In this episode, we sit down with Simone and Peter Stier, the dynamic husband-and-wife duo behind the Cafe Crimes cozy mystery book series. Discover how their real-life move from Los Angeles to the charming town of Fuquay-Varina inspired their bestselling novels set in the fictional Magnolia Grove. Learn about their writing process, transition from corporate jobs to full-time authorship, and how they successfully navigated the self-publishing world to become Amazon bestsellers. Whether you're an aspiring author or a fan of cozy mysteries, this episode is packed with insights, inspiration, and a bit of humor. Don't miss it!
00:00 Welcome to Fuquay-Varina: A Cozy Town with a Twist
01:22 Meet the Authors: Simone and Peter Stier
01:42 The Inspiration Behind Magnolia Grove
02:32 From Big City to Small Town: Parker Hayes' Journey
03:09 The Dream Coffee Shop
04:53 Writing and Editing as a Team
10:19 The Cozy Culinary Mystery Genre
12:49 Moving from LA to Fuquay: A Life Change
16:56 Fuquay's Influence on Magnolia Grove
17:33 Incorporating Real People and Places
18:52 Self-Publishing Journey
20:48 Challenges and Triumphs in Publishing
23:29 Marketing and Business of Writing
29:43 Lightning Round Questions
32:10 Future Projects and Inspirations
33:28 Conclusion and Where to Find Us