We had the good fortune of connecting with Ileana Muñoz Renfroe and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ileana, what do you attribute your success to?
I believe the most important factor behind my success is my deep understanding of the cozy mystery industry.

Writing a cozy mystery adheres to specific guidelines: no gore, no profanity, and no s*x. Research shows that more readers are preferring this type of material over grisly crime novels. The added bonus is that cozy mysteries, a subgenre of crime fiction, often feature amateur sleuths and small communities which readers enjoy making this type of novels a win-win.

In addition, I started a Facebook group dedicated to bringing together all facets of the cozy mystery industry, including publishers, editors, writers, authors, bloggers, and book designers. Making myself available to my readers is an added plus as they tend to be very engaging.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
When I turned sixty, I decided to reinvent myself. While visiting my daughter in Paris, I found myself “stuck” there due to the Covid pandemic. I know, being “stuck” in Paris sounds idyllic, but it was a difficult time for many people. Knowing that if I left the country I couldn’t return, I stayed with her and began researching what it would take to become an author.

From that experience, I wrote my first novel, A Fashionable Fate. Surprisingly, writing the book was the easy part. The hardest part was finding the resources I needed. Undeterred, I decided to start the Cozy Mystery Village on Facebook. This group aimed to gather all the resources an author needs into one place.

That was back in 2020, and today we have more than 6,000 active members. Many “well-known” authors post there often.

Four years later, I’m still as enthusiastic about writing as I was on that first day in Paris.

Currently, I’m working on several new series that include historical cozy mysteries, paranormal cozy mysteries, and more books in the children’s series; Gizmo Adventures.

I want to help readers escape into a make believe world where there is no hate, no bullying, and no major social issues.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
For breakfast, Zak the Baker in Wynwood is a must. I have followed his progress since he used to bring his breads to Pinecrest Farmers Market on Sundays. After dining, exploring the area is a great way to spend the day. Don’t miss returning late at night for a more lively experience.

Miami offers at least one standout restaurant for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in various locations around town that should be visited. Explore the dining scenes in Wynwood, Brickell, Coral Gables, and Little Havana.

Besides the vibrant dining scene, there are numerous bars to satisfy any interest. Additionally, Miami boasts several museums, the downtown library, and, of course, the beautiful beach.

To me, Miami has one of the most beautiful beaches. Check out Miami Beach, Surfside, and the Grandon Park areas.

If the weather is conducive, you must visit Venetian Pool. The historic Venetian Pool is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is one of the most unique places to cool off in Miami.

Another location you might want to consider is The Cloisters of the Ancient Spanish Monastery. This particular site served as an inspiration for the monastery in my first book.

I don’t think there’s enough time in one week to see all of the beautiful and unique spots in Miami. You must stay longer if you want to experience the beaches, shopping, historical sites, hidden gems, dining, and everything else there is to see and do in such a great city.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to send a heartfelt shoutout to my wonderful children, Kristen and Colin, who encouraged me to start writing. Your belief in me has been my greatest inspiration.

A huge thank you to Renfroe’s Reading Room and the Cozy Mystery Village Facebook Group for your unwavering loyalty. Your support and enthusiasm mean the world to me.

I’d also like to acknowledge Heather Harrison for her invaluable contribution and, of course, all of my readers. I couldn’t do it without your support.

Thank you all!

Website: https://www.imrenfroe.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imrenfroe/

Twitter: https://x.com/IleanaRenfroe

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/imrenfroe/

Other: https://www.facebook.com/groups/cozymysteryvillage

https://www.facebook.com/groups/renfroesreadingroom

Image Credits
Ileana Muñoz Renfroe

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