Cover Reveal for Writing the Cozy Mystery – Authors’ Perspective on Their Craft

by Posted on

I am delighted to welcome back Phyllis M. Betz. We met a number of years ago at a Popular Culture conference in Washington DC. She’s been a guest here before when she talked about her book Reading the Cozy Mystery: Critical Essays on an Underappreciated Subgenre. Today she is here to talk about her next book on cozy mysteries!

Phyllis: I began the process that resulted in Writing the Cozy with a basic question: why do authors do what they do when they approach the task of producing a mystery. I am not a creative writer, but as an old English teacher, I am fascinated by the process, somewhat akin to magic, that results in an exciting mystery. Sherry Harris graciously allowed me to put a call for essays on the Wickeds blog and the response was quick. I am very grateful to all the authors who took time from their very busy schedules to contribute a piece for the anthology. 

​Writing the Cozy presents a collection  of short essays written by well-know cozy authors. In their essays, the writers discuss their writing processes, how they have developed characters, the importance of setting, and the changing thematic emphases of the modern cozy mystery.

The authors included in the anthology:

Carol Ayer, Leslie Budewitz, Kim Carson [Kit Striker], Jennifer Chow, Maya Corrigan, Tine deBellegarde, Vicki Delany, Peggy Erhart, Mary Anna Evans, Amanda Flower, Winnie Frolik, Marni Graff, Sherry Harris, Julie Hennrikus, M.E. Hilliard, Andrea J. Johnson, Sybil Johnson, Justin Kiska, Kathleen Marple Kalb, JC. Kenney, Edith Maxwell, Rabbi Ilene Schneider, and Diane Vallere.

The book will be released next fall.

Bio: I was born and raised in Philadelphia, PA. Deciding that the world of academia fit my abilities and interests, I went to graduate school and ultimately received my PhD in 1990.  I worked as an adjunct professor in various schools in the Philadelphia area for eight years before becoming a full-time teacher at La Salle University in Philadelphia. I retired in 2021 after 32 years in the English Department. Like any good academic, I’ve published critical work in a number of areas, but my recent, and most enjoyable, work has been examining the cozy. I am particularly pleased that the my first anthology, Reading the Cozy, has received both critical and popular praise.  

Unknown's avatar

Published by Sherry Harris

Sherry Harris is the author of the Agatha Award nominated Sarah Winston Garage Sale Mystery series and the Chloe Jackson Sea Glass Mystery series.

19 Thoughts

  5. What an amazing concept for a book! I know I would love to read “Writing the Cozy”. I’ve added it to my TBR list and can’t wait for the opportunity to dive in reading how so many of my favorite authors do what they do so well.
    2clowns at arkansas dot net

    Like

    1. Thank you so much for leading the charge on this project, Phyllis. It’s such a a thrill to be a part of it!

      Like

  10. A craft book by the best in this cozy craft. Congratulations. PS: The cover covers the topic to a T.

    Like

  11. The cover is darling! Congrats, Phyllis, and thanks for allowing me to contribute a piece on one of my favorite topics, addressing social justice issues in the cozy.

    Like

  14. Thanks for including my essay in the anthology, Phyllis. I’m looking forward to reading all the essays.
    ~Maya Corrigan

    Like

Comments are closed.