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

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

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

  • 322 - November 26, 2023 - Punks Versus Zombies, The Wheel of Time

    ๐Ÿ“š Welcome to Jon Cronshaw's Author Diary! ๐Ÿ“š


    What a week it's been! From major progress in my writing to embarking on a legendary literary journey, this episode is packed with exciting updates and insights.


    โœ๏ธ A Productive Writing Spree

    I've had a tremendously productive week, penning down five new episodes of Punks Versus Zombies.

    The story is escalatingโ€”higher stakes, intense emotions, and fraying nerves.


    ๐Ÿ“– Embarking on "The Wheel of Time"

    I've finally taken the plunge into Robert Jordan's The Eye of the World, the first book in The Wheel of Time series.

    It's a world I've been hesitant to step into, given the sheer scale of the series, but I'm finding the journey enjoyable and intriguing so far.


    ๐ŸŽ‰ New Releases and Endings

    I released the ninth episode of Punks Versus Zombies on Substack this week.

    Additionally, I've brought The Long Night, the second prequel to my forthcoming Ravenglass Legends series, to a close.


    ๐ŸŽฉ Lord Sidebottom's New Adventure

    Get ready for a treat this weekendโ€”a brand new Lord Sidebottom story is on its way!

    These tales are always a delight to write, and I can't wait for you to see what's in store.

    To read the latest episodes and stories, visit joncronshawauthor.substack.com.


    ๐Ÿ‘ If you're enjoying these updates, please like, share, and subscribe. Your support is greatly appreciated and helps keep this channel and my writing going!


    Thank you for tuning in, and I'll see you next week for another exciting update from the world of writing and storytelling!


    #JonCronshawsAuthorDiary #PunksVersusZombies #TheWheelOfTime #RavenglassLegends #FantasyFiction #WritingCommunity #AuthorLife


    7 min
  • 321 - November 19, 2023 - Ravenglass Legends, Punks Versus Zombies #amwriting

    ๐ŸŒŸ Welcome back to my Author Diary for this week! ๐ŸŒŸ


    It's been a productive and exciting week in my writing journey, and I can't wait to share all the latest developments with you. From revisiting old projects to celebrating new achievements, there's plenty to talk about!


    In This Week's Episode:


    ๐Ÿ“š Back to "Ravenglass Legends Book 2"

    After a few months' break, I've returned to redrafting the second book of the "Ravenglass Legends" series. I'm diving deep into the world and characters once again, and it feels great to be back. Join me as I share some insights into the redrafting process and what it's like to revisit a project after time away.


    ๐ŸงŸโ€โ™‚๏ธ "Punks Versus Zombies" Episode 9

    The ninth episode of "Punks Versus Zombies" is written and ready to thrill! I'll be talking about the latest happenings in this adventurous serial and what you can expect in this new installment.


    ๐ŸŽจ New Cover Reveals!

    I'm thrilled to share the brand new covers for "Punks Versus Zombies", freshly delivered from the designer! We've got covers for the book, podcast, and YouTube video, and they look fantastic.


    ๐Ÿ“– Book of the Week: "The Pagan Lord" by Bernard Cornwell

    This week, I indulged in Bernard Cornwell's "The Pagan Lord". It's historical fiction but ticks all the boxes for a fantasy lover like me. I'll share my thoughts on this captivating read and why it resonated with me.


    ๐Ÿ”ฎ Looking Ahead

    As always, I'll give you a glimpse into my plans for the coming week.


    8 min
  • 320 - November 12, 2023 - SAD, Dawn of Assassins #amwriting

    Hello from sunny Morecambe!

    This week's author diary is a bit more personal and introspective, as I navigate through the ups and downs of a writer's life, including dealing with SAD, creative revelations, and some critical decision-making.


    ๐ŸŒจ Coping with SAD

    Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) has been a hurdle this week, but understanding and acknowledging its impact every November gives me a sense of empowerment.

    It's a reminder that self-care is as important as productivity.

    Despite these challenges, I've completed the final draft of episode 8 of Punks Versus Zombies and penned the first draft of a new Lord Sidebottom short story.

    Pushing through the fog of SAD to create these pieces has been a challenging but rewarding journey.

    And I did take some time off to rest and immerse myself in the comforting world of Terry Pratchett's Lords and Ladies.

    It's amazing how the right book can act like comfort food.


    ๐Ÿค” A Revelation About Dawn of Assassins

    A recent one-star review led to a startling realisation: my Dawn of Assassins series is misclassified.

    It's not so much about assassins as it is about thieves and their moral journey around the idea of becoming or not becoming assassins.

    This has me ponderingโ€”should I relaunch the series with new covers and titles that more accurately reflect its content, or should I leave it as is?

    The decision to possibly relaunch Dawn of Assassins is a complex one, balancing the authenticity of the series against the practical aspects (and, letโ€™s be honest, expense) of rebranding.

    Thank you for joining me in this week's author diary, where the journey of writing is as much about self-discovery as it is about storytelling.

    Take care,

    Jon

    10 min
  • 319 - November 5, 2023 - The Long Night, Dawn of Assassins boxed set

    Hello from sunny Morecambe!

    Join me this week for an update brimming with new beginnings, exciting launches, and some seasonal festivities. Hereโ€™s a sneak peek at whatโ€™s been happening:


    ๐ŸŒ™ Finishing "The Long Night"

    I've put the finishing touches on my short story, "The Long Night," and I can't wait for you to read it. This tale is set to unfold on my Substack in the coming weeks.


    Subscribe to My Substack at https://joncronshawauthor.substack.com


    ๐Ÿ“ฆ "Dawn of Assassins" Books 1-3 Boxed Set Launch

    The wait is over! The first three books of my dark fantasy series "Dawn of Assassins" are now bundled into a thrilling boxed set. It's available on Amazon, ready to take you on a journey filled with danger and intrigue.


    ๐Ÿ˜‚ Live Laughs with Garth Marenghi

    I had the joy of experiencing Garth Marenghi live in Manchester - a blend of horror and humour that makes for an unforgettable night. Itโ€™s always refreshing to see how comedy and horror can intermingle so brilliantly.


    ๐ŸŽƒ Halloween at Blackpool's Illuminations

    Halloween was a blast this year, as I found myself amidst the iconic Blackpool's Illuminations. The lights were spectacular, adding a bit of sparkle to the spookiest night of the year.

    6 min
  • 318 - October 29, 2023 - Dawn of Assassins, Lord Sidebottom, The Long Night, Punks Versus Zombies

    Hello from chilly Morecambe!


    In this week's episode, I'm juggling short stories, audio projects, and boxed set preparations. Hereโ€™s a rundown of whatโ€™s coming your way:


    ๐ŸŽ… New Short Stories: "Lord Sidebottom and the Christmas Caper" & "The Long Night"

    The festive season may be approaching, but it's not all mistletoe and mince pies. Get ready for "Lord Sidebottom and the Christmas Caper", a holiday escapade thatโ€™s sure to tickle your fancy. Meanwhile, "The Long Night" serves as a gripping prequel to my upcoming "Ravenglass Legends" series.


    ๐ŸŽง Audio Stories for YouTube

    I'm continuing to add to my YouTube channel with a couple of narrative treats. Look out for the audio version of the "Dawn of Assassins" prequel, "The Little Thief", as well as a story set in the Ravenglass Universe, "Clockwork Titan".


    ๐Ÿ“ฆ "Dawn of Assassins" Boxed Set Launch

    Mark your calendars! The "Dawn of Assassins" boxed set is set to launch on October 31st. It bundles together the first three books in the series and it's available for a special introductory price of just 99c/99p on Amazon for a limited time.


    10 min
  • 317 - October 22, 2023 - Dawn of Assassins, Guild of Assassins, Punks Versus Zombies #amwriting

    ๐Ÿ“š Welcome Back to Jon's Author Diary! ๐Ÿ“š


    In this week's episode, it's all about progress, pre-orders, and a palate-cleansing read! Here's what I've got lined up for you:


    ๐ŸงŸโ€โ™€๏ธ Two New Episodes of "Punks Versus Zombies"

    I've penned not one, but two new episodes of our beloved zombie serial, "Punks Versus Zombies". If you're keen on undead drama, this is your jam.


    ๐Ÿ“ Opening Chapter for "Guild of Assassins: Book 2"

    As promised, the wheels are in motion for the sequel to "Guild of Assassins". This week, I cracked open the proverbial ink bottle and drafted the opening chapter. You won't want to miss what's coming.


    ๐Ÿ“ฆ Dawn of Assassins Boxed Set on Pre-Order!

    Exciting news for fans of the "Dawnof Assassins" series! I've bundled the first three books into a special boxed set. The best part? It's already available for pre-order on Amazon and will go live on October 31st. Perfect for a Halloween binge-read!


    ๐Ÿ“– Currently Reading: "Big Beacon" by Alan Partridge

    Switching gears a bit, I'm delving into "Big Beacon" by Alan Partridge. It's a welcome light read that offers a break from the darker books I've been absorbed in lately.


    ๐Ÿ”” Don't forget to subscribe and hit the bell icon to stay updated. ๐Ÿ””


    ๐Ÿ’Œ Subscribe to my newsletter: https://joncronshaw.com/newsletter


    Catch you in the next episode for more writing updates and bookish goodness.


    Cheers,


    Jon

    7 min
  • 316 - October 15, 2023 - Guild of Assassins, Punks Versus Zombies, The Fall of Wolfsbane

    ๐Ÿ“š Hello from sunny Morecambe! ๐Ÿ“š


    In this week's episode, I have some exciting updates for all you bibliophiles out there. Here's what you can look forward to:


    ๐Ÿ–‹ Finishing Guild of Assassins

    Guild of Assassins is complete, and it feels like a massive weight has been lifted off my shoulders! If you're into tales that blend dark schemes with edge-of-your-seat action, then this book is for you.


    ๐ŸŽฉ New Steampunk Story--Lord Sidebottom and the Quicksilver Quandary

    That's right! I'm diving into the Steampunk genre with a brand-new story. Expect cogs, gears, and a heap of adventure as Lord Sidebottom tackles his most perplexing quandary yet. You can listen to the audio version now on my YouTube channel.


    ๐Ÿ“ Starting the Outline for Guild of Assassins: Book 2

    It's never too early to plan for the next book, and I've just started outlining the sequel to "Guild of Assassins". Stay tuned for updates!


    ๐Ÿ“– The Fall of Wolfsbane - Ravenglass Legends Book 1

    The Fall of Wolfsbane is currently with the proofreadier and is almost ready for release. It's the first instalment in the Ravenglass Legends epic fantasy series, and I can't wait to share it with you all.


    ๐Ÿ“ฃ Call Out for ARC Readers

    In the coming weeks, I'll be making a call for Advance Review Copy (ARC) readers for The Fall of Wolfsbane. If you're interested, make sure to join my Facebook group, The Ravenglass Universe for a chance to be among the first to dive into these stories.


    ๐ŸงŸโ€โ™€๏ธ "Punks Versus Zombies" Now a Podcast

    Great news for fans of my ongoing zombie serial! Punks Versus Zombies is now available as a podcast, as well as on YouTube and Substack. Now you can enjoy the zombie apocalypse on the move!


    ๐Ÿ”” Don't forget to subscribe and hit the bell icon so you don't miss any updates. ๐Ÿ””


    ๐Ÿ‘‰ Join the Facebook group: The Ravenglass Universe


    ๐Ÿ’Œ Subscribe to my Substack at https://joncronshawauthor.substack.com

    11 min
  • 315 - October 8, 2023 - SAD, Punks Versus Zombies, Guild of Assassins

    Hello from rainy Morecambe!
    Welcome back to another Author Diary entry. This week has been a rollercoaster of emotions, to say the least.
    ๐ŸŒง Struggles with SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) ๐ŸŒง
    I've been struggling a bit with Seasonal Affective Disorder, and it's had its toll on my productivity and mental well-being. However, I've managed to keep my nose to the grindstone and make progress despite the obstacles.
    ๐Ÿ—ก Guild of Assassins - New Chapter Alert! ๐Ÿ—ก
    I'm excited to announce that a new chapter for 'Guild of Assassins' is complete! It's been an emotional journey, but the chapter is now ready to go live on my Substack this Sunday. Don't miss it!
    ๐ŸŽง Punks Versus Zombies Audiobook Episode 1 ๐ŸŽง
    In other news, the first episode of 'Punks Versus Zombies' is now available as an audiobook right here on YouTube. It's been an exhilarating project, and I can't wait for you all to hear it.
    ๐Ÿค– Audiobooks with ElevenLabs Text-to-Speech Engine ๐Ÿค–
    To make my content even more accessible, I've been using ElevenLabs' Text-to-Speech engine to create audiobooks of my short stories. I'm uploading these to YouTube for free, so everyone can enjoy them!
    ๐Ÿ”” Subscribe for More! ๐Ÿ””

    7 min
  • 314 - October 1, 2023 - Punks Versus Zombies

    ๐Ÿ“š Welcome back to this week's Author Diary! ๐Ÿ“š

    In this episode, we're talking about some exciting updates, despite having a bit of a rough week, health-wise.

    ๐ŸŽ‰ BIG NEWS: Episode 1 of "Punks Versus Zombies" is Now Live on Substack! ๐ŸŽ‰
    That's right! I've officially launched the first episode of my new serial, "Punks Versus Zombies," and I couldn't be more thrilled. Dive into a world where rebellious punks face off against the undead. You won't want to miss it, and you can read it exclusively on my Substack.

    ๐Ÿ“‰ Productivity Slump ๐Ÿ“‰
    This week has been challenging in terms of productivity. I've not been feeling my best, so things have moved slower than usual. But hey, we all have those weeks, right?

    ๐Ÿ“– Currently Reading: Grave Peril by Jim Butcher ๐Ÿ“–
    In between bouts of resting, I've been delving into "Grave Peril" by Jim Butcher. It's an excellent read, and I can't wait to share my thoughts on it with you all.

    โœ๏ธ Indie Author Mastermind Blog Posts โœ๏ธ
    Despite the energy lull, Iโ€™ve been writing some insightful blog posts over at Indie Author Mastermind. If you're an aspiring indie author looking to build a sustainable career, you'll find heaps of useful content there. Check it out: Indie Author Mastermind

    ๐Ÿ”ฎ Whatโ€™s Coming Next Week ๐Ÿ”ฎ
    I'm aiming to get at least the next chapter of "Guild of Assassins" out on my Substack. Fingers crossed my energy levels co-operate!

    So, there you have it! If you haven't yet subscribed to my channel, make sure to hit that subscribe button and ring the bell so you don't miss any future updates. ๐Ÿ‘‡

    Links & Resources:
    ๐Ÿ”— Visit Indie Author Mastermind: https://indieauthormastermind.com

    Thanks for tuning in, and I'll catch you next week! ๐Ÿ™Œ

    #AuthorDiary #PunksVersusZombies #IndieAuthorMastermind #WritingCommunity #AuthorLife

    5 min
  • 313 - September 24, 2023 - Punks Versus Zombie, Guild of Assassins, Indie Author Mastermind

    Hello from sunny Morecambe!

    Welcome back to another episode of my author diary series. In today's video, we're diving deep into the world of creativity, ideas, and a pinch of heavy metal!


    ๐Ÿ—ก Guild of Assassins Update

    I've made some substantial progress on my upcoming novel, 'Guild of Assassins,' and I can't wait to give you all a sneak peek of what's to come. This book is shaping up to be an exhilarating adventure you won't want to miss!


    ๐ŸงŸโ€โ™€๏ธ Introducing: Punks Versus Zombies

    That's not all! I'm thrilled to announce a brand-new project: โ€˜Punks Versus Zombies.โ€™ The first chapter will be posted on my Substack next week. Get ready for a fresh take on the zombie apocalypse that's as rebellious as it is spine-chilling.


    ๐ŸŽต Currently Reading: Doomed to Fail & Jeish Space Lasers

    On the reading front, I recently finished โ€˜Doomed to Fail,โ€™ a fascinating dive into doom, sludge, and post-metal music genres. If you're a fan of heavy, slow, and loud music, this book is a must-read.

    Now, I've moved on to โ€˜Jewish Space Lasersโ€™' a book that explores the history of anti-Semitic conspiracy theories. It's an eye-opening read that I highly recommend.


    ๐Ÿ‘‰ Get Involved

    I'd love to hear from you. What are you reading at the moment? Are you excited about โ€˜Guild of Assassinsโ€™ or โ€˜Punks Versus Zombiesโ€™? Let me know in the comments below!


    ๐Ÿ”” Don't Forget!

    If you enjoyed this video, please give it a thumbs up, and if you haven't already, consider subscribing for more updates. Your support means the world to me!


    ๐Ÿ’Œ Stay Connected with Substack

    For exclusive content and to be the first to know about my latest projects, subscribe to my Substack: joncronshawauthor.substack.com


    Thanks for watching and catch you in the next video!


    11 min

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

From the publisher's feed

Step into the world of storytelling with Jon Cronshaw, a legally blind indie fantasy author who refuses to let visual impairment stand in the way of his literary dreams.