Joyce St. Anthony, who also writes under the name Joyce Tremel, joins us for this week’s The Cozy 52 interview. If first met Joyce (Tremel) several years ago when I picked up her Brewing Trouble cozy mystery series and she graciously joined me for an author Q&A (one of the first I ever did!). Fast forward to today and she has a brand new series out (writing as Joyce St. Anthony) and I’m so excited to catch up with her and see how things are going.
Who or What is The Cozy 52? Each week I will be sharing an interview with someone involved with Cozy Mysteries – an author, blogger, Facebook Group host, podcaster, cover designer – so that we can showcase this amazing community! I hope you’ll discover some new authors, plus learn more about what goes on behind the scenes with the people who write, publish and promote cozy mysteries!
Introducing Joyce St. Anthony aka Joyce Tremel
NAME: Joyce St. Anthony aka Joyce Tremel
LIST ALL YOUR COZY MYSTERY SERIES:
- The Brewing Trouble Mysteries (as Joyce Tremel)
- The Homefront News Mysteries (historical mystery as Joyce St. Anthony)
- The upcoming Cider House Mysteries (as Joyce Tremel)
HOW ARE YOUR COZY MYSTERIES PUBLISHED? Traditional
The Q&A
TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF
Hmm. There’s really not much to say! I’m a writer, wife, mother, grandmother. I live in the Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania with my husband and two cats named Hops and Lager.
LIST THREE FUN FACTS ABOUT YOURSELF THAT WE WOULDN’T READ IN YOUR ‘OFFICIAL’ BIO.
- I have a second degree black belt in taekowndo (I haven’t practiced for over 20 years though!)
- I’ve been making hard cider in my kitchen for the last few years. It’s delicious!
- I rode an elevator with Mister Rogers once.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START WRITING? WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO WRITE COZY MYSTERIES?
I’m not sure. I’ve always liked to write. Why did you choose to write cozy mysteries? I don’t like to get too scared! I’m not ruling out writing something darker, but for now the “tamer” mysteries are working for me.
WHAT SUBGENRE(S) OR THEMES OF COZY MYSTERIES DO YOU WRITE?
Brewing Trouble and the upcoming Cider House series would be considered culinary, I guess. The Homefront News books are cozy-ish historical mysteries.
TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR COZY MYSTERY SERIES. WHAT INSPIRES YOUR SERIES?
The Homefront News books are set in 1942. The US involvement in WWII is just beginning. My character, Irene Ingram, has taken over as editor at the Progress Herald after her father (who owns the paper) is assigned to be a war correspondent. She has to deal with older male reporters who have known her since she was a toddler and they’re not too happy she’s now their boss. Plus, there’s murder (of course!) I was inspired by my love of the 1940s. The 40s had the best clothes and the best music. I get to listen to big band while I write!
WHY DO YOU THINK PEOPLE LOVE TO READ COZY MYSTERIES?
Partly because there’s so much terrible things going on in the world. It’s a way to escape and spend some time with great characters. Justice is served at the end of the books and all is right with the world, unlike in real life.
ASIDE FROM BEING AN AUTHOR, ARE YOU INVOLVED IN THE COZY COMMUNITY IN ANY OTHER WAY?
Not at the moment. When I lived in Pittsburgh I was active with that chapter of Sisters in Crime and served as vice president once upon a time. I still belong to the national organization but I’m not really active.
WHO ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVOURITE WRITERS?
That’s a tough question. There are so many and I’m always afraid to leave someone out. My must reads at the moment are anyone who writes historical mysteries. I’m really looking forward to reading Susan Elia McNeal’s new release.
IF YOU WERE MAROONED ON A DESERTED ISLAND, WHAT 3 BOOKS WOULD YOU WANT WITH YOU?
Wow. That’s too hard to answer. I don’t think I could pick just three!
DO YOU HAVE ANY PROJECTS COMING UP THAT YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE WITH US?
I mentioned my upcoming Cider House series. The working title for the first book is Deadly to the Core. I’m working on the manuscript right now, and will turn it in in January. I don’t have a publication date yet. And I’m still waiting to hear if the Homefront News series will continue (fingers crossed).
The Quickie 5
- FAVOURITE FOOD: : Ice cream. I can’t buy it because I will Eat. It. All.
- BEVERAGE OF CHOICE: A good craft beer or coffee.
- MOST PRIZED POSSESSION: I don’t think I have one.
- SUMMER OR WINTER? Fall and Spring, although I’d pick Winter over Summer. I hate being hot. The perfect temperature range for me is 70 F in the day, and 50 F at night.
- FAVOURITE VACATION SPOT? Gettysburg, PA
To keep up to date with Joyce St. Anthony/Joyce Tremel online, you can connect with her on:
