Jennifer J. Chow is this week’s The Cozy 52 interview. As a huge fan of boba (aka boba tea or bubble tea) I was so excited to see that she had a new series, in which the first book is called Death by Bubble Tea (review coming soon). How fun! Read on to learn more about Jennifer, what inspired her boba-fueled new release, and all the different ways she’s involved in the Cozy Writing 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 Jennifer J. Chow
NAME: Jennifer J. Chow
LIST ALL YOUR COZY MYSTERY SERIES & INCLUDE HOW YOUR COZY MYSTERIES ARE PUBLISHED
- Winston Wong Cozies (indie)
- Sassy Cat Mysteries (trad)
- L.A. Night Market Mysteries (trad)
The Q&A
TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF
I live in Los Angeles, where I’m constantly visiting boba shops to take drink selfies for my upcoming Death by Bubble Tea novel (L.A. Night Market Mystery 1; out on July 5). A more formal bio: I’ve been nominated twice for the Lefty Award for Best Humorous Mystery for books in my Sassy Cat series, and I write cozies filled with heart, humor, and heritage.
LIST THREE FUN FACTS ABOUT YOURSELF THAT WE WOULDN’T READ IN YOUR ‘OFFICIAL’ BIO.
- I can easily read upside-down text.
- I’m often distracted on walks by pretty flowers.
- I once microwaved cookie batter to “bake” it faster. #cookiefail
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO WRITE COZY MYSTERIES?
I loved reading mysteries as a kid. For a while, my mom and I even read Agatha Christie books together. And, in elementary school, I turned in a short story assignment (mystery) and scored an A+.
WHAT SUBGENRE(S) OR THEMES OF COZY MYSTERIES DO YOU WRITE?
- Winston Wong: contemporary cozy—an ex-video game tester goes sleuthing in the Silicon Valley
- Sassy Cat: pets—a pet groomer teams up with her telepathic sassy cat to solve crimes
- Night Market: culinary—two cousins run a food stall and get a serving of murder
TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR COZY MYSTERY SERIES. WHAT INSPIRES YOUR SERIES?
The newest series is the L.A. Night Market Mysteries, which I’ve unintentionally been doing research for my entire life. It combines my love of food and night markets. I’ve already traveled to night markets in Taiwan, across the U.S., and in Canada. Plus, I grew up helping out in the family restaurant. I had fun creating two estranged cousins with opposite personalities who get thrown together to solve a case. Also, the writing of Death by Bubble Tea was boba-fueled!
WHY DO YOU THINK PEOPLE LOVE TO READ COZY MYSTERIES?
Recently, both readers and booksellers have told me that they appreciate the escapism and humor found in cozies, especially because of this dark, rough world we live in. People also love the comfy feel of community—of returning to a beloved setting and cast of characters. I personally also enjoy the hope found in cozies and the puzzle aspect inherent in a whodunit.
ASIDE FROM BEING AN AUTHOR, ARE YOU INVOLVED IN THE COZY COMMUNITY IN ANY OTHER WAY?
I’ve been asked to do a few workshops on cozy mystery writing and am part of several Facebook groups, including Dial C for Cozy (a community that sprang up through my publishing imprint, Berkley/Penguin Random House). I’m also involved in Chicks on the Case; it’s a group blog, and we’re all mystery writers with a killer sense of humor. Plus, although not strictly cozy, I serve as Vice President on the national board of Sisters in Crime, an inclusive community of crime fiction writers (pre-published or published) and crime fiction fans.
WHO ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVOURITE WRITERS?
Anybody on the above Chicks on the Case blog. There’s also a wealth of great mystery writers (not all cozy) in the Crime Writers of Color group. A few other favorite cozy authors include Naomi Hirahara, for her solid mystery plots; Julie Anne Lindsey, for juggling many fun series with aplomb; and Joanne Fluke, for inspiring me with delicious mysteries.
IF YOU WERE MAROONED ON A DESERTED ISLAND, WHAT 3 BOOKS WOULD YOU WANT WITH YOU?
Wilderness Survival for Dummies, a thesaurus (love spending my time doing wordplay), and a classic funny book from Erma Bombeck or Dave Barry (to keep my sense of humor going and for nostalgia’s sake).
DO YOU HAVE ANY PROJECTS COMING UP THAT YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE WITH US?
Book 2 in the L.A. Night Market Mystery series should be coming out in Spring 2023—it’s tentatively titled Hot Pot Murder.
The Quickie 5
- FAVOURITE FOOD: Roast duck
- BEVERAGE OF CHOICE: Green tea (hot or cold)
- MOST PRIZED POSSESSION: Time
- SUMMER OR WINTER? Summer
- FAVOURITE VACATION SPOT? Italy
To keep up to date with Jennifer J. Chow online, you can connect with her on:
WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | DEATH BY BUBBLE TEA (Publisher’s Page)
