Publishers can have funny rules. For instance, when should a writer use her real name and when is a pen name required? Edith Maxwell is one such writer. She’s been nominated for an Agatha, and writes four different series. Under her own name, she writes the Local Foods Mysteries and the Quaker Midwife Mysteries; under Maddie Day, she writes the Country Store Mysteries; and the Lauren Rousseau Mysteries are written as Tace Baker.
In her latest Country Store Mystery, “Grilled for Murder,” Maxwell said the theme is similar to many cozy mysteries—an outsider comes to town. “Our chef-carpenter, Robbie Jordan, is a twenty-something Californian who moved to her late mother’s hometown to nurse a broken heart and build a career as a chef. The murder victim is also an outsider. So the issue can be seen as how an insular community deals with people from ‘away.’ In a small town, everybody knows everybody else—which can be both good and bad.”
The theme of “Friends rally ‘round” resonates with Maxwell because she’s a Californian transplanted to Indiana, and then to Massachusetts. She also spent a year or more in five other countries—Brazil, Japan, France, Mali, and Burkina Faso.
Maxwell said the idea for the series came from when she was a doctoral student in linguistics at Indiana University in southern Indiana. “A fellow grad student dropped out of the program and bought a run-down general store in the next county over, scenic Brown County. He and his girlfriend fixed it up and opened a breakfast restaurant, and later a bed-and-breakfast. They no longer own the Story Inn, but that was my inspiration for the Country Store Mysteries.”
Recently Maxwell returned to the store to take pictures. She said, “The interior of Robbie Jordan’s store, Pans ‘N Pancakes, is modeled on the inside of the Story Inn. I made up a fictional town in the county, South Lick, after I spied South Lick Creek Road in Brown County. I loved being back in southern Indiana, which in some ways is more Kentucky than Indiana. My Maxwell ancestors moved there from Kentucky and founded Indiana University, so I have deep roots there—which is why when I say ‘root,’ the vowel rhymes with the vowel in ‘book.’”
These books seem to have really struck a chord with readers. Maybe it’s the idea of the mostly idyllic midwestern village with a slower pace of life.
Maxwell thinks writing fiction is one of the best possible jobs. “There’s nothing more magical than following my characters around and writing down what they do and then being surprised by something I just typed. And I love hearing from readers about any of my series. Despite having eleven published mysteries out in the world—the most recent two today: “Grilled for Murder” and “Murder Most Fowl,” I’m still thrilled to hear from a fan that they liked my story. It gives me goosebumps, a grin, and a few tears of joy all at once.”
“I wrote much of this book during the Massachusetts extreme-weather winter of 2015,” Maxwell said. “We had one hundred and ten inches of snow, and the flume that is normally our deck stairs was over ten feet high. And I loved it. I no longer commute to a day job—writing murder fiction is my job—so I just sat upstairs in my cozy office and typed. Sure, I went out to help my guy shovel when we got fresh snow, but mostly I just watched white stuff fall. It was lovely and we never lost power.”
The Country Store Mysteries series has been renewed for three more books. Maxwell is both excited and gratified. She said, “These books seem to have really struck a chord with readers. Maybe it’s the idea of the mostly idyllic midwestern village with a slower pace of life. Maybe it’s the voice, which came out funnier than my other books. Maybe it’s the recipes, although my Local Foods Mysteries have recipes, too. I don’t care—I’m just happy to keep writing these stories.”
Early Bird Bonus Code: LoveCozies
So what’s with all those names? Publishers most likely call it branding. Readers may call it arbitrary. Either way, depending upon what she’s writing, Maxwell might be called one of three names: Edith, Maddie, or Tace.
“It started with my first two books,” Maxwell said. “I received my Local Foods Mysteries contract from Kensington Publishing at the same time a small press, Barking Rain, was about to offer me a contract for ‘Speaking of Murder,’ the first Lauren Rousseau mystery. Kensington used my birth name, Edith Maxwell, as author of ‘A Tine to Live, A Tine to Die,’ but required me to use a pen name for the other series. So Tace Baker was born.”
Later, her editor at Kensington accepted Maxwell’s proposal for the Country Store Mysteries, but told her she needed to use a pen name for the series. As a result, Maxwell created the name Maddie Day. Lest all these names become terribly confusing, Maxwell found a simple solution.
“Nobody said I couldn’t link all my names, so I do. Information, fun facts, and glowing reviews about all my writing, including my short stories, can be found on my web site, www.edithmaxwell.com.”
Book & a Latte Contest
What: This month, Edith is giving away two books, one copy of “Grilled for Murder” and one copy of “Murder Most Fowl.” I’m adding two $5.00 Starbucks gift cards. Two random entries will be chosen as winners. Each winner will receive one book and one gift card.
How to enter: Choose one or more of the options below. Each option gives you an additional chance to win.
Who can enter: This contest is only open to continental US residents over 18 years of age.
When: Contest closes at 12:00 a.m., June 12. Winners will be selected on Sunday, June 12. Selected winners must claim prizes within 72 hours of notification.
Verification of entries: All winning entries are subject to verification.
Really interesting to see how and why all the different author names are used. are you enjoying the surge of popularity with cozy mysteries? I feel like that genre of mystery wasn’t really around a few years ago, or at least was branded something different, but now I’m constantly running into it.
Sounds like a fun read
interesting about the author names
Having a website to link the pen names together is a nice concept
It works for me – and otherwise I’d be checking and maintaining too many places. Separate Facebook author pages is bad enough!
Interesting story about having to use different names while writing
Interesting info on the pen names. Thanks for this opportunity.
where do you come up with names for your characters?
Sandra, I find names from all over. Sometimes cemeteries, sometimes the people I’ve known, sometimes they just pop into my head!
Would love to win this contest Love reading Love your website
Thank you for explaining about the pen names. To me, it makes sense in some ways when authors use pen names when they write in different genres – it helps keeps things compartmentalized for their writing (at least mentally). I also understand why different publishers would want a different name for books, especially those release about the same time. I don’t completely understand why you’d need a pen name for a different series in the same genre, with the same publisher, but I can sort of understand the reasoning. I’m just glad you’re so prolific! 🙂
I understand about the need for different pen names especially if an author writes very different genres.especially say if they write erotic books and not lol. But for me if I like an authors style I’ll normally read anything by them
Can’t wait to read the Country Store Mysteries. Thanks for all your hard work in their writing.
Thanks for sharing the great interview. It was fascinating to learn about Edith’s many pen names.
VERY ENJOYABLE INTERVIEW. I LOVE A GOOD MYSTERY AND WILL HAVE TO GET THE BOOK.
Thanks for hosting a great giveaway! I enjoy your blog and books set in Hawaii, and this Edith Maxwell book is super! I’m in… Where do you get your inspiration? Do you have just a ‘devious’ mind?
I guess I do, Kathleen! And a super vivid imagination…
looking forward to reading your book!
Congratulations on getting a contract for three more books. I can’t wait to read them.
Thanks so much, always interesting reading these blogs!
Whether she writes as Edith Maxwell or Maddie Day, her readers can be guaranteed a good book to read. Thank you for including Edith on your blog.
Awesome looking book. Love the cover!
Thank you so much for sharing your story with us.
I’m so glad we have people who can write these books. I’m always amazed at all of the plots and the dialogue that they have to carry through a book (and maybe into another). I’ll just sit back and enjoy reading them. thanks.
Love reading your blog- always find something new 🙂
Very interesting article!!! I always wondered why authors used different names.
Thanks for the chance to win one of your books. And thanks Terry for the interview.
You are welcome, Carol. Wish I had a copy for each of you!
Terry, always enjoy your posts. Learn something new – and sometimes scary. We have to be so vigilant. As for Edith Maxwell, how she can keep all those series going is amazing, but I’m glad she does. Thanks for the posts and the giveaway.
Wow, what a confusing time an author can have trying to remember who they are for different series of books. I sort of understand it though – keep the readers brains straight on who is writing their favorite book series. I really enjoyed reading this interview. Thank you for having such fun and informative pieces
Thanks Debra, I’m glad you liked it. I always try to keep these entertaining!
If I had more than one name I would need coffee for all personalities involved. I’ve just discovered Maddie/Edith when I won an ARC of Grilled for Murder, a great book. Looking forward to some good reads.
Enjoy your posts on my email. I still have trouble remembering the different names Edith Maxwell uses.
I would have to have at least two cups of coffee before I knew who I was in the mornings. That’s why I can’t use pen names… 🙂
Looking forward to reading! Edith: What is your favorite part of being an author?
Hi Brooke, just saw this question. The best part is hearing from readers that they were transported by my stories. That means so much to me. The next best is when the story takes over – I’m typing and something happens. I have NO idea why or where it’s going next, but I need to follow it up. It’s magic, and doesn’t happen all the time, but when it does I just sit back, smile, and then get back to work.
I loved the backstory Edith & Terry, thank you!
You are welcome!
Just added this to my TBR list and can’t to read it.
Thanks so much, Becky.
Great series. Can’t wait to read “Grilled for Murder”. Thanks for the chance.
Thanks!
Love the Maddie Day series. Anxious to read the new release. Fingers crossed!
Thanks so much, Stacie!
Nothing better than a book giveaway and a latte. I enjoyed the article about Edith/Maddie/Tace!
Thanks Celia…pen names can become so confusing! I would probably have to wear T-shirts with the different names so I knew who I was on any particular day…:-)
At least one author that I read uses different pen names for each type of book she writes.
That’s a common method, Karin, especially if the types are really different – cozy mysteries and sci fi, for example.
How interesting.
Thanks!
Does it get confusing to keep all those names straight!?
Not really. Because I know they are all me! Plus, Tace Baker is on a very long sabbatical. So it’s just me and Maddie in the front seat. ;^)