Knotted Road Press

  • Home
  • Knotted Road Press

Knotted Road Press Specializes in dynamic writing set in exotic locations

And here is the next author interview, from the Cozy up to Crime storybundle. Leah R Cutter and "Witches and Waterways"...
05/05/2025

And here is the next author interview, from the Cozy up to Crime storybundle. Leah R Cutter and "Witches and Waterways".

Why are you attracted to writing cozy? What's special to you about the genre?
I’ve written much more fantasy than mystery. Fantasy is all about setting, putting your reader in this new place and time. Regular mystery is about the puzzle and solving the crime. Whereas cozy is equal parts setting and puzzle. You get to delve into the lives and quirky characters in a cozy. Plus, it’s an exercise in keeping the reader’s curiosity engaged while at the same time, not ramping up the tension.

What was one of the most surprising things you’ve learned while writing cozy?
The amount of plotting that I do for any given novel is always, “It depends.” As I just finished my seventy-fifth (75th) novel, I figure it’s safe to say that my process doesn’t always have a pattern.

What I’ve learned with cozy, and the Water Witch mysteries in particular, is that I need certain elements before I can write. 1) Who dies (or what the crime is) 2) Who did it 3) Why.

Everything else I can come up with on my own. Just those three things need to be figured out before I can proceed.

What do you love most about the story or novel that’s in this story bundle?
This novel has two sisters in it. They have banter. Lots of banter. The way that they talk with one another, how much grief they give each other, and their snappy comebacks, all make this novel series a joy to write!

What are you working on right now, and what’s coming out next?
The fifth Water Witch mystery, “Witch Mirror” just came out. All the books in the Water Witch series can be read on their own, or you can start with the first one (“The Witch is Inn”) and work your way across.

Where can people find you and more of your work?
You can get all of my books on the Knotted Road Press store: https://www.knottedroadpress.com/store.
I have a weekly newsletter (https://www.leahcutter.com/newsletter) that people seem to really like. I also have a Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/c/leahcutter) where I do a regular “Peek Behind the Curtain”—life as a fulltime author. Patrons get early access to my essays, a free short story every month, and if you sign up at a higher level, I’ll send you a postcard one a month via snail mail as well.

The Cozy Up to Crime storybundle is still running, but it's just about over! Get your copy now! https://www.storybundle.com/crime

And now, another interview from the Cozy Up to Crime Storybundle, this time, with T. Thorn Coyle!T. Thorn Coyle Cozy up ...
03/05/2025

And now, another interview from the Cozy Up to Crime Storybundle, this time, with T. Thorn Coyle!

T. Thorn Coyle Cozy up to Crime
Sushi Scandal

Why are you attracted to writing cozy? What's special to you about the genre?

For decades, I’ve read cozy mystery when times felt hard. They provided a great escape into a world where puzzles got solved and order was restored with minimal violence or angst. The other things I love about cozies is that regular people—not professionals—solve the crimes. There’s something about not waiting for an outside authority to solve our problems that really speaks to me.
Add in terrific settings and quirky characters, and I’m sold!

What was one of the most surprising things you’ve learned while writing cozy?

How much fun they are! And how great it is to play around with character voice and cozy settings. But the main thing is that for some reason, I used to think I couldn’t write mystery. That it was too difficult. When I finally allowed myself to take the plunge into my first cozy series, starting with Bookshop Witch, I realized that my subconscious is smarter than I ever realized, and that my characters knew how to work together to figure out the mystery, even though I had no clue going in! This not knowing has turned out to be a boon, because readers say they can’t figure out who-done-it! That’s because I often don’t surface that information until very late in the writing of each novel.

What do you love most about the story or novel that’s in this story bundle?

Corgis! Writing in corgi Marsha P. Johnson’s voice was just a delight. I get to put myself into a dog’s head, with a dog’s senses and point of view. And Marsha’s point of view is very low to the ground!

The other thing I love is the colorful cast of characters in my little village-within-a-city. The denizens of Pride Street are wacky, fun, and have hearts of gold. Well, most of them do, anyway!

What are you working on right now, and what’s coming out next?

I’m taking a short break from my two cozy paranormal series and working on contemporary fantasy. Book One of the Rhymer of Ash Grove series is called The Winding Road and will launch on Kickstarter this May.

Where can people find you and more of your work?

I’m active on most social media and have a weekly newsletter. People can sign up for that or find out more about my books at thorncoyle.com

And be sure to go check out the Cozy Up to Crime Storybundle!

https://www.storybundle.com/crime

The Cozy Up to Crime storybundle is still going strong! Here's the next interview from Sonia Orin Lyris, and her book, "...
01/05/2025

The Cozy Up to Crime storybundle is still going strong! Here's the next interview from Sonia Orin Lyris, and her book, "The Wayward Ring".

Why are you attracted to writing cozy? What's special to you about the genre?

There's so much power in how people connect with each other. I find that the Cozy genre makes this possible to explore in a new way.

My first published novel, AND PEACE SHALL SLEEP, a Magic the Gathering tale, has action and adventure, politics, and a bit of romance. My epic fantasy novel THE SEER is immersive fantasy, also with action and adventure, politics, and — a bit of romance.

Good stories, if I do say so myself. Intense and full of battles.

These days I write cozier. Lighter. I have come to understand that long-term power resides in how people come together to build trust and collaborate, rather than in force.

Don't get me wrong; I like my fantasy realistic. I don't sugarcoat life's challenges in my stories.

But how we take those challenges on — together or alone, with force or with kindness — can make all the difference in how we succeed or fail.

What was one of the most surprising things you’ve learned while writing cozy?

I learned that my characters don't need to be watered down or simplified in any way. They can act powerfully and engage with real stakes.

For me, the Cozy approach is about taking the time to focus on the humanity of experience. I've learned that in life the gentle approach can sink in deeper and faster than force. And that's true of stories, too.

What do you love most about the story or novel that’s in this story bundle?

This story, THE WAYWARD RING, is the second book in the WITCHES OF MARIGOLD series. I also have shorter works in the same universe, with the same main character, Susanne "Sanne" Pascral, our small-town witch.

What I love is how Sanne keeps engaging with problems with openness and curiosity. I love how, despite her expertise, she asks questions instead of leaping to answers. It's inspiring.

What are you working on right now, and what’s coming out next?

I'm writing the first scenes of a new tale in my BIG TOP (or "Wanderlost") universe.

Big Top is a starship, and the stories explore a far future galactic civilization in which war is considered a poor way to behave, and species tend to work together for each other's benefit.

A heck of a challenge to make this plausible, given where I see Humanity now. A challenge I want to take on.

What's coming out next: a short story for Boundary Shock Quarterly #31, an issue that does something pretty unusual: walks across the line seperating Science Fiction and Fantasy. I'm delighted to be included with my story "Portrait of a King," in which an artist and a king take a trip together and disagree about the purpose of art.

Where can people find you and more of your work?

The WITCHES OF MARIGOLD series is here:

https://lyris.org/witches-of-marigold/

BIG TOP / WANDERLOST stories are here:

https://lyris.org/series/wanderlost-big-top/

THE SEER SAGA is here: https://lyris.org/seer/

And you'll find the storybundle here: https://www.storybundle.com/crime

It's the next featured book in the Cozy Up To Crime storybundle! Poly Holmes, you're up next! Why are you attracted to w...
30/04/2025

It's the next featured book in the Cozy Up To Crime storybundle! Poly Holmes, you're up next!

Why are you attracted to writing cozy? What’s special to you about the genre?

I’ve always loved murder mysteries ever since I started reading Nancy Drew as a child. I love watching Murder, She Wrote and Diagnosis Murder and I think it’s because I was intrigued by the mystery and how it was woven it into the story.

I fell into writing cozy mysteries by accident. While I was looking for a cover for my romance book, I stumbled across the cover of Cupcakes and Cyanide and fell in love with it. Once I found out it was a cozy mystery, all the pieces fell into place like a jigsaw puzzle. I enjoy creating a world my readers can fall in love with and grow with and if I can add a murder or two into the mix, all the better.

What was one of the most surprising things you’ve learned while writing cozy?

I’ve learnt how to look at different ways the red herrings, mystery and murder can be intertwined into the story, and to let myself be surprised by the story when it takes on a life of its own.

What do you love most about the story or novel that’s in this story bundle?

Cupcakes and Cyanide is the first book in my Cupcake Capers series, and I loved writing about the relationship between the three sisters. I have four sisters and, while we don’t always see eye to eye, I love the connections we have, and I wanted to explore that further through a sibling relationship in this series.

What are you working on right now, and what’s coming out next?

I am completing the tenth and final book in my Melting Pot Café paranormal cozy series. Meringues, Matrimony & Murder is the magical conclusion to The Melting Pot Café cozy murder mystery series where love, laughter, and a touch of magic collide.

Following on from this series I will be moving onto writing the PAWS Police Agency for Wichers and Shifters series. The prequel, Maid for Murder is currently available and book1, Butler and the Buried Body is soon to follow.

Where can people find you and more of your work?
Come and join my author journey. I promise we’ll have some laughs, and at times it may be a little bit crazy, but you’ll have loads of fun. You can find more about me and my books in the following links.
Website: https://www.pollyholmesmysteries.com/
page: https://www.facebook.com/pollyholmesauthor
Facebook Reader Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/magicmysteryromance
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Polly-Holmes/e/B07QNK9ZJJ

And be sure to check out the Cozy Up To Crime storybundle. It's a great deal on some great books, but it won't last forever. Get yours today!

https://www.storybundle.com/crime

The next book to be featured from the Cozy Up to Crime storybundle! It's part of the Cutter's Final Cut series of anthol...
28/04/2025

The next book to be featured from the Cozy Up to Crime storybundle! It's part of the Cutter's Final Cut series of anthologies, edited by Leah R Cutter.

Here's the intro to the anthology:

As both of my parents were crafty, I was also crafty as a child. I bought my first sewing machine from Goodwill for $0.50. It was a treadle sewing machine. I had that machine until 2018. It was a great machine, a real power horse. It could sew through quarter-inch leather without any issues.

My mom, in addition to sewing and tailoring (she took classes to develop that skill) also knit and did embroidery work.

My dad refinished antique furniture, rebuilt player pianos, caned chairs, and sewed. And my eldest brother also sewed.

As I have continued my crafty ways throughout my life, it made sense to me to combine my love of crafting with my love of mystery.

I read a lot of mysteries as a child, such as the entire Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys series, Harriet the Spy, From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweller, and so on. As an adult, I didn’t read a lot of mysteries until I took a mystery workshop. Since then, I’ve made it a regular habit to read mysteries. And to write them.

Included in this anthology are some absolutely delightful crafty mysteries. I hope that you enjoy all the stories in this anthology, as well as go out and find other works by these wonderful authors!

You'll find all the Cutter's Final Cut anthologies here: https://www.cuttersfinalcut.com

And be sure to check out the Cozy Up to Crime Storybundle: https://www.storybundle.com/crime

The next interview for the Cozy Up to Crime storybundle is about someone who is going to an interview! Shanna Swendson,...
27/04/2025

The next interview for the Cozy Up to Crime storybundle is about someone who is going to an interview! Shanna Swendson, take it away!

Shanna Swendson interview

Why are you attracted to writing cozy? What's special to you about the genre?

I’ve joked that cozy mystery is anti-copaganda. It’s often about people within the community being better at solving crimes than the cops are, since the sleuth is usually an amateur. Being open-minded enough to consider all the possibilities, being plugged in enough to be aware of all the people and personalities in the town, and being willing to listen all play a big role in bringing about justice.

I also like the community setting of most cozies. I spent my teen years in a very small town and hated it, but at the same time I’m drawn to some of the aspects of small towns. In fact, after I wrote my cozy mystery series I moved from a major metro area to a smallish town that has all the elements I put into the fictional town I created for my books, though it’s a lot bigger than the town where I went to high school and the town in my books. I love the idea of knowing just about everyone and being known, of having friends wherever you go and neighbors looking out for you.

What was one of the most surprising things you’ve learned while writing cozy?

This didn’t really come from writing cozy, but while I was working on the sixth book in my series – in fact, the scene in which they found the body – a murder took place right outside my house. I was writing and heard the gunshots. It was a targeted drive-by shooting. The shooter had been tailing the victim for some time and just happened to shoot as they were passing my house. If I’d been looking out the window instead of down at my computer screen, I’d have seen it happen. As it was, while I was writing the scene with the crime scene investigators, I was watching the crime scene team work from my upstairs office window. I took notes, but at the same time, the whole incident made me a little uncomfortable with writing about murder for entertainment because it all became very real.

What do you love most about the story or novel that’s in this story bundle?

I love the little town I created for this book. It has all the elements of small Texas towns that I’ve loved. I like taking back roads when I travel and going through all the little towns. I put all the things that have caught my attention in my travels into this one town, then added a bit of the supernatural (since this is a paranormal cozy). I’m a sucker for “weird little town with secrets” stories, so this was my chance to write one. Coming up with the history of the town was so much fun. I also threw a lot of my personal experiences into the heroine’s story. She’s just been laid off from a job and reeling from that, and I had that experience a couple of decades ago. I went to journalism school and have had a couple of newspaper jobs, and that got thrown in. Then there’s my experience in living in a small town and knowing how all the social dynamics work. In some respects, this may be the most personal book I’ve written.

What are you working on right now, and what’s coming out next?

I’ve been writing cozy fantasy lately, in part because of that murder that happened outside my house and the murder of someone I knew that happened a couple of weeks after that. I needed to retreat to a fantasy world. My cozy fantasy has a lot of the elements of my cozy mysteries, but in a fantasy world and without murder. The “mysteries” they have to solve are more about magic and a curse that’s been placed on the village. The series is the Tales of Rydding Village, and the third book was just released. I’m not entirely sure what will be next because I’m in the middle of moving for the second time within a year (though I hope this one will be a lot more permanent, as I’ve bought a house!), so I’m not thinking about writing at the moment. There will definitely be another Rydding Village book, but I don’t know if it will be the next thing released.

Where can people find you and more of your work?
My website has info on all my books: http://shannaswendson.com/
For social media, I’m most active on BlueSky, .bsky.social

And be sure to check out the Cozy Up to Crime storybundle: https://www.storybundle.com/crime

Yay! Another interview from the Cozy Up to Crime Storybundle! This one is for the featured book "Bloodshed in the Badlan...
26/04/2025

Yay! Another interview from the Cozy Up to Crime Storybundle! This one is for the featured book "Bloodshed in the Badlands" by Judith A. Barrett.

Why are you attracted to writing cozy? What's special to you about the genre?

I’ve always been drawn to stories where talented but flawed women charge into extraordinary situations to solve murders and stop the killer!

Cozy mysteries are perfect for my characters to confront long-forgotten scars and to grow while I weave stories of murder for readers to solve alongside the main character. Naturally, I throw in banter for a touch of humor and a plot twist or two to keep my readers guessing.

What was one of the most surprising things you’ve learned while writing cozy?

My biggest surprise was when I discovered I had a whole new population of readers!

For the seven years I’ve been an author, most of my newsletter subscribers and social media followers have been empty-nesters, so I was amazed two years ago to learn that a whole new generation has discovered my cozy mysteries.

I love to sell my books in person at arts and crafts festivals because I can talk to readers and learn more about what they like. In the past two years, a growing number of readers who come to my booth specifically to buy more books are 10- to 14-year-old girls. They are reading their way through my cozy mystery series! At their request, I have Book 7 planned for a series that will be ready in time for the fall arts and crafts festivals.

What do you love most about the story or novel that’s in this story bundle?

Bloodshed in the Badlands, Book 1 of the series, takes place at a haunted campground in Arizona, which was a new setting and location for me to research. The main character is a journalist who is writing articles about haunted campgrounds for a travel magazine, which means each book in the series takes place in a different state in the US.

All of my cozy mystery main characters have an unusual sidekick, and in this first book, an annoying ghost who was a young stagecoach guard in the Old West helps Wren as she solves the murders and stops the killer.

What are you working on right now, and what’s coming out next?

I’m working on a new series. The main character, a young widow, inherited a neglected bed-and-breakfast. While she revives the inn’s business, she stops killers.

Books One and Two are published, and Book Three is next and will be released this summer.

Where can people find you and more of your work?

All my paperback, ebook and audio books are on my online store, Barrett Book Shop (BarrettBookShop dot com).
My books are in libraries, and all the major retailers carry my ebooks: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple, Google Play, Kobo, and others. My audiobooks are also available on Amazon, Apple, Google Play, and Kobo.

And be sure to check out the Cozy Up to Crime storybundle at https://www.storybundle.com/crime

The next book to be featured as part of the Cozy Up to Crime Storybundle is an issue from Mystery, Crime, and Mayhem, a ...
23/04/2025

The next book to be featured as part of the Cozy Up to Crime Storybundle is an issue from Mystery, Crime, and Mayhem, a quarterly mystery magazine edited by Leah R Cutter.

Here is the intro to the issue:

Welcome to the annual cozy issue of MCM!

When I first started MCM, I wrote much more hard-boiled mysteries. I didn’t really either read or write cozy mysteries.

Something happened along the way. I needed my fiction to be sweeter, softer. Funnier. Sillier. Maybe it was the plague, maybe it was just a natural progression as I grew older.

Now, I write a lot of cozy mystery stories, as well as cozy novels.

And while writing always has been, and always will be, my favorite thing to do, this past year I’ve also gotten into grilling.

A lot.

I have a pellet grill named Bobby. I cook on it at least once a week, frequently more than that. I’ve watched more TV BBQ reality shows than I want to admit to. Due to my strange allergies, I’ve invented a whole bunch of rubs and sauces that are quite tasty.

And I now write about BBQ. I have an entire series planned out, that’s all about a group of BBQ competition contestants.

I had the theme of this issue planned out a couple years before this. It’s just fortuitous that my writing turned to this direction.

So come along for the ride! But be sure to bring a snack, because these stories quite frankly are going to leave you hungry and longing for more.

Look for more issues of Mystery, Crime, and Mayhem here: https://www.mysterycrimeandmayhem.com

And be sure to check out the Cozy Up to Crime storybundle. It's a sweet deal that won't be here for much longer.
https://www.storybundle.com/crime

Yay! The next book from the Cozy Up to Crime story bundle, "Minivan Mayhem". Here's the interview from R.E. Merrill.Why ...
20/04/2025

Yay! The next book from the Cozy Up to Crime story bundle, "Minivan Mayhem". Here's the interview from R.E. Merrill.

Why are you attracted to writing cozy? What's special to you about the genre?

I grew up reading Trixie Belden and watching Murder, She Wrote. I just couldn’t get enough mysteries. My first novel was actually a Christian romance, but the book had this really eccentric (some might say obnoxious) character that everyone fell in love with, so I wanted to give her a series of her own. Because of my brain, mysteries seemed like the natural fit. By then I was obsessed with the adventures of Mrs. Murphy and Sookie Stackhouse. Anyway, that’s how Gertrude, Gumshoe was born. They weren’t quite quintessential cozies because Gertrude’s character was so flawed, but they got me hooked on writing clean, fun mysteries.

What was one of the most surprising things you’ve learned while writing cozy?

I had to learn about red herrings. As a reader, they always annoyed me, but now I know that they can be a functional part of a good mystery! I also have enjoyed learning that I am not the only one in the world who loves cats as much as I do.

What do you love most about the story or novel that’s in this story bundle?

I loved being able to bring the supernatural into a mystery. It opens up so many possibilities.

What are you working on right now, and what’s coming out next?

I am writing a brand-new cozy series that I am super excited about. Be on the lookout for Marmalade!

Where can people find you and more of your work?

I am everywhere, including YouTube, but my favorite spot to hang out is robinmerrill.com.

And remember, you'll find this book and all the others at the Cozy Up to Crime storybundle: https://www.storybundle.com/crime

The Cozy Up to Crime storybundle is still running! Here's our next featured book, "Murder Takes a Bow" and an interview ...
19/04/2025

The Cozy Up to Crime storybundle is still running! Here's our next featured book, "Murder Takes a Bow" and an interview from the author, Wendy Neugent.

Why are you attracted to writing cozy? What's special to you about the genre?
I grew up reading Trixie Belden, Agatha Christie and The Cat Who mysteries. I’ve always loved cozy mysteries, especially ones with pet sidekicks like Koko and Yum Yum. Going to visit Moose County is like going on vacation and seeing old friends. I try to make my books, which are cozy mysteries set on cruise ships, a similar escape for my readers.

What was one of the most surprising things you’ve learned while writing cozy?
That my characters don’t always do what I tell them to do! They have minds of their own and sometimes take a scene off into a direction I didn’t plan!

What do you love most about the story or novel that’s in this story bundle?
I worked on cruise ships as an entertainer for a decade in my 20s and early 30s. When I was writing Murder Takes a Bow, it took me right back to my time on ships and made me fall in love with cruising all over again. I got to revisit friendships, ports, and things that happened to me during my ship years.

What are you working on right now, and what’s coming out next?
One of my big project this year has been narrating audiobook versions of all of my mysteries. I am currently writing book 2 in my Key West Mysteries series, Ernest Endeavors. I used to visit the Hemingway Museum and pet the polydactyl cats that live on the property when I was in port in Key West. It’s been so interesting to learn about Hemingway’s time in Key West and I really enjoy getting to write all of the cat characters!

Where can people find you and more of your work?
My website is https://wendyneugentbooks.com/ My books are available in ebook, paperback, large print, hardcovers, and now in audio on my website. I also have a wonderful reader community on Facebook called The Clue Crew. I’d love to have you join us. https://www.facebook.com/groups/wendyscluecrew

And you'll find the storybundle at: https://www.storybundle.com/crime

The Cozy Up to Crime storybundle is running! One of the fabulous novels in the bundle is "Horticultural Homicide" by Lin...
18/04/2025

The Cozy Up to Crime storybundle is running! One of the fabulous novels in the bundle is "Horticultural Homicide" by Linda Jordan!

Here's an interview with her:

Why are you attracted to writing cozy? What's special to you about the genre?

-To me, cozy mysteries are all about the puzzle. Who did it and how? That’s the mystery and impetus that draws me through a book. One I’m writing or reading. I never have the answer to this before I begin. Because what fun would that be? I’m also finding that as the world grows darker, I want to avoid blood and violence. I’m drawn to the cozy setting and inhabitants-plants, cats, dogs, horses, etc. Just as I’m called to spend more time out in the garden.

What was one of the most surprising things you’ve learned while writing cozy?

-I normally write fantasy or SF. So, writing a cozy mystery was an entirely different process. I had to stay in everyday reality. I learned how to lean into the magic of Gina’s everyday life: the friends she made, the beauty of the paintings she created, as well as the sweetness of her cats.

What do you love most about the story or novel that’s in this story bundle?

-Wow. This question is like when people ask me which of my books is my favorite. I love all of them. In Horticultural Homicide, I love my main character. And the gardens that she paints. And her cats. And, and, and….

What are you working on right now, and what’s coming out next?

-Right now I’m working on an urban fantasy novel with an older woman, who’s half Fae, as the main character. I’m having a lot of fun with the story.

As to what’s coming out next, I have short stories in a couple of anthologies, but I’m not sure about their release dates. I also just had several short stories published in an anthology called Witch Shadow: Storm of Witches, Book 6.

This series began as a pandemic project with two other fantasy writers-Susan Brown and Susan Old. We just couldn’t stop writing the stories and it became six books. We’re planning our next anthology to be about shifters.

Where can people find you and more of your work?

All of my work is on Amazon. Nearly all of my work can be found at B&N, Kobo, Apple, Smashwords, etc. If you’re in the Everett, WA area and like to read books in paper, All of my novels can be found at Artisan’s Books & Coffee. One of these days I’ll find the time to resurrect my broken website - https://www.lindajordan.net/

And the cozy mystery storybundle is found here: https://www.storybundle.com/crime

Address

WA

Telephone

(206) 619-1881

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Knotted Road Press posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

  • Address
  • Telephone
  • Alerts
  • Contact The Business
  • Claim ownership or report listing

  • Want your business to be the top-listed Media Company?

Share