By James Moushon and 16 outstanding Cozy Authors
So, you have written a Cozy Mystery. Or you want to start writing in the Cozy genre. You ask: What do I need to do to be successful?
Your ready. You have strong woman who wants to solve the crime. And your small town with likeable characters is filled with suspects. Your fiction novel is ready to market. Oh, and your dog is ready for the hunt and your recipes are ready to cook. What's next?
As more and more authors tackle the Cozy marketplace, I needed to get some ideas from some Cozy authors. Of course, I knew the best source for information was from my Spotlight Crew. I have interviewed over the years (10 years, 1300 interviews and book showcases).
What is a Cozy mystery?
What are the usual characteristics of a Cozy Mystery?
How to Succeed in the Cozy Marketplace!
Cozy Mysteries are a sub-genre of the Crime and Mystery genres. Here is a list of the common elements found in a Cozy.
An amateur sleuth - likeable person – usually a woman
An unsuspecting victim
A quirky supporting cast - characters are likeable
Small town or village setting
Several twists and turns - reader has the opportunity to solve the murder
Food or animals and a cartoonish cover are a part of a Cozy
As all marketplaces this genre is changing. It is a long way from Agatha Christie, Nancy Drew, and Jessica Fletcher in Murder, She Wrote.
Here are some ideas the group came up with:
Dianne Harman
Dianne is an Award-Winning Bestselling Cozy Mystery, Suspense and Romance author.
Website - Twitter: @DianneDHarman - Facebook - Goodreads
I won't go into the obvious, good book,
good cover, covering the basics, etc. I think a strong newsletter list is
crucial. I discount my preorders and let my readers and Facebook followers
know. The day before a launch, I send out a newsletter and again, put it
on Facebook, that that day is the last one for them to save 20%. I can always
count on a number of buys from it.
Some authors are afraid of competition and
don't want to work with others. One of the best ways to reach new readers, and
we all need them, is to promote one another's books through newsletters.
And I think just putting out one newsletter a month isn't worth it. I put one
out several times a week, and I have never had a complaint that it's too often,
because I give them value. Almost every newsletter has news of an author's sale
or new release. My open rate is quite high because of it.
It's very important to cultivate
influencers. I have several people I send a gift certificate to each time I publish
a new book. And always send a gift certificate. If you send them the book,
Amazon doesn't count it as a sale and it doesn't help your ranking. Almost always,
these influencers will promote my book in their newsletter, on their blog, or
on their Facebook pages. It's a very cheap way of advertising.
My audience:
I'm not sure it's a "one size fits all" type thing. My readers are predominantly female, over 50, well-educated, and generally well-off. I think that may be because my books tend to have women in them who reflect my readers' lifestyles, so they feel a sense of connection with the protagonists. Another cozy author may write with much younger people in their books and would appeal to a younger audience.
Too Good To Be True - B0B4KR6G4J - Dianne Harman
Available at Amazon
Ellen Mansoor Collier
Does your mystery have a unique setting or hook or feature that captures a reader’s attention?
Does your character like to play sports or travel or have a fun hobby readers may like? Consider offering your books in alternative retail outlets like gift/hobby/sports/coffee shops, not just bookstores.
My Jazz Age mysteries are set in 1920s Galveston and feature Jazz Cross, a young society reporter whose barkeep brother is constantly dodging crooked cops and the local Prohibition agent.
Lucky for me, Galveston is a historical beach town that draws visitors from all over the world (my target market). My books have sold in various retail outlets in or near major tourist attractions on the island and in the Southwest region, including a museum, hotels, restaurants, gift shops, resorts, and for a while, even a casino in Louisiana.
I know several authors who create fictional towns which does give them creative license but I enjoyed writing about a town with such a rich and colorful history—and an illicit gangster past.
My audience:
Deco Dames, Demon Rum and Death by Ellen Collier
A Jazz Age Mystery #5
Available at Amazon
Dianne Krogh
Dianne is a self-published Contemporary Fiction Author who writes Family Sagas.
Website - Twitter: @kroghdianne - Goodreads
Why I Wrote The Yellow Belles
I had been intrigued with the idea of writing a novel where the setting is a critical part of the plot. The Yellow Belles is a mystery set in an over-55 community, a setting that provided an opportunity to explore a whole new cast of characters in an environment unfamiliar to many readers. A late-night assault in an exclusive retirement neighborhood leads to the investigation of a group of feisty elderly ladies known as the Yellow Belles. As the investigation careens through accusations of attempted murder, blackmail, fraud, and the improper wearing of a Speedo, the Yellow Belles gives the readers an amusing but thoughtful look at aging and an inside look at the lifestyle and characteristics of the people who live behind the gates of retirement communities.
The Yellow Belles by Dianne Krogh
Available at Amazon
Meg is an Award-winning mystery author and a part of the writing team of D.E. Ireland with Sharon Pisacreta. Website - Twitter: @megmims - Facebook - Goodreads
LEARN THE CRAFT -- how to write beginning, middle, end using Michael Hauge's plot structure (very helpful) or other kind of outline. Do in-depth studies of your protagonist and antagonist. Nothing hurts the flow of writing if you get stuck, not knowing where to go in the plot. Make sure the motivation of the killer is strong enough.
LEARN HOW TO EDIT AND PROOFREAD -- relying on others isn't always a good thing. Catch as much as you can by revising, revising, and revising again, giving yourself a breather between each step. Run the Word Tool "Spelling and Grammar" as well.
My audience:
Cozies usually have an audience of older teens (we hope!) up to 100+, mostly women but why not men also!
With A Little Bit of Blood by D.E. Ireland
Available at Amazon
RJ Blain
RJ is a Fantasy and Cozy Mystery writer. She is the author of Requiem for the Rift King and Witch & Wolf series plus the A Magical Romantic Comedy collection.
More than anything else, Cozy is about the tone and vibe of the book. Readers picking up a cozy want to feel like their book is giving them a warm hug. Anything that disrupts that mood may turn the reader off.
Cozies are comforting, which is what I like about them.
My audience:
One thing I do quite like about the Cozy genre is that it typically is more age friendly; most of the ones I have read are 13+ With some minimal risk of adult subject matter or themes of the non-sexual variety.
But that isn’t a guarantee. But most of the time, that is usually how it rolls.
Plaidypus by RJ Blain
A Magical Romantic Comedy (with a body count) Book 19
Available at Amazon
Debra S. Sanders
Debra writes thrillers and mysteries. She is a member of Sisters in Crime Desert Sleuths.
Website - Twitter: @DebSanders01 - Facebook - Goodreads
Keep a character bible. Cozy mysteries are series with recurring characters. I can't emphasize enough how important it is to keep track of every detail from the color of a character's eyes to the flowers planted in a garden. Cozy readers are vigilant amateur sleuths who look at every element in your story as a clue. They'll be the first to catch a consistency blunder and are not shy about letting you know.
Know the subgenre. No gore. Crime and violence occur off page. Your main character is an amateur sleuth, typically a woman. Settings take place in a small town or community.
DEAD MEN CAN'T DANCE by Debra S. Sanders
Available at Amazon
Heather Day Gilbert
Heather is an Amazon Norse Bestseller author. She is the author of Hemlock Creek Suspense, Vikings of the New World Saga, and A Murder in the Mountains series. Heather writes Historical Fiction and Mystery Novels. Website - Twitter: @heatherdgilbert - Facebook - Goodreads
I would strongly recommend reading bestselling cozy mysteries (indie cozies, if you're an independent author) and writing down the popular tropes (ie: pets, inheriting a business, etc.) to replicate to a certain extent in your own books. Cozy mystery readers have clear expectations for the genre, and they are not happy when expectations are not met (for example, never kill a beloved pet!). When I launched my cozy series, I modeled the series pricing and the Amazon landing page/book blurbs after bestselling indie authors, and I have found that works very well.
I participate in cozy reader groups online and have made connections with cozy mystery authors over time.
My audience:
I know the typical cozy reader skews age 40s and up. I do have teen readers, however, since my cozies are clean and I think my sleuth’s “hobby jobs” also appeal to younger readers (exotic pet-sitting, cafes, video gaming, etc.). It really depends on the sleuth’s job/locale, I feel. So I have readers from teens into the 80s (maybe 90s!). I’d say the majority of my readers are in their 30s-80s.
Cold Drip by Heather Day Gilbert
Barks & Beans Cafe Cozy Mystery Book 6
Available at Amazon
Emma Jameson
Emma is the NYT bestselling author of the Lord & Lady Hetheridge series and the Dr. Benjamin Bones Mysteries. Website - Twitter: @msemmajameson - Facebook - Goodreads
To love and respect the genre. There's a curious belief out there that cozies are easy to write, and that the market is easy to break into. While it's true that mystery readers are very open to new voices, which is wonderful, I caution authors not to jump into the genre because it appears simple. Any actor will tell you that drama is easy, but comedy is hard. It's the same with cozies. You need a light touch, engaging and loveable characters, and a little bit of magic. Those things are acquired by reading lots of cozies over many years.
My audience:
Cozy mysteries are for anyone who loves a good read, or for anyone who likes engaging characters who seem like old friends.
The real answer I'd tell a fellow writer is, women 45 years old and up. But a male reader or younger reader might take that the wrong way!
A Death at Silversmith Bay by Emma Jameson
A Jemima Jago Mystery Book 3
Available at Amazon
If your just starting in the Cozy marketplace, here is some good feedback from some award-winning authors.
Award winning author Lucinda Race writes about family, love and happily ever afters.
Website - Twitter: @LucindaRace - Facebook - Goodreads
I would love to read this report when it's complete as I'm just entering the genre of Cozy and plan to release my first book in a series.
But I will share what I've done so far.
I'm part of 2 groups on Facebook, cozy related. Which has been a great help.
I plan on using a reader magnet with BF to garner interest for the books. I plan to release the first book at a regular price of 3.99 and when I'm getting ready to release the 4th put the 1st on sale for a bit hoping for read through.
I'm hoping my romance/ romantic suspense readers currently on my list will cross over to my cozy. We shall see.
I'm just adding a new section to my website and updating my tag line to include both. As I don't want to create and pay for 2 websites.
My audience:
I think cozy mystery readers are any age range due to the non-graphic violence and the absence of sex in the books. I read a lot of Agatha Christie and Nancy Drew growing up and they both fit in the genre.
I would say teenage to elderly can read and enjoy a cozy mystery.
BARRETT by Lucinda Race
Last Man Standing - Book 2
Available at Amazon
S.R. Mallery - Starting Cozy
Sarah is the award-winning author who writes Historical Fiction, Women's Fiction, and Mysteries.
Website - Twitter: @SarahMallery1 - Facebook - Goodreads
I've been relatively new in the Cozy World compared to many others!
First a preview about starting out in a new genre: When I started my Brooke Abby
Cozy series I decided to make my books somewhat different from so many others in
that genre. After all, there is SUCH a bevy of cozy authors out there who are far more
knowledgeable in this specific genre promotion area than I.
traveling back in time in order to get answers to modern murders. Besides that, I
definitely wanted a very different looking cover than the usual cozy fare.
general and working with the site, StoryOrigin.com, specifically, both of which have certainly helped with Eyes On and buys/downloads.
My audience:
“Despite some push a few years back toward cozy mysteries reminiscent of Nancy Drew, or more targeted for younger readers, the profile of a typical cozy mystery reader is “overwhelmingly female, and overwhelmingly over 40,” says Josh Getzler, a literary agent with HSG Agency in New York City.”
Tea, Anyone by Sarah Mallery
Available at Amazon
Toby Neal - Starting Cozy - Kindle Vella
Website - Twitter: @tobywneal - Facebook - Goodreads
I'm venturing into cozy mystery for the first time with COCONUT WIRELESS, Paradise Crime Cozy Mystery #1.
Here's the blurb and link to the story on Kindle Vella, where I'm market testing it...with great results!
link: https://tobyneal.net/z91w
Escape to Hawaii with a funny cozy mystery!
"The coconut wireless is humming in Ohia, Maui, and the latest topic of gossip is me, Kat Smith. I'm Secret Service, not Postal Service, but what I feel like is a criminal when I'm appointed postmaster to a cozy little town on Maui.
Important to know:
This is my first venture into cozy, but I'm going all in with a trilogy planned to start. I think it's really important to study how this genre differs from regular mystery or thriller, which I'm very familiar with.
To get ready, I read several "how to write a cozy" books, and then dove into reading in the genre exclusively for months. I have also never written "funny" before, but I knew I could do it because I wrote vignettes on my travel blog that were well received with chuckles, the highest compliment!
The response to my Vella story has been phenomenal and writing Coconut Wireless has been the most fun I've had in ages. I was really craving something lighter after so many years of exploring the "dark side" of human behavior, and though this genre does do that with similar themes, there's no gore and more time is spent on character development, small town life, romance "lite" and pets. ALWAYS A PET which I had in my regular mysteries and thrillers, but this time I came up with a grumpy cat sidekick that I'm just loving.
So what's important? Study the genre and write until you're familiar, and then test with readers! I have had them vote on covers, give input to blurbs and scenes, all in the name of teaching me about the genre.
I tested a scene with readers in my fan group (discovery of the body) and got feedback that it was "too detailed and creepy" so I dialed back the icky info, which readers LOVE in my regular mysteries.
There really are a lot of key differences and it’s important to know them.
My audience:
I believe that the main group of readers for Cozy Mystery are 40+ older folks who may be nostalgic for simpler times and more positive themes.
When I ran ads for my cozy on Kindle Vella that was the audience that clicked most, even though they generally don't love phone reading.
COCONUT WIRELESS by Toby Neal
Paradise Crime Cozy Mystery #1
Available at Amazon
Patricia McLinn
Patricia McLinn is an award-winning,best-selling author. She writes Romance, Women's Fiction,and Mystery novels. Website - Twitter: @PatriciaMcLinn - Facebook - Goodreads
The other area I see facing cozy authors is the nomenclature. It feels like "cozy" has been narrowed to a very specific type of book . . . which would exclude the original cozies of Agatha Christie and other authors of her era writing non-bloody/violent, non-procedural whodunnits. I've been told my books aren't cozies because my titles aren't cute, the sleuths don't own small shops/bakeries.
I wish cozy would widen again to include those and other variants.
Cross Talk by Patricia McLinn
Caught Dead in Wyoming, Book 11
Available at Amazon
Wendy Corsi Staub
The publishing landscape is constantly changing, so from a business standpoint, the approach that might make you successful now might be entirely different next year. But creatively speaking, if I'm writing a series, I focus as much on world-building as I do on plot. Readers hope to meet engaging people and spend time in places they'll want to revisit. That means zeroing in on the unique and memorable details that will bring to life your characters and setting.
How did you create the reader list? Through Social Media, my website, my email marketing list, reader feedback through different media, etc.
The Other Family by Wendy Corsi Staub
Available at Amazon
Abby L. Vandiver
Abby is an Amazon Bestsellers author. She is the author of Logan Dickerson Cozy Mystery Series and the Mars Origin "I" Series. Abby writes Cozy Mystery novels.
Website - Twitter: @AbbyVandiver - Facebook - Goodreads
You have to produce a lot of books. In the traditionally published world, to catch the eye of an editor, you have to have a good hook.
I have an email subscriber list. I contract with promotion groups, I ask people to sign up on my website and I get emails from people at in-person events.
My audience:
All ages. Especially now. Where cozy mystery demographics were older women (40-65), publishers are now seeking books that appeal to Millennials
A Ticket To Murder by Abby L Vandiver
An ABC Murder Mystery Book 1
Available at Amazon
Have you developed a reader list? How did you create the list?
Meg is an Award-winning mystery author and a part of the writing team of D.E. Ireland with Sharon Pisacreta. Website - Twitter: @megmims - Facebook - Goodreads
Using my Facebook page and website, plus posting on Instagram, I sent out "quarterly" newsletters to readers who subscribed.
With A Little Bit of Blood by D.E. Ireland
Available at Amazon
Patricia McLinn
Patricia McLinn is an award-winning,best-selling author. She writes Romance, Women's Fiction,and Mystery novels. Website - Twitter: @PatriciaMcLinn - Facebook - Goodreads
That combined with polls of my reader list -- Patricia's ReadHeads -- asking their favorite (other) authors to read. It's always a wildly eclectic list ... and has persuaded me that readers are not as niched as we sometimes believe they are. At least mine aren't.
Cross Talk by Patricia McLinn
Caught Dead in Wyoming, Book 11
Available at Amazon
Emma Jameson
Emma is the NYT bestselling author of the Lord & Lady Hetheridge series and the Dr. Benjamin Bones Mysteries. Website - Twitter: @msemmajameson - Facebook - Goodreads
I have a newsletter that I've grown over the years by offering a reader magnet in exchange for an email address. Of course, the individual can unsubscribe at any time. Over the years, I've developed real friendships with some readers, and lovely cordial relations with many more. There's no shortcut that I know of. You ask readers to sign up, you send them updates from time to time, and see what happens. It's better to have 10 subscribers who really like your books than 10,000 names you bought from an author or gained through a series of giveaways.
A Death at Silversmith Bay by Emma Jameson
A Jemima Jago Mystery Book 3
Available at Amazon
Website - Twitter: @DebSanders01 - Facebook - Goodreads
It's important to engage with readers these days, especially cozy readers! They want to build a relationship with authors beyond the marketing/author appearance/book sales type newsletters. I utilize a reader magnet option for my newsletter that sends a free short story each month to my subscribers. I know another author who sends out a short segment of one of her backlist titles each week. They're teasers and readers love them.
I am in the process of setting up a couple of promos to build my newsletter list but want to make sure I'm targeting my demographic. No one should waste their time or money on platforms that are not reaching the right market. I have a successful TikTok platform but cozies are not one of the more popular genres on BookTok. The amount of time it took to build my following just hasn't produced results that warrant a continued media assault.
DEAD MEN CAN'T DANCE by Debra S. Sanders
Available at Amazon
Dianne Harman
Dianne is an Award-Winning Bestselling Cozy Mystery, Suspense and Romance author.
Website - Twitter: @DianneDHarman - Facebook - Goodreads
My feelings about readers lists are above. I spent money over the years advertising my books with advertisers who asked people to sign up to my newsletter in order to win a free book or whatever. At the conclusion of the sale, they would send me the list of people who signed up, and I would send it to my newsletter server. At the end of each of my books, I ask for a review, and I leave the Amazon link. Also, in the beginning and at the end of each book is information for signing up for my newsletter, where they can get free books for doing so. Lastly I run a cheap ad on FB daily for signups.
Too Good To Be True by Dianne Harman
Available at Amazon
Heather Day Gilbert
Heather is an Amazon Norse Bestseller author. She is the author of Hemlock Creek Suspense, Vikings of the New World Saga, and A Murder in the Mountains series. Heather writes Historical Fiction and Mystery Novels. Website - Twitter: @heatherdgilbert - Facebook - Goodreads
I've developed my reader newsletter over time. I have participated in a couple of Booksweeps giveaways to increase my mystery reader list, but many are organic subscriptions from readers of my series (this can't happen until you have books out, although some will giveaway a novella connected with the upcoming series and build a newsletter list that way).
Cold Drip by Heather Day Gilbert
Barks & Beans Cafe Cozy Mystery Book 6
Available at Amazon
Cozy author support groups
Debra S. Sanders
Debra writes thrillers and mysteries. She is a member of Sisters in Crime Desert Sleuths.
Website - Twitter: @DebSanders01 - Facebook - Goodreads
I am a member of Sisters in Crime National and Grand Canyon Chapter, as well as a SINC break-out marketing group. They've been so helpful in keeping me focused and accountable for my efforts. We all write mystery/crime of some sort so most of the programs provide useful information that applies to my genre - and the presenters are top-notch. Plus Sisters in Crime National offers an online library of genre-specific resources that are available with a click of my mouse.
DEAD MEN CAN'T DANCE by Debra S. Sanders
Available at Amazon
Dianne Harman
Dianne is an Award-Winning Bestselling Cozy Mystery, Suspense and Romance author.
Website - Twitter: @DianneDHarman - Facebook - Goodreads
I belong to several cozy groups, but I'm not particularly active in them. I am the moderator of a cozy tweet team where we retweet each other's tweets regarding something or other about our cozy books, like a new release or price drop. I don't know whether it's really effective, but it does get my name and books out and it takes very little time.
Too Good To Be True by Dianne Harman
Available at Amazon
Rhys Bowen
Rhys is the New York Times bestselling writer of the Molly Murphy Mysteries and A Royal Spyness Mystery series. Website - Twitter: @RhysBowen - Facebook - Goodreads
Most important is to know your audience. No graphic sex or violence and try to come up with. Unique heroine/ situation
Make use of all aspects of social media. Post regularly on Facebook/Instagram/Twitter. Interesting posts about you not your book. The cozy audience likes a personal connection with their authors
Offer giveaways and build a newsletter list from the answers
Sisters in Crime, especially the Guppies are invaluable to a new writer
And finally be prepared to build your audience one reader at a time by writing good books.
Wild Irish Rose by Rhys Bowen
Molly Murphy Mysteries Book 18
Available at Amazon
Terry Ambrose
Terry is the author of the McKenna Mystery series and the Seaside Cove Bed & Breakfast Mystery series. Website - Twitter: @terryawriterguy - Facebook - Goodreads
I belong to a blogging group called Booklovers Bench. Our group is currently all cozy writers. The main purpose of the group is marketing. This mostly includes rotating postings to our site, but we also ask the others in the group questions about various marketing topics.
My audience:
While there are no hard-and-fast rules, the majority of my target audience consists of women aged 40-70. Many of those cozy readers held professional jobs and have since retired, however, there are also a good percentage who are still in the workforce. There’s also a bit of a shift going on as younger readers, i.e., 25-40, decide they need a break from the grit and gore found in other genres.
Lies, Spies, and the Baker's Surprise by Terry Ambrose
A Seaside Cove Bed & Breakfast Mystery Book 6
Available at Amazon
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