Mike Befeler's Blog, page 33
June 27, 2019
Reversion of Book Rights
At the beginning of my writing career, I worked with Five Star who published nine of my mystery novels (six in the Paul Jacobson Geezer-lit Mystery Series, a theater mystery, a historical mystery and a sports mystery). Then Five Star decided to exit the mystery publishing line, so I found a new publisher, Encircle Publications. Recently, all rights to the nine Five Star books were reverted to me. Seven have been republished by Encircle as trade paperbacks and we’re discussing republishing the remaining two.
Originally, Five Star didn’t ask for e-book rights, so I published four e-books myself. With the final reversion of rights I have now republished the five remaining Five Star books as e-books.
My goal is to keep all of my books available in print and e-book (eight are also available as audio books). This way readers can choose their preferred way to read my books. Also, when I give talks to service organizations, libraries and book clubs, I always hand sell print copies so it’s important to me to have all of these still in print.
Originally, Five Star didn’t ask for e-book rights, so I published four e-books myself. With the final reversion of rights I have now republished the five remaining Five Star books as e-books.
My goal is to keep all of my books available in print and e-book (eight are also available as audio books). This way readers can choose their preferred way to read my books. Also, when I give talks to service organizations, libraries and book clubs, I always hand sell print copies so it’s important to me to have all of these still in print.
June 20, 2019
Aging Gratefully
I’ve given a presentation titled “How to Age Gracefully” about my experience writing books featuring older people. Earlier this week I was struck by an article titled, “Why I Learned to Age, Gratefully,” by writer, Rachel Moscovich, in the Los Angeles Times. As a multiple-time cancer survivor, rather than dreading aging, she has come to look forward to become older.
I share Rachel’s perspective. After surviving a heart attack in 2013, I’m grateful to be alive and to have the opportunity to age. As my stepdad used to say, getting older isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, but it sure beats the alternative.
I share Rachel’s perspective. After surviving a heart attack in 2013, I’m grateful to be alive and to have the opportunity to age. As my stepdad used to say, getting older isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, but it sure beats the alternative.
June 13, 2019
After a Writers Conference
I have been attending writers conferences since 2002. When I lived in Colorado, I attended the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers Conference annually. It was through this conference that I sold my first published book, Retirement Homes Are Murder, as a result of a pitch session to Deni Dietz of Five Star. Since moving to Southern California in 2015, I planned to attend the California Crime Writers Conference but was only able to go this year.
After a writers conference, I always come away inspired with new ideas. In previous writers conferences I have come up with insights that led to new manuscripts. I also have enjoyed the opportunity to mingle with other writers and to make new friends.
After the California Crime Writers Conference this last weekend, I came home with notes and action items to follow up on including new promotional and speaking opportunities. Wherever I am in my writing journey, writers conferences always provide a boost.
After a writers conference, I always come away inspired with new ideas. In previous writers conferences I have come up with insights that led to new manuscripts. I also have enjoyed the opportunity to mingle with other writers and to make new friends.
After the California Crime Writers Conference this last weekend, I came home with notes and action items to follow up on including new promotional and speaking opportunities. Wherever I am in my writing journey, writers conferences always provide a boost.
June 6, 2019
Are There Rules for Writing Genres and Should an Author Stick to One Genre?
Since I write primarily mysteries, I’m always interested in purported “rules” for various sub-genres of mysteries. Most of my mystery novels are on the cozy end of the spectrum. It’s often stated that cozies should have no sex, no swearing and no on screen violence. In my Paul Jacobson Geezer-lit Mystery Series, I violate two of these rules with geezer romance and a protagonist who cusses. I even received a one-star review for language (Paul uses hell and damn).
Here’s my take. I write what I enjoy reading and to tell the story I want to tell. When I started I didn’t even know about these “rules.” Now that I’ve heard about then, I still don’t follow them. I also don’t stick to strict genres. I have two novels that mix mystery and paranormal elements. I mix mystery and romance (I was a card carrying member of Romance Writers of America for several years). As well as my six book amateur sleuth series, other mysteries include historical, private eye, theater, professional organizer, sports, a thriller and a biography of a World War II veteran.
For me it’s challenging and interesting to try different subject matter.
Here’s my take. I write what I enjoy reading and to tell the story I want to tell. When I started I didn’t even know about these “rules.” Now that I’ve heard about then, I still don’t follow them. I also don’t stick to strict genres. I have two novels that mix mystery and paranormal elements. I mix mystery and romance (I was a card carrying member of Romance Writers of America for several years). As well as my six book amateur sleuth series, other mysteries include historical, private eye, theater, professional organizer, sports, a thriller and a biography of a World War II veteran.
For me it’s challenging and interesting to try different subject matter.
May 30, 2019
California Crime Writers Conference
I will be attending the California Crime Writers Conference in Southern California in June. This conference for writers of the crime/mystery genre is held every two years and this is the first chance I’ve had to attend it since moving back to Southern California. It took place in 2015 just before I moved, and in 2017 I had to pass because of attending my 55th high school reunion in Honolulu.
I’ll be on a panel titled Cozies on the Edge: Meeting and Subverting Reader Expectations. This is a subject I’m looking forward to exploring with fellow authors Mary Marks, Frankie Bow, Jennifer Chow and moderator Leslie Karst. I write primarily amateur sleuth mysteries, but mine are on the cozy end of the spectrum. Supposedly with cozies, there are three rules: no sex, no swearing and no on screen violence. I violate two of these three rules with geezer sex and some cussing. Most cozies feature young women protagonists whereas many of my mysteries have older characters. Also, I have one geezer-lit mystery with paranormal elements. I had one publisher turn it down because they didn’t publish paranormal novels.
I write what I enjoy reading and writing, that’s why many of my mystery novels have older characters. And besides, I started writing later in life at the age of fifty-six.
Geezers and geezerettes rule.
I’ll be on a panel titled Cozies on the Edge: Meeting and Subverting Reader Expectations. This is a subject I’m looking forward to exploring with fellow authors Mary Marks, Frankie Bow, Jennifer Chow and moderator Leslie Karst. I write primarily amateur sleuth mysteries, but mine are on the cozy end of the spectrum. Supposedly with cozies, there are three rules: no sex, no swearing and no on screen violence. I violate two of these three rules with geezer sex and some cussing. Most cozies feature young women protagonists whereas many of my mysteries have older characters. Also, I have one geezer-lit mystery with paranormal elements. I had one publisher turn it down because they didn’t publish paranormal novels.
I write what I enjoy reading and writing, that’s why many of my mystery novels have older characters. And besides, I started writing later in life at the age of fifty-six.
Geezers and geezerettes rule.
May 23, 2019
Giving Book Talks
I enjoy giving presentations about my published books at libraries, book stores, book clubs and service organizations such as Rotary, Kiwanis and Optimist. When I was a child I never thought this would be the case because I was painfully shy and introverted. But over a business career I learned to give speeches and now look forward to them rather than dread them.
When each of my new books is published, I develop a new presentation. My objective is to put together an entertaining and humorous speech. I typically have a theme and then indirectly tie this to my book. For example, my current presentation is about pickleball, a sport I play and one that’s featured in my latest mystery novel, Paradise Court.
Most of my talks are in person, but I also have done conference call and Skype presentations to other locations. If any of you want me to speak to one of your groups, you can contact me at mikebef@aol.com.
When each of my new books is published, I develop a new presentation. My objective is to put together an entertaining and humorous speech. I typically have a theme and then indirectly tie this to my book. For example, my current presentation is about pickleball, a sport I play and one that’s featured in my latest mystery novel, Paradise Court.
Most of my talks are in person, but I also have done conference call and Skype presentations to other locations. If any of you want me to speak to one of your groups, you can contact me at mikebef@aol.com.
May 16, 2019
Pain
Over the last month, I’ve gained a new perspective on suffering from chronic pain. I had knee replacement surgery and am now recovering. The pain, the inability to sleep, difficulty concentrating were all symptoms I experienced. Fortunately, for me, I’m improving every day, and the pain is slowly dissipating. Not so for people with chronic pain. My short period of suffering is nothing compared to what many people undergo on an ongoing basis. Likewise, there is the decision to use addictive drugs or not. I was able to cut back and then eliminate the addictive drugs, but it would be a different case if the pain had not been reduced. These are very difficult problems that millions of people face on a daily basis.
May 8, 2019
New Books Received
It’s always a treat to open the box for the first shipment of a new novel. I received copies of Paradise Court, a pickleball mystery. Although recovering from knee replacement surgery and on injured reserved at the moment, I have been playing pickleball, a sport played with a paddle and wiffle ball—a combination of tennis, badminton and ping pong. This sport is featured in this mystery novel set on Maui.
May 2, 2019
Pickleball Mystery Novel Now Available
My latest novel, Paradise Court, a pickleball mystery is now available. This is a sequel to Court Trouble.
In Paradise Court, while vacationing on Maui with his wife, Mark Yeager makes two discoveries: he finds a pickleball court and a dead body. Things go downhill as he becomes a suspect in a murder investigation, his wife is kidnapped and he gets crosswise with a local crime boss. He must sort through a cast of suspects to find the killer, rescue his wife and stay alive.
In Paradise Court, while vacationing on Maui with his wife, Mark Yeager makes two discoveries: he finds a pickleball court and a dead body. Things go downhill as he becomes a suspect in a murder investigation, his wife is kidnapped and he gets crosswise with a local crime boss. He must sort through a cast of suspects to find the killer, rescue his wife and stay alive.
April 18, 2019
Time Out for a Knee Replacement
Last week I had knee replacement surgery, so I’m in recovery mode right now. I haven’t been writing and using the computer, but I’m feeling better so thought I’d give an update. The surgery went well, and I’m using a walker to get around. I still have pain meds to take and simple stretch exercises to do. So far so good.
