Why do you write the genre that you write?
I write cozy mysteries because I love a good whodunit. The best part about cozies is working in a world filled with characters that change and grow and communities that love them.

How did you come up with your pseudonym?
I wanted to write about a fudgemaker on Mackinac Island and I needed a pseudonym to separate this series from my other books. So what better name than Coco?

Tell us how you got into writing?
It was 5th grade. I wanted to write a pioneer book like Laura Ingalls Wilder’s books. But I couldn’t get my best friend to write it with me so I stuck to short stories until I took a college creative writing class and two nontraditional students in the class stopped me in the hall and complimented my writing. They wanted to read a book from me. So I wrote a book but I only shared it with one or two people. Then life happened and I put away my writing until my kids were about four and two years old. Then I picked it back up while they napped. I was on my 17th manuscript when I sold my 15th manuscript- and I’ve been writing ever since.

What jobs have you held before, during and/or after you’ve became a writer?
I served in the US Air Force as a satellite downlink technician, Then I worked as an electronics engineer until I went back to school for a journalism degree. After that I worked in what was then called desktop publishing and website. Now I work in marketing as a content strategist and market analyst.

Where do you write?
I usually write in bed with my laptop on my lap. I have terrible posture, but I like it.

What is your favorite deadline snack?
Oh no- LOL peanut M&M’s until I learned I have a lot of food allergies.

What is next for you?
My next book out is A Midsummer Night’s Fudge releasing May 24, 2022- it’s the 10th book in the Candy-coated Mystery series.

What are you reading now?
I am reading “Birthdays Are Murder” by Cindy Sample.

Where can we find you?
I’m at nancyjcoco.com.

Now to have some fun . . .

Vanilla or chocolate
Chocolate

Pizza or burgers
Burgers no bun

Broccoli or squash
Chocolate-LOL

Breakfast, lunch, or dinner
Dinner

Mountain or beach
Mountain

Introvert or Extrovert
Goofy Introvert

And even more fun . . .

You are stranded on a deserted island. What are your three must-haves?
A generator with unlimited fuel, my laptop, and access to the internet-
oh, you wanted something more realistic? Paper and pens, a stack of
mystery novels, and fresh water.

My bio:
USA Today Bestselling Author, Nancy J Parra AKA Nancy Coco AKA Nell Hampton is the author of over 30 published novels which include five mystery series: The Oregon Honey-comb Mystery Series (Kensington), The Candy-Coated Mysteries (Kensington), The Kensington Palace Mystery Series (Crooked Lane), The Wine Country Tours Mystery Series (Crooked Lane) The Gluten-free Baker’s Treat Mysteries (Berkley Prime Crime), and The Perfect Proposal Mysteries (Berkley Prime Crime). Her writing has been called witty and her protagonists plucky by reviewers around the world. Nancy is a member of Sisters in Crime, and loves to hear from readers.