Eston in 2025

Like I've done for many years, I'd like to take a moment and look back at the past year. This is a longer post, so feel free to use the list below to jump directly to the sections that interest you the most.

• 2025 Overview
  • About Writing
• 2025 in Numbers
• Updates on Projects
  • The Lost Tyronian Archives
  • The Baneseeker Chronicles
  • The System of Garadia and Other Projects
• Goals for 2026

2025 Overview

2025 was a great year overall. Following on from 2024, I’m still finding it challenging to find the time to write with everything going on in my life—a full-time job, being a father to four young children—but for the most part, things have stabilized. I feel that I’m in a better place, able to balance work, family, and writing more effectively. This year, writing has felt easier and more enjoyable; it has started to energize me in a way it sometimes didn’t in the past.

About Writing

2025 was a year of experimentation and discovery. I started using a more detailed writing tracker and began plotting a little more (planning chapters and scenes ahead of time, mapping character arcs, listing major beats in the story, etc.). My goal with these adjustments was to be more effective when I sat down to write. So far, it seems like they have helped me focus, stay consistent, and better understand how I work best.

Beyond process improvements, 2025 was also marked by major milestones. I ran another successful Kickstarter campaign for Defeat, book 2 of the Baneseeker Chronicles, and it was incredibly rewarding to see the support from readers once again. Added to Defeat, I also participated in the publication of Earth: An Anthology.

2025 in Numbers

Updates on Projects

Here is what transpired on my series in 2025. To get regular updates throughout the year, I invite you to subscribe to my newsletter: The Red Dragon Insider.

The World of Arvelas and The Baneseeker Chronicles

2025 was another strong year for the Baneseeker Chronicles. Following the successful Kickstarter campaign for Surrender, the first book of the series, in 2024, I released book 2, Defeat in another successful campaign. Book 2 is now out in the world and the initial reception at the end of 2025 was very positive.

I also completed a novella, Kasaril, which was available exclusively on Kickstarter as a stretch reward. It was initially a standalone story, to tie in with the other stories later on. But that changed, and some of the characters will appear sooner than later.

The Lost Tyronian Archives

Although I was not actively working on The Lost Tyronian Archives last year, I still published one short story, The Ridge, in Earth: An Anthology. This story expands the world of Tyronia and introduces new characters, adding to the depth and richness of the existing series.

The System of Garadia

I didn't write any new material in Garadia last year, although Deficiency remains one of my most popular books. I had many readers come to me while I was selling books asking if and when there would be a sequel. The only thing I will say is that there is something in the works. For now, though, my focus remains on the Baneseeker Chronicles, so it will most likely be a few years before another novel comes to life in Garadia.

Goals for 2026

Looking ahead, I have several ambitious, creative and technical objectives for 2026. As I tend to do, it's probably too much, but if I can complete a few, I'll be happy.

On the writing side, I'm already working on book 3 of the Baneseeker Chronicles, with a goal of launching it via Kickstarter next fall. I also plan on beginning to write book 4, which will serve as the conclusion to the first major arc of the series. I'll also be writing a new short story for 'Wind: An Anthology', although it is unclear as of now what this story will be.

I am also considering creating a special hardcover edition of one of my books (more on this soon if it goes as planned). I'm also hoping to do something to mark the 10th anniversary of the publication of The Burden of the Protector, first released in 2016.

On the technical and business side, I plan to continue doing my best to write regularly, create an e-store, update my website, and refresh some of my book covers to better reflect their stories.

Final Word

My relationship with writing continues to evolve, but the core remains the same. Writing is still, at its heart, an act of exploration—of ideas, of characters, and of myself. Each year adds a little more clarity to why I do this, and a little more gratitude for those who choose to come along for the journey.

As always, I’ll end this post with a few writing-related quotes.

"Writing is thinking on paper."
— William Zinsser

"The first draft is just you telling yourself the story."
— Terry Pratchett

Keywords:  Life , Writing