Cold Snap is a witty, engaging tale of kindness, adventure, and courage. Perfect for fans of The Art of Racing in the Rain, Cold Snap is a reminder that no matter how small you are, little acts of kindness can make a big difference, all told through the whiskers of a cat.
We chat with author Codi Schneider about her debut novel Cold Snap, as well as writing, book recommendations, and more.
Hi, Codi! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
Hi there! I’m a traveler, animal lover, and now a novelist. I live in Denver with my husband and two floofs (a cat named Caska and a Highland Pony named Sarge). When I’m not writing, I love trail running, riding, and sipping coffee swirled with oat milk. Misty forest lakes are my happy place.
When did you first discover your love for writing?
I wrote my first “novel” when I was eight. I printed it, bound it in some kind of plastic cover, and had my editor (a family friend) point out that using eleven exclamation marks at the end of every sentence was possibly a bit . . . extra. Honestly, I’ve loved writing and storytelling for as long as I can remember. I credit all of the amazing books I read as a kid for sparking and fostering this love.
Quick lightning round! Tell us the first book you ever remember reading, the one that made you want to become an author, and one that you can’t stop thinking about!
First book I remember reading: The Boxcar Children series. I read them at my grandparents’ house and I was obsessed. The independence of the children, their adventures, and the home they made for themselves in the abandoned boxcar in the forest made for magical reading.
The book that made me want to become an author: The Harry Potter series really solidified it for me. I was the same age as Harry when the series began and I received the latest book in the series every Christmas. It was hands down my favorite gift. Rowling wrote so imaginatively and with such quirky prose, I couldn’t wait to write myself. She made it seem like pure fun.
The book I can’t stop thinking about: TJ Klune’s The House in the Cerulean Sea. I read it during lockdown and it was just the feel-good-hug-and-a-half I needed.
Your debut novel Cold Snap is out September 14th 2021! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Plucky Viking cat solves murder.
What can readers expect?
A humorous animal-centered whodunit set in a close-knit mountain town. The story is told through the main character, Bijou, a plucky house cat with a Viking spirit inherited from her ancestors who worked as mousers on Viking longships. When a murder shocks her peaceful town, Bijou find herself thrust paws-first into solving the mystery. Readers can expect to be amused, surprised, and fall in love with animals both on and off the page.
Where did the inspiration for Cold Snap come from?
I first got the idea when I read an article about real-life Viking cats. These brave felines sailed the world in longships, working as mousers for their human counterparts. I also find great amusement in watching my own cat and trying to decipher what’s going on in her head. Writing a story with a cat protagonist and from a cat’s point of view simply sounded fun.
Can you tell us about any challenges you faced while writing and how you were able to overcome them?
Self-doubt is always a biggie for me when writing. I tend to oscillate from “This is great!” to “This is horrible!” and I know when those tough days come, I have to be extra kind to myself and push through—maybe even reward myself with a cookie (or five) when I hit my goal word count.
Were there any favourite moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
I really loved writing from Bijou’s point of view. There was something so amusing about plopping her into any situation, no matter how dramatic or benign, and then figuring out how she would react. I made myself laugh out loud more than once, which is really all you can ask for from a job.
What’s the best and the worst writing advice you have received?
The best advice: silence your inner editor and finish that first draft. The first draft is going to be messy and it’s going to need a ton of rewriting and polishing. But you can’t rewrite or polish something that doesn’t exist!
The worst advice: there’s only one correct way to write (plot) and you must learn it. This is terrible advice because there are as many ways to write a story as there are writers. Everyone has their own unique process and should embrace what works for them.
What’s next for you?
I’m juggling a couple of different writing projects right now and need to flesh them out. The past few months have been exciting with Cold Snap coming out, but since it’s my debut and everything leading up to its release has been new, I haven’t spent as much time working on my other projects. It’s time now to sit down and get serious.
Lastly, do you have any book recommendations for our readers?
I could list so many! Some of my recent favorites include The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune, Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz, A Dog’s Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron, A Game of Cones by Abby Collette, and The Perfect Horse by Elizabeth Letts.
