C.K. Fyfe joins us this week for The Cozy 52 interview and I’m so happy to welcome her here. I loved learning about her love of Nancy Drew, what inspires her writing, and the anthology she was involved in recently which benefitted a local Humane Society.
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 C.K. Fyfe
NAME: C.K. Fyfe
LIST ALL YOUR COZY MYSTERY SERIES: Auction Block Bandit, Read Herring Riddle, and Summer Camp Culprit
HOW ARE YOUR COZY MYSTERIES PUBLISHED? Self-published.
The Q&A
TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF
I’m a writer, a night owl, and an animal lover. I live in the “Mitten State.” Around here, Michiganders like myself show people where they live by pointing at their palms, drink Vernors ginger ale, and eat a lot of fudge! Traveling “Up North” on the weekends is a given. My favorite place to visit is The Sleeping Bear Dunes. A pit-stop in Baldwin for homemade ice cream is a must! All my short stories either take place in Michigan or have a connection to the state, like a character who used to live there. I love to infuse a bit of local humor into each story! For example, cluing readers into the fact that residents jokingly refer to the mosquito as Michigan’s unofficial state bird.
LIST THREE FUN FACTS ABOUT YOURSELF THAT WE WOULDN’T READ IN YOUR ‘OFFICIAL’ BIO.
- I absolutely love watching football! I come from a long line of football fans. In my family, we don’t all root for the same teams. But we have a lot of fun cheering!
- Eight years ago, I visited Scotland, where my ancestors came from. Touring the stunning castles was the definite highlight of the trip!
- I grew up around all types of animals: dogs, cats, rabbits, gerbils, goldfish, hermit crabs, hamsters, guinea pigs, cows, and chickens. Nowadays, I’m a fur mama to one spoiled cat.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO WRITE COZY MYSTERIES?
I grew up reading Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys books. They were fun and intriguing. Plus, I inherited my grandma’s fondness for a good mystery. The first cozy mystery I wrote was for a charity anthology called The Big Fang. Being a part of that project fueled my passion for writing in that genre. And I love the diversity of cozies. They can be serious, humorous, and everything in between.
WHAT SUBGENRE(S) OR THEMES OF COZY MYSTERIES DO YOU WRITE?
My cozy mysteries are quite eclectic! Some are humorous and romantic. Others involve pets and the paranormal. So far, none of my short stories involve murder mysteries.
TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR COZY MYSTERY SERIES. WHAT INSPIRES YOUR SERIES?
My stories are whimsical, suspenseful, and full of charming, and sometimes quirky, characters. I write in loving memory of my brother. Thinking about him, and his love of reading, inspires me every day.
WHY DO YOU THINK PEOPLE LOVE TO READ COZY MYSTERIES?
I think people love to read cozies because they’re funny, mysterious, and endearing. The perfect combination!
ASIDE FROM BEING AN AUTHOR, ARE YOU INVOLVED IN THE COZY COMMUNITY IN ANY OTHER WAY?
I’m a member of numerous cozy mystery groups on Facebook. It’s nice meeting new authors and seeing readers discuss their favorite books. I also enjoy reading cozies!
WHO ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVOURITE WRITERS?
I’m going old-school here! Carolyn Keene and Franklin W. Dixon are at the top of my favorite authors list. I remember my dad taking me to the local library on Saturdays to stock up on books for the week. I don’t recall ever leaving the library without at least one Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys title.
IF YOU WERE MAROONED ON A DESERTED ISLAND, WHAT 3 BOOKS WOULD YOU WANT WITH YOU?
Only three? Okay, here goes! Nothing specific though. Any Murder, She Wrote book. Any cozies set in Scotland. And any books that would tell me how to get off the island. I don’t want to end up like Gilligan and the other castaways.
DO YOU HAVE ANY PROJECTS COMING UP THAT YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE WITH US?
As I mentioned, I have a short story in The Big Fang charity anthology that was recently released. All sales proceeds will benefit Harbor Humane Society located in West Michigan. Stories range from laugh-out-loud adventures to who-done-it mysteries, and every story in the anthology has a rescued or adopted animal in it. I believe readers will thoroughly enjoy the book!
The Quickie 5
- FAVOURITE FOOD: Pizza
- BEVERAGE OF CHOICE: Sweet tea
- MOST PRIZED POSSESSION: Photo scrapbooks
- SUMMER OR WINTER? Summer
- FAVOURITE VACATION SPOT? Glen Lake
To keep up to date with C.K. Fyfe online, you can connect with her on:
AMAZON | BOOKBUB | FACEBOOK | GOODREADS
Thank you! I hope readers will check out the anthology. It’s such a great cause!
Thanks so much for joining me! I loved getting to know you better!
What a great interview.
I am honored to say Cherry was a student of mine in 7th and 8th grade, and , I must add, an excellent student. “Summer Camp Culprit “ is my favorite mystery.