In this special year-end episode, I take a look back at 2025, reflecting on the high points, challenges, and key milestones in my author career.

I walk through the year month by month, revisiting the projects I launched, the goals I met (and missed), and everything I’ve learned along the way.

Thank you for being part of the journey—wishing you all the best for an exciting and creative 2026!

This week, I wrote a new Soren short story set in the Guild of Assassins universe, exclusively for Patreon supporters.

It’s always great to return to Soren’s world and explore new corners of the guild.

I also talk about struggling with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), and how I’m starting to wind down for the Christmas break to rest and reset before the new year.

Visit: patreon.com/joncronshawauthor.

This week, I completed the final check of Churchill’s Dragons (RAF Dragon Corps, Book 2), which means it’s now officially ready for the editor.

It’s always a great feeling getting a book to that stage.

I also finished my post-edit checks on The Ravenglass Throne Books 11 and 12, bringing me one step closer to wrapping up that epic series.

For reading, I’ve been immersed in Educated by Tara Westover—a gripping and powerful memoir that I’d highly recommend.

It’s a deeply personal and thought-provoking story about resilience, identity, and the power of learning.

This week, I’ve been hard at work on the final edits for Churchill’s Dragons (RAF Dragon Corps, Book 2)—I’m about halfway through and pleased with how it’s shaping up.

I’ve also been writing a few short stories, including a wacky progression fantasy that’s been a real blast to put together. Sometimes it’s fun to let loose and experiment a little.

For reading, I’ve been deep into Entitled: The Fall of the House of York—a fascinating exposé on the Prince formerly known as Andrew and his ex-wife.

It’s a grim but revealing look at corruption and privilege in British high society.

This week, I’ve been bravely battling man flu (the most fearsome of ailments), but still managed to finish my draft of Churchill’s Dragons (RAF Dragon Corps, Book 2)!

Next step: a final polish before I start posting the unposted chapters on Patreon.

The Punk’s Not Dead audiobook (Book 3 in the Punks Versus Zombies trilogy) is now live on Audible, and Ken has done an amazing job with the narration.

I’ve also been reviewing the audiobook for The Ravenglass Throne Parts 1–4—I’m about halfway through and really happy with how it’s sounding so far.

I’m hoping to have it live on Audible before Christmas.

This week, I’ve been making great progress on Churchill’s Dragons (RAF Dragon Corps, Book 2)—I’m just two chapters from finishing the draft!

I also had a lovely visit from my mum and her new partner, which gave me a nice break from the writing cave.

In downtime, I’ve been reading Garth Marenghi (gloriously ridiculous) and getting ready to see the brilliantly weird band HENGE this weekend—should be quite the experience.

This week’s been tough—I’ve been struggling with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which has made writing harder than usual.

Still, I’ve kept pushing forward with Churchill’s Dragons (RAF Dragon Corps, Book 2), and I’m now at around 50,000 words into the draft.

To switch off, I finally finished watching House of Cards on Netflix… and honestly, it didn’t quite land for me.

So I decided to dig out the DVD player and introduce my son to some classic films, starting with Brewster’s Millions. A much-needed hit of nostalgia.

Visit: patreon.com/joncronshawauthor to start reading RAF Dragon Corps.

This week, I reached the midpoint of Churchill’s Dragons (RAF Dragon Corps, Book 2) and have started posting editor-ready chapters on Patreon for early access readers.

The story’s coming together well, and it’s exciting to share it as it develops.

I also talk about the upcoming release of Rising Storm (The Ravenglass Throne, Part Eight), which is out this Monday! If you’ve been following the series, be ready—things are about to escalate.

This week, I passed the 24,000-word mark on my current work-in-progress, Churchill’s Dragons (RAF Dragon Corps, Book 2).

The story’s really taking shape, and I’m enjoying building on the world established in Book 1.

I also received the completed audiobook for Punk’s Not Dead and will be doing my final listen-through before it’s ready to go live.

On a personal note, I’ve Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) creeping in, so I took a few days off. I booked a short AirBnB break with my wife and son to rest, reset, and recharge.

Sometimes, rest is the work.

This week, I’ve been getting back into fantasy, and it feels great to return to the worlds I love.

I received Part 10 of The Ravenglass Throne back from my editor and spent time going through the edits.

I also completed final edits on Part 11, getting it ready to send off.

Alongside that, I’ve been getting back into RAF Dragon Corps Book 2—revisiting the outline, characters, and worldbuilding as I prepare to continue the series.

It’s been a productive week and a satisfying return to epic and military fantasy!

This week’s been a bit of a struggle—I talk about feeling off and wondering if Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) has kicked in earlier than usual.

It usually hits me in November, but with autumn feeling like it arrived early, the dip may have too.

Creatively, I’ve been working on thriller projects and thinking ahead to my next fantasy book.

I’m torn between starting Ravenglass Guardians Book 3 or working on RAF Dragon Corps Book 2—both exciting in their own ways.

I also share what’s coming up soon on Patreon, with exclusive content and early chapters for supporters.

This week marks eight years since I started this podcast—back in October 2017, I recorded the first episode, and here we are in 2025, still going strong!I reflect on the lessons I’ve learned about author branding, especially as I launch my new pen-name, J. Cronshaw, focused entirely on domestic psychological thrillers. Narrowing the audience has made everything—from messaging to marketing—so much easier.Branding has always been a challenge for me. I’ve wrestled with how to define what I do when my books range from dark fantasy to wacky steampunk to near-future sci-fi. Maybe I should have embraced pen-names earlier… but then again, setting up a new website, newsletter, and socials has been a lot of work.

This week, I’ve made the decision to close my paid Substack and focus fully on Patreon as the central hub for my writing, early releases, and community.

It feels like the right move to streamline things and better serve my readers.

On the writing front, I’ve continued working on my psychological thrillers, while also reviewing the audiobook editions of The Ravenglass Throne and Undead Anarchy (Punks Versus Zombies, Book 2).

Lots going on behind the scenes as I keep building stories across genres!

This week, I’ve been juggling projects—working on my psychological thrillers while doing final checks on the first two Ravenglass Guardians novels.

I’m also getting ready for the upcoming launch of Divided Crown (The Ravenglass Throne, Book 7), and exploring the idea of putting together Kindle boxed sets for other series.

On a less exciting note, I talk about my disappointment with the Punks Versus Zombies launch, which didn’t land as well as I’d hoped.

Outside of writing, I saw Spinal Tap 2 (yes, it goes to eleven), and reflect on the fact that my son’s about to turn 13—where does the time go?

This week’s been packed with releases and reader questions!

I launched The Ravenglass Throne: Parts 1–4 as a boxed set, available now in ebook and paperback formats.

The Punks Versus Zombies audiobook is now live, as is the Trial of Thieves audiobook (Dawn of Assassins, Book 2)—great news if you’re an audio listener!

I also took time to answer questions from readers about my writing process and worldbuilding techniques.

This week, I’m happy to share that I’ve finished the draft of The Sentinel’s Mercy, the latest standalone in my Ravenglass Guardians series. With that wrapped up, I’ve shifted gears and started writing a psychological thriller under a new pen name—an exciting side project that’s been on my mind for a while.I also talk about something more personal: I’ve received the official retirement date for my guide dog, Digit. It’s a big emotional moment, and one that marks the end of an important chapter.

foreshadow cellarThis week, I took a research trip to Lytham to scout locations for a future psychological thriller.

I’ve got two domestic thrillers planned and will be writing them as side projects under a new pen-name to keep them separate from my fantasy work.

On the fantasy side, I made solid progress on The Sentinel’s Mercy (Ravenglass Guardians). I’ve now reached 75% of the draft and hope to finish it next week.

Also—though I forgot to mention it in the video—both the Punks Versus Zombies trilogy and Dark Gambit (Ravenglass Throne: Part Six) are now live on Amazon!

Visit: joncronshaw.com to find out more.

This week, I’ve been recovering and feeling much better—just in time to reach the midpoint of The Sentinel’s Mercy, my latest Ravenglass Guardians novel.

The story’s hitting its stride, and I’m excited with how it’s coming together.

I’ve also been hard at work preparing for the launch of the Punks Versus Zombies trilogy, which goes live this weekend on August 31!

Can’t wait to get this wild post-apocalyptic ride into readers' hands.

This week’s been a bit rough—I’ve been dealing with a throat infection that had me in bed for a few days.

Despite that, I made good progress on The Sentinel’s Mercy (Ravenglass Guardians, Book 2), reaching eight chapters out of a planned 24.

I’ve also finished my final readthrough of The Silent Watcher (Book 1 in the same series). Though I’m calling them Books 1 and 2 for now, the Ravenglass Guardians series will be seven standalone novels, so their final order may shift.

Meanwhile, I’m gearing up for the launch of Punks Versus Zombies on August 31—just a few weeks to go!

This week, I took a mini-break to Chester, enjoying peaceful walks in Delamere Forest, the stunning Chester Cathedral, and strolling the historic city walls—a great way to reset.

Creatively, I’ve been working on Hunters, my wacky Space Western originally written as a Patreon side project. I’m now rewriting it as a nautical fantasy set in the Ravenglass Universe, and it’s been a fun challenge adapting the tone and setting while keeping the spirit of the original.

I also reflect on my prolific writing strategy—following my energy and excitement rather than rigid plans, which keeps things creatively fulfilling.

Elsewhere, Trial of Thieves has now been submitted to ACX, so the Audible edition should be available soon.

And my interview with the British Fantasy Society just went live—check it out at britishfantasysociety.org/meet-jon-cronshaw/