Jon Cronshaw's Blog, page 14

The Anti-Guru Who Became Everything He Swore to Destroy

In a world dominated by online influencers, the rise and fall of self-styled gurus have become a fascinating—and sometimes disturbing—phenomenon.

My latest story takes a satirical dive into this world, drawing inspiration from the Decoding the Gurus podcast and its insightful Guru-o-meter, which outlines the traits that define modern secular gurus.

This story isn’t just about Alex, a fictional “anti-guru” who rails against the very system he eventually becomes a part of.

It’s about the broader, troubling pattern of audience capture, where the relationship between an influencer and their audience shapes the influencer as much as, if not more than, their audience.

What is the Guru-o-Meter?

For those unfamiliar, the Decoding the Gurus podcast dissects the behaviours and strategies of prominent figures in the online self-help, wellness, and intellectual spaces.

Their Guru-o-Meter highlights recurring traits, such as:

Presenting themselves as having unique access to hidden knowledge.Claiming to be the only ones brave enough to “tell the truth.”Engaging in pseudo-intellectualism to elevate their brand.Exploiting their audience’s desire for clarity in an uncertain world.

These characteristics, often paired with carefully crafted narratives of victimhood and superiority, create an irresistible pull for audiences looking for guidance.

How Alex Embodies These Traits

Alex begins his journey as an outsider—a vocal critic of the exploitative self-help industry.

Armed with a webcam and a disdain for overpriced courses, he attracts an audience hungry for someone to “tell it like it is.”

But as his movement grows, Alex finds himself mirroring the very behaviours he once denounced.

He starts small, with modest Patreon subscriptions and free resources, but the allure of exclusivity and higher revenue proves too tempting.

Soon, his branded Sovereignty Masterclass comes with a hefty price tag, and his “authentic” persona morphs into a carefully curated performance.

By the end, Alex has become indistinguishable from the gurus he once mocked—a tragicomic reminder of how easily good intentions can be corrupted by success.

Audience Capture: A Subtle but Powerful Transformation

One of the story’s key themes is audience capture.

In the digital age, influencers often begin with sincere messages and modest goals, only to be reshaped by the demands of their audience.

As Alex’s following grows, his need to maintain their approval drives him to up the stakes—higher production values, more exclusive offerings, and increasingly dramatic proclamations.

The audience, in turn, becomes both a source of validation and a constraint.

Alex can’t afford to lose their trust, so he doubles down on the language and tactics that keep them engaged.

His original vision—a movement centred on critical thinking—gives way to the very cult of personality he vowed to dismantle.

Satire Rooted in Reality

While the story is fictional, it reflects a cycle we’ve seen repeatedly in the online world.

Figures like Jordan Peterson, Joe Rogan, and countless wellness influencers often start with niche, relatable messages before spiralling into self-importance and exclusivity.

The satire in Alex’s journey isn’t just a cautionary tale—it’s an exploration of how the guru archetype is perpetuated by both influencers and their audiences.

Satire allows us to hold up a mirror to the absurdities of modern life without losing sight of the humanity at its core.

Alex isn’t a cartoon villain; he’s a flawed individual grappling with the intoxicating power of influence.

His journey from crusader to conman is exaggerated, but it’s rooted in real dynamics—how wealth, fame, and an adoring audience can erode even the strongest principles.

A Path We’ve Seen Before

The story ultimately asks readers to reflect: how much of what we consume online is shaped by manipulation, and how much responsibility do we bear for enabling it?

From YouTube wellness coaches to TikTok financial “gurus,” the line between authenticity and performance grows blurrier by the day.

Alex’s trajectory may be satire, but it’s also disturbingly familiar.

This story is my way of engaging with the themes discussed on Decoding the Gurus and exploring how the traits they outline manifest in real (and fictional) life.

It’s a reminder to approach online influencers with scepticism and to question not just their motives but also our own susceptibility to their charms.

If Alex’s story made you laugh, cringe, or even think twice about your favourite online personalities, then it’s done its job.

In the end, the real lesson is simple: trust your critical thinking skills, not the polished veneer of someone promising to sell you the truth.

And maybe, just maybe, don’t pay £999 for a Sovereignty Masterclass.

read the Anti-guru.

The post The Anti-Guru Who Became Everything He Swore to Destroy first appeared on Jon Cronshaw.

Here’s what’s coming up on Patreon in 2025

We’re almost at the end of Forged in Blood (Guild of Assassins, Book 2), and as soon as that wraps up, I’ll start posting Blade of Sorrows (Guild of Assassins, Book 3). Expect all the dark, intense, and morally complex storytelling you’ve come to enjoy.

I’ll also be pulling The Knight and Rebel from Patreon as it’s heading to Kindle Unlimited! But don’t worry—Patreon members will get an advance review copy before the KU launch, so keep an eye out for that!

And now, for the big announcement: In January, I’ll begin releasing a brand-new epic fantasy serial, The Ravenglass Throne.

Here’s the blurb:
Three sisters. One murdered king. A kingdom balanced on the edge of destruction.
The king is dead, assassinated before he could name an heir.
Now his daughters—the warrior, the diplomat, and the scholar—must piece together a conspiracy that threatens not just their throne, but the very magic that maintains their civilisation.
As the bonds between riders and wyverns begin to unravel, they race against time to expose a plot centuries in the making.
Failure means more than losing a crown—it means watching their entire world collapse.
Yet in a court where every ally could be an enemy, even sisters might not be able to trust each other.

The Ravenglass Throne is packed with political intrigue, aerial combat, and the unbreakable power of sisterhood. Perfect for fans of richly drawn fantasy worlds, family drama, and magic that comes at a cost.

I’ll be posting three chapters per week starting in January, so get ready for an exciting year ahead!

Thanks for your continued support—you’re the reason I get to bring these stories to life!

Jon

join the community.

The post Here’s what’s coming up on Patreon in 2025 first appeared on Jon Cronshaw.

Seeking ARC Readers for The Knight and the Rebel

Hello from Morecambe!

I hope the festive season is treating you well. I’m reaching out today because I need your help.

The Knight and the Rebel, the third book in my Ravenglass Legends series, is nearly ready for release, and I’m looking for dedicated readers who would be willing to read and review an advance copy.

As an indie author, early reviews are absolutely crucial for visibility.

They help convince Amazon’s algorithm to show the book to more readers and give potential readers confidence to take a chance on a new book.

But gaining traction as an indie author has never been more challenging.

We’re living in a time where AI-generated content floods the market and major publishing houses pour enormous marketing budgets into their releases.

It’s increasingly difficult for human-written indie books to stand out and find their audience.

This is where you come in.

By becoming an ARC (Advance Reader Copy) reader, you’ll get free early access to The Knight and the Rebel in the hope that you’ll leave an honest review on or before launch day.

Your review doesn’t need to be long or literary—just your genuine thoughts about the book.

Every authentic review helps cut through the noise and helps other readers find stories written with passion and care.

If you’ve enjoyed the previous books in the series, or if you’re interested in epic fantasy that explores themes of family, power, and identity, I’d be incredibly grateful for your support.

Your voice matters more than you might think in helping independent authors survive and thrive in today’s challenging market.

Interested in becoming an ARC reader?

Follow this link to sign up: subscribepage.com/ravenglassarc.

Thank you for considering this request. Whether you sign up or not, I’m grateful for your support of independent authors.

Take care,

Jon

P.S. – Feel free to share this opportunity with other fantasy readers who might be interested. The more genuine reviews we can gather, the better chance this book has of finding its audience.

The post Seeking ARC Readers for The Knight and the Rebel first appeared on Jon Cronshaw.

To Grip the Bright White Chains (A Wasteland story)

In a world choked by decay, Elsie has carved out a haven amidst the ruins—a garden of colour and hope.

But in a life where survival means trading drugs for forgotten treasures, can one act of kindness spark the change she craves?

When two street-hardened children stumble into her sanctuary, Elsie faces a choice: let them go or teach them to dream again.

Read for free.

The post To Grip the Bright White Chains (A Wasteland story) first appeared on Jon Cronshaw.

This week on Patreon (December 22-28)

It’s been a busy week filled with festive stories and plenty of updates for both paid and free members!

For Paid Members:

The 8th and final chapter of Niamh’s Journey, along with the audio version of the full novella.Episode 8 of Hunters, my space Western side project.Chapters 17 and 18 of Forged in Blood (Guild of Assassins, Book 2).

For Free Members:

Santa Versus Zombies, now available with an audio version.Lord Sidebottom and the Christmas Caper, with a festive audio rendition.The Tree—a heartwarming Wasteland Christmas story.To Grip the Bright White Chains—another story set in the Wasteland universe.

There’s something for everyone this week, from holiday-themed tales to thrilling new chapters. Thank you for your continued support, and I hope you enjoy this week’s stories!

Join me on Patreon now!

– Jon

P.S. You can use the promo code RAVENGLASS to get 50 percent off your first month’s subscription on an tier!

The post This week on Patreon (December 22-28) first appeared on Jon Cronshaw.

📚 Wrapping Up 2024 and Big Plans for 2025 | Author Diary – December 27, 2024 🏰✨

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!

follow on Patreon.

The post 📚 Wrapping Up 2024 and Big Plans for 2025 | Author Diary – December 27, 2024 🏰✨ first appeared on Jon Cronshaw.

Lord Sidebottom and the Christmas Caper: A Steampunk Holiday Adventure

Lord Sidebottom and the Christmas Caper offers a festive romp through intrigue, wit, and the kind of heroics only a Victorian inventor with steam-powered boots can provide.

In this adventure, Lord Sidebottom finds himself embroiled in a Christmas Eve mystery.

Masked bandits, a ransacked shop, and a series of peculiar clues—stopped clocks, a flooded storage room, and a trail leading to the heart of the city’s Winter Festival—draw him into the action.

With the brilliant and resourceful Florence Rutherford at his side, Sidebottom must outmanoeuvre cunning villains and mechanical mayhem to save New York’s festive spirit.

This story is a celebration of goodwill, courage, and the enduring hope that even the darkest plots can’t dim the light of Christmas.

Read It for Free on Patreon

This delightful caper is available for free on my Patreon page.

Immerse yourself in Sidebottom’s festive escapades while enjoying other exclusive stories and updates.

Don’t miss out on this heart-warming steampunk tale!

Perfect for fans of quirky humour, inventive storytelling, and a dash of yuletide magic.

Grab a cup of cocoa, settle in, and let Lord Sidebottom whisk you away on an unforgettable holiday adventure.

read for free here.

The post Lord Sidebottom and the Christmas Caper: A Steampunk Holiday Adventure first appeared on Jon Cronshaw.

Battle Royale in Fantasy: Why Survival Contests Grip Our Imagination

There’s something primitively compelling about survival contests in fantasy.

Strip away society’s rules, force characters to fight to the death, and we can’t look away.

But why?

What makes sequences like the Threshing in my novel Guild of Assassins so gripping isn’t just the violence – it’s what these contests reveal about human nature.

The Structure of Survival Contests

Consider how the Threshing is structured.

Ten recruits are trapped on a derelict ship, forced to kill until only two remain.

It’s a premise we’ve seen before – from The Hunger Games to Battle Royale – yet it continues to captivate.

Perhaps it’s because it strips away civilisation’s veneer to reveal what lies beneath.

The Psychological Horror of Survival Contests

The psychological horror of the Threshing comes not from the violence itself but from watching characters we’ve grown to know face impossible choices.

Soren and Alaric’s decision to stand together rather than turn on each other becomes powerful precisely because we understand the cost.

Every moment of loyalty is bought with blood.

Character Growth Under Extreme Pressure

These contests work because they force character growth through extreme pressure.

When Soren confronts Kierak during the Threshing, it’s not just a physical battle but the culmination of his transformation.

The person who steps off that ship isn’t the same one who boarded it.

Like the best survival contests, the Threshing shapes its participants irreversibly.

Examining Primal Questions from a Safe Distance

But there’s another layer to our fascination.

These scenarios let us explore primal questions from a safe distance.

What would we do to survive?

How far would we go?

Would we maintain our humanity or embrace savagery?

Through characters like Soren, we can examine these uncomfortable questions without having to actually face them.

The Role of Isolation in Survival Contests

The setting itself becomes crucial.

The derelict ship creates perfect isolation – no escape, no outside help, no rules except survival.

Like the arena in The Hunger Games or the island in Battle Royale, it becomes a microcosm where society’s laws no longer apply.

This isolation forces characters to reveal their true nature.

Testing Loyalty as Well as Combat Skill

Yet the best survival contests aren’t just about physical prowess.

The Threshing works because it tests loyalty as much as combat skill.

When Soren and Alaric face their final confrontation with Kierak, their victory comes not just from fighting ability but from their choice to stand together.

The contest reveals character through choices, not just action.

Controlled Violence as a Tool of Transformation

These scenarios also expose how institutions use controlled violence to shape their members.

The guild doesn’t just want survivors – it wants killers who’ve proven themselves through blood.

Like the best survival contests in fantasy, the Threshing serves as both test and transformation.

It’s not just about who lives, but what they become.

The Psychological Elements That Keep Us Hooked

The psychological elements grip us most.

Watching alliances form and break, seeing how different characters handle extreme pressure, observing how survival instincts war with moral principles – these human elements make the violence meaningful rather than gratuitous.

We’re not just watching people fight; we’re watching them choose who they become.

Forced Moral Compromises

Perhaps most compelling is how these contests force moral compromise.

When Soren kills during the Threshing, each death marks another step away from who he was.

Like the best survival scenarios, it shows how circumstance can make monsters of anyone.

The real horror isn’t the violence but how understandable each choice becomes.

Why Survival Contests Fascinate Us

This is why survival contests continue to grip our imagination.

They’re not just about action or violence – they’re about human nature under extreme pressure.

Through scenarios like the Threshing, we explore fundamental questions about survival, morality, and what we’d be willing to sacrifice when pushed to our limits.

Satisfying Darker Curiosities

They also satisfy something darker in our psyche – the part that wonders how we’d fare in such a contest.

Would we be Soren, maintaining some fragment of humanity through loyalty?

Or would we become Kierak, embracing brutality as a means of survival?

The answers may disturb us, but the questions fascinate nonetheless.

Survival Contests and Primal Human Nature

In the end, survival contests endure in fantasy because they speak to something primal in human nature.

They strip away civilisation’s constraints to reveal what lies beneath.

Through characters like Soren and Alaric, we explore our own capacity for both nobility and savagery when survival demands choosing between them.

Your Thoughts

What are your favourite survival contests in fantasy?

How do you think they illuminate human nature?

Share your thoughts below.

The post Battle Royale in Fantasy: Why Survival Contests Grip Our Imagination first appeared on Jon Cronshaw.

Santa Versus Zombies! (A Zombie Comedy Christmas Story)

When zombies crash the mall’s Christmas festivities, a jaded mall Santa must trade his gift list for a weapon and lead a ragtag group of survivors to safety.

Facing hordes of techno-infected undead and malfunctioning decorations, Frank discovers that sometimes the greatest Christmas magic comes from believing in yourself—even if you’re wearing a polyester beard.

Read for free.

The post Santa Versus Zombies! (A Zombie Comedy Christmas Story) first appeared on Jon Cronshaw.

This week on Patreon (December 16-22, 2024)

Here’s what’s new for both paid and free members:

For Paid Members:

Chapters 15 and 16 of Forged in Blood (Guild of Assassins, Book 2).Chapter 7 of Hunters, my space Western side project.Chapter 7 of Niamh’s Journey (Punks Versus Zombies side story).

For Free Members:

The Mediocre Maverick—a satirical short story.Santa Versus Zombies!—a festive undead tale to get you in the spirit.My weekly author diary video with updates and behind-the-scenes insights.

Special Offer:

Get 50% off your first month on any tier with the promo code RAVENGLASS at checkout!

Sign up today to unlock early chapters, exclusive stories, and more.

Join me on Patreon now!

Thank you for reading and supporting my work!
– Jon

The post This week on Patreon (December 16-22, 2024) first appeared on Jon Cronshaw.