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

What drew you to the genre you write?
From the time I could turn on the TV I’ve loved British Mysteries—strong characters, scandalous clues, and a deep sense of place. They shaped how I think about story.

As life wears my edges off, I find myself leaning into cozy. The whole vibe. I’m drawn to stories where community matters, where people look out for each other, and there where the puzzle is as satisfying as the relationships.

Adding a large, very opinionated cat and giving it agency to solve crimes felt natural. I think a lot of us believe our pets understand more than they let on, and cozy mysteries give me a fun way to explore that.

How did you come up with your pseudonym?
Seren came from Serendipity, but it’s also a Welsh word that translates to “star”. And I liked the positivity of Goode (pronounced Good). So… Seren Star Goode.

Tell us how you got into writing?
I started writing stories in middle school, but I wasn’t very good at finishing them. I’ve always been fascinated by how people think, what they hide or reveal under pressure. Mysteries were a perfect fit.

What jobs have you held before, during and/or after you became a writer?
Professionally, I built a career in marketing and storytelling for architects, so after years of telling other people’s stories, I wanted to tell my own. But I’m also a bit of a jane-of-all-trades. I’ve studied communications, English, design, marketing, metalsmith, pottery, juggling, and more, and eventually ended up abroad earning a graduate degree in archeology.

How many books do you have published?
Two young adult books from a previous series and I have four books out in the Amanda Warren Cozy Animal Mystery series, including Monterey Bay Malice, the latest installment. The series follows a dog groomer starting over in a seaside town—and the 35-pound Maine Coon cat who may be doing more of the detecting than she is.

Where do you write?
Most of the stories start in my head. Like a lot of authors, you can find me staring off into space as I work through details. A lot of my ideas come from walking the beach—watching the tides and spotting sea glass.

The hands-on work happens in my home on California’s Central Coast in my ergonomically optimize cocoon. I love the idea of writing at a coffee shop with a good view…but I never get any work done there.

What’s your favorite genre to read?
Mystery in all forms, especially a clever cozy. I’ll read almost anything that makes me laugh.

What is something people would be surprised to know about you?
To get out of PE class in high school I learned how to ride a unicycle and juggle. Looking back, I might have wandered into a clown class.

Who is an author you admire?
Any author who has typed the words “The End”

Have you any advice for aspiring or beginning writers?
Finish the book. You learn more from completing one story than starting ten.

What is next for you?
My current mystery series has two more books planned, following Amanda and her crime-solving partner—her very large, very opinionated cat—as they continue uncovering secrets along the coast.

After that, I’m excited to shift focus to a new series centered on Amanda’s twin sister. Let’s just say the plot bunnies are already multiplying… like a herd of talking cats.

Where can we find you?
On my website at www.serengoode.com, on Facebook, on Instagram, on Pinterest, on TikTok, and on BookBub.

Now to have some fun . . .

Breakfast, lunch, or dinner
Breakfast

Fruits or vegetables
Fruits

Sweet or salty snacks
Salty

Ice cream or cake
Cake

Cooking or baking
Cooking

Dining in or dining out
Dining in

City life or country living
Live in the city sleep in the county

Beach or mountain
Beach

Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall
Fall

Extrovert or introvert
Extrovertish with a low battery

And even more fun . . .

What is your favorite movie?
Knives Out

You are stranded on a deserted island. What are your three must-haves?
My phone, Wi-Fi, and sunscreen

My bio:
Seren Goode writes the Amanda Warren Cozy Animal Mysteries, set in California’s Monterey Bay and filled with seaside charm, quirky neighbors, and cats who know more than they let on. Her stories blend classic mystery puzzles with cozy charm, humor, and a strong sense of place, centering on a reluctant sleuth starting over and her very large, very opinionated feline companion. Seren lives on California’s Central Coast, where close-knit communities inspire her work and mysteries tend to follow.