A couple of months ago I received a letter from an agent I'd queried. She began by telling me how much she enjoyed my writing and my voice. I was elated. Then she proceeded to tell me that she was passing on my manuscript because she didn't feel she could sell it in the current cozy market because the protagonist wasn't original enough.
Okay, my protag is a caterer ----point taken. But culinary cozies sell, right? I don't particularly want to change her occupation, but I'm open to suggestions--as long as I don't have to go back to school to learn the profession myself.
The agent's comment got me thinking and I did some research on cozies and the occupations/hobbies represented. The list is exhaustive:
- Accountant, Financial Advisor, & Investment Banker
- Actor & Actress
- Anthropologist or Archaeologist
- Antiquing
- Attorney/Judge/D.A.
- Author
- Backpacking/Camping
- Bed & Breakfast, Boarding House, Hotel Owner
- Bookstore Owner, Publisher, Illustrator
- Camper/Backpacker
- Candle Making
- Card Player (Poker, Bridge, Gambling, & Card Games)
- Coffeehouse and Tea Shop Owner
- Crafter (Quilter, Beader, Scrapbook-er, Decoupager, Card Maker)
- Crossword Puzzle Editor
- Dancer
- Doll/Teddy Bear Maker/Collector/Seller
- Dollhouse Miniatures Collector
- Foodie (Chef, Caterer, Cook, Baker, Cheese maker, Butcher)
- Gardener/Farmer
- Genealogist
- Golfer/Golf Pro
- Home Repair Expert/Enthusiast
- House Keeper, Cleaner, Maid
- Interior Design
- Journalists
- Laundromat Owner
- Librarian
- Medical Field Practitioner (doctor, nurse, midwife, psychologist, psychiatrist, herbalist, apothecary, ambulance driver, medical fraud investigator, medical examiner, deputy coroner, forensic pathologist, forensic anthropologist, forensic sculptor, hospital patient representative, forensic psychiatrist, meal delivery program director, undertaker, alternative healer, naturopathic doctor)
- Musician
- NASCAR Enthusiast
- Needlework/Needlecraft/Knitting Shop Owner/Enthusiast
- Pet Lover
- Photographer
- Private Investigator
- Professional Organizer
- Quilter
- Realtor
- Religious (Priest, Nun, Wife of Pastor, Pastor, Rabbi, Rabbi' Wives, Shaker)
- Soap Maker
- Stay-at-Home Mom &/or Housewife AND Stay at Home Dad &/or Househusband
- Sudoku Champion/Creator
- Teachers
- Tour Guide / Cruise Ship Employee
- Veterinarian
- Wedding Planner
- Witch/Ghost/Vampire