Jon Cronshaw's Blog

I’m running a short window offer for my fantasy readers.

You can now join my Patreon for 80% off your first month with the code WYVERN80.

This applies to any tier.

Patreon is where I share my novels long before they reach shops.

You’ll always be at least one episode ahead with The Ravenglass Throne.

You can read the full first novel of RAF Dragon Corps.

I’m currently posting new chapters of the second novel, Churchill’s Dragons.

I’ve just finished sharing the raw manuscript of The Prince and the Fool (Ravenglass Legends, book 4).

You can also read Hunters, my nautical fantasy novel, along with novellas such as Wyvern Rider, Orphan Farm Boy of Destiny, and many others.

There are exclusive short stories and lore documents waiting for you.

Patreon is also a community space where I welcome comments, questions, and feedback.

Even as a free member, you’ll receive regular short stories and my weekly author diary.

This is the online home where I’m most active, so I hope you’ll join us.

If you’d like to jump in, here’s the code again: WYVERN80.

Visit: patreon.com/joncronshawauthor to see what you’ve been missing.

You don’t always need to purchase my books to read them, as many of my titles can be borrowed through library ebook services.

Public libraries use digital platforms like OverDrive, BorrowBox and cloudLibrary to offer online lending, and if your local service is signed up to one of these, you can usually borrow my ebooks on your phone, tablet or e-reader with a valid library card.

If a title isn’t listed straight away, your library can normally order it on request.

My ebooks are supplied to a range of library systems, which means different authorities may carry them in different apps.

Some rely entirely on OverDrive and Libby, others prefer BorrowBox or cloudLibrary, and quite a few use more than one service.

Once a librarian selects a title for their digital shelves, it becomes available for readers in that area.

Using OverDrive and Libby

OverDrive is one of the largest library ebook services in the world, and Libby is their main reading app.

Here’s how to try to borrow one of my books through OverDrive or Libby.

Sign up for a library card with your local public library if you don’t already have one.

Download the Libby app to your device, or go to your library’s OverDrive website.

Open Libby or the OverDrive site and search for your library by name.

Log in with your library card number and PIN.

Use the search box to look for “Jon Cronshaw” or the title you want.

If the book is available, tap or click Borrow and it will be added to your loans.

If the book is not listed, look for an option such as “Recommend”, “Notify Me”, or “Tag as wish list”.

Some libraries use these lists to decide what to buy next.

If you still can’t see a way to request it in-app, you can usually send a purchase suggestion through your library’s website or ask staff at the desk.

Using BorrowBox

BorrowBox is widely used by libraries in the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand.

To try to borrow my books through BorrowBox, follow these steps.

Join your local public library and make sure your card is active.

Install the free BorrowBox app from your device’s app store, or visit the BorrowBox website your library links to.

Open the app, choose your library service from the list, and log in with your card number and PIN.

Use the search bar to look for “Jon Cronshaw” or a specific title.

If the book is in the collection and currently available, select Borrow and confirm the loan.

If all copies are on loan, you can usually place a reservation so you get a notification when it’s free.

If the book doesn’t appear at all, ask your library if they can order it through BorrowBox.

Because the books are already in BorrowBox’s catalogue, librarians should be able to add them if budgets allow.

Using cloudLibrary (Bibliotheca)

cloudLibrary is another major platform that lets libraries lend ebooks and audiobooks.

To use cloudLibrary, get a valid library card from a service that offers cloudLibrary.

Download the cloudLibrary app from your app store or visit your library’s cloudLibrary page.

Open the app, pick your country, then your library, and log in with your card number and PIN.

Search for “Jon Cronshaw” or a title.

If your library has already bought the book, you can borrow it with a tap.

If it hasn’t, cloudLibrary often lets you “Include books not in library” and add them to a wish list.

That wish list is visible to library staff and helps them decide what to order.

If you can’t see that option, you can still request the book by using your library’s online recommendation form or speaking to staff.

What about Tolino?

Tolino itself is a network of ebook shops and devices used mainly in German-speaking countries.

It is more of a retail and hardware brand than a library service.

However, some Tolino eReaders can work with library platforms such as OverDrive if your library supports them, so you may be able to read borrowed titles on a Tolino device.

If you use a Tolino, your best bet is to check which library app your local service uses.

Borrow the ebook through that app.

Then follow their instructions for reading on a compatible eReader.

If you can’t find the book in your library

Even if a platform lists my books in its master catalogue, your local library still has to decide to buy them.

If you search and nothing comes up, check that you are spelling “Jon Cronshaw” correctly.

Try searching by title instead of author.

Look for “show all titles” or “include books not in library” toggles.

If that fails, go to your library’s website and look for a page called something like “Suggest a purchase”, “Recommend a title” or “Request a book”.

Put in the book title, my name, and that it is available to libraries through OverDrive / BorrowBox / cloudLibrary.

You can also walk into your branch and ask a librarian.

Staff can usually check the supplier catalogue and order copies if they have the budget.

Quick checklist

Here’s a simple checklist you can follow.

Get a valid library card.Find out which ebook app your library uses.Install the app and log in with your card number and PIN.Search for “Jon Cronshaw” or the title you want.If the book shows up, borrow or reserve it.If it doesn’t, use the app’s wish-list or recommendation feature, or ask your librarian to order it.

That way you support both your local library and my writing, all while reading for free.

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.

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.

Happy Halloween!

I’ve just released a brand-new short story called The Children Who Didn’t Log Off, and you can read it right now — completely free — on my Patreon.

It’s a dark speculative tale set in a near future where education has gone entirely digital… and one mother realises something isn’t right when her son doesn’t return from his online classroom.

I won’t spoil anything, but if you enjoy stories that blend technology, bureaucracy, and quiet horror, this one’s for you.

You can read the full story here:
Read The Children Who Didn’t Log Off on Patreon

It’s a public post, so you don’t need to be a member to enjoy it. Feel free to leave a comment, share it around, or just settle in with a warm drink and let the story unsettle you a little.

Stay safe, keep your devices charged, and have a very happy Halloween.

Best wishes,
Jon

The spooky season has arrived — and I’ve got something special to share.

My new short story, The Pumpkin in the Window, is now live to read for free on my Patreon:
patreon.com/joncronshawauthor

It’s the first of two free Halloween stories I’ll be releasing this year — the next one will arrive on Halloween itself.

This first tale brings a darker, more psychological edge to the season… something to curl up with on a grey autumn night while the wind rattles the windows and the trick-or-treaters pass by.

You don’t need to be a member to read it — it’s a public post, open to everyone. Feel free to comment, share, and enjoy.

I hope it gets you perfectly in the mood for the spooky days ahead.

Best wishes,
Jon

Read now.

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.