What Is a Cozy Subgenre in Fiction?
You might have come across the term “cozy” when looking into different genres of fiction. For a lot of writers, it’s a “you’ll know it when you see it” kind of thing, but when you’re thinking about marketing your book to readers (and publishers), it’s important to be able to explain exactly what your genre is and why it fits into that category.
When we’re talking very broadly, “cozy” is a subgenre that readers can expect a certain tone and tropes from the story. Cozies will generally feature a smaller cast of characters, be set in a smaller town, and have a more optimistic and upbeat tone. Above all, it has to have a satisfyingly happy ending. They offer comfort to their readers; a safe escape from the realities of our daily lives. Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule—not every cozy will follow these specifications exactly.
Let’s look more closely at different some genres and what sets their cozy counterparts apart.
[5 Tips on How to Write a Cunning but Cozy Mystery Novel]
Mystery
With its roots in 20th-century mystery writing like Agatha Christie’s work, this is probably the genre that you’re most familiar with when it comes to cozies. Cozy mysteries are considered to be more “gentle” than other subgenres of mystery. They don’t usually feature any on-screen violence, graphic descriptions of sex, or profanity. Instead of having the main character be a professional sleuth, they tend to be someone who has been pulled into the mystery through proximity. They might have discovered the body, worked for or near the murder victim, or have a job that allows them to be close to the investigation or gossip surrounding it (like a pub or coffee shop owner or innkeeper). Often, these protagonists are female, but they don’t have to be.
When we think about mysteries, we often think murder, but cozies don’t always have to be about death. They can also center on blackmail, arson, kidnapping or disappearance, or some other kind of sabotage. Cozies focus more on the mystery aspect of the crime (and solving it!) than the violence of it.
When it comes to setting, try and think of a place the readers would love to live in or visit—it might be idyllic, and will usually not be in a big city. They are usually small towns or suburbs where everyone knows each other and are in each other’s business (as gossip features heavily in the plots of cozy mysteries).
However, there are always exceptions—Nita Prose’s The Maid (which we featured in the Jan/Feb 2022 issue of Writer’s Digest) is set in an unnamed city. However, much of the plot takes place either in the narrator’s apartment or the hotel in which she works. Since the settings are fairly limited, you still get the cozy mystery feel while taking place in a city.
Here are some other cozy mystery novels and series that you will definitely want to check out:
Tita Rosie’s Kitchen Mystery series by Mia P. ManasalaThe Secret Staircase Mysteries series by Gigi PandianThursday Murder Club series by Richard OsmaA Killing in Costumes by Zac Bissonnette (a debut novel but also the first in A Hollywood Treasures Mystery series!)
Romance
This is probably the second most popular genre for cozies to appear. Of course, a romance between two characters is the foundation of the story, but unlike other romance subgenres, cozy romances tend to have the conflict be an external one instead of something between the characters. This means that tropes like enemies to friends to lovers aren’t typical! Instead, the romance is sweet, and the development of the relationship is emotionally satisfying for both characters and readers, and conflicts are usually resolved through communication and understanding.
Secondary characters are also heavily featured in cozy romances, especially since there is a large focus on community in this subgenre. They should act as the confidants, counsel, and even comic relief for the main characters. More than plot fillers, these characters are meant to enrich the story and make your story more endearing to your readers.
Like mysteries, the settings for cozy romances tend more toward small towns. Think about all the holiday movies that Hallmark features every year—most of those movies are about someone coming from a large city to a small town and falling in love with the community (and hot baker/veterinarian/ski lodge owner/bridal boutique owner).
Above all, cozy romances always end in a happily-ever-after.
Here are some cozy romances that you should definitely add to your TBR:
Lovelight Farms series by B.K. BorisonPart of Your World series by Abby JimenezHither, Page by Cat SebastianVery Sincerely Yours by Kerry Winfrey
Fantasy
I was first introduced to cozy fantasy through fan fiction! Usually defined by themes of found family, belonging, and are sweeter and gentler than fantasy novels tend to be. The world-building won’t be as grand—instead of large maps, epic quests, and dozens of characters, they usually focus on a single city or village and just a handful of characters. Think whimsy, cottagecore, and happy endings.
Like other cozy subgenres, cozy fantasy features low-stakes conflicts that are usually resolved through characters working together and leaning on each other. Special attention is paid to the creativity and resourcefulness of the characters to problem-solve as issues arise. Instead of world-ending troubles, plots tend to focus on personal development and interpersonal relationships.
Magical elements will usually be integrated into the daily lives of the characters in a non-threatening way. Instead of having a non-magical character discover the world of magic, these fantastical elements are generally already fully integrated into the characters’ lives. These elements should appear in common instances like meals, transportation, celebrations, professions, and other slice-of-life moments in your story.
Most of all, cozy fantasies should capitalize on the joy and wonder that comes with a fantasy setting.
Here are some of my favorite cozy fantasy stories:
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu MandannaLegends & Lattes series by Travis BaldreeSophie Go’s Lonely Hearts Club by Roselle LimThe Undertaking of Hart and Mercy by Megan Bannen
And for further consideration of cozy genres, check out these articles here on the WD blog from authors who write cozy novels:
Mia P. Manansala: On Savoring Positive Feedback
Jennifer J. Chow: Sparking Optimism and Hope With Cozy Mystery Novels (and Sassy Cats)
Dana Stabenow: More Cozy Than Hardboiled
During the Essentials of Mystery Writing course, you’ll have the choice of creating a brand new mystery story from scratch or working with a story you already have in progress.