Vera Day joins us for this week’s The Cozy 52 interview. Read on to find out more about her books, what book she read as a child that inspired her to write, and how she supports the writing community.
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 Vera Day
NAME: Vera Day
LIST ALL YOUR COZY MYSTERY SERIES:
- My debut cozy is When Did We Lose Sylvia? It’s book 1 in the Tulip Texas Cozy Mystery trilogy. Book 2 is due out in October.
HOW ARE YOUR COZY MYSTERIES PUBLISHED? They are published through Gordian Books, a division of Winged Publications which is a wonderful small press led by Cynthia Hickey, a cozy mystery writer herself!
The Q&A
TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF
I spent three decades coaching swimmers at the age group and elite level, and while it was a blast, I never could shake the desire to become an author. I’m glad I started writing later in life. When I was young, I didn’t know my head from my rear end. I cringe to think what kind of tripe I would have written!
LIST THREE FUN FACTS ABOUT YOURSELF THAT WE WOULDN’T READ IN YOUR ‘OFFICIAL’ BIO.
- I made my own wedding dress, and our daughter’s christening dress was made from my wedding dress.
- We have three black cats. The oldest is having trouble, bless his heart. He makes weird noises when he rises to a stand. He can’t fall asleep at night. He’s putting on love handles and saddlebags. He hates going to any kind of doctor, though, so when he got cataracts, I had to take his car keys away.🙂
- The very first thing I do in the morning is read from the Bible before the day takes over.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START WRITING? WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO WRITE COZY MYSTERIES?
I read The Exorcist as a child. (I know, I know! I was a mischievous child and stole it from my parents’ den.) It was the first book that affected me emotionally. I didn’t know books could do that because all we were reading in elementary school were sappy stories. I wanted to be a novelist when I grew up so I, too, could offer people an emotional experience. Of course, a cozy doesn’t leave readers ravaged with terror and dread. I am for hope and humor!
WHAT SUBGENRE(S) OR THEMES OF COZY MYSTERIES DO YOU WRITE?
I grew up in Alaska, spent several years in Virginia, and now I live in Texas. I envision all sorts of small-town stories set in these places, but the common elements will always be Christian themes (I pray a lot when I write!) and humor.
TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR COZY MYSTERY SERIES. WHAT INSPIRES YOUR SERIES?
The tiny town of Tulip is based on my real-life town. I live in the most darling area south of Eastland, Texas. The craftsman-style houses, the wildflowers, the chickens and cows, plus friendly neighbors (and one HUGE red bull) give a sense of being grounded. There are literary-poetic folks here, humorous folks, too, and a feed-n-seed that acts as a community watering hole. My favorite house is a pink house off Main Street, and you bet it makes an appearance in my Tulip Texas Cozy Mystery trilogy!
WHY DO YOU THINK PEOPLE LOVE TO READ COZY MYSTERIES?
Because in real life it’s illegal to stalk the mysterious stranger who moved to town.
ASIDE FROM BEING AN AUTHOR, ARE YOU INVOLVED IN THE COZY COMMUNITY IN ANY OTHER WAY?
I write a weekly column about the craft of writing for the Eastland County Today newspaper. Hopefully what I say encourages people on their writing journey.
WHO ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVOURITE WRITERS?
Debbie Young for her sophisticated cozies, Laura Levine because her books are hilarious, Jackie Zack because she seamlessly weaves Christian content into her Katy Russell cozies, Brandy Heineman because her literary mystery stories are written with beautiful prose, Pepper Basham because she brings the past to life in her historical mysteries, and, because I like a sweet romance now and then, Toni Shiloh.
IF YOU WERE MAROONED ON A DESERTED ISLAND, WHAT 3 BOOKS WOULD YOU WANT WITH YOU?
The Bible, a fat book like Moby Dick or The Winds of War (because the read would last longer), plus a book of dad jokes to keep my spirits up.
DO YOU HAVE ANY PROJECTS COMING UP THAT YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE WITH US?
Book 2 of my Tulip Texas Cozy Mystery trilogy will be out in October, and book 3 will be out in February!
The Quickie 5
- FAVOURITE FOOD: Chocolate. You mean people have other answers for this question?
- BEVERAGE OF CHOICE: Coffee (more proof that God loves us).
- MOST PRIZED POSSESSION: My wedding ring.
- FAVOURITE SEASON? Beautiful, blooming spring!
- FAVOURITE VACATION SPOT? Anywhere the loved ones are.❤️
To keep up to date with Vera Day online, you can connect with her on:
Oh Stephanie! I enjoyed this interview. You ask fun questions! Thank you.🙂
This was a fun interview, Vera! Your series sounds as interesting as your travels. (And I’m sorry yet glad that your kitty is no longer a danger to himself or others on the road…)
😂