A.N. Sage joins us for this week’s The Cozy 52 interview. Read on to find out more about her cozy mystery series, her favourite authors, and how she gets involved in author community.
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 A.N. Sage
NAME: A.N. Sage
LIST ALL YOUR COZY MYSTERY SERIES: Orchard Hollow
HOW ARE YOUR COZY MYSTERIES PUBLISHED? Self-published
The Q&A
TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF
I am a bestselling, award-winning author of mystery and fantasy novels. I’ve spent most of my life waiting to meet a witch, vampire, or at least get haunted by a ghost. In between failed seances and many questionable outfit choices, I developed a keen eye for the extra-ordinary.
I spend my free time reading and binge-watching television shows in my pajamas. Currently, I reside in Toronto, Canada with my husband who is not a creature of the night and our daughter who just might be.
I’m a Scorpio and a massive advocate of leggings for pants.
LIST THREE FUN FACTS ABOUT YOURSELF THAT WE WOULDN’T READ IN YOUR ‘OFFICIAL’ BIO.
- I love B horror movies.
- I wrote my first book when I was 12. It was a ghost story and quite terrible.
- I am also a book cover designer and digital artist by trade.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START WRITING? WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO WRITE COZY MYSTERIES?
Books have always been a gateway for me. We moved around quite a bit when I was younger—I’ve lived in 3 countries so far—and reading has been a great help in learning new languages. As a child, I always told stories. It wasn’t until I was older that I decided to take the plunge and do what I always wanted to do: write.
Cozy mysteries were a natural progression as my backlist until Orchard Hollow has been in young adult paranormal mystery. I love the humor cozies have and the atmosphere they create, so it made sense to try my hand at the genre.
WHAT SUBGENRE(S) OR THEMES OF COZY MYSTERIES DO YOU WRITE?
Paranormal (with pets and culinary mixed in)
TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR COZY MYSTERY SERIES. WHAT INSPIRES YOUR SERIES?
Orchard Hollow is a paranormal cozy mystery about an unlucky witch, her ghost familiar, and a feisty raccoon that can’t seem to stay out of trouble. It follows Piper Addison, a witch from a long line of powerful witches. Unfortunately, Piper didn’t exactly inherit the badass witch gene and when a dead body is discovered behind her café a month prior to her fortieth birthday, Piper must use everything in her arsenal to clear her name.
The series was actually inspired by the side characters. I had an image in my mind of a snobby, middle-aged ghost and a raccoon fighting and Orchard Hollow was born out of that image.
WHY DO YOU THINK PEOPLE LOVE TO READ COZY MYSTERIES?
While I can’t speak for everyone, I love them for the puzzles. There is something so satisfying in following a sleuth as they solve a mystery. The concept of a small town or cozy neighbors is equally appealing since everyone is a suspect, even those you least expect.
ASIDE FROM BEING AN AUTHOR, ARE YOU INVOLVED IN THE COZY COMMUNITY IN ANY OTHER WAY?
As I mentioned, I am a book cover designer and I love it! I designed the covers for all my books and the Orchard Hollow covers might be my favorite. I also have an author YouTube channel and am a book coach where I work with other cozy authors to help them produce exceptional stories.
WHO ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVOURITE WRITERS?
These are not all cozy authors, but a good mix. V.E. Schwab, Joanne Fluke, and Christopher Moore are the top three right now.
IF YOU WERE MAROONED ON A DESERTED ISLAND, WHAT 3 BOOKS WOULD YOU WANT WITH YOU?
The Book of Flying by Keith Miller. City of Ghosts by V.E. Schwab. You Suck by Christopher Moore.
DO YOU HAVE ANY PROJECTS COMING UP THAT YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE WITH US?
Cafe au Slay, book 2 in Orchard Hollow, is coming out on April 24th and I am currently working on finalizing that book.
The Quickie 5
- FAVOURITE FOOD: Sushi
- BEVERAGE OF CHOICE: Red wine (something dry)
- MOST PRIZED POSSESSION: I should say my engagement ring, but I’m tempted to choose my copy of The Book of Flying since it is out of print.
- SUMMER OR WINTER? Summer, always.
- FAVOURITE VACATION SPOT?
- St. Martin. We go almost every year.
To keep up to date with A.N. Sage online, you can connect with her on her website.
