Sunday, October 5, 2008

Booksigning - The Devil Comes Out of the Closet

Susan Murphy-Milano

WCI's Stacy Dittrich had her first booksigning since last week's release of The Devil's Closet, her debut crime novel. Saturday's event was held at the Barnes & Noble in Mansfield, Ohio—Stacy's hometown—where for 15 years she was a deputy for the Richland County Sheriff's Office. As the Mansfield News Journal recently reported, Stacy (pictured with daughter Jordan at yesterday's event) retired earlier this year to write full-time.

Any second thoughts Stacy may have had about her decision were shoved aside this past spring, when Stacy's agent received a call from the Academy Award-winning producer of the movie The Devil Wears Prada (based on the novel of the same title). Hollywood is interested in a screen adaptation of The Devil's Closet, which is first in the series of CeeCee Gallagher thrillers. The protagonist was patterned after Stacy, who was a detective specializing in sex crimes.

What this means for readers is that Stacy's novel smacks of the kind of authenticity that comes from pages written by someone who's actually carried a badge and gun and fought crime on the streets—a good gal who understands duty and knows how to take down the bad guys without having to unholster her duty weapon. Like Stacy, I come from a family of law enforcement, so I can vouch for Friday's review from our Sex-crimes Prosecutor that Stacy "captured the essence of what someone on the front lines of crime is really like."

You don't want to miss this book, the first in a series. Stacy's next CeeCee novel, Mary Jane's Grave, is scheduled for publication in 2009. Her first hardcover true-crime book will hit shelves following Murder Behind the Badge, another true-crime title expected within a year.

Stacy's next signing for The Devil's Closet will be on Saturday, October the 11th, at the Barnes & Noble in Westlake, Ohio. If you're in the area, stop by from 2:00 to 4:00 that afternoon for an autographed copy. But get there early. According to one of the fans who attended yesterday's signing in Mansfield, "lines were out the door." The 200 copies the store had in stock sold out very quickly.

"For a debut novel," B&N store manager Rich Krizan said, "it was a great success—one of our best."

Krizan was quick to add that a new shipment is expected this week and that the author will be stopping by the store to sign copies for those who didn't get one yesterday.

If you make it to the Westlake signing on the 11th, send your photo with Stacy to womenincrimeink@yahoo.com and we'll post it, like this pic from yesterday's signing, with fan Jo Ann Krausman. Thanks to Jo Ann for sending this in, and congrats, Stacy!

13 comments:

Kathryn Casey said...

Congrats, Stacy! Glad the event was a big success and looking forward to seeing the movie and reading the books!

Stacy Dittrich said...

Wow! I'm flattered!!!

To have had my sisters from Women In Crime Ink joining me would have made a great night perfect...you were all there in spirit.

Plus, you all missed a damn good party afterward...laughs...

Thanks ladies!!

Anonymous said...

I was just questioning why Hollywood doesn't do movie like this? It could help to change the minds of the world about victims. I am especially proud your fight is the one of children. They need a voice. Thank you for giving them one. God Bless.

Anonymous said...

They say the best authors are the ones whohave first hand knowledge on their subject matter. Best of Luck with your books

Anonymous said...

Stacey I am not surprised about a movie. That trailer on your website is just like a movie!!! Way cool. You rock!

Anonymous said...

Dear Stacy -

How long did it take you to write The Devils Closet

&

Did you get to pick the title

Thanx much!

Stacy Dittrich said...

Thanks for your kind comments!

The movie isn't a done deal...I'm not holding my breath; film interest comes and goes and then it's dead silence...hmmmm. If there is not only an option, but scheduled production, I will let you know!

Also, Anon--The Devil's Closet took me 8 weeks to write. I was waiting on word from the actual "first" CeeCee book (which will probably be a prequel down the road), and I was excited, driven, and hit the computer with a vengeance. The story had been in the back of my head for months.

Yes, I picked the title and, shockingly, it stayed. If you read the book you'll see why. However, I had several others on stand-by but was glad to see they stuck with The Devil's Closet!

I love feedback, both positive and negative...feel free to drop me a review at: info@stacydittrich.com

Thanks everybody!!

Cynthia Hunt said...

Stacy,
I am so proud of your success. I am also humbled to be on a blog with you and the many other successful authors WIC has.
We'll keep believing that movie deal WILL happen. I cannot wait to read your book. I'm ordering it immediately.
My younger brother just decided to go into law enforcement & I'm going to buy and send him a copy too.
Thanks for inspiring me to do bigger, greater pieces of journalism. Also, thanks for reminding me that some of the greatest works are written quickly. Eight weeks! Wow! Now my excuse that it takes too long to write a good book is out the window.
I will be here in Texas cheering as your success continues and grows.

Bunches of love and support, cynthia

Stacy Dittrich said...

Miss Cynthia...you're awesome!! Actually, best wishes to your brother! I have nothing but the utmost respect for the newbies entering the academy--these days they need to be made of some pretty stern stuff!!

The days of writing my books quickly are long gone...those were the days of working road patrol, second shift, and coming home putting the little ones to bed and spending the rest of the night writing...I think I slept 3 hours a night for a year..ugh...

I wish it were that easy now...with true-crime, I feel like I'm writing a 360-page police report with no end in sight. Not much fun. Eventually, I think I'll stay with my fiction--much more enjoyable!!!! I've definitely earned a new respect for our true crime writers like Katherine C., Diane, and Vanessa. To our readers...if you only knew how hard it was (for me!)...yikes!!!

Cyn--thanks, I'll be watching for your herkes, toe-touches, and shakin' pom-poms!!!...LOL

Thanks sister!

Stacy Dittrich said...

Okay, I got so enthralled with the theory of pom-poms, I forgot the other true-crime authors on the site....Pat, Jenna, Tina, and Michelle...y'all are killin' me...you are true-crime writing machines and I'll be lucky if I make my deadline!!!! Kudos to you too, sisters!!!

Kathryn Casey said...

We're all proud of you, Stacy, and looking forward to reading your books for years to come! Did the cake work out?

Stacy Dittrich said...

KC,

Unfortunately, no! The only place I found in a 300 square mile area that would do it had a broken machine. We wound up having the cover laminated and slapping it on top the cake...not the best, but it did just fine. Thanks!

Must be a weird Ohio thing...laughs

Donna Pendergast said...

Hey Stacy
Congrats on your wonderful achievement. Just Awesome----can't wait to read it.