It’s funny where inspiration can take you. Four years ago, author Michael Dittman watched a neighbor’s huge tree being taken down close to where the rumored grave of a mass-murderer lay.

That image led to Dittman’s just-published book, “Who Holds The Devil,” where a demon named Sam Mohawk stalks the streets of an alternate version of Butler.

Dittman, a professor of English and the coordinator of the Presidential Scholars Program at Butler County Community College, said the removal of that old tree started the process that led to “Who Holds The Devil.”

“I moved to Butler about nine years ago now. I live on Oak Street,” Dittman said, near the spot where folklore has it 1843 mass murderer Sam Mohawk was buried after he was hanged for the deaths of the Wigton family.

“They buried him in a spot across the street from my house,” he said. “Four years ago, just the day before Halloween, the city took out that oak. I was casting around for an idea and thought ‘There’s something.’”

After letting the idea “marinate” for a bit, Dittman started writing and the result was his fourth book and first horror-thriller published by Manta Press and released June 21.

In the book, an accident topples an old oak tree into the wall of protagonist Aaron Moody’s house.

“His wall is destroyed and that incident sets everything off,” he said. “He’s trying to get the city to pay for repairs and he gets shuffled around, and odd things happen to him. Strangers stop him in the street and tell him ‘Mohawk is awake.’”

“He’s a sad sack more than anything,” said Dittman,

Moody finds his version of Butler contains an underground world of spells, secrets, and, released from within that oak, a newly arrived and murderous demon who last walked the Earth in human form in the years following the Civil War.

“It’s an alternate version of Butler. Some of the street names are the same. He (Moody) reads the Eagle at one point and he does research at the Carnegie Library,” said Dittman.

As Moody researches Sam Mohawk, the demon’s last host, he finds Evanora La Costa, a witch who’s attempting to visit some payback upon the demon; a secret municipal department in the basement of city hall that insists on being bribed with meat; and Mr. B, a neighborhood cat that may or may not be providing advice to Moody on mourning the aftermath of his wrecked marriage, a vanished job, and fighting an entity intent on taking Moody, Evanora, and few other thousand souls straight to hell.

The book is a change of pace from Dittman’s previous books. His biography of Jack Kerouac was named a notable book by Midwestern Book Review and the follow-up, “The Beat Generation,” was translated into three languages. His first novel, “Small Brutal Incidents,” was published by Contemporary Press and was their nominee for the Edgar Award.

“So after the biographies, I wrote a detective novel. I like genre fiction. My wife was a big horror fan,” he said.

Another incident that led to “Who Holds The Devil” was when a health issue laid him up for nearly eight weeks.

“I read lots of horror. It’s easy to read, but I got to the point where I thought ‘I can do better than this.’ Maybe I’ll write a horror book,” he said.

“I’ve always been a fan of horror,” Dittman said, “and I’ve published a lot of horror short stories, but this is the first time I’ve sat down to write a novel with touches of the supernatural. Although it’s not a true crime, ”Who Holds The Devil“ does draw on the region's history and so researching the area was an added touch that I really enjoyed.”

He said the book isn’t slasher fiction, but more of a thriller. A lot of the horror and fear is generated by Aaron Moody’s situation in life as the novel begins. “His life is at a low point. He’s lost his job, his wife. His life seems like it’s over,” Dittman said. And then he encounters a demon.

“The female character is on a quest for revenge and the need for revenge is changing her, it’s eating her up,” he added.

He said in writing he sets himself a goal to write at least 500 words a day usually early in the morning. At night, he goes back and edits what he’s written that day.

Dittman said he writes plot points out on Post-it notes. There’s a beginning, middle and end and he works out to get to those particular plot points.

Once the book was written, he said, then he had to find someone willing to publish it.

“I sent it to seven different houses. I know writers are supposed to be thick-skinned, but it still hurts every time someone says no,” he said.

Finally Manta Press of Columbus, Ohio, agreed to publish “Who Holds The Devil.”

Cailyn Lloyd, author of The Mill and the best-selling The Elders series wrote that “Who Holds The Devil” is, “[a] thrilling tale of ancient evil fighting for a foothold in the modern world ... a vivid story, a perfect mix of horror, hubris, determination and wit.”

“The reviews have been coming and they have been positive,” he said. “I shouldn’t sound surprised. I think it’s good.”

Dittman will be reading, taking questions and signing books at the Butler Area Public Library at 6 p.m. on July 20. It’s part of a book tour through Ohio, New York and Western Pennsylvania to promote the novel.

Library Executive Director Lori Hinderliter said, “We reached out to him. I’ve known Michael for many years. I worked with his wife at the Grove City Library.”

She added Dittman was instrumental for acquiring grants for the library’s book discussions.

Additional local and regional readings and signing dates can be found at Dittman’s website michaeldittman.com.

Dittman said he is already working on his next book. He said it’s set in the same world as “Who Holds The Devil” but with different characters.