Now it’s time to learn more about the authors we read. . .

What drew you to the genre you write?
I’ve always been a fan of traditional mystery fiction. I like cozy mysteries for the whodunnit aspect. It’s fun to follow along with the story to find out who the bad guy is. I also like the fact that there’s not much blood or gore in the stories. There’s enough of that in the real world. Lastly, I enjoy stories where the good guys come out on top.

What’s the quirkiest quirk one of your characters has?
Well, I have one supporting character in my Elmo Simpson mysteries who might be a vampire. Abraham Longfellow sure behaves like one. I’d call that pretty quirky.

How did you come up with your pseudonym?
I wrote my first seven novels in another genre under my real name. When I switched to cozy mystery, my agent recommended I come up with a new name to go with the new stories. The letters J and C come from my real name, Jim Cangany. The Kenney comes from my confirmation name, which is Kenneth. I figured J.C. Kenney would be easy for readers to pronounce. At the time, I never made the connection that J.C. Kenney sounds almost the same as the retailer JC Penney. Go figure!

Tell us how you got into writing?
For as long as I can remember, I wanted to write a story. For years, I’d come up with an idea or start something, but I never stuck with it. Then, in August 2011, I got an idea for a story I couldn’t stop thinking about. It was like the characters kept knocking on the inside of my head demanding to be let out. Without any expectations, I started writing the story. Six weeks later, I had a completed first draft. By that time, the writing bug had completely taken hold. I haven’t stopped writing since!

What jobs have you held before, during and/or after you became a writer?
Over the years, I’ve worked as a paralegal, compliance manager, and project manager. I learned important skills like technical writing and working with deadlines. Both of those competencies come in handy in my creative writing. These days, my job is in healthcare compliance. I hope to be able to write full-time someday.

How many books do you have published?
Seventeen in total, seven in contemporary, sports romance and ten in cozy mystery. I’ve also had one short story published and have contributed an essay to the Writing the Cozy Mystery anthology.

Where do you write?
It depends on the time of day and time of the year. During the warmer months, I like to write during the afternoon on my patio. When I have to be inside, I spend a fair amount of writing time in my recliner. During the winter, I write a lot in the sunroom. Regardless of where I’m writing, if I’m inside, my cat/supervisor Maria is close by.

What is your ideal time to write?
Generally, the late afternoon, after the day job tasks are taken care of. And after I’ve gotten enough caffeine in my system!

What is your favorite deadline snack?
I’m a chocolate lover, so M&Ms are a total go-to, especially with peanuts.

What’s your favorite genre to read?
I love historical cozy mysteries. When I can’t decide what to read next, I’ll find something from the golden age of crime fiction. I’m also a big sci-fi fan. Give me a good space opera any time.

What is something people would be surprised to know about you?
When I was 19, I fell out of the back of a pickup truck going fifty-five miles per hour down a state highway and lived (obviously) to tell the tale. It was a cool and rainy, so I was dressed in jeans and a hoody, which protected me. It was also at night, so there was virtually no traffic to run me over. I did spend three days in the hospital and ended up losing the top third of my right index finger. So, for all of you kids out there, don’t ride in the back of a pickup. And if you do, definitely don’t try to stand while it’s moving.

What is your favorite beverage to end the day?
I drink a LOT of caffeine in the morning and afternoon. I switch to water when the evening arrives.

Who is an author you admire?
Oh, wow. There are so many. Sarah E. Burr is incredible. Her cozy mysteries are some of my favorites. She’s also so amazingly creative when it comes to graphics and other promotional materials. On top of that, she’s unfailingly generous with her time helping others. I’m also a huge fan of Carl Hiaasen. His stories are wickedly funny, and the satire is unparalleled. I also adore his commitment to the fragile environment of his home state of Florida.

Have you any advice for aspiring or beginning writers?
Comparison is the thief of joy. It’s an old cliché but it’s so true. Every writer’s journey is unique. You need to focus on what you can control. Write the best story you are capable of. Your only competition is with yourself.

What are you reading now?
My current read is Trixie Silvertale’s Apple Dumpling Murder. It’s a delightful paranormal cozy mystery featuring a wonderful protagonist I instantly fell in love with. I’ve also been reading Elmore Leonard’s western short stories. I learn so much about the craft of writing when I read his work.

What is next for you?
I’m currently working on book 3 of The Elmo Simpson Mysteries. It’s called Dead in the Ditch and will be out in the Fall of 2025.

Where can we find you?
The easiest way is to go to my website, jckenney.com. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and BlueSky, all as J.C. Kenney. I’m also the co-host of The Bookish Hour and A Bookish Moment webcasts. You can find out more about them Its Bookish Time.

Now to have some fun . . .

Breakfast, lunch, or dinner
breakfast

Fruits or vegetables
Fruits, especially bananas, apples, and grapes.

Chocolate, vanilla, or another flavor
Vanilla, my wife makes fun of me for its choice, but it’s a classic that you can do pretty much anything with.

Sweet or salty snacks
When it comes to snacks, I’m all about inclusiveness, so both!

Ice cream or cake
Ice cream. I have a gluten sensitivity so cake is something I should avoid.

Cooking or baking
Cooking.

Dining in or dining out
Dining in, though I wish I had the bank account to dine out!

City life or country living
I’m a city kid through and through.

Beach or mountain
Beach. As Jimmy Buffett said, I wanna go where it’s warm!

Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall
Fall. The humidity has dropped, and the foliage is stunning.

Extrovert or introvert
Introvert.

Early bird or night owl
I lean early bird.

And even more fun . . .

What’s your favorite movie?
Field of Dreams. I can watch it any time, any day. And I always end up in tears.

You are stranded on a deserted island. What are your three must-haves?
A heavy-duty tarp. It could give me shelter from the sun and hopefully catch rainwater. A Swiss army knife with lots of gadgets to help with all kinds of tasks. A collection of golden age crime fiction stories. I gotta have something fun to do when I’m not busy tending to my shelter or looking for food and water.

My bio:
J.C. Kenney is the bestselling author of mysteries full of oddball characters in unusual settings. He’s also the co-host of The Bookish Hour and The Bookish Moment webcasts. When he’s not writing, you can find him following IndyCar racing or listening to music. He has two grown children and lives in Indianapolis with his wife and a cat.