I’ll be attending the Left Coast Crime Conference in Tucson March 16-19. I’ll be on two panels. On Thursday at 5 PM I’ll be joining moderator Catriona McPherson and panelists Leslie Karst, Ed Lin and D. R. Ransdell on the panel, How Do You Know What’s Funny? On Friday at 11:30 I’ll be with moderator Alicia Gaspar de Alba and panelists Ellen Kirshman, Barna W. Donovan and Susan McCormick on the Senior Sleuth panel.
Thursday, February 16, 2023
Thursday, February 9, 2023
Where Has Customer Service Gone?
I’ve seen many examples of companies treating existing customers as second-class citizens. When I was in the business world, the emphasis was on keeping customers by providing good service. Today, I experience a lack of interest in providing good customer service. The most recent example is a bank where we have a certificate of deposit. The CD has come due, so I checked with the bank on current rates for renewal. They gave me a lower rate than a rate they were advertising in the lobby. The banker explained that the advertised rate was for “new customers.” Voila. As an existing customer, I was being treated as a second-class citizen. You would think they would give me the best rate to retain me as a customer. No deal. I closed the account and moved my money to another bank that gave the best rates to everyone.
Thursday, February 2, 2023
Writers Critique Groups
Since I began writing in 2001, I have joined a number of writers critique groups. These are groups of writers who give feedback to each other on their manuscripts to help improve their writing. The first one I attended was with a co-worker. Then I was introduced to a group of mystery writers who were very helpful in getting me started as a mystery writer. I’ve also been in general groups that have writers representing multiple genres. As well as in-person critique groups, I’ve also participated in on-line groups. For a number of years now, I’ve not been in a critique group, but I just signed up for a critique group sponsored by Sisters in Crime. I’ll keep you posted on how it goes.
Thursday, January 26, 2023
Reading Patterns
Do you have a regular reading pattern? I go through cycles. When I’m busy with family activities or writing activities, I may not read that much during the day. Other times, I have a relaxing day and read for many hours. Since I’m currently awaiting edits on two books in the publishing cycle, I’ve had a chance to do more reading. Once I receive edit suggestions from my publishers, editing will be my primary activity.
Tuesday, January 17, 2023
Sixteenth Anniversary of My First Published Novel, Retirement Homes Are Murder
Today is the sixteenth anniversary of the release of my first published mystery novel, Retirement Homes Are Murder. Imagine yourself waking up in a retirement home, not remembering anything from the day before and being accused of murder. Or consider a male Miss Marple enmeshed in a light-hearted Memento.
When crotchety octogenarian Paul Jacobson discovers a body wedged in a retirement home trash chute, he must become an amateur sleuth to clear himself as a murder suspect while struggling with the problems of his short-term memory loss and being stuck living with a bunch of old people. As Paul’s snooping gets him in trouble with the local police and the retirement home administration, he meets eccentric residents, develops a new friendship, experiences the quirks of old age romance and must face his biggest fear in order to escape from a murderer intent upon a repeat performance.
I’m available to give presentations to service organizations,
libraries and book groups.
What others say about Retirement Homes Are Murder:
“Kudos to Mike Befeler for this witty, clever and wholly entertaining debut novel.”—Margeret Coel, author of The Drowning Man
“Retirement Homes Are Murder is a wonderful debut novel—a fitting entry in the burgeoning field of geezer-lit. You’ll come away smiling and cheering.”—Christine Goff, author of Death Shoots a Birdie
“Mike Befeler’s funny, feisty and memory-challenged senior sleuth is a delightful addition to the mystery scene.”—Maggie Sefton
Retirement Homes Are Murder is available in print, e-book and audio book editions:
e-book box set first four books of Paul Jacobson series: Box Set: Retirement Homes Are Murder, Living with Your Kids Is Murder, Senior Moments Are Murder, Cruising in Your Eighties Is Murder (Paul Jacobson Geezer-lit Mystery Series Book 1) - Kindle edition by Befeler, Mike. Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.
http://www.mikebefeler.comThursday, January 12, 2023
Use of the Term Geezer
Many of my published books fall within the sub-genre of geezer-lit mysteries because they feature older characters. I was on a panel one time, and another author objected to the term geezer, considering it derogatory. I explained that I use it in an affectionate and humorous way. At the time, I was a geezer-in-training. Now I’m a full card-carrying geezer and proud of it.
Thursday, January 5, 2023
Meet the New Authors Breakfast at Left Coast Crime Conference
I’ve had the opportunity to host the Meet the New Authors Breakfast at the Left Coast Crime Conference every year since it became a program at the conference in 2008 except for two years when I was unable to attend. This year the Left Coast Crime Conference is in Tucson and the new author breakfast is on Friday March 17, 2023. The ground rules are the presenters have published a debut mystery/crime/thriller in 2022 or 2023 before March 19, 2023. I review all the author attendees and check their websites and Amazon to determine if they meet this qualification. So far this year we have twelve debut mystery authors that qualify. They each will have an opportunity to give a one-minute presentation on the most important thing readers should know about their debut mystery novel.
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