Author Carmela Dutra

09/08/2026

Thank you, readers! And of course, huge thanks to Cozy Crime Reads for sharing 🐔🩵

Here are six more reader recommended cozy mysteries for your TBR. I have read four out of six of them (and loved them) and can't wait to try the other two!

🔎 Peanut Butter Twist by Ellie Webster

🔎 Assaulted Caramel by Amanda Flower 

🔎 A Very Woodsy Murder by Ellen Byron 

🔎 Beatrice Ophelia is Flickering Out by Megan Gerig 

🔎 A Murder Most Fowl by Carmela Dutra 

🔎 The Channel Islands Bake-Off Murder by Ashley Cain

Thanks to all of the cozy readers who shared these book recommendations!! I appreciate it so much!

Are there any on the list that you want to try or do you have your own mystery book rec for a future list? (Self recs from cozy mystery authors are always welcome!)

More reader recs coming soon!

🔎📚❤️

09/08/2026

An Author’s Guide is back!
👩🏼‍💻
I started this blog series with a six-part guide to querying literary agents. Where I shared my experience from 197 rejections, signing with my agent, etc.

Now I’m bringing the series back with a whole new look and a whole new chapter: submission.

I’ve updated the entire An Author’s Guide series (including my full query letter that got me 27 requests is shared!) and am now sharing what happened after I signed with my agent—from preparing for submission to going on sub, getting The Call, signing my contract, and everything that comes next.

I’ll be sharing a new post once a month, taking you behind the scenes of my publishing journey and sharing what I’ve learned along the way.

The newest post is live now: The Call. ☎️

https://l1nq.com/uhezmqo

09/07/2026

Happy Monday, friends! ☕🔎

It may be a holiday weekend, but that doesn’t stop !

Cozy Mystery Rule #33
Every small town has one person who has lived there long enough to remember EVERYTHING.

They remember who dated whom in high school.
Why the bakery changed owners in 1998.
That one argument everyone else conveniently forgot.

And if you need to know what happened twenty years ago? You know exactly who to ask.

🔎 Mystery Monday Question:

What would you ask first the town gossip first? And make it juicy!

09/04/2026

Did I do this trend right? 🤷🏼‍♀️ Anything we have in common or are we saying goodbye?

09/03/2026

“Don’t judge a book by its cover.”

Okay, but have you seen some of these covers?!

We judge everything. Restaurants, movies, w**e, dating profiles… Books are not getting a free pass.

But a quick note from your friendly neighborhood trade author. We often have very little say over our covers, so please don’t judge us by the decisions of others.

#ｑｏｔｄ Have you ever picked up a book solely because you loved the cover?

09/02/2026

Your September newsletter has landed! If you’re part of my Kluckin’ Clue News Crew, you won’t want to miss September’s newsletter! There’s a two book giveaway inside waiting for you to enter.
🐔
Not part of my News Crew yet? Don’t worry! Head over to carmeladutra.com/newsletter to sign up. I never spam, and my monthly newsletter often contains exclusive goodies like behind-the-scenes looks, early announcements, and giveaways! Lots of giveaways! Come join us, you’ll have a clucking good time!

09/02/2026

Congratulations 🎊 to my dear friend, Catherine Michaels - Author

Well, this was a lovely way to start September. 🥉🌊

I’m thrilled to share that WISHES ON THE WAVES has won a 2026 Readers’ Favorite 🥉BRONZE MEDAL🥉 in Contemporary Romance!

When I sent Annie and Cal’s story out into the world this spring, I hoped readers would connect with two people discovering that life can still surprise you, even after it hasn’t gone according to plan. Seeing their story recognized like this means more than I can say.

And it belongs, in part, to everyone who has visited Gull Island, recommended the book, left a review, sent me a note, or told a friend, “You might like this one.”

Thank you for helping this little island story make some waves. 💙 Beyond grateful!

Haven’t visited Gull Island yet? Now’s a pretty good time. 😉 Read 🥉WISHES ON THE WAVES🥉
→ Link in bio/comments. Also on KU for a limited time.

09/01/2026

Holy feathers! I just learned A Murder Most Fowl is 90% off! https://a.co/d/0ax6OpA7

When their late aunt Dolly passes away, twins Beth and Seth Lloyd inherit a chicken themed food truck. Despite the challenges, the siblings rise to the occasion, even going as far as signing up their truck Kluckin’ Good to compete on a top cooking show and ruffle a few feathers for some good p...