Writing Mysteries Can Be Murder

A Mystery Dinner Theater based on characters from the book Hazardous Duty

Author Christy Barritt should be happy. After all, the second book in her series about crime-scene cleaner Gabby St. Claire, entitled Suspicious Minds, is being released. She’s got dinner theater book signings scheduled. If only someone wasn’t trying to kill her. To make matters worse, the detective investigating the attempted homicides is out of her first book, Hazardous Duty, and some of the prime suspects are shockingly familiar.

Like most book signings, fans get to meet the author, get their copy of the book autographed and ask questions. Like mystery dinner theaters, audience members enjoy food and solving a mystery. Christy Barritt’s novel approach combines the two and promises to throw in a few surprises for those who come out. During the course of the evening they’ll learn about attempts on her life, interview suspects and help the detective solve the case. If they succeed before the perpetrator does, they’ll be able to get their copy of one of Barritt’s books autographed. If not – at least they got dinner and a jump on viewing her body.

The Facts and Just the Facts

This mystery dinner theater is perfect for:

• Churches
• Choirs
• Retirement homes
• Libraries
• Camps
• Retreats
• Office parties
• MOPS groups
• Nonprofits

The Plot Thickens

There are various options for anyone interested in hosting Writing Mysteries Can Be Murder

Option 1: Have Christy and the rest of the cast come to your organization and put on Writing Mysteries Can be Murder as a fundraiser. When doing it this way, everything is free (with the exception of traveling expenses when traveling more than three hours away)

Option 2: Bring Christy in for your event and find your own actors. We’ll send you the script outline ahead of time.

Option 3: We’ll send you the script and you find your own actors, including someone who will play Christy.

Option 4: We’re also available to do this for non-fundraising events. However, there is a fee for this option.

A Few Clues

• References are available upon request
• More detailed information regarding the timeline and preparation for hosting Writing Mysteries Can Be Murder is available.
• The show is G-rated and contains no language.

Speaking

Vibrant. Genuine. Professional. Entertaining.

These are a few of the terms used to describe Christy when she speaks. She is available to share at writers groups, churches, retreats and conferences.

Here are a few of her most popular topics:

For General Audiences:

*Life Lessons Learned by Being a Writer

Rejection happens? Critiques are good for you? Perserverance paves the way to publication? All these things that Christy has learned as a writer can be applied to life as well.

*The Power of a Song

A talk about the impact of music, based on Christy's book "Changed: True Stories of Finding God in Christian Music."

For Women:

*All I Really Need to Know I Learned by Dieting

Believe it or not, a lot of lessons can be learned from dieting, things like: the importance of accountability, you truly are what you eat, and it's not about dieting but eating right.

*Faith, Fun and Frappuccinos--Building Friendships One Espresso at a Time

A talk about the importance of bonding with sisters in Christ which includes some tasty recipes for lattes and other warm drinks.

For Writers:

*Dealing with Rejections

Rejections aren't fun, but they can be! A pep talk that deals with the reality of rejections, how to handle them and what not to do.

*Working with Critique Partners

Critique partners can be a blessing, but there's an art to analyzing the work of others. Christy will show you the importance of, "It's not what you say, but how you say it."

*5 Common Mistakes of Fiction Writers

Having trouble with your novel? Christy willl show you a few basic problems to look for in order to get your work-in-progress on the right track.

*Interviewing Made Easy

As someone who does from three to ten interviews a week, Christy will give advice on tracking down the right source, asking the right questions, and handling awkward situations.

Christy is also available to speak on other topics. Email her here for more information.