Writing the Cozy Mystery (Expanded Second Edition)

by Nancy J. Cohen

Overview

How to Write a Winning Whodunit

Do you want to write a cozy mystery but don’t have a clue where to start? Or are you in the middle of a story and stuck on the plot? Perhaps you’re already writing a series, and you need tips on keeping your material fresh. Writing the Cozy Mystery: Expanded Second Edition is a concise reference guide that will help you develop your characters, establish the setting, plot the story, add suspense, plant clues and solve the crime.

This award-winning Second Edition contains more examples; additional writing exercises; expanded sections; and seven new chapters including The Muddle in the Middle, Romance and Murder, Special Considerations for Cozy Writers, Keeping a Series Fresh, Writing the Smart Synopsis, Mystery Movies, and Marketing Tips. You’ll find everything you need to know in an easy-to-read, clear manner to write your own mystery and maintain a long-running series. Recommended for cozy writers, mystery fans, and fiction writing classes.

Gold Award Winner in the Royal Palm Literary Awards

Gold Medal Winner in the President's Book Awards

First Place Winner in TopShelf Magazine Book Awards

Agatha Awards Finalist

Finalist in the IAN Book of the Year Awards

Murder on the Beach Mystery Bookstore Bestseller List

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780998531731
Publisher:	Orange Grove Press
Publication date:	11/12/2018
Pages:	130
Sales rank:	150,699
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.28(d)

About the Author

As a former registered nurse, Nancy J. Cohen helped people with their physical aches and pains, but she longed to soothe their troubles in a different way. The siren call of storytelling lured her from nursing into the exciting world of fiction. Wishing she could wield a curling iron with the same skill as crafting a story, she created hairdresser Marla Shore as a stylist with a nose for crime and a knack for exposing people's secrets.

Titles in the Bad Hair Day Mysteries have been named Best Cozy Mystery by Suspense Magazine, won a Readers' Favorite gold medal and a RONE Award, earned first place in the Chanticleer International Book Awards and third place in the Arizona Literary Awards. Nancy's instructional guide, Writing the Cozy Mystery, was nominated for an Agatha Award, earned first place in the Royal Palm Literary Awards and the TopShelf Magazine Book Awards, and won a gold medal in the President's Book Awards. Her imaginative romances have proven popular with fans as well. These books have won the HOLT Medallion and Best Book in Romantic SciFi/Fantasy at The Romance Reviews.

A featured speaker at libraries, conferences, and community events, Nancy is listed in Contemporary Authors, Poets & Writers, and Who's Who in U.S. Writers, Editors, & Poets. She is a past president of Florida Romance Writers and Mystery Writers of America Florida Chapter. When not busy writing, she enjoys cooking, fine dining, cruising and visiting Disney World.

Editorial Reviews

“If you are thinking about writing a cozy mystery, read this book first! Nancy lays out all the necessary steps in an interesting and informative way that is easy to follow. This book was an invaluable tool when I wrote my first cozy. Highly recommended.” Catherine Bruns, USA Today Best Selling Author

“A useful guide and ready reference, this book offers a good set of tools to demystify the making of a mystery.” Readers' Favorite

“This book is well organized and cuts right to the chase. Throughout are exercises to help you create the cast of characters and make decisions about the clues and setting.” Write on Purpose

“Writing the Cozy Mystery is one of the most helpful books on writing I have ever read. This will be one reference book that will keep you coming back again and again. If you are a new author looking to try your hand at writing a cozy, or if you've already written a cozy and need help to polish it up, Writing the Cozy Mystery is a must.” Crazy Cozy Stories

From the Publisher