Jon Cronshaw's Author Diary

In this follow-up to the 400th episode celebration, I'm back with part two of the Q&A, this time answering questions from Facebook.Once again, I'm joined by my wife and editor, Claire, for more behind-the-scenes chat about writing, editing, and the creative life. Thank you to everyone who submitted questions!And if you're looking for a brilliant editor, check out Claire's work at cherryedits.com.

This week marks a major milestone—episode 400 of the Author Diary! To celebrate, I'm doing something a little different. I answer questions from my Patreon supporters, covering everything from writing to reading.I'm also joined by a very special guest—Claire, my wife and editor! We chat about editing, storytelling, and what it's like working together on my books. You can check out her work at cherryedits.com.Thanks for being part of this journey—here's to the next 400!

This week's been all about the behind-the-scenes work—the less glamorous side of being an author. I've been deep in admin, getting everything in place for the release of Severed Bonds (The Ravenglass Throne, Part Three) on May 19, and preparing the audio edition of Book 4 for my Patreon supporters.It's been a week of formatting, uploading, scheduling, and ticking boxes—but not much creative work. I'm itching to get back to actual writing and into the worlds that excite me.Thanks for bearing with me during the admin grind—stories are coming soon!

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!

In this week's Author Diary, I've been continuing work on my Speculative Fiction collections, sorting through short stories and getting everything ready for release.The first collection, Influenced, is now available to pre-order on all major ebook platforms. It's packed with dark, satirical tales that twist reality in unsettling—and sometimes all-too-familiar—ways.I also talk about watching The Residence, a fun and clever murder mystery set in the White House—highly recommended if you enjoy sharp dialogue and political intrigue with your whodunnits.Plus, don't forget: you can download my short story collection Optimised for free at joncronshaw.com/optimised.#AuthorDiary #SpeculativeFiction #InfluencedBook #FreeShortStory #Optimised #TheResidenceNetflix #MurderMysterySeries #SatiricalFiction #DarkSpeculativeFiction #BookPreOrder

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 short fiction collections to come.Thanks as always for following along—plenty more on the horizon!

It's been a big week! I launched two new books:

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:

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 watched Adolescence on Netflix—a gritty, intense drama that I highly recommend if you're in the mood for something powerful and thought-provoking.Thanks as always for following along!

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:

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 focused rather than jumping into something new (no matter how tempting!). It's time to clear the decks before taking on the next big adventure.

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 a busy but exciting time, with lots of new stories heading your way.Looking forward to pushing ahead with Dragon Squadron and getting these books into readers' hands!

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, Jim trains for the coming war against Germany's ruthless dragon breeding programme, where dragons are raised for aggression and their riders show no mercy.This story is deeply personal—I always wanted to join the RAF but couldn't due to being legally blind. Through this book, I've been able to explore that dream in fiction, blending military precision with fantasy adventure.Chapters will be released weekly on Patreon, and the entire novella will be available to all patrons, including free members. If dragons defending Britain's skies intrigues you, I'd love for you to join me on this journey.

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 been incredibly productive, averaging 5,000 words per weekday, putting me at 100,000 words for the month!On the reading front, I finished Alchemy: The Magic of Original Thinking in a World of Mind-Numbing Conformity, which was inspiring and full of fresh ideas.For audio fans, the audiobook edition of Shattered Kingdom (The Ravenglass Throne: Part One) is now FREE on my Patreon! Visit: patreon.com/joncronshawauthorI'll be releasing the audio one episode ahead of the retail versions. Speaking of which, Shattered Kingdom is available for pre-order on all major ebook platforms for just 99c/99p, launching on March 12!

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 are plenty of ideas pulling at my attention, so it's all about choosing the right one.I also discuss The Fourth Turning is Here, a thought-provoking book that explores generational cycles and societal shifts. It's made me think about how we're in the midst of a zeitgeist shift, and what that means for the stories people will connect with most in the years ahead.Exciting times ahead—both in my writing and in the changing landscape of storytelling!Download Shattered Kingdom at: joncronshaw.com/shatteredkingdom.

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 comics.On the scheduling side, I realised I miscalculated my timeline—I originally planned to have Book 12 finished by February 22, but I didn't account for my son's half-term break. So, I'm pushing my deadline back a week to give myself more breathing room.Looking forward to the final push on The Ravenglass Throne!

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 Assassins, book 4 • Ravenglass Legneds, book 4 • Scoundrels (A Dawn of Assassins prequel). • A follow-up to Wyvern Rider. I'll see where my energy takes me once The Ravenglass Throne is complete. Outside of writing, I really enjoyed Season 2 of The Diplomat on Netflix—it's packed with tension and sharp dialogue. I also have some thoughts on WWE's Royal Rumble, which was as chaotic and entertaining as ever! Join the community at patreon.com/joncronshawauthor.

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 stay on track with The Ravenglass Throne! In terms of reading, I've been making my way through Crown, Cloak and Dagger, which delves into the British royal family's connections with secret intelligence. It's fascinating and definitely great story fuel. Looking forward to wrapping up The Ravenglass Throne Book 9 and sharing more updates soon!

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 the Ravenglass Universe. Thank you for joining me on this journey, and I look forward to sharing more updates soon!

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 could win a year of free access to my Patreon's Hero Tier, where you can enjoy exclusive chapters, updates, and behind-the-scenes content. Enter before January 31 here: https://kingsumo.com/g/1w9we63/win-a-free-year-of-patreon-hero-tier-membership

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 Assassins Book 3). If you're a fan of dark fantasy and epic tales, be sure to check them out! On the reading front, I finished Ringmaster, a book about Vince McMahon, and I'm now diving into The Contrarian, a biography of Peter Thiel. Both are fascinating reads and fantastic sources of inspiration for storytelling. Next week, I'll be continuing with The Ravenglass Throne and pushing forward with my writing projects. Visit: patreon.com/joncronshawauthor

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, and Friday. It's an exciting time, and I can't wait to share this story with you. On the reading front, I've been diving into Doppelganger by Naomi Klein—a fascinating and thought-provoking book that's giving me plenty to reflect on. If you want early access to The Ravenglass Throne episodes, be sure to follow me on Patreon for exclusive updates and content! Visit: patreon.com/joncronshawauthor and join today.

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 on 2024, reflecting on the progress of the Ravenglass Legends series and my plans to expand it in the coming year. With several books currently with my editor—including Guild of Assassins 2 & 3 and the Punks Versus Zombies trilogy—I'm gearing up for a busy and productive 2025. I discuss my open projects, including Dawn of Assassins 4 and Scoundrels Book 1, which are on my must-finish list for next year. Additionally, I touch on a crucial area for growth: marketing. Feeling that my author business has plateaued, I've started a course on book marketing to refine the strategies I've been using since 2017. Join me for updates, plans, and insights into what's next for my writing journey! Visit: patreon.com/joncronshawauthor

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, and political intrigue, and I can't wait to share it with you. Join me as I discuss the ups and downs of the creative process, upcoming releases, and how I'm managing writing during the darker months.

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 three royal sisters as they face mounting conspiracies and power plays. In addition to writing, I've been rading Drumindor by Michael J. Sullivan, the latest instalment in his Riyria series. Sullivan's ability to craft rich characters and intricate plots is as gripping as ever, and it's been a fantastic source of inspiration for my own storytelling. Join me as I share updates on my writing process, thoughts on the Ravenglass Universe, and reflections on the brilliant world of Riyria!

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!

Join me in this week's Author Diary as I embark on an exciting new writing adventure and share my latest reading experiences.

Join me in this week's Author Diary as I celebrate a major milestone in my writing journey and share my current literary indulgence.

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.

This week's Author Diary touches on managing seasonal affective disorder while progressing on exciting literary fronts.

Dive into this week's Author Diary as I tackle a variety of writing projects, from editing a sequel to revisiting a prequel, and even venturing into festive zombie territory!

In this week's Author Diary, I celebrate a significant milestone in my writing journey and share my plans for the coming weeks as the seasons change.

In this week's Author Diary, I share my experiences from Fantasycon, delve into new and ongoing writing projects, and explore some intriguing reads.

Join me in this week's Author Diary as I explore new creative territories with a Space Western story, prepare for an exciting convention, and dive into some intriguing reads.

Join me in this week's Author Diary as we celebrate a significant milestone, delve into current projects, and look forward to an exciting event.

This week's Author Diary is a testament to the challenges and triumphs of the creative process, even when under the weather.

Step into this week's Author Diary as I share my experiences from a recent cruise and delve into some compelling reads.

Join me in this week's Author Diary as I delve into new story experiments, prepare for an exciting journey, and share my latest reads.

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.

Join me for this week's Author Diary as I delve deeper into side stories, progress with new chapters, and prepare for an exciting book launch.

Join me in this week's Author Diary as I celebrate the completion of "Punks Versus Zombies," launch new reading opportunities, and dive into fresh storytelling perspectives.

Watch this week's Author Diary as I make strides in writing, setting up a new platform, and gearing up for an exciting book launch.

Step into this week's Author Diary as I near the conclusion of "Punks Versus Zombies," explore new platform opportunities, and dive into some captivating entertainment.

Welcome to this week's Author Diary where I delve into the latest developments in my writing projects, celebrate a personal milestone, and share my thoughts on content platforms.

Join me in this week's Author Diary as I celebrate significant progress across various projects, from novellas to novels and series episodes.

Dive into this week's Author Diary as I refine "The Knight and the Rebel" and immerse myself in engaging reads and lively music performances.

Dive into this week's Author Diary as I share exciting progress on my latest writing project, revisit a favorite novel, and indulge in musical creativity.

Welcome to this week's Author Diary, where I share the exciting launch of "Guild of Assassins" and delve into some musical escapades that provided a refreshing change of pace from writing.