Jen Pitts is this week’s interviewee for The Cozy. Learn more about Jen’s favourite city, what inspires her to write and what she collects during her travels (it’s the SAME THING I COLLECT!!)
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 Jen Pitts
NAME: Jen Pitts
LIST ALL YOUR COZY MYSTERY SERIES: The French Quarter Mysteries
HOW ARE YOUR COZY MYSTERIES PUBLISHED? Self-Published
The Q&A
TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF
I’m Jen Pitts, the author of The French Quarter Mysteries. My husband, two teenagers, two cats, and I live outside of Seattle, Washington. I’m originally from Maryland and I’ve also lived in Florida, South Carolina, and California. When the children have flown the nest, we hope to live in New Orleans.
In the meantime, I visit as often as I can for research for my books and for fun, of course. Mysteries have always been my passion, so combining my love of them with my obsession with all things New Orleans, sent me down the path to write my first book, The Key to Murder.
When I’m not writing or researching, I’m reading any and all kinds of mysteries, spending time with my family and friends, snuggling with our cats, and planning my next trip to New Orleans.
LIST THREE FUN FACTS ABOUT YOURSELF THAT WE WOULDN’T READ IN YOUR ‘OFFICIAL’ BIO.
- Before becoming a stay-at-home mom, I was a buyer for a toy store and cat-theme gift shop.
- I collect snow domes from my travels.
- I can’t whistle but I played the flute from junior high to college.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO WRITE COZY MYSTERIES?
I knew I wanted to write mysteries that revolved around a community so that the reader would get to know the characters over the course of the series. As a fan of cozy mysteries, I was positive I would love to write them. And I was right.
WHAT SUBGENRE(S) OR THEMES OF COZY MYSTERIES DO YOU WRITE?
My mysteries are traditional in that they are set in a small community in the South. It’s a little different in that small community is a neighborhood in a big city.
TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR COZY MYSTERY SERIES. WHAT INSPIRES YOUR SERIES?
My love of New Orleans inspired my series. I fell in love with New Orleans through books and once I visited in person, I fell in love deeper. New Orleans is an incredible city rich with history, soulful music, delicious food, and friendly people. The French Quarter is my favorite neighborhood and I knew it would make a great setting for a series.
WHY DO YOU THINK PEOPLE LOVE TO READ COZY MYSTERIES?
I believe people enjoy solving mysteries along with the amateur sleuth. Also, I think readers like getting to do the sleuth and all her friends and family in her community as the series grows. Also, cozy mysteries don’t have gore or violence on the page.
ASIDE FROM BEING AN AUTHOR, ARE YOU INVOLVED IN THE COZY COMMUNITY IN ANY OTHER WAY?
I have a Facebook page, Jen Pitts Mystery Writer, and I belong to a number of cozy community groups on Facebook.
WHO ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVOURITE WRITERS?
Agatha Christie was my first introduction to cozy mysteries and I still love her books to this day. I consider her my writing idol. I adore Louise Penny’s books. Anne Rice was an incredible writer with such a vivid imagination and a great love of New Orleans.
IF YOU WERE MAROONED ON A DESERTED ISLAND, WHAT 3 BOOKS WOULD YOU WANT WITH YOU?
A Murder is Announced by Agatha Christie, Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice, and The Nature of the Beast by Louise Penny
DO YOU HAVE ANY PROJECTS COMING UP THAT YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE WITH US?
I’m writing the fifth book in my series, The Dead End Tour. I’m also working on a new paranormal cozy mystery series that will also take place in New Orleans.
The Quickie 5
- FAVOURITE FOOD: Beignets
- BEVERAGE OF CHOICE: Coffee in the morning and a Pimm’s Cup at night
- MOST PRIZED POSSESSION: The Love of my Family
- SUMMER OR WINTER? Summer
- FAVOURITE VACATION SPOT? New Orleans
To keep up to date with Jen Pitts online, you can connect with her on:
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | AMAZON
I loved chatting with you!
Right back at ya Jen! Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions!