Meet author Jann Franklin

I met Jann Franklin at a Scrivenings Press writers’ retreat. She’s an indie writer, and I loved to ask her questions (I plan to self-publish a women’s fiction in 2026). I had a great time getting to know her, so I invited her on the blog for an author interview!

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Jen – Hi Jann! Tell me a bit about yourself!

Jann – Born in Clovis, New Mexico, I moved to Arkansas when I was four, and graduated from Russellville High School. As an adult, I joined a church where the Bible was preached from the pulpit every Sunday, and the people acted on it in their lives. That was life-changing for me, as I had always attended a church that was more about behavior than heart. 

What Jann Franklin writes

 Jen – I know you write cozies, tell us about them!

Jann – I write cozy mysteries with just a little bit of romance and a whole lot of humor. Currently, I have two cozy series published: 

**Small Town Girl Mysteries: Evangeline Delafose is finding Graisseville, Louisiana, just as she remembered—boring and uneventful. Until her brother Nate asks her to help solve a murder.

Follow Ev as she navigates clues, dead bodies, and quirky small-town residents to solve a mystery. And of course, show her little brother that she’s still got it.

If you like cozy mysteries with twists and turns, deep South settings, and a hint of romance, you’ll love this series! Let’s not forget quirky yet charming characters who remind you of family—sometimes you want to hug them, and sometimes you want to disown them. Enjoy small-town Graisseville with Ev as she solves crime with help from her family and friends. This is a clean, faith-based read with no profanity, sex, or graphic violence.

Muffalettas and Murder is the first of the Small-Town Girl Mystery Series.

Jen’s opinion on Muffalettas and Murder

Jen – I’ll throw in my two cents here, too. I really enjoyed Muffalettas and Murder! The setting was amazing, and following Ev as she solves the mystery is a lot of fun!

Another series by Jann Franklin

**Three Dog Mysteries (one book with the second coming in September). Ro can’t boil an egg or keep a plant alive, but she can solve a mystery. 

I’ve also published a trilogy, Small Town Girl. Jen escaped the small-town life only to find herself once again living without a coffee shop and food delivery. Life throws you curveballs, but you’ve got to keep swinging. 

Currently, I’m editing book two of the Three Dog Mysteries, “Innkeepers and Imposters,” due out this fall. And I’m starting a crossover book with both my amateur sleuths solving a mystery together, titled “Alligators and Arson.” It should be out next spring. 

All my books are on Amazon, and your favorite online book seller. 

Jann’s writing habits

Jen – as a fellow author, I often ask other authors about their writing habits.

Jann – I’m a Plantser 😊 I start with a fairly detailed outlined (Plotter), but I follow my characters and the story—and sometimes they take me another direction (Pantser.) My best time to write is in the morning, after my second cup of coffee has kicked in and I’ve finished my Bible study. Both of these habits make my writing much smoother. 

Research for Jann Franklin’s books

Jen – I love that. I”m a panster with a tiny bit of plotter in there! Tell us about the research you do for your cozies.

Jann – I do a little research, mostly on the food and culture of South Louisiana. Since I’m not from Louisiana and I live in the northwest corner near Shreveport, I have to learn about these facts from the internet. Recently, my husband and I vacationed in the south, where my books are based, and that was a lot of fun to see and hear and taste what I’ve been writing about. 

Jen – What are your goals for your writing?

Jann – I enjoy writing—out of all the hobbies I’ve tried in my lifetime, this by far is the most fun! My books are meant for entertainment and connection—no big life lessons for sure. But we all need a little wholesome distraction in our lives. 

What Jann reads

 Jen – My next favorite thing to ask authors is what they enjoy reading.

Jann – I’m constantly reading nonfiction books about writing—I just finished James Scott Bell’s “How to Write Short Stories and Use Them to Further Your Writing Career.” As for fiction, I drift toward my fellow indie authors’ writing. I just finished Marguerite Martin Gray’s “Flames of Faith,” and it was marvelous. Next on my list is Jonni Rich’s “Deadly Sweet Sixteen,” a cozy mystery. 

Jann Franklin’s bio:

Jann Franklin is a faith-based cozy mystery writer living in Grand Cane, Louisiana with slightly less than three hundred other people.

She attracts readers who enjoy twisty Southern mysteries with a touch of romance and a dose of humor. Her books offer characters who exasperate as much as they endear. These quirky yet charming residents are just like family—sometimes you want to hug them, and sometimes you want to disown them. Immerse yourself in small-town culture as you exercise your sleuthing skills and your funny bone.

Jann and her husband John enjoy Sundays at Grand Cane Baptist Church, supper with family and friends, and the sense of community that comes from living the small-town life. Their kids come to visit when they aren’t too busy living their big-city lives.

Fun facts about Jann

Jen – Share some fun facts your readers would love to know! (Tea or coffee? Favorite season? Favorite Bible verse? What do you do in your free time? Cat or dog person?) 

Jann:

**Coffee all the way, with a teaspoon of local honey.  ☕️

**My favorite season is summer-everyone is more casual then, and we can all agree on one thing: it’s HOT! 🥵

**Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” No situation, emotion, or experience is hopeless with Jesus by my side. ⛪

**Free time? What free time? I spend my free time finding something to fill it up 😊 Volunteering, hanging with my chickens, spending time with friends and family, traveling… 🐔

**Dog person all the way—sorry cat people, but let’s agree to disagree. 🐶

How to find Jann online

Jen – How can we find you online?

Jann – I write a weekly column for a couple of small-town newspapers entitled “From Bright Lights to Lightning Bugs,” my life as a big-city girl loving the small-town life. They are on my website in blog format.  

Author Website Link: https://jannfranklin.com 

Facebook Page Link: https://www.facebook.com/jannfranklinauthor 

Instagram Profile Link: https://www.instagram.com/justjannfranklin/

Goodreads Profile Link: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22583014.Jann_Franklin 

Bookbub Profile Link: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jann-franklin 

Newsletter Sign-Up Link: https://jannfranklin.com/my-newsletter/ 

Amazon Author Page Link: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0B61W3Y7G

Thank you, Jann, for being on my blog! It’s been fun to get to know you better and to share what you write with readers!

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Hi, I’m Jen! I’ve been married for 39 years, have 5 amazing kids, and have 3 adorable grandkids. I homeschooled our three youngest children and used to blog about homeschooling. I also taught Oral Communication as an adjunct instructor for over 5 years.

Jen Dodrill Writes is born of a passion of mine – to write a novel! My first cozy mystery – Birds Alive! – released Feb. 27, 2024 and the 2nd in the series, Where’s the Quetzal? released Feb. 25, 2025!

When I’m not working, you’ll find me writing, spending time with my family, or curled up on the couch reading and drinking a mug of dark roast coffee. (Don’t forget to check out my mug shop – JDMugs!)