Mike Befeler's Blog

Playing Chess

Thu, 01 May 2025 05:00:00 -0700

I pick up my grandson from school each weekday, and hecomes to our house until mom or dad picks him up in the late afternoon. Lately,my grandson and I have been playing chess. He’s getting quite good at it. Iusually win, but he also beats me once in a while. It’s enjoyable to watch himdevelop new skills.

posted by Mike Befeler on May, 02

Writing Conferences

Thu, 24 Apr 2025 05:00:00 -0700

I’ll be attending a writing conference in Los Angelesin May. I haven’t attended one of this in a number of years. When I lived inColorado, I went annually to the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers Conference. Itwas through this conference and a pitch session that I sold my first book,Retirement Homes Are Murder.

posted by Mike Befeler on April, 25

Trend in Modern Mystery Novels

Thu, 17 Apr 2025 05:00:00 -0700

I’ve notice that a number of modern mystery novelshave multiple points of view and bounce back and forth between different timeperiods. What do you think of this?

posted by Mike Befeler on April, 18

Library Events

Thu, 10 Apr 2025 05:00:00 -0700

I enjoy library events and will be speaking at twolibraries in May: the Agoura Hills Library on Saturday May 17 at 1 PM and theVilla Park Library at 2 PM on Saturday May 24.

posted by Mike Befeler on April, 11

Rereading My Published Books

Thu, 03 Apr 2025 05:00:00 -0700

I have a reading project. I decided to reread some of myoriginally published books beginning with the six books in the Paul JacobsonGeezer-lit Mystery Series. So far, I’ve read eight books out of my 23 publishedbooks. It was an enjoyable exercise to reacquaint myself with characters fromthese earlier books.

posted by Mike Befeler on April, 04

An Enjoyable Left Coast Crime Conference

Thu, 27 Mar 2025 05:00:00 -0700

Last Wednesday through Sunday I participated in theLeft Coast Crime Conference in Denver. On Thursday I pitched to 18 tables ofreaders about my 3 most recent mystery novels: Murder in the MuseoKircheriano, A Mystery Yarn and The Adventures of Sure Luck Holmes.On Friday I moderated the Meet the New Authors Breakfast, introducing 15 debutmystery authors. On Saturday I was on the Senior Sleuth panel.��

It was greatcatching up with old friends and making new ones. Here are fellow authors published through Encircle Publications: Curt Wendelboe, Cathy Dilts and B.J. Magnani.

posted by Mike Befeler on March, 28

Left Coast Crime Conference

Thu, 13 Mar 2025 05:51:00 -0700

I will be participating in Author Speed Dating todayat the Left Coast Crime Conference in Denver. I’ll be teaming with fellowauthor Tom Farrell for each of us to give two-minute pitches as we move fromtable to table.

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posted by Mike Befeler on March, 14

Left Coast Crime Conference

Thu, 06 Mar 2025 05:00:00 -0800

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I’ll be attending the Left Coast Crime Conference inDenver and will be on the Senior Sleuth Panel. Here’s info about it:

posted by Mike Befeler on March, 07

Writing Characters of Different Ages

Thu, 27 Feb 2025 05:00:00 -0800

Many of my mystery novels feature older characters andare affectionately called geezer-lit mysteries. Even in these, I often havegrandkids who play a role in the story. My latest book, The Adventures of SureLuck Holmes, features a fifth-grade amateur detective with many of the SherlockHolmes tropes.

posted by Mike Befeler on February, 28

Senior Sleuth Panel at the Left Coast Crime Conference

Thu, 20 Feb 2025 05:00:00 -0800

I will be on the Senior Sleuth Panel at the Left CoastCrime Conference in Denver.

Day & time:��Saturday March 15, 10:15 AM -11:00 AM

��Moderator:��Elizabeth Crowens

Panelists:

��Mike Befeler

��JanetFinsilver

��Julie A.Hennrikus

��EllenKirschman

posted by Mike Befeler on February, 21