Barbara Emodi joins us for this week’s The Cozy 52 interview. Read on to find out more about the wonderful place she calls home, how it inspires her, and learn more about her cozy mystery stories!
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 Barbara Emodi
NAME: Barbara Emodi
LIST ALL YOUR COZY MYSTERY SERIES:
- Gasper’s Cove Mysteries: (novels)
- Crafting for Murder (book 1)
- Crafting Deception (book 2, available on pre-order)
- Seasons of Gasper’s Cove 2023 (ebook novellas)
- Panic in the Pansies (book 1)
- Inspection Deception (book 2, available on pre-order)
HOW ARE YOUR COZY MYSTERIES PUBLISHED? My novels are traditionally published by C&T Publishing who did my sewing books. Right now my novellas are self-published. I wanted to write four short novellas based on each season and to release them quickly, and also with the option to make them available for the odd free promotion. That was easier to do myself.
The Q&A
TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF
I live in Halifax Nova Scotia in Canada but travel a lot to the US because I have so much family there in Berkeley California and Austin Texas. Like Valerie Rankin, the main character in my novels, I have been a sewing teacher for decades and published two how-to type sewing books. I write about Nova Scotia because this place is wall to wall characters and they have something to say.
LIST THREE FUN FACTS ABOUT YOURSELF THAT WE WOULDN’T READ IN YOUR ‘OFFICIAL’ BIO.
Three fun facts?
- I once was a press secretary for a premier (think governor if you are in the US) I travelled with hidden sewing machine in a computer bag when we were on the road during elections so I could sew in the evenings.
- I love to ferment food, it is so easy. I’d rather make pickles than cook dinner
- I am currently a completely unqualified political commentator for CBC radio. I just report on what my neighbors tell me when I walk the dog.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START WRITING? WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO WRITE COZY MYSTERIES?
Basically I like people, and here in Nova Scotia there are just so many of them that are funny and entertaining. I had so many odd fragments circling around in my head (for instance the psychologist turned shopkeeper who sews through his thumb) and I needed to put a place to put them.
I write cozy mysteries because that is what I like to read. I am completely unqualified to write about sex or violence. I realized that the main theme of everything I write is that there is nothing ordinary about “ordinary” women and you’re best not to underestimate them.
WHAT SUBGENRE(S) OR THEMES OF COZY MYSTERIES DO YOU WRITE?
There are pets, cats and dogs, in all my books because they are all over my own life. I include sewing and craft in my books because that is part of our culture here and something I do myself. There is a bit of food too, but as I am very specific in what I enjoy in the kitchen that is likely baking or fermenting.
TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR COZY MYSTERY SERIES. WHAT INSPIRES YOUR SERIES?
My series about a crafter’s Co-op in a small coastal community in Nova Scotia was inspired by the students in my sewing classes. As we sewed they told so many funny stories and I wanted to share some of that humor as well as their day-to-day lives.
WHY DO YOU THINK PEOPLE LOVE TO READ COZY MYSTERIES?
To me cozy mysteries are a sit down with the dog and a cup of tea read. They are the literary equivalent of comfort food. A good, funny, interesting cozy is an excellent way to recharge.
ASIDE FROM BEING AN AUTHOR, ARE YOU INVOLVED IN THE COZY COMMUNITY IN ANY OTHER WAY?
I belong to a lot of writer’s groups but I think that my most meaningful interactions are with cozy readers. I have a newsletter I like to send out and it has started many conversations and relationships for me. My readers email me and I write back. We know each other. I love that part.
WHO ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVOURITE WRITERS?
So many. I love Diane Mott Davidson, Lisa Lutz, Alexander McCall Smith …
IF YOU WERE MAROONED ON A DESERTED ISLAND, WHAT 3 BOOKS WOULD YOU WANT WITH YOU?
A desert island? Has anyone written a Dummies Guide to Surviving Life on a Desert Island? I am a real sucker for any how-to book. I have lots of books on how to keep a clean house, just never done it. Probably a family photo album, Spanish for Beginners (I would have a lot of spare time finally), and the FBX, The Royal Canadian Air Force Exercise plan for Physical Fitness (1961 edition – see above about finally having the time).
DO YOU HAVE ANY PROJECTS COMING UP THAT YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE WITH US?
The second novel in my Gasper’s Cove mystery, Crafting for Deception will be out later this year and I love, love the plot which is based on a real event, a mystery from WWII. I can hardly wait to share it with readers. And I am working on my seasonal novellas for 2023. Those feature minor characters in the novels, so we can all get to know Gasper’s Cove better.
The Quickie 5
- FAVOURITE FOOD: Thai chilli chicken
- BEVERAGE OF CHOICE: Really spicy ginger beer. Propellor Brewery in Nova Scotia makes a wonderful non-alcoholic version.
- MOST PRIZED POSSESSION: My sewing machine, a vintage Bernina
- SUMMER OR WINTER? Summer
- FAVOURITE VACATION SPOT? Austin Texas
To keep up to date with Barbara Emodi online, you can connect with her on:
WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE | FACEBOOK
You can also message Barbara directly via email.
Visit Barbara’s email to sign up to receive her newsletter. Currently she is releasing another novella there in installments.
