Elle Wren Burke is a paranormal cozy mystery author who writes witty, fun books with strong females as protagonists. She is the author of Mediums & Murder, the first installment in the Prickly Pear Psychic Mystery series. I got the chance to feature Elle in the October 5, 2021 edition of the Cluelestter.
Read on for info about Elle’s books, as well as her thoughts on self-publishing, cozy writing habits, and paranormal mystery recommendations.
Sleuths can grab Mediums & Murder on Amazon and connect with Elle on Facebook, Instagram, and via her newsletter. Keep an eye out for Tea & Talismans, the second installment in the series, which launches November 17!
Hi, Elle! Let’s start with your new book, Mediums & Murder, in which reluctant psychic Alara Beatty gets involved in the murder of a close coworker. Where did you get the inspiration for Alara and her psychic powers?
Alara just popped into my head one day! I’ve always loved reading books featuring psychics, so I thought, why not write my own? I loved the idea of Alara coming into her abilities at a young age, but I wanted the story to feel authentic. It would be scary and isolating to have psychic experiences at a young age, so Alara tried very hard to push her gifts away. With such a strong desire to be normal, I knew that Alara would only wield her gifts for a cause close to her heart, such as the murder of a friend. Of course, Alara needs support and guidance, so I gave her a long-lost psychic aunt to help her develop her clairvoyance and a couple of dogs to make her feel better at the end of the day.
A paranormal cozy mystery is a perfect read during Halloween season. Do you have any other cozies, paranormal or otherwise, that you’d recommend for the fall season?
Yes! I’m a big fan of Amy Boyles—she’s another indie author who writes paranormal cozies. Southern Karma, book 6 of her Sweet Tea Witches series, takes place at Halloween, but the witchy setting of the whole series is great for the fall season. I also recommend the Mitzy Moon series by Trixie Silvertale. The sassy, smart main character inherits a bookshop in Michigan and upon arrival discovers her paranormal heritage. Lastly, I’m a big fan of Gigi Pandian’s The Accidental Alchemist series. Her descriptions of the Portland setting make me want to curl up with a cup of tea—perfect for fall—and one of the characters is a sentient gargoyle!
Your second book, Tea & Talismans, comes out November 17. What can you tell us about this sequel?
I’m very excited for this installment, as we get to meet Alara’s biological mother, uncle, and cousin and they are quite a hoot. Alara is pretty nervous to meet them, but she doesn’t have much time to dwell on it, as her cousin Todd receives a death threat shortly after arriving. Alara uses new psychic investigation techniques along with old fashioned sleuthing to search for the person threatening Todd. I can promise hilarious antics and a mystery woven with family secrets and lies. And Alara’s love interest Rudi might just be back to join in on the fun!
What have you learned about the publishing process? Has it been a rewarding experience for you? Do you have any tips?
Self-publishing is scary, but also very fulfilling. I feel like I’ve learned so much about it, but I know there’s so much more to learn. One of the most important things I’ve learned is to stop overthinking everything. I worked with a mentor who called me out on getting lost in the details and she was right!
Lastly, I have to ask—what are your go-to writing traditions?
I always try to write in my Harry Potter themed office, but sometimes I end up writing on the couch! Either way, my Pitbull Lucy joins me. I need near silence to write—no music or TV for me. I love writing with a cup of coffee or tea. Usually coffee, but for Tea & Talismans, I had to opt for tea more often!
Thanks so much to Elle for the interview. Sleuths, I hope you enjoyed! If you aren’t already subscribed, please be sure to sign up for the Cluesletter and get author features alongside other mystery goodies.