Why I Write Cozy Fantasy
Cozy fantasy is exactly what it sounds like, and although I my stories don’t always fall under the “cozy” umbrella, as a reader it’s a go-to, so I can’t help but be influenced by that while I’m writing. Even when set in the mundane world, we find magic, and it’s often the family, friends, and connections that keep me coming back for more. It’s not that difficult topics or themes are avoided altogether, but the overall vibe of the book leaves us feeling warm, cozy, and satisfied when we’re finished reading. There are many ideas about what cozy fantasy is (or isn’t), but this is my take on it.
Why cozy fantasy, in general?
Cozy fantasy reminds us of the comforts of life, whether they be warm drinks or good friends. It’s not about grand battles or epic quests, but rather about characters and worlds that evoke feelings of nostalgia, joy, and wonder. While we may have some stakes that are big to our characters, they’re typically not life or death when it comes to cozy fantasy, and that’s why so many readers have come to love this genre, myself included. And when the stakes are as grand as life or death, we can rest in the knowledge that our characters will be safe in the end. More than anything, I think that promise of a happy ending is one of its defining characteristics, much like how a happily ever after (or happy for now) ending is a prerequisite for the romance genre.
Why I Write Cozy Fantasy
Whether set in a modern urban setting with magical twist, or set in a fully imagined world with fairies and orcs, we’re going to have a story just magical enough to make us see the world through a different lens. Through my writing, I’m not trying to create a complete escape from reality but rather, I like to think of it as invitation for people to explore real-life issues while wandering through worlds where things unfold in magical ways. There's magic in the everyday, and cozy fantasy celebrates these moments. Whether it's a talking animal, a hidden portal, or a magical garden, I write to remind readers that magic exists in the ordinary, waiting to be discovered.
I enjoy the sense of hope and positivity that pours out of cozy stories by the end. They’re a soft reminder that even when magical dramas are present, challenges can be overcome, and joy can be found in the simplest moments. It's a celebration of the belief that, no matter how dark the night, dawn awaits. I recently reread A Psalm For The Wild Built by Becky Chambers, one of my favorite cozy comfort books, and I got that same warm, optimistic feeling at the end that I always do. There are still emotional highs and lows but I know everything is going to be alright for Sibling Dex and Mosscap eventually.
I think that’s because cozy fantasy tends to center around themes of community and friendship. I’ve become more and more interested in the concept of platonic love as equally important to romantic love, which seems to be spreading through many of our real-world communities, and I’ve found that this genre, more than most others, often includes lots of non-romantic relationships. Cozy fantasy highlights the strength of friendship and the importance of supporting one another in the face of challenges. Found family is a popular trope/theme nowadays, and cozy fantasy embraces it full on.
Basically, if I had to sum up the purpose of cozy fantasy for me in general, it's that I can always turn to it when I’m needing some solace and joy. To me, it’s the absolute best to write (and read) stories that offer a sense of familiarity, like a comforting cup of tea on a rainy day. If the story includes a coffee shop, book store, tea, lots of nature, or animal friends, even better! My Taurus sensibilities eat that shit up! In fact, I have an entire list of books I consider “comfort reads” and pretty much all of them would fall into the cozy category. Becky Chambers’s Monk and Robot books mentioned above are a go-to, and I often return to them when I’m needing some inspiration or if I’m finding myself in a reading rut. More than any other genre, cozy fantasy seems to do that for me.
Cozy fantasy lets us step into worlds where we can enjoy everything magical we love about fantasy without the weight of epic battles or dark conflicts (not to say this never happens, but it’s less common). It's a genre that offers a break. There might be meaningful stakes at play, but I’ve found that the real star of cozy fantasy books—besides the happy ending we get as readers—is the relationships we get to watch build along the way. Sometimes they’re familiar, sometimes they’re unlikely, but always they’re satisfying.
So as a writer who does dabble in cozy fantasy, if I can make someone feel that sense of “I remember when,” then I’m happy! Especially if it’s eliciting a childhood memory full of that innocent, open exploration we all engaged in before we were taught not to. Back before we all learned about the real world. Perhaps the one characteristic that most people agree on when defining the hallmarks of this genre is the way cozy fantasy leaves us with a warm and fuzzy feeling (often due to the hopeful nostalgia and whimsy inherent to these stories). It’s fun to read, and it’s fun to write.
In my life in general, I like to create spaces where people feel safe. Now, I can do that through my writing as well. In cozy fantasy we can settle into the story, knowing we’ll be comfortable, satisfied, and uplifted in the end. That’s its own kind of magic!
I have always loved fantasy as a genre, but my discovery of cozy fantasy is a highlight from my past few years, without a doubt. I now have an entire section of my reading list devoted to the subgenre, and I’m always finding delightful new books to add to it. I’m working on writing some reviews of books I’ve loved this past year, and I’m not surprised to see that about a third of them could be considered cozy fantasy. And I’m not alone. Lots of people are loving the warm vibes, so I don’t see this happy little subgenre going anywhere anytime soon.
Happy (cozy) reading!
