Perhaps the two most important ingredients to today’s cozy mystery book are a fresh and interesting story premise and irresistible, well-developed characters. According to one literary agent, a first-time cozy writer needs to establish and secure these two critical story elements before writing a cozy book proposal.
“Good writing is the foundation to any good book and any successful series. Add to that a clever, original concept that presents credible, intriguing characters, and a book becomes exceptionally memorable and marketable. And, these elements may set an author’s well-written manuscript apart from the other 99 percent on the submission pile,” says John Talbot, a partner in the New York-based Talbot Fortune Agency, during an exclusive interview where Talbot offers advice to first-time cozy writers.
Talbot has more than 25 years experience in publishing and as an agent he has placed books with all the major publishing houses. His clients include several New York Times and USA Today bestsellers and several cozy mystery authors, including Coffeehouse Mystery Series bestseller Cleo Coyle.
Cozies Appeal to Women Readers
According to Talbot, a cozy is a 70,000-word, or more, mystery book that is comprised of several recognizable components. Basic elements of the cozy genre include a character-focused story, a relatively “closed” setting, an amateur sleuth, and no explicit sex or violence in the book. Throughout the story, the reader receives the same clues as the sleuth and they “solve” the crime together.
A cozy is usually written to appeal to women, although there is an emerging market for men. The story may be composed in the first-person or third-person perspective. Often, a cozy is written as part of a mystery series featuring as few as two books to as many as two-dozen books or more.
Stories About Relationships
“Although these are stories that revolve around crime, ultimately, I think cozy books are about relationships and characters,” says Talbot. “To me, the stories are about women who are still finding themselves and asserting themselves, not letting a hostile world derail them from their pursuit of their dreams – a knitting shop, an ice cream shop, for example – and, perhaps, finally finding the true romance they've always believed was there for them.”
“It takes a keen and insightful writer to get the pitch and premise just right” he says. “Although the books are intended to be entertaining and may seem “lighthearted” to the average reader, I think authors are very serious about what they do and about the crimes that happen in their books.”
Talbot continues, “For the characters in the story, the crime itself is always dramatic and affecting – even if it’s a guy knocked dead by a giant wheel of cheese. Being sensitive to the characters in the story, being true to the overall concept, and still keeping the book engaging and appealing to its intended audience, is an art.”
Books Offer More than Just Mysteries
Today’s successful cozy premises often feature a niche hobby or interest for which readers may be expressly interested or passionate. For example, the book may be about a coffeehouse worker, donut shop owner, being a soccer mom, or needlework hobbyist who “just happens” to become involved with a murder. Hopefully, potential readers will choose a particular cozy mystery because it satisfies both an affinity for mysteries as well as an interest in the book’s unique premise – coffee, for example, says Talbot.
Then, as a bonus to the reader, the coffeehouse cozy may offer coffee drink recipes or tips on roasting coffee; the donut cozy may provide donut recipes; the needlework cozy may include actual patterns for needlework projects. So, not only does the reader get to enjoy the process of “solving” the crime along with the main character, but also, the reader gets a little “perk” pertaining to his or her interest as well.
Equally important to having a strong premise, adds Talbot, is being diligent about weaving the tone and details of the premise throughout the entire story. “A reader has chosen your book because it promises more than just a mystery; it promises details and information about a hobby or interest he or she may have. It is important not to let your reader down,” reminds Talbot.
Choose a New Theme; Offer a Fresh Approach to Story
Before hitting the keyboard, Talbot advises novice cozy writers to spend some time on the internet researching what’s been recently published in the cozy market. Try to come up with a first book premise that has not been done, he says. Then, plan to weave your characters into the premise and around your crime. Be clear about how your main character is affected by your premise, and in turn, how all the other characters in the book will react to his or her situation.
If you must choose a topic that has been published before, Talbot advises that you pick something that has not been marketed within the last three years and make it clear to agents and editors that you have a fresh approach.
Moreover, Talbot advises, “Writers not only need to research the current cozy market, but also, they should be heavy readers and involved fans of the books themselves.”
For a first cozy mystery, when a writer shows potential, Talbot says, “Publishers are often willing to invest significant time, effort, and enthusiasm to make things work. However, first, the key components must be present.”
Claire Eddins - Writer/editor, award-winning photographer Claire Eddins collects gems, horses, and obsesses over home, art, and design.
