Every Friday, we meet a member of the BFS and peer deep into their soul (or, at least, a form they filled out). Want to be featured? Email us: online@britishfantasysociety.org
Name:
Jon Cronshaw (he/him)
Which region are you based in?
Morecambe, Lancashire.
If you write, which genre:
Sci-fi, fantasy, horror
Are you drawn to any specific SFFH sub-genres?
I don’t focus on specific sub-genres—I’ve written epic fantasy, post-apocalyptic, and speculative fiction, among others. However, my stories consistently lean towards the darker side: think grimdark without the cynicism or nihilism. Hope bleeds, but it never dies.
Your influences
Tell us about the book/film/thing that got you into SFFH: What was it? How old were you? What impact did it have on you?
As a child, fantasy and SF stories captivated me. Tales like The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis, The Witches by Roald Dahl, and The Iron Man byTed Hughes were regular re-reads.
During my teenage years, I discovered Terry Pratchett, Isaac Asimov, Kurt Vonnegut, and Philip K. Dick.
My biggest inspirations as a writer are Robin Hobb for her character-driven fantasy, Bernard Cornwell for his action scenes, Elmore Leonard for his dialogue, Ernest Hemingway for his prose, and Gene Wolfe for his ability to create stories that are also puzzles to solve.
How does that early influence show up for you (in life/writing/agenting/publishing/editing/reading) now?
Reading Robin Hobb’s Farseer trilogy drove me to write my own fiction. This didn’t feel like a hero’s journey—it explored trauma, guilt, and sorrow. Something about FitzChivalry resonated deeply with me.
My fantasy owes much to Robin Hobb (pictured)—the way I tell stories focused on emotion and character, slow-burn revelations, and difficult choices that force characters into consequences they cannot foresee.
My recent short story collection Influenced owes much to Philip K. Dick. They’re near-future speculative tales exploring the horror lurking at the edges of digital existence: human optimisation, automated emotional labour, and our lives becoming fuel for algorithms beyond our control. The best PKD stories leave us with that uncanny feeling that cuts too close to the bone.
Where do you draw your creative inspiration from?
History. Myth. Stories. Places. Dreams.
Who do you look to as a genre hero? Why?
Do I need to mention Robin Hobb again?
She stands as a genre hero for her expansive, character-driven narratives that span interconnected series.
Her work delivers devastating emotional punches that linger long after the final page. Few authors can craft moments of such raw vulnerability and heartbreak.
Hobb proves that fantasy’s greatest power lies not in magic systems or world-building, but in making us care so deeply about fictional lives that their triumphs and tragedies become our own.
Your Work
You’re stuck in an elevator for 60 seconds with that hero, and they want you to describe your work. Give us the pitch.
The king is dead, the throne stands empty, and the magic that binds the kingdom is breaking.
Three royal sisters—warrior, scholar, and diplomat—must navigate courtly deception, ancient secrets, and failing bonds with their wyverns to stop a conspiracy that could destroy their world.
The Ravenglass Throne is a fast-paced high fantasy serial blending political intrigue, magical decay, and the fierce loyalty of sisterhood. Perfect for fans of dragon riders, sharp court drama, and stories where power always has a cost.
What are you working on right now?
The Prince and the Fool (Ravenglass Legends, book 4) continues Ragnar and Maja’s story. Ragnar rises through the ranks of the Empire while his sister Maja leads a rebellion.
Thinking about all the stories/work you’ve done, what sticks out most in your mind? Why?
My epic fantasy serial The Ravenglass Chronicles—22 novellas inspired by the tarot’s major arcana—tells one epic coming-of-age story about Kat, a naive princess who must become worthy of the throne. This series was my breakthrough (selling over 350,000 copies) and has allowed me to sustain a full-time career as an indie author. It created the universe for all my high fantasy series and let me dig deep into the symbolism and imagery of the tarot, translating it into a single epic journey.
Where and when do you create/are you at your most creative?
I’m always creative. My issue is having to focus on the real world.
What’s the best advice you’ve received about creativity?
“Start before you’re ready”—Steven Pressfield.
What’s your writing soundtrack?
I like epic post-rock for writing. It needs to be instrumental. Bands like Explosions in the Sky, God is an Astronaut, West Meets West, Joy Wants Eternity, If These Trees Could Talk, etc.
Pictured: Jon’s writing desk
The Quick-Fire Round
Sci-fi, fantasy or horror?
Yes, please!
Quiet or loud?
Yes, please!
Dark or light?
Dark.
Strict lines or genre blend?
Blend. The edges are where the fun stuff happens.
Awards or bestseller?
Bestseller.
Fiction or non-fiction?
Either, but I need a good story.
Poetry or prose?
Yes, please!
Plotter or pantser?
Both. I need an outline to start, but it constantly evolves as I discover the characters.
Reading or listening?
Listening (I’m legally blind, so Creation has forced my hand on that one.)
Notebook or computer?
Notebook to plan. Computer to write.
Favourite SFFH book of all time?
I can’t do favourites. It changes based on mood and memory.
Last book you read?
Homecoming by Robin Hobb.
Any SFFH author on auto-buy?
Michael J. Sullivan, RJ Barker, Sebastian de Castell, Robin Hobb.
Favourite podcast?
Behind the Bastards (great story fuel).
Pictured: RJ Barker (source)
The Home Stretch
What’s the best thing about being part of the SFFH community?
You can have a discussion about why wyverns are better than dragons and no one will give you ‘that’ look.
Time to plug your stuff! Where can we find you and your work? What have you got coming up? Consider this your advertising space.
I’m all about giving readers a taste of my work before committing their time and money to my books, which is why I offer several free novellas/collections.
If you like nobledark epic fantasy, I recommend my Ravenglass Legends series. Get the prequel Blades of Wolfsbane at joncronshaw.com/bladesofwolfsbane.
If you prefer high fantasy with wyvern riders, court intrigue, and magical mysteries, you might enjoy my Ravenglass Throne series. Get the collection of three prequel stories at joncronshaw.com/threesisters.
If you prefer grimdark fantasy about assassins and revenge, check out my Guild of Assassins series. Get the short story collection Guild Assassin at joncronshaw.com/guildassassin.
If you’re a fan of dark speculative satirical shorts, check out my series Influenced: Tales from the Digital Abyss. Get the collection Optimised at joncronshaw.com/optimised.
And if you’re a fan of zombie horror, my Punks Versus Zombies trilogy launches on September 1, 2025. You can download my Humans Versus Zombies short story collection at joncronshaw.com/humansversuszombies.
For my full bibliography, check out joncronshaw.com/books.
I’ve also been recording my weekly author diary podcast since October 2017. Find Jon Cronshaw’s Author Diary wherever you listen to podcasts.
