Feeding Hills resident Judy Cosby in her home office. She is currently immersed in writing her third book in a paranormal mystery series.
Reminder Publishing photo by Mike Lydick
AGAWAM — Judy Cosby was 13 when her parents gave her a journal for Christmas. It inspired her to put into writing a promise to someday write a book and become a published author.
It took more than 40 years to fulfill that promise — a memoir that chronicled her journey of self-awareness that began as a youngster growing up in Feeding Hills. Published in 2018, it was titled “Threads.”
Following “Threads,” Cosby went on to write two more books that reflected her evolving creative journey. “Spirit Threads,” published in 2019, also explored themes of connection and personal growth. In 2020, she released “Weaving Threads of Gratitude,” a reflective journal designed to inspire mindfulness and appreciation during uncertain times.
Then Cosby shifted her focus to writing fiction. In 2023, she published “The Attachment,” which was followed by “The Entrapment” in 2024. Both are paranormal mysteries that feature a young sleuth, Eliza Grey, who has a supernatural gift of knowing unseen things.
Switching genres marked a new chapter in her growth as a writer and storyteller. But it also felt like a bit of a gamble, Cosby said. “I had built a loyal following through my inspirational memoirs, and I truly loved connecting with readers on that personal, heartfelt level. However, this fictional storyline had been floating around in my mind, and I really wanted to bring it to life.”
“The Attachment” took Cosby about two years to write, largely because she was climbing the learning curve of writing strong, compelling fiction. “I had the story clearly in my head, but it was the mechanics — structure, pacing, character development — that really challenged me and slowed the process.”
Writing “The Entrapment,” however, came together quicker. It only took a year to write — primarily because by then she had a better grasp on the storytelling technique. Also, the characters were already well-developed from the first book. Cosby also gained a firmer understanding of what makes a mystery truly engaging for readers.
When Cosby made the leap of faith to write fiction, she didn’t see it as leaving something behind, but more as expanding her creativity.
“Fiction gave me a new canvas to explore. It was both a challenge and a thrill. I think that sense of risk really energized my writing,” said Cosby, who has self-published all her books.
The storyline of “The Attachment” was inspired in part by a personal experience Cosby had as a child, but it’s also deeply rooted in Cosby’s love for the Newport, Rhode Island, coastline and its rich, evocative history. Similarly, “The Entrapment” weaves in elements from her own life, as well as her fascination with the Gilded Age and the social elite of that era in Newport as well as her love of touring old cemeteries and reading the inscriptions on headstones.
“I’ve always had a vivid imagination, and I often find inspiration for characters and storylines in the everyday moments and encounters that most people might overlook. For me, history and personal experience naturally intertwine to shape compelling narratives,” said Cosby. A Rhode Island native, she moved to Feeding Hills when she was 3 and still lives there with her husband Craig.
One of the biggest challenges Cosby faced was the realization of just how different writing fiction — especially dialogue — can be from other forms of writing. “I had to think carefully about the voice I wanted for Eliza. After some reflection, I chose a third-person omniscient narrative. It just felt like the right fit for how I wanted her story to be told,” said Cosby.
Another challenge for her was crafting dialogue that felt natural and flowed smoothly. Cosby wanted the conversations to feel real, not forced. “I wouldn’t say I was nervous starting the book — writing brings me a lot of joy — but I’ll admit, once it was finished, that’s when the nerves kicked in. I just really hoped it would be seen as a good book.”
Despite her initial anxiety, Cosby is “extremely pleased” with the success of the book series and its sales. “The Attachment” reached the top five in new releases on Amazon while “The Entrapment” reached the top 10 in Gilded Age Mysteries. She said a real highlight this year was having both books selected as “Kate’s Recommended Summer Reads” by Cooper’s Gifts in Agawam. That nomination helped to significantly boost summer sales.
Her characters are inspired by real-life situations or people she’s observed over time. Cosby created Eliza as a person who is “confident, funny and undeniably flawed” — but above all, relatable. “Eliza’s the kind of woman who can indulge in decadent desserts without gaining a pound, and, somehow, we all know someone like that.”
Murphy, her sidekick, a Great Pyrenees, was an unplanned addition. But once the dog appeared on the page, Cosby said he immediately brought out new dimensions in Eliza’s personality. “His presence really helped to highlight her quirks, charm and emotional depth in a way I hadn’t anticipated.”
Cosby wrote the books in a way that would resonate with a broad demographic, generally targeting adults aged 18 to 65. However, based on engagement metrics and audience feedback, she observed that the core of her following tends to fall within the 25 to 65 age range. “This insight has helped me tailor my messaging and content style to better connect with that audience.”
Her original goal has always been to write five books in the series. “It’s definitely a challenge — I’m constantly striving to avoid redundancy while continuing to elevate both the storyline and the characters. I’m currently immersed in book three, and it’s been incredibly rewarding to see how the characters are evolving and how many new characters have emerged.”
When the series concludes, Cosby is looking forward to making another change in her writing into a completely different genre. “I’m about to become a first-time grandmother, which has me over the moon. That joy has inspired me to explore writing a children’s book. I already have an idea taking shape in my mind. I can’t wait to bring it to life.”
All of her books are available on Amazon, as well as at Coopers and Re-Inspired in Southwick. The “Threads” series is also available through Barnes & Noble. Readers can follow Cosby on her website at judycosby.com, on Facebook, Facebook.com/JudithAnnCosby and on Instagram, @judy.r.cosby.
