Tea, Sympathy, and Cyanide: Writing the Cozy Mystery

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Location: In-Person at WriterHouse (Charlottesville, VA)

Dates: Saturdays, October 10 & October 17, 2026

Time: 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM (EST)

Have you ever found yourself curled up with a cozy mystery, solving the puzzle before the sleuth does, and thought, "I would love to write one of these"?

Cozy mysteries are so much more than mere escapism. They are a unique alchemy: the intellectual satisfaction of a classic puzzle seamlessly paired with the emotional comfort of justice restored. In this intensive, two-part seminar, we are going to peek behind the curtain and explore exactly how this beloved genre is built.

What We Will Cover:

• The Anatomy of a Cozy: We will examine the non-negotiable tropes of the genre, from the intrepid amateur sleuth and the closed-circle setting to the strict rule of off-page violence and building a vibrant, eccentric cast of suspects.

• Constructing the Puzzle: We will roll up our sleeves and tackle the mechanics of plotting a murder, planting fair-play clues, and weaving effective red herrings.

• The Heart of the Story: We will explore how to integrate the essential, heartwarming subplots—like perfecting a culinary recipe, restoring a vintage needlework project, or wrangling a neighborhood cat—that give a cozy mystery its signature charm.

Whether you are an established author looking to pivot into a new genre or a brand-new writer drawn to the charm of the amateur sleuth, this workshop will equip you with the structural tools and market insights needed to craft your own compelling whodunit.

Register at WriterHouse