Fungi Foul Play: A Small Town Colorado Cozy Mystery
(Backyard Farming Series)
by Vikki Walton
I am delighted to welcome Vikki Walton to Escape With Dollycas today!
Hi Vikki,
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I wrote my first book to encourage my daughter in a writing assignment for class. I live in beautiful Colorado but have lots of family and friends along with a piece of my heart in Texas. I write cozies, and historical fiction under a pen name. I also write some nonfiction.
What are three things most people don’t know about you?
- I am not a fan of dead grapes (raisins) but they’re okay if they’re made into wine.
- I’m an INTJ. (0.8% of the population)
- I lived in France when I was a young child (dad in service).
What books/authors have most inspired you?
The Queen of Mystery: Agatha Christie. Even though she’s now often categorized as cozy, her books were/are traditional mystery. The day that my first book ended up next to hers on the bestseller list felt surreal.
What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book?
It depends. I don’t have to do a lot of research for my cozies, but I spent a lot of time doing research for my historical fiction.
Do you ever suffer from Writer’s Block?
No. I have tons of ideas. It’s more that I’m a breadbox writer and I have to allow my subconscious to work on scenes or plots before it comes into my conscious mind. Sometimes that can be frustrating, but it’s my way of writing.
What advice do you have for someone who would like to become a published writer?
As an author coach, I work with beginning indie authors. I would give the following advice:
1. Read a lot; especially in the genre you want to write in.
2. Write a short story. First, this helps you to understand the genre and tropes needed. Second, writing something shorter helps you understand story arc. Finally, it provides you with a finished product that motivates you and can be used as a reader magnet.
3. Join a writer’s group either in-person or online. This can help you from making terrible mistakes like working with a vanity publisher.
4. Read (again). Learn as much as you can on craft, marketing, and self-publishing. There are a myriad of successful authors who can help you in your journey. [Side note: currently writing a self-publishing 101 book.]
5. Create a plan. In order to achieve the goal of finishing a book and having it published, you need to set objectives, add in timelines, and targets. Even tracking your word count will help you move forward.
When you are not writing what do you like to do?
I like to hike, travel, and spend time with animals (I’m also a global housesitter/petsitter).
If you could travel anywhere in the world where would you go and why?
I am planning on hiking the Camino in Spain next year, so probably over to Europe. There’s so much history and architecture that I love.
What is next on the horizon for you?
I have a lot of writing projects in the works (self-publishing nonfiction book, a historical women’s fiction, another cozy mystery in one of my series, and a few new projects on the back burner with one being later-in-life romances. I like change and trying new things.
Thank you, Vikki, for dropping by today!
Keep reading for information about Vikki’s new book, Fungi Foul Play.
About Fungi Foul Play
Fungi Foul Play: A Small Town Colorado Cozy Mystery (Backyard Farming Series)
Cozy Mystery
7th in Series
Setting – Colorado
Morewellson, Ltd. (May 7, 2023)
Paperback : 260 pages
ISBN-10 : 195045245X
ISBN-13 : 978-1950452453
Digital Print length : 150 pages
ASIN : B0B3C3MC2Z
Can Anne help her friend from being charged as a murder suspect?
Newlywed Anne is dismayed at the idea of closing the Inn and tensions run high as Hope leads a mushroom workshop. When fingers point toward Hope for causing a death, Anne must help her friend before she loses everything. Was the death a tragic accident or is someone out to destroy Hope? Or is there an even more sinister plot at hand?
Fungi Foul Play is Book Seven in the Backyard Farming series. Each book can be read as a standalone. However, if you enjoy getting to know the quirky characters who live in the town, here are the books in the series.
Chicken Culprit Free on Amazon Right NOW!
Cordial Killing
Honey Homicide
Christmas Capers
Potager Plot
Duck Disaster
Fungi Foul Play
More About Vikki Walton
Vikki Walton writes sassy sleuths and clever clues. Her mysteries are clean so no blushes. She has three cozy series: one set in a fictional town in Colorado, one set in a real town in Texas, and one that takes place at various places around the globe. When not out hiking the beautiful Colorado trails, you can find her pursuing her passions of gardening, traveling, and of course, reading great cozies!
Author Links
Website BookBub Facebook Amazon GoodReads
Purchase Links https://books2read.com/FungiFoulPlay7aff
Also by Vikki Walton
TOUR PARTICIPANTS – Please visit all the stops.
May 30 – Cozy Up With Kathy – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
May 31 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
May 31 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – AUTHOR GUEST POST
June 1 – Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT
June 1 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
June 2 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
June 3 – Angel’s Guilty Pleasures – AUTHOR GUEST POST
June 4 – Indie Author Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
June 5 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
June 6 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT
June 7 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT
June 7 – Hearts & Scribbles – SPOTLIGHT
June 8 – My Reading Journeys – CHARACTER GUEST POST
June 9 – Baroness Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT
June 9 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
June 10 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee – SPOTLIGHT
June 11 – StoreyBook Reviews – CHARACTER GUEST POST
June 12 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
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Will return in a couple of weeks.
Thanks for the info and the chance to win!
Sounds like a great read.
Thanks for sharing about my new fun cozy mystery. Fungi Foul Play! The author interview is fun too.
I love the cover.