  Mystery
This week: Crafty Cozy Mysteries Edited by: esprit  
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"Usually, when people get to the end of a chapter, they close the book and go to sleep. I deliberately write my books so when the reader gets to the end of a chapter, he or she must turn one more page. When people tell me I've kept them up all night, I feel like I've succeeded!" - Sidney Sheldon
I'm esprit , and I'm proud to be the guest editor of our Mystery Newsletter this week.
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Crafty Cozy Mysteries
Mystery Category: Crafty Cozy
Is this a coincidence, or what? I was given the opportunity to edit the Mystery Newsletter this week and I was procrastinating. I love procrastinating, don't you? It's almost as much fun as finding yard sales. I was poking around craft sites looking at the beautiful quilts, thinking I could finish my tops if only I had the latest and greatest quilting machine. I read about this lady who'd made friends with someone who 'just happened' to have the latest and greatest. Woo! She quilted a whole quilt in two hours! What fun that would be.
Anyway, while reading of quilting I noticed the term 'crafty cozies mysteries', and it piqued my curiosity. I know what a crocheted cozy is, even writers like them --but mysteries? Well, the word reminded me that I still had to come up with a theme for this newsletter, so I left the quilter chattering to herself and turned to the mystery writer instead.
What in the world is a Cozy Mystery? I imagined the classic scene of reading a good book while curled up in an overstuffed chair, with a fire in the fireplace 'cosy', but that wasn't it. Have you heard of crafty cozies? As I dug deeper, I liked what I found--mysteries themed on hobbies, all sorts of hobbies. What a unique idea! I love unique ideas-- there aren't many left in this world.
I poked around a publisher's site and apparently each craft or hobby has its own unique listing. Glass-blowing, quilting, knitting, cooking, etc. For a fairly new category, Crafty Cozies are pretty popular with readers, writers, and publishers.
Crafty Cozies are 'Murder, She Wrote' style mysteries with heavy doses of craft. They are affectionately called "Crafty Cozies" or simply "Cozy" murder mysteries for and about crafters, and according to what I read, the books are selling like hotcakes! Scrapbooking mysteries. Isn't that exciting? I haven't heard of the Cozy genre, but it sounds fascinating to me. What a perfect 'write what you know' opportunity if you're a writer of mysteries and have a hobby you're passionate about. You really should be passionate because the main character will be, and you'll want to convince the readers you're the real thing Careful attention is given to project real-life crafty characters who are dedicated to their hobbies.
The books are predominately marketed through craft fairs to readers of mysteries who may be crafters. Crafters will know exactly what is meant if a character says: "She's not the sharpest craft knife in the Cropper Hopper." Using product names gives the author credibility. Scrapbookers will know the author actually is a scrapbooker. "Paper, Scissors, Death" by Joanna Campbell Slan
The interview I read of Joanna Campbell Slan, by Fiona Veitch Smith of The Crafty Writer web site, explained why this author included nonfiction style scrapbooking tips at the end of nearly every chapter, (the book has 43) and in the prologue and epilogue. Slan said her goal is to write books interesting and rich enough to appeal to non-crafters and crafters alike. She calls it added value. Apparently her publisher agrees with her; she's been pretty successful. She happened to be an enthusiastic scrapbooker, and noticed a need for scrapbooking cozies--there were none. What's your hobby? Is there a Cozy category for it? If not, create one.
If I wrote mysteries, I would certainly try this genre. It excites me as a reader and crafter. I'm going straight to the library to see what I can find in the Cozy Mystery section.
Of course, the idea isn't new--only the theme. And it's only new to me because I'm not a mystery writer. Trial attorneys have been writing mysteries for years, John Grisham and Scott Turow for instance.
"Double Indemnity" wasn't written by an insurance agent, but they are among its greatest fans.
Police Detectives and street cops write the best police mysteries.
Whatever theme you decide on, good research is the key to a successful story. Use reliable resources to learn how it's done, whatever the 'it' is. If you don't have hands-on experience, ask someone who does. Personal contact is perfect. If all your researching must be done online, be cautious and be sure of its credibility. All information is not created equally.
What are your hobbies or profession? Write a Cozy Mystery--I'd love to read it.
http://www.thecraftywriter.com/2008/10/30/craft-cozies-mysteries-for-crafters/
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Mystery: October 14, 2009 Issue [#3308]
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