9 Comments
User's avatar
CHRISTINE DESMET's avatar

I agree with you, and the readers will soon enough find what they want to read and stick with it. The romance genre went through this upheaval in the 1980s and '90s when suddenly the readers and writers and publishers tried to re-define the genre into several subgenres like "hot" or "spicy" or "sweet" and so on. And those labels stuck. Readers who accidentally stumbled into something hot certainly told the universe, I recall. These sways in publishing come and go. Because cozies are so popular, it's a subgenre of mysteries ripe for these divisions. If you're writing "sweet" cozies, name it and claim. I'm writing sweet cozies, with extra sweet notes because they have fudge recipes in all of them. Try my Fudge Shop Mystery Series set in Door County, Wisconsin. Laughter, fun included and very "sweet cozies."

Expand full comment
T.K. Sheffield's avatar

Spot on, Christine! Thanks for the insight. I enjoy your sweet books, too! :-)

Expand full comment
Nick Chiarkas's avatar

Brilliant. Oh I so like a warm cozy sweater and coffee on a chilly morning. And while I write crime thrillers I love your cozy mysteries. You had me at, “I’m here to plant my flag in the pan of cinnamon rolls and say: let’s keep cozy mysteries cozy. Life throws enough sharp edges.” Please don’t change, I will join your fight. Brava, Tracey, well said, my friend.

Expand full comment
T.K. Sheffield's avatar

Thanks, Nick. Yes, I love a good thriller. Suspense, too. It's that the cozy genre has its tropes and style. To each their own! Happy reading and writing!

Expand full comment
Laurie Buchanan's avatar

Cheers to cozy mysteries! I love what you said: "Cozy mysteries are a lane of their own, and I’m proud to stay in it—writing stories that invite readers to curl up, chuckle, and forget the chaos for a while."

Expand full comment
T.K. Sheffield's avatar

Thank you, Laurie!

Expand full comment
Tracey S. Phillips's avatar

Nicely done, Tracey. There is a place for cozy, cinnamon rolls, and comfy chairs. Idk why, but I'm comfiest in the dark where demons lurk. Hopefully, there's a place for all of us.

Expand full comment
T.K. Sheffield's avatar

Yes, agreed!

Expand full comment
Gary Garcia's avatar

This is a genre that I have not read before, I think I’ll start seeking out more of these books. Any suggestions?

Expand full comment