Jonathan’s inspiring journey from Sport student to published author!

Although he is studying Sport, student Jonathan Slater also has a passion for writing and he’s been proving that with hard work, persistence and determination, you can achieve things you didn’t think were possible.

Jonathan has self-published an incredible eight books on Amazon, including his popular fantasy adventure series Dragon Cry Reborn, which he has been steadily building since 2023. His imagination and passion for storytelling are inspired by his love of anime and manga, and his message to others is clear – never give up on your dreams!

He said: “Originally, I didn’t even want to write novels. Back in 2020, I wanted to create manga and comics, but I realised I didn’t have the skills for the artwork. So instead, I decided to turn my ideas into novels. Ironically, I didn’t even read novels at the time – but I gave it a go, starting with my first idea in 2022. From there, I couldn’t stop!”

Within months, Jonathan, who studies at Hackney Campus, had released his debut novel Dragon Cry Reborn as a physical book and since then, he has written and published volumes 2, 3 and 4 of the series, alongside spin-off projects such as Skull Mask – a dark hero story inspired by Marvel’s Ghost Rider – and Kenzo’s Legacy, influenced by classic anime like Gintama and Rurouni Kenshin.

Earlier this year, Jonathan published the second and final instalment of Skull Mask, bringing his total to eight titles – all completed on his own, without an editor. He admits the process has been challenging but incredibly rewarding.

“I’ve learned so much from doing this myself. My books aren’t perfect, and I know my writing can improve, but I’m proud of what I’ve achieved,” he said. “I’ve still got a final volume to finish for one of my series, and I’m already working on a new fantasy novel which I hope to release in 2026. After that, my dream is to adapt my books into graphic novels and one day see them on the big screen.”

He hopes his story will inspire others to chase their own goals. “I do not plan to stop writing. When you work hard and learn to be patient in life, you can accomplish your dreams, no matter how long the journey is. I want people to see what I have done and realise they can do it too.”

Jonathan’s success is a shining example of how New City College students can explore their passions and make their mark in the world.

If you’re ready to follow your dreams and take the next step in your education, apply now to join NCC and start your own success story: Apply Now!