Smorgasbord Cafe and Bookstore – #Free #Bookmarketing – New series – Share an Extract from your latest book.

Over the last few weeks I have been featuring authors and extracts from one of their previous books.

In this new series you can now share an extract of 500 words from your most recent book and it will be featured in a Saturday or Sunday post starting in the middle of June

The aim of the series

1. To showcase your latest book and sell some more copies.
2. Gain more reviews for the book.
3. Promote a selection of other books that are available.

What will be in the post?

• I will top and tail in the usual way with your other books and links, bio, photo and social media.
• I will also select a review from Amazon or Goodreads that I feel has the best selling pitch for the book.
• If your book is very recent and as yet has not received a review then I will share one from a previous book.
  
• This series is open to all authors currently in the Cafe and Bookstore
• I suggest an extract of approximately 500 words or a poem that you feel best reflects the theme of your collection.
• If you have an illustration or images you can attach to the email for me to include. No need to send the cover as I will have that or will access from Amazon.
• As an author in the Cafe and Bookstore I will already have all your details, links and covers of other books so need to send anything further.
• Please send your extract and any accompanying images to sally.cronin@moyhill.com

To give you an idea of how it will look (and to give my latest book a plug)

Life’s Rich Tapestry : Woven in Words is a collection of verse, micro fiction and speculative short stories.

About Life’s Rich Tapestry

Life’s Rich Tapestry is a collection of verse, microfiction and short stories that explore many aspects of our human nature and the wonders of the natural world. Reflections on our earliest beginnings and what is yet to come, with characters as diverse as a French speaking elephant and a cyborg warrior.

Finding the right number of syllables for a Haiku, Tanka, Etheree or Cinquain focuses the mind; as does 99 word microfiction, bringing a different level of intensity to storytelling. You will find stories about the past, the present and the future told in 17 syllables to 2,000 words, all celebrating life.

This book is also recognition of the value to a writer, of being part of a generous and inspiring blogging community, where writing challenges encourage us to explore new styles and genres.

An extract from the book of 500 words – A selection of the 99 word Flash Fiction in the book.

A Close Match

Isobel held her mother’s hand tightly as the door to the café opened, and a man walked in and looked around. It had been an emotional few weeks since the DNA close match had been found on the genealogy database. Her mother, abandoned as a toddler on the doorstep of an orphanage, had no memories of her family, long giving up hope of finding them. The man looked over to their table and her mother gasped as she saw his shock of red hair and green eyes. His face lit up and smiling he hurried towards them, twins reunited.

Buried in the Snow

The elderly farmer and his dog stood at the base of the hillside and searched the snow covered slope for signs of the flock. His grandson, swaddled against the biting cold, reached out to tug on the old man’s sleeve.
‘Granddad, how are we going to find the sheep, they must all be buried under those drifts?’ The boy looked close to tears.
‘Just wait, lad, just wait.’ He patted the boys head.
Just then a dark shape moved amongst the white mounds and the farmer smiled.
‘That’s why you always have a black sheep in your flock boy.’

Following Elephants

The young boy raised the heavy tin bucket full of dusty liquid onto the rolled up shirt on his head. Both hands steadied the precious cargo as he watched the herd of elephants moving slowly off into the sunset. He had followed them all day from his village across the parched earth, knowing they were creatures capable of finding the most hidden of watering holes. They had led him to this ancient secret spring; a life-giving find for his village. He turned and retraced his steps homeward, cloaked in the dangerous predator filled dusk. Today his family would drink.

Life’s Greatest Gift

Thomas prowled the corridors of the care home as its residents slept. During the day he would jump from lap to lap, rubbing gnarled hands with his head, accepting tender touches and morsels of food, hoarded and saved for his visit. For many he became the family they no longer knew, and was adored.

 

The cat slipped through a door left ajar, and approaching the bed, he leapt onto the pillow. Thomas purred gently into the old woman’s ear. She sighed and gave one last gentle breath, accepting the greatest gift in life of being loved until its end.

My Mouse

I am extremely attached to my mouse, small and demanding at times, but I need a muse that is easy to maintain, and doesn’t demand three walks a day and half my dinner. It sits quietly by my side, observing my every move, and eager to be handled at every opportunity. I have owned several mice in my lifetime, but this one has a special place in my heart, as it has supported me thorough my latest book and editing process. But it is showing signs of burn out. Perhaps it will perk up if I change its battery.

One of the recent reviews for the collection

Amy M. Reade 5.0 out of 5 stars Sally Cronin talents transcend genres  Reviewed in the United States on April 26, 2020

Sally Cronin has both genius and wisdom when it comes to human nature and the human connection with our animal friends. In this delightful and heartwarming (and sometimes heart-wrenching) collection of verse, poems, short stories, and micro-fiction, the reader is treated to a look at everything from the natural world to the world inside the human heart, from junkyards to mansions, from a French-speaking elephant to faeries.

I loved this book, not only as a beautiful respite from the news of the world, but also as an inspiration to write and read in genres that are outside my normal range. I think readers have a lot to learn from Ms. Cronin and I recommend the book to anyone who is looking for inspiration and something extraordinary.

Read the reviews and buy the collection:Amazon UK

And: Amazon US

A selection of other books by Sally Cronin

Find all the books, reviews and buy the books: Amazon US

And: Amazon UK

More reviews can be found on Goodreads: Goodreads

About Sally Cronin

I have been a storyteller most of my life (my mother called them fibs!). Poetry, song lyrics and short stories were left behind when work and life intruded, but that all changed in 1996. My first book Size Matters was a health and weight loss book based on my own experiences of losing 70kilo. I have written another twelve books since then on health and also fiction, including four collections of short stories. My latest book is a collection of verse, micro fiction and speculative short stories titled Life’s Rich Tapestry: Woven in Words

I am an indie author and proud to be one. My greatest pleasure comes from those readers who enjoy my take on health, characters and twisted endings… and of course come back for more.

You can connect to me on the following sites.

Blog: Smorgasbord Invitation
Twitter: @sgc58
Facebook: Sally Cronin
LinkedIn: Sally Cronin

Look forward to hearing from you with your 500 word extract.. and look forward to sharing over a weekend soon