Sally Cronin is a long overdue guest on the Reading Recommendations Revisited portion of this blog. Since she first appeared here, in Mar. 2015, Sally has been a tireless promoter of me, my writing, and this blog and the other authors I promote. She has hosted me twice on her blog (April 2015 and Nov. 2015) and is a constant reblogger of many of my own posts, from this blog and my others. As well, I’ve noted that Sally has become friends with many of the authors I count as friends and she’s very generous in promoting many, many authors through her own blogs. Sally was back on RR in Dec. 2015 to update us on a new collection of short stories. Even though I’ve known Sally for less than a year, she’s proven herself to be one of my most valuable connections online through her constant support, promotion of, and interest in, all the authors, artists, musicians who are creating today. And Sally also continues to write and publish her own books, both fiction and non-fiction. So here’s Sally now, promotion tables turned, to tell you more about herself!
Sally Cronin’s complete list of books and information on her writing
My Book and Reviews
RRR: Since your first promotion on RR, what have you been doing?
SC: It has been an interesting few months since Tales of the Garden came out at the end of 2015. The book had started life as a series of short stories on my blog and then when I realised readers were enjoying the fairy tales, I decided to release it in eBook and in print. I really appreciated the whole process; it was a great way to get feedback on each story enabling me to tweak them before publishing. It also gave me instant gratification each week rather than waiting months for a book to come out.
I enjoyed it so much I am doing it again with my series What’s in a Name which takes each letter in the alphabet and alternate weeks I write a story about a female character and then a male character with a name beginning with that letter. What’s in a Name – Short Stories.
Again it has proved very valuable and I am a few stories away from the first of two anthologies. The other benefit of writing the collection is that I will have 52 characters already partly established for other stories or novels.
I have spent the last two years building up my blog and social media networks. My intention was not to add thousands of followers but to build a community of like-minded people which include writers, artists, musicians and bloggers. I have met some fascinating and talented people from around the world. This platform offers me the opportunity to promote the work of others to a substantial audience and I will continue to develop this in the coming year.
I have some new book and blog promotions for 2016 and this includes New Book Fanfare for Children’s books, New Book in Series, Free or Discounted Books and the Five Star Treatment for books that receive great reviews. The new Sunday interview post is Open House and here are the links for them: Sunday Open House and Free Promotion Opportunities
RRR: What else have you been doing, outside of the writing?
SC: We have our house here in Madrid on the market and we have decided to become a little more creative to combat the slow Spanish market. Apart from price incentives we have persuaded the two agents we have here to adopt a different approach to their traditional methods. This involves arranging to Open Houses in the spring, something they do not tend to do here. At least we will feel that we are being proactive rather than sitting waiting for the phone to ring.
It actually takes up quite a bit of time keeping the house and gardens ready for viewing all the time as well as working on writing projects. It is bitter sweet as I shall miss our friends here in Spain, the sunshine and the view. However, we would also like to be nearer to both our families in the UK and Ireland.
RRR: Is there one marketing tip or trick you discovered while promoting your own books that worked particularly well and that you’d like to share with other authors?
SC: I find it really satisfying being in a position to help other writers promote their work on Smorgasbord. Over the last year it has become evident that those guests who are interactive after the post get the most attention. They answer all the comments, share the post across their own network, send the post link to their email contact list and pop in to the post for several days to ensure that they continue to be part of the process.
What some people do not realise is that if someone reads the post and likes or shares it they may be discouraged from commenting if they see that other feedback has not been responded to in some way.
It is a guest’s showcase and it is important to make the most of the networking opportunity in every way possible. People do buy people first and are more inclined to buy books from those who add a personal touch.
RRR: Please recommend three other authors whose work you have “discovered” or rediscovered this past year.
SC: In the past year I have read a number of Indie books including the three by Judith Barrow. Set in the Second World War and moving forward into the 50s and 60s the series tells the stories of families living in a mill town. The characters came to life and the story flowed beautifully from book to book. Pattern of Shadows, Changing Patterns and Living in the Shadows. Available from Amazon
I also read Jo Robinson‘s Echoes Of Narcissus in the Gardens of Delight which is a compelling story of a woman trapped in a destructive relationship. I have had some experience of being married to a narcissist many years ago and it is great that the condition is now being explored in more depth in both non-fiction and fiction books. Available from Amazon
For Haiku lovers there is PhoKu by Annette Rochelle Aben. This book is a combination of wonderful photographic images and wonderful words. Annette is also a hugely supportive blogger and great indie supporter. Available from Amazon
And if I can add a fourth?
I am also working my way through all of Bernard Cornwell’s novels, alternating between Sharpe and The Last Kingdom series. Brilliant author of fabulous novels; I am pretty sure I must have been a Viking in a past life!
Thank you again so much Susan. I really appreciate the support.
Thank you, Sally!
Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
Very grateful to Susan Toy for inviting me to update my work in progress and other news on Reading Recommendations. If you have not yet approached Susan to promote your work then I can highly recommend the experience. Also it is a great place to meet other authors and also find recommended books to read.
This was TOTALLY my pleasure, Sally! See, even in your comment on your own promotion, you’re thinking about how other authors can promote their work. That’s why we all love you so much!
Oh how lovely to see that you have featured Sally. She is always there helping and supporting others, so it is wonderful to see what she is up to. 🙂
Thanks Judy.. mischief usually. X
Ha HA! I don’t doubt it! 🙂
Great post. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Don..
Sally is a treasure. Thanks for letting others know!
thanks very much Debby..
Our pleasure, too. Sally is a gem and a wonderful writer!
thanks very much Noelle. hugs
Reblogged this on Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog and commented:
Sally is an Author, a Supporter of other Authors and one of the best friends an Ape could have 😀
Sharing a love of banana fritters with chocolate and icecream is a winner! hugs Chris.
ABSOLUTELY Sally 😄😄😄
Nice to meet you, Sally! A very interesting post about a very unusual author and promoter!
Thanks very much.. appreciate that.
Sally’s a true gem, as are you, Susan, and I should know, having been on the receiving end of your collective generosity more than once. You both make this writing gig a lot more fun! Thanks for all of your efforts.
Thanks JP and glad you are having fun.. it is for me.. And this is a great place to pop in and out of thanks to Susan’s hospitality.
Sally is a special person who does so much for others unselfishly as you do, Susan! You are both treasures and godsends to authors. I thank you both for all that you have done to promote me and my books. I am honored to call you both my friends. Blessings & hugs to you! Xx
Sally is a tireless supporter of other authors, rarely tooting her own horn. If I could come back one day long after I’m gone, it would be as ‘Sally.’
I can vouch for how supportive Sally is towards other authors. I am delighted I found and followed her blog as she offers so much from book reviews to healthy eating tips, from short stories to promoting other authors.
Lovely tidbits, Sally. Thanks!
Reblogged this on Judith Barrow.
Think we’re all of the same mind; Sally is a wonderful supporter of us all.
Thanks for sharing Judith and being so kind and supportive hugs
What a wonderful interview with Sally. And to Sally, you do so many posts, I don’t know how you get them all done and up in such a timely manner. Now you are adding more series AND moving! You are one amazing lady. Hugs to you and to Susan.
Thanks Michelle.. I don’t get much housework done and I tend to cook once every couple of days and then make my husband eat the same meal twice! I also forget to iron clothes before putting them in the wardrobe! Apart from that I am doing something I love. hugs
Sounds like you have your priorities straight! 😉 Hugs.
Sally is a special person. Heartwarming to read this interview. Kudos and Bravo. ❤ ❤
Thank you Tess you always say just the right thing.. hugs
Ha, Lucky for me.
I hope you don’t think I’m buttering you up. 😀
Reblogged this on Kim's Author Support Blog.
Thank you for sharing Kim.. hugs
Wonderful article here on the one and only Sally Cronin.
Thanks Debby.. this is a very pleasant place to be… hugs
❤
Reblogged this on Authors to Watch and commented:
Don’t miss this awesome interview with Sally Cronin on Reading Recommendations.
Thanks very much Tricia.. and for sharing.
Always great to learn more about Sally. She is a wonderful promoter and encourager of other authors. Thanks for featuring her here!
Thank you for the very kind words Darlene, they are most appreciated.
I’m fascinated by the personal touches in this interview: that Sally is moving from Spain to the UK; that she has many friends and a garden; that she knows her way around the subject of narcissism! This is what I call grist for the mill, and I am so interested! Three cheers for Sally! She has extended astounding generosity of spirit to me, as have you, Susan.
Thank you for resharing this interview Susan.. to think that just a month later we sold our house and as we prepare for Christmas we are in a new home awaiting the arrival of a new four-legged family member. With so much going on with the houses and renovations I made a commitment to continue with author promotions and will do so in 2017 but I have three books that are almost ready to go and will phase them through from early in the year. Support is mutually beneficial and I have experienced the generosity of many other authors in our growing community online. We may never meet but that does not matter as we are forming relationships that will last a lifetime. thanks again. Happy Christmas