Why do you write the genre that you write?
I write cozy mysteries because I enjoy solving problems. My amateur sleuths solve murder mysteries. They tackle murders without any formal training. They use their wits and they question friends and foes. Another reason I enjoy cozies it the community is the friendships between the sleuth and the other people who live there.

What’s the quirkiest quirk one of your characters has?
If Andi Grace Scott finds a stray dog, she matches the animal with a good forever home. She’s hard to say no to, and she is talented with her matchmaking.

Tell us how you got into writing?
I always enjoyed reading and making up stories as a child. I dreamed of becoming an author one day, but I didn’t believe it was possible. A little over ten years ago, I decided to try. I joined writing groups, took classes, and attended conferences.

What jobs have you held before, during and/or after you became a writer?
I’ve worked as a pharmacist most of my adult life. I’m now working part-time at a compounding pharmacy and writing full time.

Where do you write?
I mostly write at home in a room we turned into an office.

What is your favorite deadline snack?
Pretzels and lots of coffee.

Who is an author you admire?
I admire a lot of authors, but Hank Phillippi Ryan went out of her way to be nice to me when she had no reason to be kind.

What’s your favorite genre to read?
Mysteries are my favorite genre, but I enjoy reading a wide variety of genres.

What are you reading now?
I’m reading Central Texas Tales by Mike Cox. I chose it for researching the Texas Flower Farmer Cozy Mystery series.

What is your favorite beverage to end the day?
Herbal mint tea.

What is next for you?
On July 11, Weeding Out Lies was released and later in 2023 Clutter Free, Book One of the Organized Crime Cozy Mystery series will come out.

Where can we find you?
On Facebook at Jackie Layton Author and Joyful Jel, on Pinterest at @jackielaytonauthor, on Twitter at @joyfuljel and her website at jackielaytoncozyauthor.com.

 

Now to have some fun . . .

Chocolate or vanilla
Always chocolate

Cake or ice cream
Ice cream

Fruits or vegetables
Fruits

Breakfast, lunch, or dinner
I love a good breakfast. Sometimes I even make breakfast at suppertime.

Dining in or dining out
I think it’s healthier for me to eat at home, and that’s mostly what I do but it’s easy to get in a rut. Dining out is more for fun.

City life or country living
I’ve mostly lived in small towns, and I think it’d be fun to live in a big city.

Beach or mountain I’m definitely a beach person.
We are blessed to now live close to the beach. In fact, we’re close enough to ride over in a golf cart.

Summer or winter
Summer.

Short story or full-length novel
Full-length novel.

Extrovert or introvert
I’m an introvert and really have to push myself to be outgoing.

Early bird or night owl
Night owl.

 

And even more fun . . .

What’s your favorite movie?
While You Were Sleeping. It always makes me laugh.

You are stranded on a deserted island. What are your three must-haves?
My dog, my favorite pillow and my Bible.


My bio:
Jackie Layton is the author of cozy mysteries with Spunky Southern Sleuths. Her stories are set in Texas, Georgia, and South Carolina. She lives on the coast of South Carolina where she enjoys walks on the beach and golf cart rides around the marsh. Reading, gardening, and traveling are some of her favorite hobbies. She always keeps a notebook handy to write down ideas for future stories. Be careful what you say around her, because it might end up in a book.