From her computer in Ireland, Sally Cronin has showered generosity across the globe through her Smorgasbord Books website for fourteen years. She’s branched out into themes, which she changes up from time to time, each one with fascinating individuals whether writers or musicians or other creatives.
Sally is especially keen to feature indie authors, so I’ve been a grateful recipient of her encouragement.
This has also enabled Sally to feature her own books, sharing chapters from one of her older ones, which is fun for those of us who’ve discovered her more recently.
One of her most important books is Size Always Matters. At age 41 in 1994 and weighing 330 lbs, Sally was given two choices if she hoped to live to 45. She could carry on eating or get her act together. She chose to study nutrition and change the way she approached the food she ate and her other lifestyle choices.
Smorgasbord Summer Book Fair – My recommended books. Sally’s own choices.
Smorgasbord Summer Book Fair – New Book Spotlight.
Smorgasbord Music Column – William Price King.
Smorgasbord Sunday Book Share – What’s in a Name?
Smorgasbord Blog Magazine Weekly Roundup.
You get the idea! Sally also shares and reshares others’ posts on various social media sites. All of us follow her blog benefit from having our work shared, but also getting acquainted with other authors and their books.
Please check out Sally’s Amazon Author Page with all her books listed.
I’ve especially enjoyed several of Sally’s books of poetry, including Variety is the Spice of Life, and following her father’s memoir of being in the Royal Navy on her website.
Thank you, Sally Cronin, for your generous encouragement!
Here’s her newest Smorgasbord Blogger Monthly – August 2025
Thanks for featuring Sally´s wonderful work and never ending generosity. I wouldn´t know much books without her postings. Best wishes, Michael
Thank you, Michael. We all benefit from her gracious generosity, don’t we!
Thank so much Michael… you have been such an amazing support for years now… such a pity we never get to meet face to face… but your friendship means a great deal.
I’ve been to her site many times and she always gives good advice.
Thank you, GP. She also encourages so many of us by sharing what we’re up to!
Thanks GP… I appreciate that.
Wow Joy… this is so unexpected and has blown me away… It is a while since I enjoyed a wonderful glow-up and absolutely so humbled by your wonderful promotion for the blog and my books… Definitely put a spring in my step…Thank you so much ♥♥
Oh, Sally, I’m so glad. You’ve been such an encouragement and a light for your followers.
Sally well deserves all these accolades for her generosity to other writers and bloggers thank you, Joy for promoting Sally x
Thank you, Carol. What would we do without her!
Thanks so much Carol… and Smorgasbord would certainly not be the same without your contribution all these years and your support. ♥♥
Thank you so much, Darlene!
I agree, Sally has made a huge difference to the indie writing community by encouraging and promoting all of us. There are so many wonderful topics that she addresses on her blog as well. I have had the pleasure of meeting Sally, and she is as kind and interesting in person as she is on her blog. This is a wonderful shout out for Sally!
Thanks, Darlene!
Thanks so much Darlene and I do hope we get the opportunity to meet again… I do here some whispers of perhaps a get together in North America somewhere.. Canada would be good for me as I have friends there and of course Debby. ♥♥
Goddess of Generosity indeed!
Thank you so much for giving Sally such a well-deserved shout out, Joy. 🙂
Yes, she sure does deserve it! Thanks, Jacqueline.
Thanks so much Jackie.. I have never been a domestic goddess or goddess of anything else so absolutely delighted to accept this one.. ♥♥
A beautiful post, Joy. I think your title, Goddess of Generosity, fits Sally to a T. She is a treasure.
Treasure is right, John!
Aah.. thanks John… I am tickled pink hugsxx
Hi, Joy:
So happy to see you featuring Sally! First, I’ve read both of her superb books that you’ve shown above. Each one very different — and both so special.
Honestly, I’m in constant awe of everything Sally does to help her fellow creatives in so many ways. A true labor of love. Sally, I do hope you know how VERY VERY much you are appreciated. You’re just THE BEST. <3
Lisette
Bless you, Lisette!
Thanks so much Lisette, and I am so touched by both Joy’s lovely post and also the comments. This is why I will be dragged out kicking and screaming, clasping my keyboard to my chest, hopefully as I hit 100… I love what this community offers me. ♥♥
Sally has created a community out of strangers who can now call themselves family! <3
Just amazing, isn’t she?
You have played a major role in the success of the blog Annette through your daily support and shares… it is a family and a team. We are stronger together ♥♥
Sally has created a community!
Sally’s help and support have made all the difference to me! I owe her a big debt of gratitude. Thank you for featuring her today.
She has done the same for so many of us. Thank you, Liz.
You’re welcome, Joy.
Thank you so much Liz… it is a two way street, like most things in life and I get back far more than I give… such as your support and visits. xxx
You’re welcome, Sally. 😊
“Goddess of Generosity” is very apropos. I describe Sally as the “Ambassador of Blogging.” I had no idea she’s been at this for 14 years. She was one of the first bloggers I met when I started over six years ago. I’ve lost count of how many other folks I’ve met through her blog.
She’s created a community of us, hasn’t she!
Thanks Pete and for your lovely support over the last six years and it does please me very much that you have met other like minded bloggers on your visits… I find it hard to believe I was still in my 50s when I started this malarky… just goes to show that time flies when you are enjoying yourself.. hugsxx
What great malarky! You keep adding creative ideas.
[…] Head over not just because of my part in the post, but the delightful way Joy has put the feature together: Joy Neal Kidney gives me a glow up… […]
A wonderful recommendation. I know I’m grateful for all she’s done to help promote my books.
Thank you, Andrew.
My pleasure Andrew and thank you for your visits and comments…
Hi Joy, it’s wonderful to see this beautiful post about Sally. I was lucky enough to meet Sally soon after I started blogging and I modelled my own blogging style around her example.
Oh, Robbie, thanks. Sally is how I met you!
Thanks very much Robbie and you have so devoloped your own style and your creativity astounds us all… Lovely to be on that journey with you. ♥
A most beautiful tribute post for Sally, Joy. Sally is a tireless promoter with a heart of gold, and a compassionate writer. Thought I’d just add that here. Congrats to you Sal. So well deserved! 🧡💚
I appreciate your added cheerleading, Debby!
Thanks as always for being my rock Debby… and for the tireless support in getting the blog and my books noticed… I treasure that and our friendship… ♥♥
A dynamic duo Sal, we are. I’m happy to see you getting some spotlight. 🧡
Thank you for sharing these books with us!!! 🙂
How lovely to see Sally getting some on the recognition she richly deserves. This is a lovely post Joy and the comments represent all that she is and does for us. I loved Annette’s ‘Sally has created a community out of strangers who can now call themselves family!’. It’s true in my case. Most of the people I now call my friends originated with Sally. I don’t know how she manages to do all that she does, but I’m very grateful for it! xx
Thank you, Trish! The internet world is certainly richer because of Sally!
I am very happy to be part of this amazing community Trish and the friendships have kept me going through wind and rain… as well as the sunny days. Long may it continue.. ♥♥
Yes, Joy, Sally is wonderful. She does so much for people.
Thanks Tim… I get a great deal of support and encouragement to keep me motivated.. thank you for yours. x
Goddess of Generosity is a perfect title, Joy!
Congratulations–again–to sensational Sally!
She certainly is sensational!
Thank you very much Marian…appreciated.. xx
A wonderful post about a talented author and blogger, and generous to a fault, as you say, Joy. I met Sally through her blog years back, and I’ve always been amazed at the amount of work she does, especially on behalf of others. Her blog is a lovely place to visit, and I’ve met many wonderful writers and artists through it. A great and well-deserved homage.
Bless you, Olga, for your heart-felt comments about the amazing Sally!
Thanks so much Olga and you have been an amazing support over the years, not just sharing the posts on Smorgasbord but the reviews that have bolstered my TBR… the key element to being online is the friendships that thrive despite distance and not meeting face to face… ♥♥
I’m not very familiar with Sally Cronin, so I checked out a few links and her home page. Needless to say, I’m impressed! The many books she’s written look appealing, especially “Sam-A Shaggy Dog Story.” I had a collie, and yes, they are the smartest dogs in the world! Thank you for introducing me to Sally, Joy. Her accomplishments and her efforts to help others are admirable. 🙂
Thank you, Nancy. Sally has so much energy, but how does she find time to sleep!
There will be time for sleep later Joy… haven’t got time for that sort of nonsense just yet lol.. ♥
Thank you Nancy for taking the time to head over to my blog and for your kind comment. Anyone who has been owned by a collie understands the depth of their commitment to making people happy… good to meet you.
Sally is a wonderful person and an amazing support to authors everywhere. This is so well deserved! I’ve read her lovely book, Sam, and have Size Matters ready to go. Thank you, Sally!
Thank you, Val. We take the internet for granted, but none of this would be possible without it. I wouldn’t even know the amazing Sally!
Thanks so much for the lovely endorsement Val… appreciate you reading the books.. hugsxx
What a lovely post, Joy, and I agree about Sally! She does so much for Indie Authors! And I’ve read both of the books you spotlighted and loved them. It’s so nice of you to feature her here. Congrats to Sally! 💖🎉
Thank you, Lauren. My WordPress program won’t line books up nicely like so many will, but I thought readers might enjoy getting acquainted with her online offers. I didn’t even include all of them. Sally has so much generous energy!
Thanks very much Lauren and I have had a lovely time over here with Joy… and thanks for adding another boost for the books.. ♥♥
You’re so welcome and deserving, Sally! Hugs 💖