Often one can find references to past writers such as T.S. While Cronin may have moved into writing a different type of book he certainly has not completely abandoned his writing roots. At times he has been criticized for crossing over from his high literary style to the commercial books he now writes. Earlier Worksīefore writing the vampire horror Passage series Cronin’s writing style produced quiet and sweet works of literary fiction.

Another of the most prestigious awards that has been bestowed upon Cronin is a fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts and a Whiting Writer’s Award. For Mary and O’Neil Cronin won both the PEN/Hemingway Award and the Stephen Crane Prize from the book of the month. It was eleven years before he produced another novel but when he did it was a huge hit in literary circles. Starting in 1990 Cronin began producing his masterpieces with, A Short History of the Long Ball. Small in Quantity, Big on QualityĪlthough Cronin has only produced five novels, with a sixth on the way, he has a devout following of adoring fans. Since moving to Houston Cronin has been employed at Rice University as an English professor. He he now resides in Houston, Texas, with his wife and children. La Salle University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was fortunate enough to be Cronin’s employer from 1992 until 2003 He worked there as a creative writing professor and was also the resident author for the university. Started in 1936, this creative graduate-level writing program at the University of Iowa has highly sought after programs for prospective writers. Cronin then attended the Iowa Writers’ Workshop. Even attending college couldn’t draw him away from his childhood home, he attended Harvard University. Cronin continued to reside in New England throughout his childhood and adolescence.

Nineteen hundred and sixty two New England saw the birth of Justin Cronin, an author who would, rather rapidly, rise to success, critical acclaim and award winning heights in American literary society.

Justin cronin the passage series