Katherine Brown joins us for ‘The Cozy 52’ interview today. Learn more about Katherine’s books, what inspires her, and projects she’s working on next!
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 Katherine Brown
NAME: Katherine Brown
LIST ALL YOUR COZY MYSTERY SERIES:
- Ooey Gooey Bakery Mystery series
- Adventures of Gladys (spinoff of Ooey Gooey Bakery)
- Sassy Supplies Cozy Mysteries
- A Spoonful of Gunpowder & A Spoonful of Madness (steampunk mystery with Mary Poppins vibes)
HOW ARE YOUR COZY MYSTERIES PUBLISHED? Self-published since I took the leap and published a few children’s humorous mysteries several years ago (School is Scary series) back before I actually had a clue what I was doing 😉
The Q&A
TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF
Hello! I’m a Texas author, wife and mom. My two daughters (a teen and a toddler) love reading which is a joy to my heart. I’ve been writing and publishing since about 2018 when my husband encouraged me to pursue this lifelong dream of being an author. For the last two years, the majority of my books have been written during the short naptime hours or on the days that my little one goes to play at my mom’s house. I enjoy traveling when possible, baking, and hanging out with my family.
LIST THREE FUN FACTS ABOUT YOURSELF THAT WE WOULDN’T READ IN YOUR ‘OFFICIAL’ BIO.
- I’ve helped tile the floors in my home
- am certified as a YogaFaith Children’s trainer, and
- can’t get enough of reading fairy tale retellings though I’ve never tried my hand at writing one of those.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START WRITING? WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO WRITE COZY MYSTERIES?
A desire to write has been a part of me longer than I can remember. I can only assume my love of books and reading is why, as a child, I began scribbling my own little stories and stapling them together between cardboard or wrapping paper covers. As an adult, I wanted to be a stay at home parent and hope that eventually my writing will play a bigger part in helping with our income and finances.
Cozy mysteries seemed like the most reasonable genre to begin in because mysteries have always been a huge portion of the genres I read. From Nancy Drew to The Vampire Knitting Club I’ve read cozies at all ages and in most sub-categories. Being very familiar with them made me more comfortable with taking that leap of faith to see if I could write a story that others would enjoy and find intriguing.
WHAT SUBGENRE(S) OR THEMES OF COZY MYSTERIES DO YOU WRITE?
My Ooey Gooey Bakery series is a culinary themed cozy series (sorry, no recipes) with so many delectable baked goods descriptions that a third of my reviews usually mention needing a snack while they are reading these yummy books LOL.
The popular novella series that I wrote (Sassy Supplies Cozy Mysteries) is a holiday crafting theme with a persnickety Persian cat thrown in for pet-lovers everywhere. Main Character Charity Basham is the owner of a craft supply store and each book has a craft and mystery that tie to the holiday. I don’t know that I could choose a favorite but Bunnies & Burglaries or Pinches & Peril probably caught me most by surprise while I was writing them and coming up with ideas.
TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR COZY MYSTERY SERIES. WHAT INSPIRES YOUR SERIES?
The Ooey Gooey Bakery Mysteries were my first ever cozies written. One of my favorite things about cozy mysteries are the side characters so I knew it would be about best friends running a bakery together. That particular series also touches lightly (no graphic details) on some crimes related to human trafficking because I was convicted that I also wanted my first books to serve a greater purpose than just a fun read. In the back of Rest, Relax, Run for Your Life I even included links and information on how to recognize and report human trafficking.
As for inspiration, a healthy imagination is my best answer. I get ideas and ideas and ideas – far more than I can possibly write. Sometimes a snippet of conversation just pops into my head and wants me to find a character and books to write about it, other times a particular theme like a holiday anthology opportunity sets in motion my desire to write a series from that point forward.
WHY DO YOU THINK PEOPLE LOVE TO READ COZY MYSTERIES?
I believe cozy mysteries draw people in because you get the best of so many genres wrapped into a tidy package: mystery and the thrill of trying to “solve” a puzzle or catch a bad guy but without the risk of nightmares, new experiences with so many different locations and themes to imagine yourself in, community as you immerse yourself and feel the camaraderie of the characters, even romance in so many cozies like my own is a common subplot and you get the fun verbal sparring and competition before an enemies to lovers trope etc. pops out at you. At least, that is why I love them!
ASIDE FROM BEING AN AUTHOR, ARE YOU INVOLVED IN THE COZY COMMUNITY IN ANY OTHER WAY?
I co-host a Facebook group called The Mystery Book Nook which was started by fellow Texas author C.H. Sessums. Several authors collaborate to host and post on each day of the week to share books and fun with readers there. I’m also a member (as a reader & author) of the Cozy Mystery Party Facebook group which has to be one of the fastest growing groups I’ve ever seen and love to donate books as prizes for Bingo etc on that platform. I have designed my own book covers for all but my first cozy mystery series and would love one day to be confident enough to design and sell covers to other authors.
WHO ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVOURITE WRITERS?
Julie Klassen, Jane Austen, Jana DeLeon, Joanne Fluke
IF YOU WERE MAROONED ON A DESERTED ISLAND, WHAT 3 BOOKS WOULD YOU WANT WITH YOU?
Now that is a hard question! Definitely whatever the latest Julie Klassen book and Miss Fortune Mysteries books are out at the time, and the Bible.
DO YOU HAVE ANY PROJECTS COMING UP THAT YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE WITH US?
I am slowly working on the Belle Sisters Cozy Mysteries (Murder Takes the Train was previously in a Christmas anthology but will publish alone later in February 2023). It has also been suggested that I write a third in my steampunk mystery series so I am brainstorming ideas on that as well.
The Quickie 5
- FAVOURITE FOOD: Chocolate chip ice cream or chicken fried steak
- BEVERAGE OF CHOICE: Water or unsweet tea
- MOST PRIZED POSSESSION: My family
- SUMMER OR WINTER? Summer!!!! I was not made for cold.
- FAVOURITE VACATION SPOT? A crystal clear ocean with a nice beach – when I can’t have crystal clear Caribbean waters, we enjoy Gulf Shores, Alabama a lot.
To keep up to date with Katherine Brown online, you can connect with her on:
INSTAGRAM | GOODREADS | BOOKBUB | FACEBOOK | AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE
MYSTERY BOOK BOOK FB GROUP | NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIBE
