Ryan J Hamshaw | Author

🏳️‍⚧️ #TransRightsAreHumanRights

The Guild’s base of operations is Guildhall - inspired directly by the real Guildhall in Salisbury, UK. Just like in the book, it can be found in the Market Square, right at the heart of the city. 3/3

In the book, Sarumbourne’s secret organisation - the Guild - are city councillors by day, and guardians of the Crossing by night. Working through the Keeper Sentinel, Nathaniel Thorpe, they direct the Keepers in defending the city from the evils that creep through the shadows. 2/3

📍 LOCATION INSPIRATION

The Guildhall

I’ve been sharing the real-life locations that inspired places in my debut novel, Keepers of the Crossing: The Dark Friars - and today, it’s the turn of the Guildhall. 1/3 #BookInspo #LocationInspo #IndieBooks

💎🥰 #BookReview #ShineBright #IndieBooks

It was always a special place to me, and imagining Liam gazing out over those same views made it the perfect home for his story. 4/4

The inspiration came from this beautiful building on Churchfields Road in Salisbury, UK - my very first home! My mum and I lived on the second floor (just like Liam) until I was around three years old. While it used to be divided into flats, it has since been restored to a large family home. 3/4

In the book, their second-floor flat is a 1950s conversion in an old Victorian townhouse. The front windows look out over Sarumbourne train station, while the back (from Liam's bedroom) overlooks the water meadows, with Sarumbourne Cathedral in the distance. 2/4

📍 LOCATION INSPIRATION

Liam’s Home

Lately, I’ve been sharing the real-life locations that inspired places in my debut novel, Keepers of the Crossing: The Dark Friars. Today, I’m excited to show you what sparked the idea for Liam’s flat, where he lives with his mum.

#BookInspo #IndieAuthor #Books

On top of that, I’m thrilled that TDF has been nominated for seven Indieverse Awards, including Book of the Year! There's lots of promo planned in the coming months, and I can’t wait to see TDF continue to blossom as we gear up for the release of the second instalment!

RJH 💙

Meanwhile, The Dark Friars continues to find new readers every day, and the reviews and messages I’ve received have been beyond anything I could have hoped for.

The Handsel Witches - Book 2 in the Keepers of the Crossing series - has just been through its developmental edit. Now it’s back in my hands, and I’ll be spending the next month or so revising it before it heads off for its copy edit. We're on track for its September release!

I've been using the break to take care of some life admin, do some gardening, and even outline a brand new story (I can’t keep away from my laptop for too long!). More on that at a later date!

Update 📣

Hey everyone!

I’ve been a bit quiet on here the past couple of weeks - mainly to give myself a break! The start of the year was full-on with finishing the latest draft of my second book and running my Kickstarter campaign.

#IndieAuthor #IndieBooks #WritersLife #BookUpdate

For those who backed my Kickstarter, you should have now received a survey via email in order for me to fulfil your rewards when the time comes. Don't miss it 😉

Enjoy the rest of your weekend! 🫶

RJH x

My manuscript for book 2 is currently with my editor, and I should hopefully have the developmental edit back a week tomorrow, ready to begin my next draft.

Happy Sunday, everyone! ☀️

After a busy few days last weekend with the Kickstarter, I'm enjoying some chill time this weekend, and England is finally seeing some sunshine!

Thank you! 😊

Seven nominations at the Indieverse Awards 2025! 🤯

This week has been amazing. Book One received award noms (including Book of the Year!), and the Kickstarter for Book Two was a success! I'm still spinning with absolute joy! 🎉

Here's to the rest of 2025! 🥂

#IndieAuthor #SupportIndieAuthors

I am beyond grateful to everyone who pledged, shared, and supported this book. Your belief in this series means everything to me. THANK YOU! 💙

Backers, I’ll be in touch soon to arrange your rewards. But for now… let’s celebrate! 🎊

🎉 WE DID IT! 🎉

The Handsel Witches is officially fully funded on Kickstarter! 🎉 Thanks to the amazing support of backers, we hit the £5,000 target, which means Keepers of the Crossing: The Handsel Witches is coming 16 September 2025!

#Kickstarter #YAbooks #QueerFiction #UrbanFantasy

My Kickstarter ends in 2 days! If you've been thinking about pledging (or upping your current pledge) please do so - I'd be forever grateful 🙏

www.kickstarter.com/projects/rya...

#indieauthor #indiebooks #supportindieauthors #Kickstarter

I’m beyond grateful to see The Dark Friars recognised in not just one, but TWO categories. A huge thank you to everyone who has supported this book - you’re all incredible!

There is so much still to come this year! But for now, I’m just taking a moment to celebrate this milestone! ❤️🖤

Ahhhhhh 🤯 Keepers of the Crossing: The Dark Friars has now been nominated for Best YA Novel at the Indieverse Awards 2025 - alongside my Book of the Year nomination! 🎉

Congratulations to my fellow nominees! I can’t wait to get to know you and your stories over these next few months.

I'm on a high right now! 🥰

Thank you to my readers and everyone who has supported The Dark Friars journey so far!

RJH x

Can't believe I'm saying this, but... The Dark Friars has been nominated for BOOK OF THE YEAR at the 2025 Indieverse Awards!!!

I'm incredibly honoured and thrilled to see TDF being recognised in this way.

Support my next book in the Keepers of the Crossing series... 🙏
www.kickstarter.com/projects/rya...

Fellow authors and readers, I need your help to reach my Kickstarter goal and bring my next story in the Keepers of the Crossing series to life! 🙏👇

www.kickstarter.com/projects/rya...

Okay... update 🤯