Mary Lucal joins us for the penultimate Cozy 52 interview of 2022! Read on to find out more about Mary, including her books, how she started writing, and what hobby she’ll never take up again. A special thank you to her for being able to do this interview with me on REALLY short notice, and right before the holidays!
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 Mary Lucal
NAME: Mary Lucal
LIST ALL YOUR COZY MYSTERY SERIES:
- Riley Creek Cozy Mystery Series (Books 1 and 2 are now out: Hiking Sticks, Hawks, and Homicide and Binoculars, Blue Jays, and Bloodshed
HOW ARE YOUR COZY MYSTERIES PUBLISHED? proudly self-published!
The Q&A
TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF
By day I’m a university administrator, and enjoy hiking, birding, kayaking and camping with my partner Dixie in our teardrop camper. I only started writing cozy mysteries about a year ago, and have fallen head over heels with the creative process and seeing others enjoy the characters that spring from my head! It is wonderful to be a beginner at something again. I think it’s healthy for the soul!
LIST THREE FUN FACTS ABOUT YOURSELF THAT WE WOULDN’T READ IN YOUR ‘OFFICIAL’ BIO.
- I make a mean pot roast
- I don’t like to mix meats in the same meal
- I am a serial hobbyist: I fall head over heels with a hobby and go too far, thus falling out of love with the new hobby. Example: cross stitch. UGH. Never again.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START WRITING? WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO WRITE COZY MYSTERIES?
Weirdly, I started writing a book during the pandemic as a way to channel the adrenalin that came from my day job during that time. By the end of the pandemic, much to my surprise, I had the makings for an entire book! It gave me an outlet during a very uncertain time.
WHAT SUBGENRE(S) OR THEMES OF COZY MYSTERIES DO YOU WRITE?
Outdoorsy-schnauzer-Mother Nature herself provides clues to the solution.
TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR COZY MYSTERY SERIES. WHAT INSPIRES YOUR SERIES?
I spent a huge amount of time as a child in the tiny town of Weston, West Virginia with my grandmother, great aunt, and their elderly bridge group. My job was to serve the drinks when the girls came over. There were so many strong and quirky personalities and I feel sure they form the basis for the Riley Creek gang! My love for the outdoors and specifically birding informs other aspects of the series.
WHY DO YOU THINK PEOPLE LOVE TO READ COZY MYSTERIES?
What’s not to love? Total escape, gal pals (usually), a pet or two, and a clever amateur sleuth who is most often a woman on a personal journey. So many of us can relate to all of these things. Oh, and no sex or blood. It’s simple and easy on the brain. Not to mention if you find a series with wonderful characters, picking up the next volume is like coming back to old friends.
ASIDE FROM BEING AN AUTHOR, ARE YOU INVOLVED IN THE COZY COMMUNITY IN ANY OTHER WAY?
I am not but I would like to say that as a relative newcomer, I’ve been overwhelmed by the collaborative and supportive community of cozy writers that I’ve met, mainly through Facebook groups like Publishing Cozy Mysteries. I’ve asked fellow authors numerous questions as I’ve been learning the ropes and have never been made to feel ignorant or as if I was wasting anyone’s time. If anyone reading this is one of those people who has helped me, a huge THANK YOU to you!
WHO ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVOURITE WRITERS?
Louise Penny, Margaret Atwood, Ann Patchett, Olivia Blacke
IF YOU WERE MAROONED ON A DESERTED ISLAND, WHAT 3 BOOKS WOULD YOU WANT WITH YOU?
The Adventures of Cavalier and Clay, the Bible (have never read it so this would be my chance), James and the Giant Peach
DO YOU HAVE ANY PROJECTS COMING UP THAT YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE WITH US?
I am working on book 3 of the Riley Creek Cozy mystery series right now, and my next project will be a Christmas mystery featuring a nutcracker. That’s all I’ve got so far, but nutcracker? Murder most foul? I love it already and I can’t wait to learn how it will all unfold!
The Quickie 5
- FAVOURITE FOOD: Blue crab tacos from I Get Your Crabs restaurant in the Outer Banks, NC
- BEVERAGE OF CHOICE: Lost Colony Kitty Hawk Blonde (an OBX beer)
- MOST PRIZED POSSESSION: My Rustic Trails Teardrop Camper
- SUMMER OR WINTER? Winter all the way
- FAVOURITE VACATION SPOT? Outer Banks, NC
To keep up to date with Mary Lucal online, you can connect with her on:
