Cozy But Not Deadly—Changing Up Genres

Join mystery author Ellie Alexander and The Tech Guy as they dive deep into Ellie's exciting venture into romance writing! In this episode, Ellie reveals her upcoming holiday rom-com duet, one of them featuring beloved characters from her Meg Reed mystery series.

After writing dozens of mysteries, Ellie discovered that switching from plotting murders to plotting meet-cutes presented unexpected challenges. She shares behind-the-scenes stories about unlearning the mystery formula, creating emotional growth arcs instead of red herrings, and bringing back fan-favorite character Meg Reed for a cozy Christmas romance set in beautiful Bend, Oregon.

Plus, hear about their romantic (and slightly disastrous) honeymoon bike adventure down a Hawaiian volcano, discussions of Portland's true beauty beyond media portrayals, and the possibility of turning fictional scavenger hunts into real-life events. Whether you're a cozy mystery fan or romance reader, this episode offers insights into genre-switching, character development, and the art of feel-good storytelling.