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At ReaderCrate, we’re all about celebrating the magic of stories — and the storytellers behind them. That’s why I was so thrilled to sit down with the incredibly prolific (and cozy!) author P.D. Workman for an evening chat as part of our 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways.
If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to publish over 135 books across multiple genres — including cozy mysteries, thrillers, YA fiction, and more — you’re in for a treat. P.D. shared her writing journey, her process, and even some fun behind-the-scenes inspiration that brings her small towns and quirky characters to life.
P.D.’s story began the way many great author journeys do — with a childhood full of scribbled stories and stapled-together books. She always knew she wanted to write. But it wasn’t until her former boss (a lawyer she worked with for over 25 years) mentioned retiring that she started to wonder… “What’s next for me?”
She gave herself five years to explore indie publishing — and within seven, she was a full-time author. Since then, she's published over a dozen series, including her beloved Auntie Clem’s Bakery and the magical Reg Rollins, Psychic Investigator.
Many readers know P.D. best for her Auntie Clem’s Bakery series, which kicks off with Gluten-Free Murder. What started as a title idea turned into a clever, quirky, small-town cozy mystery filled with baking, friendship, and — of course — murder.
The gluten-free theme? That came from real life. P.D. has food allergies and was doing a lot of experimental baking at the time. So blending recipes with red herrings felt like a natural (and delicious) fit.
And don’t be fooled — this sweet little town of Bald Eagle Falls has plenty of secrets.
“Some characters seem sharp but are sweet inside. Others look friendly — and have deep, dark secrets. Sound familiar?”
— P.D. Workman
If you like a little magic with your mystery, P.D.’s Reg Rollins, Psychic Investigator series adds a paranormal twist — complete with witches, elves, and plenty of oddball charm. It’s her “anything goes” universe and was a huge hit with fans who love fantasy-infused cozies.
She also writes psychological thrillers, medical mysteries, and YA fiction with important themes like addiction, trauma, and recovery. But no matter the genre, there’s always one thread that ties her books together: empathy.
“I want readers to feel. I want them to be entertained, but also see themselves in the stories.”
— P.D. Workman
P.D. writes three sessions a day — and her ever-watchful cat Q-Tip is always nearby. (Or more likely, supervising.) Described as both cuddly and fierce, Q-Tip walks on a leash, chases off Dobermans, and might just hiss at strangers. Her antics often inspire the feline characters in P.D.’s books.
And yes, she talks back.
Writing 14–16 books a year takes planning, and P.D. has it down to a science. She uses Obsidian for outlining, Vellum for formatting, and even keeps a “series wiki” to track her plots, characters, and open loops. (Authors, take note!)
But even with all that structure, she still lets the story surprise her.
“I loosely plot the first two acts. But I rarely know how it’s going to end — I like to discover it as I write.”
Our cozy mystery book club is diving into Gluten-Free Murder this month — and we can’t wait to explore Bald Eagle Falls. If you’re new to P.D.’s books, she recommends starting with book one in a series, but all her books are written to stand alone, too.
And if you’re looking for a thoughtful, reader-focused indie author to follow — she’s on all major platforms as @pdworkmanauthor.
Our January Cozy Crime Crate is packed with mystery, warmth, and exclusive author gifts — including a hardcover book with sprayed edges (a rare treat in the cozy mystery world!) and plenty of bookish goodies to enjoy by the fire.
Crates ship the first week of January — the perfect post-holiday pick-me-up.
📦 Grab Yours at readercrate.com »
And keep an eye out for more featured authors like P.D. Workman in upcoming crates. After all, the best part of reading is sharing it with fellow cozy fans.
