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BOOKS
AGATHA AWARD WINNER
Best First Novel
Cheddar off Dead
Available Now!
Paperback, e-book, & Audible
Gone for Gouda
Available Now!
Paperback, e-book, & Audible
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WOMAN'S WORLD MAGAZINE'S
BOOK CLUB PICK
Curds Of Prey
Available Now!
Paperback, e-book, & Audible
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PARADE MAGAZINE'S
BOOKS WE LOVE
Case of the Bleus
Available Now!
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AGATHA AWARD FINALIST
BEST CONTEMPORARY NOVEL
WOMAN'S WORLD MAGAZINE'S
BOOK CLUB PICK
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"Plenty of cheese lore enriches a mystery that’s puzzling in more ways than one." -- Kirkus review
Fondue or Die
Available Now!
2025 AGATHA AWARD NOMINEE
BEST CONTEMPORARY NOVEL
NAMED ONE OF CRIMEREADS'
7 MODERN COZIES TO LOOK FORWARD TO IN 2024
Bait and Swiss
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Coming April 29, 2025
Editing & Coaching Services
I specialize in cozy and traditional mysteries. With my experience writing a cozy mystery series for a Big 5 publisher, I have the inside track on what editors, agents, and readers are looking for in a cozy mystery. Whether you're a new writer hoping to be traditionally or independently published, or you're an established writer wanting some guidance with a manuscript, I can help you strengthen your book.
I’m Korina Moss and I write the Cheese Shop Mystery series for St. Martin’s Press, an imprint of Macmillan Publishing, one of the Big 5 publishers. Having written six books in my series, I know the expectations of a Big 5 editor. One of my strong suits for cozy mystery writers is making sure your manuscript has the cozy elements needed, while still delivering an exciting and well-plotted mystery. As an Agatha Award winner, an Agatha Award finalist, and a current Agatha Award nominee for Best Contemporary Novel, I can help level up your manuscript, so your theme, characters, and setting stand out. I focus on the balance between an exciting murder mystery and the cozy essentials that keep readers loyal to a series and make agents and editors take notice.
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Manuscript Edit:
Developmental edit, which addresses issues with character, plot, pacing, and for a cozy mystery manuscript, cozy elements. This includes:
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In-document comments
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1-4 page edit letter, describing the main issues in more detail
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Optional: 1 hour FaceTime call to discuss
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I also offer a partial manuscript developmental edit on the first 50 pages.
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Coaching Services:
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For those of you who are just beginning your writing journey or feel stuck in the middle of your mystery manuscript, I will mentor and advise you at your pace through completion.
Please email at korinamossauthor @gmail.com for further details, pricing, and scheduling.
Client Testimonials:
“They [the edits] are perfect because they address such foundational stuff—vital and fixable.”
– Zac Bissonnette, NYT Bestselling author of The Great Beanie Baby Bubble
“Thank you so much for your extensive and invaluable feedback on my draft. I am so glad I asked you to read my manuscript.” – Marianne
“[I] wanted to send a sincere thank you--for sharing your expertise and for your direct and honest approach. I know the book will be so much stronger because of it.” – Kathy
Megan Gerig
Korina Moss's editing knowledge of cozy mystery stories is worth its weight in gold. Her careful eye pointed out several areas in my cozy mystery manuscript that needed strengthening and helped me create a story that I was so much more confident pitching to agents and publishers. Not only was her advice excellent, but her kind comments also gave me the encouragement I needed to keep working hard on my writing! I truly cannot recommend her enough as an editor!
Adrian Andover
I am extremely grateful for Korina's thoughtful and detail-oriented developmental feedback on my cozy mystery manuscript. Korina's feedback was informed by her experience as an author in traditional publishing, giving me insights into what agents, editors, and readers expect from a satisfying cozy mystery. As an indie author, this perspective was invaluable, helping me craft a story that can stand alongside others in the market while maintaining my unique voice. Korina has a deep understanding of the mechanics of mysteries, and her suggestions helped me improve characterization, pacing, stakes, and logic. As I read through and incorporated her feedback, it was clear she was invested in my success as an author and believed in my story. If you're looking for a developmental editor who loves the genre and puts the story first, look no further than Korina Moss.
Desiree DiFabio
Korina’s knowledge of the mystery structure was a key factor in shaping my manuscript. She’s got a sharp eye for developmental issues and her suggestions inspired my creativity in revisions. The most important thing I learned during our work together is the secret of pacing in a mystery. There’s a formula to it—when the murder happens, how many suspects are just right, how deep a character’s back story should go in connection to the murder—while also endearing the town and its inhabitants to the reader so they want to keep coming back. It’s a delicate balance and Korina is a pro as evidenced by the success of her Cheese Shop Mysteries.
Another valuable and productive lesson I learned from her is to SLOW DOWN! Writing is not a race, but the desire to get the book done and published pulls very strongly at an author. Korina continually advised me to sit with the story a little, think about her suggestions before jumping in, and take the time to get it right. Because of her extensive understanding of the differences between a cozy and traditional mystery, I found my place in this genre. The edited manuscript secured my fabulous agent who is about to send the book out on submission to publishers. I’m so appreciative of Korina’s guidance and highly recommend her to any mystery writer in need of developmental edits.
Michelle Lovato
After thirty years as a professional journalist, moving seamlessly to a fiction environment was not as easy as I expected. Korina Moss, my 2024 Sisters in Crime mentor, helped me bridge the massive gap between straightforward fact-based writing and the wonderful world of cozy fiction. Korina's developmental editing skills were impeccable. She helped me start my cozy fiction series from scratch and offered helpful input and exercises that made my characters spring to life. Her inspiration allowed me to create a charming world of loveable characters.
Korina's kind, firm hand guided each step of my writing process and transformed me from an amateur fiction writer to a professional. I could count on her strong, honest, respectful feedback, and solid current industry advice. Her insight was crucial. Korina made respectful suggestions, leaving the decision-making to me, the author. Korina's patience was unending, and she helped me raise my work to maturity.
In addition, Korina kept my work from continued derailment through her sharp understanding of the niche cozy mystery market and the desires of its readers. I would pay her anything she asked because her service was that valuable.
BIO
For the past several years, Korina has been on her own Eat, Pray, Love journey, which seems to have stalled at the Eat phase. When not writing, editing, or sampling new cheeses (a perk of the job), she can be found with a new favorite cozy, doing jigsaw puzzles, or discovering new travel destinations. She has an affinity (some might say 'addiction') to coffee mugs, loves cats, and can't pass up a new notebook or journal with all those fresh, empty pages.
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KORINA MOSS is the author of the Cheese Shop cozy mystery series set in Sonoma Valley, including the Agatha Award winner of the Best First Novel, Cheddar Off Dead, the Agatha Award finalist for Best Contemporary Novel, Case of the Bleus, and current 2025 Agatha Award nominee for Best Contemporary Novel, Fondue or Die. Listed as one of USA Today's "Best Cozy Mystey Series," her books are also featured in PARADE Magazine, Woman’s World Magazine, and Writer's Digest.
​Korina is also a freelance developmental editor specializing in cozy and traditional mysteries. For more information, visit the Editing Services section of this website or contact her at korinamossauthor@gmail.com
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Events
Click on event for link if available
Live Virtual YouTube Event
Cheddar Off Dead Book & Author Chat
Date: Friday, March 28th
Time: 7:30 PM ET
In-Person Event
Fondue or Die Book Club & Author Chat
Date: Tuesday, April 8th
Time: 6:00 PM
Place: Windsor Locks Public Library
28 Main Street, Windsor Locks, CT
FREE. Please register at windsorlockslibrary.org/programs
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In-Person Event
Malice Domestic Fan Convention
Date: Friday, April 25 - Sunday, April 27​
Register at malicedomestic.net
*Fondue or Die nominated for Best Contemporary Mystery
In-Person Event
Book Club & Author Chat of New Release, Bait and Swiss
​Date: Thursday, Mayb 29th
Time: 7:00 PM
Place: Barnes & Noble, Enfield Commons,
25 Hazard Ave, Enfield, CT
FREE. Please register at barnesandnoble.com
In-Person Weekend Event
Ashland Mystery Festival
Date: Thursday, Oct 16 - Sunday Oct 19
Place: Ashland, OR
More info and tickets at ashlandmysteryfest.com
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Praise for the Cheese Shop Mystery series
Prepare to be charmed... A thoroughly enjoyable read!
Carolyn Haines
USA TodayBestselling Author of the
Sarah Booth Delaney mysteries
A delightfully relatable cheesemonger, handsome detective, and string of salty suspects, make Cheddar Off Dead a winning start to what is sure to be a deliciously addictive mystery series.
Bree Baker
Author of the
Seaside Cafe mysteries
A fresh, complex mystery with a fabulous heroine.
Cate Conte
Author of the
Cat Cafe mysteries
A series that readers will be eager to revisit.
Brian Kenney
Librarian,
Former editor of
Library Journal,
School Library Journal.
Co-founder of
First Clue
A pure delight... Willa charmed me to the core!
Linda Reilly
Author of the
Grilled Cheese Mysteries
A must-read story!
Maddie Day
Agatha award-winning Author of the
Quaker Midwife Mysteries
Plenty of cheese lore enriches a mystery that’s puzzling in more ways than one.
Kirkus Review
of Case of the Bleus
Agatha Award WINNER
Best First Mystery Novel
Cheddar Off Dead
Woman's World Magazine's
Book Club Pick
Gone For Gouda
Parade Magazine's
Don't Miss List
Books We Love
Curds of Prey
Woman's World Magazine's Book Club Pick
Agatha Award finalist
Case of the Bleus
CONTACT
Korina is represented by Jill Marsal of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.
For media inquiries, please contact Jill@MarsalLyonLiteraryAgency.com
or publicist Sara LaCotti sara.lacotti@stmartins.com.
For other inquiries, including Korina's editorial services, contact her directly at korinamossauthor @gmail.com
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