision to expand this into a seven-book series, with this fourth instalment serving as a mid-point in the larger story. While it’s not my bestselling work, Ravenglass Le...

This week has been all about juggling projects and getting things ready for some exciting releases. I’ve been busy preparing my short stories for a new podcast — Speculative Fiction Tales. You can find it on your favourite podcast app or over on my YouTube channel. I’m also gearing up for the launch of two books next week: 🐉 Wyvern's Shadow (The Ravenglass Throne Book 2) ⚔️ Blade of Sorrows (...

This week, I’m excited to announce that Forged in Blood is now available! It’s always a great feeling getting a new book out into the world. I’ve also been working on some new Guild of Assassins short stories, which are now available to download for free at joncronshaw.com/guildassassin. If you're enjoying the series, these are a great way to dig deeper into the world. On the viewing front, I...

This week, I finished the draft of Hunters—a gritty Space Western I’ve really enjoyed working on. I’m still undecided on what to do with it long-term, but for now, it may stay as a Patreon-only project. April is shaping up to be huge, with three book launches on the way: 📖 Forged in Blood – April 4 🐉 Wyvern’s Shadow (The Ravenglass Throne: Part Two) – April 12 ⚔️ Blade of Sorrows – April 17 I al...

This week, I wrapped up the draft of Dragon Squadron (RAF Dragon Corps), and I’m thrilled with how it’s turned out. But with three book launches on the horizon—Wyvern’s Shadow (The Ravenglass Throne: Part Two), Forged in Blood, and Blade of Sorrows—my focus now shifts to prepping those releases. In this episode, I reflect on the many open projects I’ve got on the go and the importance of staying f...

This week, I’ve been deep in Dragon Squadron (RAF Dragon Corps), and what started as a novella has now evolved into a full novel! I’m currently 16 chapters in out of 24, and the story is shaping up beautifully—I’m absolutely loving where it’s going. In publishing news, Shattered Kingdom (The Ravenglass Throne: Part One) is now released, and Forged in Blood is officially up for pre-order! It’s been...

This week, I completed a new novella in a new series and a new genre—alternative history/historical fantasy! I’ve been working on Dragon Squadron, a story set in 1939 England that imagines what if there were dragons in World War II. The novella follows Jim Ashford, a young man who defies his naval admiral father to join the elite RAF Dragon Corps. Bonding with Aether, a midnight-blue combat dragon...

This week, I dusted off a project I haven’t touched since May 2023—The Chosen One, a heroic fantasy about a child of prophecy destined to defeat the Dark Lord…except the Dark Lord never came. Now 40, he abandoned his heroic destiny 20 years ago, but fate may have other plans. I also made progress on my Space Western, Hunters, writing a new chapter as I continue expanding that world. This month has...

This week marks a major milestone—I’ve finished book 12 of The Ravenglass Throne, meaning the entire series is now complete! Now, it’s a waiting game for the edits to come back, but the hard work of drafting is done. With The Ravenglass Throne wrapped up, I’ve been reflecting on what’s next. I need to take stock of my open projects and decide which one excites me the most before diving in. There a...

This week has been a lighter one, as I’ve mostly been resting after a big push on Book 11 of The Ravenglass Throne over the weekend. Now, I’m onto the final novella in the series—the last stretch is in sight! I’ve also been reading The 10 Cent Plague, a fascinating history of comic books in America. It’s been a great read, full of insight into the cultural impact and controversies surrounding comi...

This week, I’ve finished drafting Book 10 of The Ravenglass Throne and even started on the first chapter of Book 11! With the series nearing its conclusion, I’ve also been working through edits on Book 2, which I’ll start posting on Patreon soon. As The Ravenglass Throne wraps up, I’m starting to think about what comes next. Possible projects include: • Guild of Assassins, book 4 • Dawn of Assassi...

This week, I’ve been pushing forward with Book 9 of The Ravenglass Throne—I’m just three chapters away from finishing my first draft! The end is in sight, and I’m excited to bring this part of the story to a close. Despite my focus on The Ravenglass Throne, inspiration struck for Guild of Assassins book 4, and I couldn’t resist writing the first chapter. But for now, I need to rein myself in and s...

This week, I’ve made significant progress on The Ravenglass Throne series—I’m halfway through drafting Book 8, and the story is shaping up to be an intense and exciting continuation of the series. I’m also thrilled to announce the launch of The Knight and the Rebel (Ravenglass Legends, Book 3). This new release is now available, and I can’t wait for readers to dive into this thrilling tale set in...

This week, I’ve been making slow progress on The Ravenglass Throne—I’m now just three chapters away from finishing Book 7. The story is heating up, and I can’t wait to share it with you. I’ve also been enjoying The Diplomat on Netflix. It’s a gripping show full of political intrigue, and it’s been a nice way to recharge between writing sessions. For the first time ever, I’m running a contest! You...

This week has been a bit of a mixed bag. I’ve been working on The Ravenglass Throne and Hunters, but progress has been slow as I’ve been feeling the effects of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). I realised I forgot to mention some big news in the podcast: I’ve started posting The Ravenglass Throne on Patreon! The first few chapters are up now, and I’m also sharing Blade of Sorrows (Guild of Assass...

Happy New Year! I’m back at work on The Ravenglass Throne and making great progress—Book 5 is nearly complete, and Book 1 has returned from the editor. I’ve gone through the edits, and I’m thrilled to announce that I’ll start posting episodes on Patreon starting Monday! This fast-paced epic fantasy series, set in the Ravenglass Universe, will have new episodes releasing every Monday, Wednesday, an...

In this week’s Author Diary, I share exciting developments and reflections as the year draws to a close. I’ve just completed the fourth novella in The Ravenglass Throne series, only to realise that what I’ve created is a full novel, not four novellas! Moving forward, I’ll start posting chapters exclusively on Patreon, as I shift to a Patreon-first publishing approach for my work. I also look back...

In this week's Author Diary, I share the challenges of making slow progress on The Ravenglass Throne while navigating the struggles of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). On a brighter note, I’ve received edits back for my upcoming novel, The Knight and the Rebel (Ravenglass Legends, book 3), and I’m thrilled to announce its release date: January 30, 2025! This story blends adventure, rebellion, an...

This week, I’ve been writing the third novella in The Ravenglass Throne serial and reading Drumindor by Michael J. Sullivan. Join me for updates on my writing journey and thoughts on the Riyria series!  I’ve been making great progress on the third novella in my ongoing serial, The Ravenglass Throne. The story continues to unfold with twists, political intrigue, and the personal struggles of its th...

Join me in this week's Author Diary as I make exciting progress on my new fantasy serial and dive into the world of epic reads! 👑 Introducing "The Ravenglass Throne" This week, I continued developing my new project, The Ravenglass Throne, a 12-novella serial releasing monthly episodes. Subscribers on Patreon can enjoy three chapters per week before the full novellas are released on ebook platform...

Join me in this week's Author Diary as I embark on an exciting new writing adventure and share my latest reading experiences. 👑 Introducing "The Ravenglass Throne": This week marks the beginning of a new venture into YA epic fantasy with my latest project, "The Ravenglass Throne." The story unfolds around three princesses thrown into turmoil after their father, the king, is mysteriously assassina...

Join me in this week's Author Diary as I celebrate a major milestone in my writing journey and share my current literary indulgence. 📘 Finishing "Blade of Sorrows": I’m thrilled to announce that I've completed the draft of "Blade of Sorrows," the third book in the Guild of Assassins series. 📖 Current Reading: As I take a brief pause from writing to recharge, I've started reading "Ezzrahdon" by M...

Join me in this week's Author Diary as I make significant progress on my latest fantasy novel and share exclusive content with my Patreon community. 📝 Progress on "Blade of Sorrows": This week, I reached a new milestone in the writing of "Blade of Sorrows," the third book in the Guild of Assassins series. I've now penned 40,000 words, diving deeper into the intricate plot and complex character dy...

This week's Author Diary touches on managing seasonal affective disorder while progressing on exciting literary fronts. 🌨️ Managing Seasonal Affective Disorder: As November rolls in, so does my annual encounter with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). It's a familiar challenge by now, and understanding what to expect helps me navigate it more effectively. While SAD does pose its difficulties, recog...