Genre Writing
Mystery Cozies

Catriona McPherson, Clare O’Donohue, Dorothy St. James, and Duffy Brown discuss how modern cozy mysteries push past traditional boundaries. They explore humor, tone, and darker emotional layers, and how adding depth and edge can make a cozy story more powerful without losing its charm.

Bente Gallagher, C.S. Challinor, Lisa Wysocky, Luisa Buehler, and Maggie Toussaint talk about why they keep coming back to the cozy mystery genre. They discuss writing engaging amateur sleuths, creating small towns readers want to visit again and again, and balancing charm, humor, and suspense to build lasting series appeal.

Connie Archer, Julie Hyzy, Kathleen George, and Molly MacRae explore how food can become a powerful storytelling tool in mystery fiction. They discuss using recipes, sensory detail, and food centered communities to deepen character, strengthen theme, and give a mystery its own distinct flavor.

Authors explore how pets and food bring warmth, humor, and texture to mystery fiction. This session examines why cats, dogs, and culinary details resonate with readers, how they deepen character and community, and the ways these everyday comforts can make crime stories even more irresistible.

Alexia Gordon, Debra H. Goldstein, J.C. Kenney, Linda Thorne, Maggie Toussaint, and Phyllis Gobbell talk about what makes a cozy mystery feel like a warm invitation. They explore tone, setting, romance, and emotional comfort, and how writers create stories readers want to settle into and savor.

Cozy mysteries often revolve around hobbies, crafts, and small community activities. In this session, authors discuss why pastimes like baking, knitting, gardening, and other crafts pair so well with the genre, and how these interests add charm, character, and clues to their stories.

Cathy Perkins, J.R. Ripley, Lois Schmitt, Lynn Hesse, Mary Belk, Michael Orenduff, and Phyllis Gobbell tackle one of the biggest questions in cozy writing. They discuss how authors decide where their stories fall on the spectrum from traditional to more explicit, and how understanding reader expectations helps writers choose the right tone and approach.

Donna Andrews, Joanna Campbell Slan, Julie Hyzy, Katrina Holme, Rosemary Harris, and Shirley Damsgaard explore how cozy mysteries can be warm and comforting while still carrying emotional weight. They discuss weaving darker themes into gentle stories, surprising readers without losing trust, and creating cozies that feel deeper and more layered.

Amy Denton, Becki Willis, C.B. Wilson, Christy Hoover, J.D. Webb, and Lois Winston take a practical look at how cozy mysteries are built. They discuss tone, point of view, character development, and subgenre choices, offering clear guidance for writers who want to craft cozy stories that feel polished and professional.

Anne Louise Bannon, Debra H. Goldstein, and Honora Finkelstein discuss why cozy mysteries continue to attract devoted readers. They focus on tone, close knit communities, and gentle suspense, showing how these elements work together to create stories that feel familiar, welcoming, and endlessly rereadable.

Christy J. Kendall, D.L. Mitchell, Lisa Wysocky, Lois Winston, S.C. Merritt, and T.K. Sheffield share what makes cozy mysteries so enduring. They discuss genre hallmarks, community driven plots, and practical tips for writing warm, engaging whodunits that keep readers coming back.

Lois Schmitt, Barbara Collins, Carol L. Wright, Linda Thorne, Phyllis Gobbell, and Traci Andrighetti take a practical look at writing cozy mysteries. They discuss genre expectations, tone, and techniques for creating stories that balance comfort, humor, and suspense in a way readers love.

What happens when a charming story takes a sharp turn? This panel explores how authors layer surprises, tension, and darker elements into sweet or cozy narratives without losing their warmth. The discussion dives into timing, tone, and misdirection, revealing how unexpected twists can deepen stakes and keep readers delightfully off balance.

Honora Finkelstein and Susan Smily invite listeners into a playful blend of storytelling, science, and culinary history. As Susan prepares a three course meal, they explore the myths and facts surrounding aphrodisiacs and show how food can become a vivid and memorable part of cozy mystery storytelling.

Joanna Campbell Slan, Kylie Logan, Lois Winston, Mollie Cox Bryan, and Penny Warner talk about turning hobbies and crafts into clever mystery plots. They explore how creativity, community, and crime come together in cozy mysteries, and how a well chosen craft can add charm, originality, and story momentum.

Tracee de Hahn, Cheryl Hollon, Debra H. Goldstein, Mary Adams Belk, and Susan Keene explore what has made cozy mysteries so enduring and how the genre continues to evolve. They discuss character driven storytelling, gentle tension, and the role of community in plots that feel comforting while still delivering a satisfying mystery.

Cindy Sample, Elizabeth Lynn Casey, Jane K. Cleland, Laura DiSilverio, and Lois Winston share how cozy mystery characters come alive on the page. They discuss outlining, blending charm with crime, and the moment when fictional characters begin to surprise their creators and take on lives of their own.

Cathy Tully, Lois Schmitt, Lori Roberts Herbst, M.K. Dean, and Wendy Kendall break down what makes a cozy mystery so irresistible. They explore beloved sleuths, inviting settings, clever titles, and the comforting tone readers crave, showing how cozies deliver satisfying intrigue and emotional connection without relying on graphic violence.

Kate Carlisle leads Connie Archer, Daryl Wood Gerber, Karen MacInerney, Leslie Budewitz, and Ovidia Yu in a lively conversation about culinary mysteries. They discuss how food can shape setting, character, and plot, and how recipes and red herrings work together to create stories readers savor.

Avery Aames, Cathy Pickens, Ellen Crosby, Eve K. Sandstrom, and Julie Hyzy talk about the irresistible mix of food and mystery. They discuss researching cuisine, building settings that feel rich and inviting, and creating characters whose lives and relationships are shaped by what happens in the kitchen.

Duffy Brown, Jennie Bentley, Sharleen Johnson, and Sylvia Dickey Smith discuss why cozy mysteries continue to charm readers. They explore what defines the genre, what readers expect, and how warmth, wit, and character driven storytelling keep cozy fans coming back for more.

Moderated by Lois Winston, Anita McCoy and Cathy Tully explore the appeal of themed cozy mysteries. They discuss why animal cozies, craft cozies, and other specialty niches resonate so strongly with readers and how a strong theme can turn a mystery series into a reader favorite.