Cozy Mysteries discussion

Hello 'Cozy' readers - I am writing a cozy mystery series with protagonists who are a married couple in their 50s. They are tech millionaires who get pulled into mysteries.
I am trying to identify the target audience and would love to hear from you.
Thank you.
Narendra

I would be interested in something like that as long as it's not too techy.

Thank you Paula. It is not techy.
Which age group do you think will be interested in this series?
Thanks

Women definitely prob over 45

I'm thinking maybe your protagonists should be younger. Seems to me people age 40ish and younger would be more interested in tech things, but I could be wrong.

Thank you Sally. While the couple made their millions from a tech startup, the mysteries are not tech related and neither are the solutions.
Thanks

OK, good to know. It's just that whenever I hear the word "tech," I automatically think of young people/millennials.

Narendra wrote: "Thank you Paula. It is not techy.
Which age group do you think will be interested in this series?
Thanks"

I'm in my early 60's but used to work for a tech company on their 800 order line. I think 50 and over would be interested.

Thank you 'Bookish Hooker' (love your handle). I am aiming to write for 40+ readers. I too fall into that bracket and feel comfortable writing about folks in this demographic.

Hello, I am over 60 and work with technology far too much. I would be interested. There aren't enough more "mature" characters.

Susan wrote: "Hello, I am over 60 and work with technology far too much. I would be interested. There aren't enough more "mature" characters."

Thank you Susan.

The Cat Who Lived High
I have started reading “The Cat Who” series, the main character is a retired newspaper journalist. His two Siamese cats add to the fun. It was laugh out loud funny in places, and I missed some of the clues!

Warning when you get to the last three or four: there is practically no editing, & the books needed them badly - spelling, punctuation, etc.

It sounds like something I would enjoy and I am 55. I think 40 + is the right age for this book.

I think 40+ sounds good, too. Although I used to love the Cat Who...books that someone else mentioned when I was much younger than that. Also, readers of all ages have enjoyed Miss Marple.

I am 57 and work in IT company would love to read this book. Nice change from 20 year old MC

I'm in my 40s and would probably read it. I think I would have read it when I was younger as well.

I would be interested.

Narenda -- My series features a retired couple who live and travel full-time in the RV, solving mysteries as they go down the road. I'm finding men and women in their fifties and older are enjoying these books. One younger reviewer said it was okay but just not his cup of tea, so maybe not age-related. Why no tech-related mysteries if this is their background? Sounds like the characters would be drawn to crimes like this, given their expertise.... (Just a thought. I know you didn't ask for that, but I love a good tech-related mystery as long as things are well-explained.) Good luck!

Not only younger people are tech savvy. I'm 62 and have a degree in computer networking, so some of us older folks are technically inclined.

Tech oriented or not, I'd definitely read these!

Thank you, Rebecca, Christine, Alice, Nicole, Tammy, Ellen and Jane. Appreciate your comments.
Just finishing the first novel in the series. Hopefully we can get an agent who will find us a publisher. I would hate to self-publish.

Narendra - why would you hate to self publish? I launched my 1st in series cozy mystery yesterday which I self published--and I have a 65 year old protagonist who is a community vet. Getting to know readers directly is a great part of self publishing which you might not be able to do with traditional...and you are in charge. If you write the book and there is one part or a character readers don't like you can change it and republish.

Great comments. After self-publishing my CANDY, MURDER, and ME cozy mystery several years ago, I am readying the second in the series for publication.

All the best wishes with your series!

Carolyn Chambers Clark

Victoria wrote: "Narendra - why would you hate to self publish? I launched my 1st in series cozy mystery yesterday which I self published--and I have a 65 year old protagonist who is a community vet. Getting to kno..."

I agree with Victoria. I've published both ways -- traditionally (with a small press publisher many years ago) and on my own. I can tell you that even with the best publishers major things can go wrong (and they did with my traditionally-published novel) that can affect your exposure and sales. I've since published my own books and have been thrilled with the challenge and hands-on approach. Something to think about! Good luck!

There is a series by Jeanne Glidewell that features a married couple, retired, who go RVing. She also has a second series. Not a lot of senior marrieds, so I think there is room for a good pitch - there are a few mysteries that feature a senior who sleuths with a younger relation - Nora DeLoach's Mama and Simone books, Katy Munger's (writing as Gallagher Gray) series featuring TS Hubbert and his 84 year old Aunt Lil and Donna Lynd wrote a grandson, grandmother mystery.

Thanks, Barbara, for mentioning the Jeanne Glidewell series -- I've never heard of her books before, and I'll look them up!

Hi Victoria and Ellen - I am not opposed to self-publishing but am worried that I wouldn't know how to market the books. I am expecting that a traditional publisher will also market my book(s).

Barbara - thanks for your comments.

Narenda -- My first novel was traditionally published but the marketing was limited for three primary reasons: I wasn't (and still am not...) a familiar name to buyers, the publishing house was small (I got a lot of personal attention but they had a small budget), and the marketing person they did have botched some critical marketing steps.

So... know that whether you self-publish or publish via a traditional publishing house, you'll still have to do a lot of marketing yourself or hire someone to do it.

Contact authors of some books similar to yours who've traditionally published and ask them if they feel the publishing house did a good job promoting the books. That's the best way to decide whether their path is the path to follow. No one can decide but you :)

Good luck!

I went to a book conference once where some of my favorite authors were on panels - one panel was on promotion and the writers were what I would call midlist or small press authors, one was from a big press. They all said there was practically 0 money spent on promoting their books, that money went to promote their major bestselling authors, so they all had to find creative ways to promote, or hire a publicist they paid out of pocket.

Narenda - I completely understand. In self-publishing writing is only half the work, the other half is publishing and marketing. From what I have researched a traditional publisher expects you to have started an author platform and to have some followers on an email list, social media etc. Some authors get picked up after self publishing their first book.

Perhaps you could look for a traditional publishing deal but read up on self publishing at the same time. There are lots of great Podcasts to listen to (Creative Penn, Self Publishing Formula, Wish We'd Known then for Writing). I am reading Chris Fox's Books and they have fascinating insights and excercises to help find your perfect reader.

I've found readers of all ages are attracted to a good story about captivating characters in cozy locations.

Narenda, I set up a micro publishing company (easy to do and you get a higher percentage from Amazon sales) when I was ready to release my first book. Thirteen books later, for me it's the only way to go.