Reading Recommendations Celebrates 2 Years of Promoting Authors and Their Books!

IT’S CELEBRATION TIME!

I’m so thrilled to be able to share this celebration of Reading Recommendations’ 2nd Anniversary with so many of the authors and friends who have made the blog what it is today! Since Nov. 18, 2013, I have been promoting Authors on this blog – more than 250 of you!! – to a readership that is worldwide in scope. What began as a way of getting the word out about a few of us has blossomed into an effective means of increasing awareness of books, authors, reading and writing far beyond what I ever believed to be possible! Thank you to everyone – subscribers, readers, authors, publishers, editors – all of you who have read and/or contributed to this blog in one way or another. Please continue to share the information you find here so that other readers may discover Authors and their Books – Great Reading Selections!

I’ve collected a number of congratulatory messages sent to me by friends, authors I’ve known personally for quite a while, others I’ve only met online since their promotions appeared on RR, and a couple of READERS! Since these are the exact people we all write for, I’ll start out by linking to the Readers …

From Violet Gaspe and Cheryl Schenk …
Reading Recommendations 2nd Anniversary Congratulations From Two Readers!

From Tim Baker …
Congratulations Reading Recommendations – and thank you Susan!

Since my first novel was released in 2009 I have connected with hundreds of independent authors, but you stand out as a truly unique individual.

In a world where indie authors must wear several hats, one of them being that of head of marketing, it is somewhat common for authors to place a much higher priority on selling their own work rather than the work of their fellow indies, but you chose to break that mold.

For two years you have selflessly promoted the work of others, asking nothing in return. Dozens of authors, myself included, owe you a huge debt of gratitude – as does the book-buying public for introducing them to such a wide variety of talented writers.

You are truly the unsung hero of many success stories!

From Seumas Gallacher …
On celebrating the 2nd Anniversary of Reading Recommendations!

From Betty Jane Hegerat …
Two years of Reading Recommendations is fine cause to celebrate. I’d like to use the occasion to celebrate Susan and all that she’s done for writers wherever she finds them. The blog is the essence of Susan Toy’s enthusiasm, generosity, and passion for books. I was launching a novel in 2008 when a woman came up to the table where I was signing books and introduced herself as my sales rep. I didn’t know I had a sales rep! From that day forward I was to learn exactly what a good sales representative could to do to promote my books. But Susan has gone far beyond that initial position that she left soon after we met. She poured her energy into Alberta Books Canada, and became a dynamo in finding places and people and events at which she shone a spotlight on we shy authors who are so very bad at promoting our work. I say — Brava, Susan! And huge thanks for your help and your friendship. Keep on doing what you do so well.

J.P. McLean wrote a blog post to celebrate the anniversary!

Janice Spina had these kind words to say …
Susan Toy is a talented author, publisher, bookseller, an award-winning publishing sales representative, a literacy teacher, and a promoter of fellow authors and their books through her company, Alberta Books Canada. Susan is also an author and publisher, under her imprints, IslandCatEditions and IslandShorts.

I first met Susan online when I came across her informative and interesting blog. I noticed that she was featuring a new author each day and was eager to be part of this wonderful promotion for my books. Susan was gracious and helpful when I requested a slot and was soon featured with my books and links.

She continued to follow me each time I had a new book published offering to post an update to help promote them. Susan’s support has continued to bolster me and my books and has enabled me to pick up more followers and create interest in my work.

Susan Toy is a kind, generous and unselfish supporter of her fellow authors. I am honored and appreciative of her support and consider her to be my friend.

Thank you, Susan, for all that you do to make things possible for fellow authors. I am honored to take part in your blog and help promote you for a change.

Tricia Drammeh has posted to her blog a lovely tribute to me and Reading Recommendations!

Sally Cronin is celebrating the big day by featuring both my books in her Christmas Grotto – About That Last Summer by Susan M. Toy and an Anniversary blog post!

From Lockard (Lockie) Young …
I met Susan Toy, in the virtual sense, through the internet. We knew mutual online authors and I was just starting to self promote my book, Ryan’s Legend. I graciously accepted Susan’s invitation to promote on her Blog and website Reading Recommendations. I wish I had the specific numbers of how many bought my eBook because of that exposure, because I know I had a boost in sales around that time. I soon found out I was in very distinguished company, and the Authors Susan has promoted over the years, like me, I’m sure are in her debt.

Congratulations on the Second Anniversary of Reading Recommendations, and here’s to many more years of your friendship.

Kevin Brennan has posted Happy Birthday, Reading Recommendations! to his blog in celebration of this anniversary, and he is also offering giveaways over there …

From Maria Savva …
Reading Recommendations is an amazing blog. I’m lucky to have been featured on it a few times. Susan M. Toy is not only a talented writer, but she also loves to read, and I remember her saying that one of the reasons she set up the Reading Recommendations blog was so that she could get recommendations of good books to read. I love the idea that the blog is a way of helping fellow independent authors to promote their books, but it also asks those authors to recommend others. It’s a fantastic idea and it’s great to see that it’s still going strong after 2 years!
Happy 2nd Anniversary, Reading Recommendations!

Susan Holmes is reblogging an earlier post about me, For the Love of Island Dogs, that she published on her blog last summer. Susan has also kindly offered a draw prize of a combo Kindle & Audiobook package of Deadly Ties (#1 in the Waterside Kennels mystery series).

Felicity Harley, author and fellow-Bequian, offers poetry and photography as a way of celebrating!