Author Spotlight: Erin Hayden

Erin Hayden is the founder of Bravery Books, which publishes stories designed to cultivate courage and hope in readers of all ages. She has written several non-fiction and fiction titles, including the Vista del Vino Mystery Series, a culinary cozy mystery series set in the heart of Southern California wine country. This series features amateur sleuth Casey Nolan, a former investigative journalist and small-town single mom who uncovers secrets buried deep within the vineyards.

Cozy Crime Reads Interview with Erin Hayden

What attracted you to the cozy mystery genre?

I was an avid reader as a kid. I never went anywhere without a book and my favorites were always mysteries (Encyclopedia Brown, Nancy Drew, etc.). As I got older, I started watching Murder, She Wrote with my parents and it became our weekly ritual--so much so that by the time I went off to college, I was still committed to spending my Sunday evenings with Jessica Fletcher! Eventually, the Murder, She Wrote series exploded into so many different spinoffs, that I had plenty to keep me going for years. I also ventured into more intense mysteries, like those written by Nora Roberts, but Murder, She Wrote will always be the benchmark by which I judge all other mysteries.

What are a few of the essential elements that make a cozy stand out to you as a reader?

The reason I'm so drawn to cozy mysteries is because of the lack of gore. I've enjoyed some David Baldacci and Darynda Jones (Sunshine Vincram is one of my heroines!), but I can only take the detailed descriptions of sex and violence every so often. I like to keep my brain working without having to cringe as I turn each page. I believe my kids would refer to that as being a "wuss" but so be it--I like what I like.

Do you have a favorite amateur sleuth?

Jessica Fletcher really stands out to me as a prime example of what an amateur female sleuth should be (smart, brave and unwilling to be pushed around by a bunch of foolish men). That said, Lila Macapagal (from Mia Manansala's Tita Rosie series) is just as much a brave feminist as Jessica, but does a great job of bringing amateur sleuthing into the modern era. I also really love Miriam Quiñones-Smith (from Raquel Reyes' Caribbean Kitchen Mystery series). All of these women are highly educated, embrace diversity, and reflect what it's like to be a professional woman in today's day and age. Lila and Miriam are also relatable characters with realistic flaws (something Jessica lacked). It's easier to look up to someone when you know that they have imperfections just like you!

What inspired your first cozy mystery?

I actually started my writing journey as a nonfiction writer. I have a master's degree in creative nonfiction and there was a long stretch where I could never imagine writing anything more than a short fictional essay. I come from a place of "write what you know" and find that using my own life's experiences as a foundation for my writing helps give me a sense of purpose.

But in 2023 I decided to give fictional writing a go and started a middle grade series for my adolescent son (who has been living with diabetes and celiac since he was a baby). We read together every night, and I was frustrated by the lack of fictional stories that embraced his reality. Eventually, I just decided to take matters into my own hands and I started writing the Sugar Squad Chronicles series (about a bunch of kids who are living awesome, adventurous lives in the face of chronic illness). Essentially, Book 3 in that series (A Sweetwater Mystery) was my first attempt at mystery writing. I loved it so much, that I decided to turn the fifth book in that series into a mystery as well. By the time I finished the fifth book in that series, my heart was telling me that it was time to write a fun, fictional mystery that honored the experiences of mothers raising kids with chronic illness and the Vista del Vino Mystery Series was born.

How do you research and create the "cozy" elements in your books, like the settings and community?

As I said, I've always come from a place of "write what you know". Many of my characters are based in some way off people I know or have met along the way. Both my Sugar Squad series and my Vista del Vino series are set in Southern California. I lived there for a while and often regret having moved. My oldest daughter stayed behind when the rest of the family left and I spend a lot of time daydreaming (and researching) ways to go back. Although moving back to Southern California isn't possible at this time, immersing myself in research on the area allows me to live through my work. I tend to do this through all types of mediums (videos, conversations with friends and family, books, articles, etc.).

What is one key step in your writing process that helps you transform an idea into a finished book?

I used to be a die-hard "pantser". I loved watching the story unfold as I worked, but I also found the process stressful. Inevitably, I would find myself with plot holes and contradictions that were almost impossible to untangle. With each book I've written, my outlines have become more detailed. I often find myself writing chapter outlines that are multiple pages long (with scenic descriptions and dialogue in place). My most recent outline was over 25,000 words long, which has made the process of moving from concept to finished product much smoother.

What advice would you give aspiring cozy mystery authors who want to start writing their first novel?

READ! Read everything you can get your hands on--and don't just stop with cozy mysteries. You need to be willing to venture out into the world of psychological thrillers, hard-boiled mysteries and maybe even a little horror to help build your internal bank of ideas (including character motivations, red herrings, twists and resolutions). You need to read broadly to figure out both what you love and what you hate so that you can frame your own fictional world in a way that makes sense to readers. For example, the more cozies I read, the more I recognize how I detest foolish sleuths. "Quirky characters" tend to be a staple of the genre, but there's a line that I can't bring myself to cross when it comes to silliness. Some readers will love that about my writing, while others will feel that it leaves them with an unmet need--and that's ok. One of the wonderful things about this genre is that there are plenty of nuanced styles to meet every reader's needs.

How can readers connect with you online?

Readers can find me through my website (BraveryBooks.com), where they can learn more about my mission as a writer and my overall commitment to disability advocacy. I also welcome readers to reach out by email: Erin@BraveryBooks.com.

Buy Erin Hayden’s Cozy Mysteries

Erin Hayden’s Vista del Vino Mystery Series is available in ebook and paperback from Amazon, Bookshop, Barnes and Noble, and other retailers. You can also read the series for free with a Kindle Unlimited Subscription.