IngramElliott Publishing
  • Welcome
  • Titles
    • A Call to China
    • Benny Moon: Racing the Medicine Wheel
    • Benny Moon Eats Dirt
    • Between the Ocean and the Stars
    • Clown William
    • Clown William and the Lincoln County War
    • Clown William and the Wind of Vengeance
    • The Cornbread Letters
    • Crooked Lines
    • Highlights of Palmistry
    • Hungry
    • Indian Country
    • Island Whispers
    • Ms. Mulligan and the Enchanted Ice Cream
    • Mystery Muffin & Soda Pop Slooth: The Legend of Mr. Creepy
    • Mystery Muffin & Soda Pop Slooth: The Ghost of Crippler's Creek
    • Path of the Half Moon
    • Courses of the Cursed
    • Merging Paths
    • Surrender
    • TimeLock
    • TimeLock 2: The Kyoto Conspiracy
    • Whispers on the Wind
    • WWCC Heroes
  • Submissions
    • Guidelines
    • IE Snaps! Imprint
  • News & Updates
  • Contact
  • Bookstore

Social Media as a New Author: Let’s chat about it

7/1/2022

0 Comments

 
Special IE author guest blog post
By M.M Cochran
 
Writers and social media don’t always mix very well. But authors and social media? That’s a must. I know, I know. . . writers of all kinds are typically reclusive when it comes to making private life public. All we ask of the world, with puppy dog eyes and hands in prayer position, is this: “Will you buy my book?”

Here’s a fact: the world just might do that––IF you put it out there for them to see. So, the nagging topic that seeps its way into every author’s life . . . “social media as a new author.” Let’s chat about it.

I’m M.M. Cochran, new author of my debut young adult novel Between the Ocean and the Stars, published by our very own IngramElliott. When I first signed my contract with them, they told me to prepare to do some heavy marketing on social media. And if you’re trying to promote your book, personality/brand is what’ll make you or break you. Seems crazy, right? But as a new author myself, I had to find a way to make myself known, and to tell you the truth, branding myself, which means also branding my book, is really quite fun.
Picture
Picture
Picture
New authors, Instagram is your best friend. (Raise your hand if you want to consider spending hours on Instagram “work”!). My tips and tricks for promoting my book is this:
  • Stay active.
  • Keep your audience engaged in your life.
  • Do you go to coffee shops often? Share that on your story.
  • Do you write a new chapter every day? Let your followers know that.

After all, your audience follows you for a reason, and that reason is because they’re interested in seeing your life as a writer. With a debut novel coming out, show them what the publishing process looks like, or the writing process, or the editing process.

My social media development started taking off when I announced on Instagram that I’d signed my first publishing contract. It’s been growing ever since. Here’s some quick tips and tricks that helped me get the ball rolling:
  •  Posting consistent content that’s book/writing related
  • Familiarizing my followers with my novel/book title/cover
  • Staying engaged with my followers (comment and like their posts, respond to their DMs)
  • Letting them know they can contact me with questions
  • This is an important one: Keeping my page pretty
  • Building a community of readers/writers/my fans that support me
  • Having longer captions vs. one-liners
  • Being honest. I.e., Reflecting the hardships of book writing 
 
Let me expand on this.
By posting bookish content, my followers became familiar with my brand, what I do, and what they can expect from me. Even if your novel is a year away from seeing a bookshelf, don’t stop promoting it. Keep your followers excited for release. Between the time I signed my contract with IE and now, I have gained fans from all over the world who have told me they love my content, love my story, and can’t wait for release so they can get their hands on my novel.

I let my audience know that they can reach out to me day or night. Just as they encourage and support me, I want to offer the same right back to them. If they see that you care about them, they’ll never leave your side (or your book! *wink wink*). This builds a strong community around you, which, in the discouraging times that writing often brings upon us, is much needed.           
Picture
This pivotal tip can make or break a follow:
keep your page pretty.


Determine your aesthetic and stick to it. Depending on the season, I keep my pictures on Instagram nice and matching to the weather. D
uring winter, I post white and blue colors. During spring, I like to keep it pastel. In summertime, I post vibrant, colorful pictures. When fall comes around, I like to share lots of outdoorsy, turtleneck sweater pictures. Meanwhile, I keep readers informed on my publishing process and what’s to come.

But don’t be afraid to get honest in your posts. Everyone has a vulnerable side, and sharing yours will draw people closer to you because of your relatable content. Writing isn’t easy. In fact, that might just be the most vulnerable form of art out there. The whole point of publishing your book is for people to feel your words and experience your story. Why stop at a paperback or e-book, though?

New authors, take it a step further and start sharing your words on social media. Be confident in your book––in your vulnerability, in your branding, in your journey to publication––and show the world who you are.

I promise they’ll love you!

Have questions? Need advice as you enter the publishing industry? Follow me on Instagram at m.m.cochran_writer and let’s chat! 


Picture
​Macy Cochran is a freelance editor and writer for the Tryon Daily Bulletin. Learn more about how to work with Macy on her website at ElegantEditingServices.com or at eleganteditingservices@gmail.com.



Picture
​She's also an IngramElliott author. Her debut novel, Between the Ocean and the Stars, comes out this fall in print and e-book. ​

0 Comments

It's that time again . . . IngramElliott's 2022 new releases coming soon

5/12/2022

1 Comment

 
It's been an an interesting year as the world peeks out of it's shell once again. IngramElliott has been working behind the scenes with both existing and new authors to bring you four exciting new releases for 2022. Whether you're a fan of mystery, young love, sci-fi, action, or otherworldly fiction, we've got something to tickle your fancy. You'll see release dates for late summer/early fall and author interviews and information in coming days. Follow us on social media for the latest updates on pre-sales and release information. Enjoy a sneak peek below and feel free to share the love on your own social sites!

An innocent man. A radical punishment. The clock is ticking . . . 

Picture
With crime rampant, the President authorizes a hugely controversial program: TimeLock, a cellular acceleration process whereby select prisoners are instantly aged the total number of years of their sentence. In other words - three strikes and you’re old…very old.
​
A sci-fi-tinged action-adventure with heart and humor, TimeLock is the first in a new series of novellas set in the crime-ridden near future where a bold new technology transforms the justice system and challenges America’s moral compass. Only one problem—what happens if you’re innocent? 

​An award-winning novelist and screenwriter, Howard Berk’s credits include memorable episodes of such classic TV series as Columbo, Mission: Impossible and The Rockford Files, as well as the feature film, Target, starring Gene Hackman and Matt Dillon. Peter Berk has written six novels, three TV pilots and a dozen screenplays, including several with his father which became the basis for the TimeLock series of novellas. Peter and his family live in Southern California.

If he could be her tragedy, I could be a better one. 

Picture
As a newcomer on Ophelia Island, Florida, Sam Carter is less than enthused about moving away from West Virginia. But the moment he lays eyes on Georgia Gabeheart at the beach one morning, he can’t help but surrender to her bewitching allure that summons him toward breaking the rules.

A young adult novel where high winds and passion collide, "Between the Ocean and the Stars" is a debut novel by a fresh new voice that will take your breath away.

M. M. Cochran is an award-winning fiction writer, who lives in Greenville, South Carolina.  With an educational background in English and creative writing, she is currently a journalist for the world’s smallest daily newspaper.  She has also worked in the agenting and publishing industry. A lover of all things coffee, autumn, and baking, M. M. delights in spending her afternoons in the kitchen creating goodies for her family, and when she’s not scouting for new coffee shops, she can be found listening to a Frank Sinatra vinyl or hanging out with her standard poodle, family, and friends. Connect with M. M. Cochran on Instagram @m.m.cochran_writer to keep up with her upcoming novels.



It's finally time . . . for journeys to conclude. The final chapter in the Curtis Jefferson series.

Picture
As the title suggests, this third book in the award-winning Curtis Jefferson series concludes Curtis's journey to gratify readers who have sought for fulfillment of unresolved issues of good versus evil, as presented in Path of the Half Moon, and developed through Courses of the Cursed. This final installment of his supernatural saga follows our hero in his escape from the reformatory, his struggle to survive a perilous desert crossing, and his attempts to evade a fierce lawman.


​Vince Bailey grew up in Central Arizona, starting in the late nineteen-fifties. His youthful experiences there contribute significantly to his award winning Path of the Half Moon and Courses of the Cursed - Books 1 & 2 in the award-winning Curtis Jefferson series. 
Vince has also been published in several college and local newspapers, and penned a column for a nationally distributed trade periodical. Mr. Bailey currently resides in Arizona, with his family. Connect with the author at vincebaileyauthor.com.


 A mystery that's out of this world

Picture
Sam Abernethy plays by the rules, but his sister Alex doesn't. These siblings are closer than anyone but can their bond transcend the grave? When Sam, a by-the-book insurance investigator, begins channeling letters from dead people after his daredevil sister's untimely death, Sam's eerie new ability may be the only thing that saves his family from a deadly arson case. 

This other-worldly mystery will have readers on the edge of their seats . . . and craving some plain, old cornbread.

A fan of action, thriller, mystery, and literary fiction, author T.E. Lane enjoys blending aspects of many genres into a single work, creating a unique reading experience that will keep readers turning the pages. From the shores of south Florida to the mountains of the Carolinas, T.E. Lane creates worlds you want to inhabit with characters that make you feel right at home. 

1 Comment

Holiday Gift Guide 2021 - Give the Gift of Reading!

11/21/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
Shop Amazon
Shop Barnes & Noble
Shop Rakuten kobo

For insight and intuition

Picture
Explore who you are . . . with Master Palmist Heidi E. Kent. Highlights of Palmistry is designed to help you explore the world of palmistry with simple techniques and illustrations. This introduction to the art of palmistry is a quick method of exploring your own nature—in simple shorthand and useful tidbits. Learn to see the hand as a map of the self, a physical expression of the inner you. Embark on your life’s journey with a map of your destiny . . . in the palm of your hand.
Buy on Amazon
Buy at B&N
Buy Local

For thrills and chills

Picture
Courses of the Cursed is a Finalist in the 15th Annual National Indie Excellence Awards and book 2 in the award-winning Curtis Jefferson series.

"A rollicking, Western-flavored frightfest."
-Kirkus Reviews


Picture
Path of the Half Moon is the Winner CIBA Paranormal Fiction Award and Arizona Authors' Association Award. Path of the Half Moon is a paranormal historical fiction tale set in a remote detention facility for wayward boys in the early sixties.
Picture
Indian Country
This intense thriller is set against a backdrop of biker gangs, drug cartels, terrorism, and dangerous liaisons. ​ 
All secrecy is not meant to deceive. ​

For love and literature

Picture
Crooked Lines
This unique, exciting novel by award-winning author Jeffrey Meyer explores government, religion, and  ​​personal transformation in this visionary work of literary fiction. 
Picture
A Call to China
IBPA Silver Winner & Finalist NIEA and NextGen Indie Awards
​
"An engrossing fictional exploration of family, culture, and what it means to belong in both China and America." 
-
Kirkus Reviews
Picture
Surrender
Love, tropical style. Travel with Jessica as she explores mystical locations and exotic scents, sights, and tastes. Long-forgotten passions will awake as you take a journey into the unknown. A journey into love. ​

For young adults

Picture
Whispers on the Wind
High school senior, Meems, discovers hidden spiritual gifts with the help of two mediums. This debut novel by Marsha G. Cook will take YA fans into new realms of mystical magic and whispers . . . on the wind. 
Picture
Island Whispers
Something ancient is stirring on the island . . . and it's out for blood.
The magic of the island pits friends against friends and makes lovers out of enemies in this mystical tale of family, friendship, and love. This exciting YA novel is a Finalist NextGen Indie Book Awards for 
Young Authors under 25
. 

For young readers

Picture
Ms. Mulligan & the Enchanted Ice Cream
Silver Winner Moonbeam Children's Book Awards, Finalist NIEA & NextGen Indie Book Awards. ​When Tabby wakes on her twelfth birthday magically transformed into grown-up "Ms. Mulligan," she and her friends must solve the mystery before it's too late.  
Picture
Mystery Muffin: Legend of Mr. Creepy
​
​​
Mystery and Soda are on the case with the whole town relying on them . . . even the police! They'll do whatever it takes to save the town and learn the truth about the legend of Mr. Creepy.​
Picture
Mystery Muffin: Ghost of Crippler's Creek
​Book 2 in the Mystery Muffin Series
​
​Join the kid sleuths, Mystery Muffin and Soda Pop Slooth on their investigation to find out the truth. Is the ghost of Crippler’s Creek fact or fiction?
Picture
Benny Moon: Racing the Medicine Wheel
​
Boys 8-11 will love Benny Moon and his exciting adventures. 
With the help of a wise Owl, Benny learns the tools and techniques of the ancient Medicine Wheel to help him cope with the emotional toll often felt in an ever changing world.
Picture
Benny Moon Eats Dirt
Benny Moon’s dream of winning the Motocross Nationals is about to come true.

​Will Benny be able to use the lessons of the Medicine Wheel to get a second chance to fulfill his dreams? Find out in Book 2 of the series. 

Picture
Heroes of the World Wide Chess Championship
Kids 2-6 will adore Pablo Prairie Dog and his half-animal/half-human wrestling heroes. 

Pablo learns that value is found in everyone, no matter our size or differences.​
Picture

IngramElliott Publishing wishes you a wonderful holiday season.

​www.ingramelliott.com

0 Comments

Author Heidi E. Kent shares her gifts in Highlights of Palmistry

8/6/2021

0 Comments

 
Students of Heidi E. Kent now have a reason to celebrate. Heidi's new non-fiction book Highlights of Palmistry goes on sale September 7th. Heidi spent a decade sharing her wisdom with students at The Kent-Cook Institute in Davidson, North Carolina. The Institute, now closed, served the Lake Norman community for many years as a school of meditation, mysticism, spiritual healing, and a place for seekers to discover their deepest gifts and connections. 

Heidi is a highly-experienced Master Palmist and has practiced palmistry and other metaphysical arts all over the world.  Her psychic gifts of clairvoyance, clairaudience, and clairsentience were trained at the Spiritual Community of Camp Chesterfield where she received a diploma as a Certified Medium. 

Heidi is now sharing some of those gifts through her new book, Highlights of Palmistry. We caught up with the author recently to learn a bit more about what inspires her.
PictureAuthor Heidi E. Kent
What fact about yourself would really surprise people?
My hobby throughout my life has been history.  I fit the description of “Armchair Archaeologist.” Most Sunday afternoons you will find me in my comfy chair reading my Archaeology magazines.

What motivates you to write?
My writing gives me an avenue to share some of my  experiences, my passions and my accumulated perceptions. One of the most important aspects, in my opinion, of being human is sharing information which one has experienced. 

What makes you happiest?
The greatest joy of my life is spending time with my grandchildren. The fun of watching them interact with their peers, participating in sports and listening to their opinions of world events. These and other sensory inputs bring chuckles and pride.


What books did you love growing up?
Since I learned to read, reading has been one of my greatest joys. In early years my favorite books were by Carolyn Keene--both the Nancy Drew and the Dana Girl series. Later in life, one of my favorite authors was Robert Heinlein, especially Stranger in a Strange Land. Today I mostly read metaphysical authors, particularly The Impersonal Life by DeVorsa &Co. Publishers, and I Ching (the book of change) by John Blofeld.


Please tell us something about Highlights of Palmistry that is not in the summary.
Palmistry gives a person a reason to touch another person (hold hands). With this connection and a few basic palmistry lessons, an individual is empowered with personal knowledge of this stranger. 

Why did you pick this particular subject matter to write about?
The study of the human mind is infinitely fascinating and the hand projects a great deal of that information. Sharing it has been a long time project for me. I have demonstrated palmistry, lectured extensively on the subject, and now have shared my knowledge with the world through publication. I hope you all enjoy it!


Picture
Highlights of Palmistry
Available September 7, 2021 in e-Book and paperback

​Explore who you are . . . with Master Palmist Heidi E. Kent. Highlights of Palmistry is designed to help you explore the world of palmistry with simple techniques and illustrations. This introduction to the art of palmistry is a quick method of exploring your own nature—in simple shorthand and useful tidbits. Learn to see the hand as a map of the self, a physical expression of the inner you. Embark on your life’s journey with a map of your destiny . . . in the palm of your hand.

Pre-Order Highlights of Palmistry today!

0 Comments

Courses of the Cursed is named a finalist in the 15th Annual National Indie Excellence Awards

6/4/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
Congratulations to our author Vince Bailey as the second book in his award-winning Curtis Jefferson series was just named as a finalist in the 15th Annual National Indie Excellence Awards. Celebrating excellence in independent publishing, the NIEA named Courses of the Cursed as a finalist in the Regional Fiction category for Southwest-focused fiction. 

Vince Bailey grew up in central Arizona, starting in the late nineteen-fifties. His youthful experiences there contribute significantly to the nostalgic aspect of his fiction writing. Courses of the Cursed is the second book in the award-winning Curtis Jefferson series. His debut novel, Path of the Half Moon, is the Winner of the Arizona Authors’ Association Literary Award and the Chanticleer International Book Awards for Paranormal and Supernatural Fiction.


Courses of the Cursed

Picture
African American youth Curtis Jefferson is still serving his one-year term at Fort Grant, the cursed site of an ancient Native American massacre. In Courses of the Cursed, our hero continues to be challenged by his nemesis, Harvey Huish, while a café owner struggles with a premonition that her nephew will be the victim of a treacherous plot. The parallel stories share a common theme: the curse of Fort Grant. 

​"A rollicking, Western-flavored frightfest. Werewolves and worse haunt the Arizona desert in this supernatural thriller."  —Kirkus Reviews


Path of the Half Moon

Picture
Vince Bailey's award-winning Path of the Half Moon is the first book in the Curtis Jefferson series. Set in a remote detention facility for wayward boys in the early sixties, Curtis is tested by a murderous inmate and a century-old Native American curse.

Winner of the CIBA Paranormal Book Awards and the Arizona Authors' Association Literary Award, Path of the Half Moon presents an edgy and thrilling escape from the ordinary.   

 
More Praise for the Curtis Jefferson series:

Bailey's voice sparkles in this gritty tale about injustice, survival, and the mysterious world of angry ghosts and dark magic. Don't miss it."   —Todd Fahnestock (bestselling author of The Wishing World, Fairmist, and Wildmane)

"Curtis does what all great storyteller’s do—he creates a suspension of disbelief, granting the listener the right to believe.”
                       —5 Star Rating, Chanticleer Book Reviews

Vince has also been published in several college and local newspapers, and for the past ten years he has penned a column for a nationally distributed trade periodical. Mr. Bailey currently resides in Arizona with his family. He's currently working on the next book in the Curtis Jefferson series.

Connect with the author at VinceBailey.com


Buy on Amazon.com
Buy at Barnes & Noble
Buy at IndieBound

0 Comments

Spring into action! Tips on building your author platform

4/16/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
Spring has sprung, writers! So let’s talk about springing into author platforms and leaping into the details of exactly how to build it. Because writing is such an intensely personal activity, authors are often intimidated by publishers’ and literary agents’ desire for a large author platform. But isn’t the primary attraction supposed to be the writer’s skill and story?

Of course! However, a platform will help share your story, and it will be a good incentive for publishers and agents to invest time and energy into your book. 

By having a large following on social media, a blog, newsletter, website, or other platforms that showcase your writing, publishers will recognize that you have invested your own time and energy into your platform.  If you’re participating in the development of your following, then publisher will think, Why shouldn’t we?

​An author platform provides a built-in audience for your book.  Afterall, a publisher wants your book to sell as much as you do, and assuring a promising audience for your book is sure to catch a publisher’s eye.


Picture
Seeking out your following is the most effective way to build your author platform.  If you write young adult fiction, you should advertise to teenagers perhaps through school visits, library book signings, and social media that has a primarily young audience such as Instagram.  If you write romance, you should advertise to adult women through book clubs, newspaper articles, and of course social media such as Facebook, which is used mostly by women over thirty years old.

Author platforms are sometimes difficult to pursue but a breeze once you’ve got the process down.  First, you must figure out exactly what type of audience you want as your following.  Once an audience is defined, connect with readers by consistently interacting and corresponding with them through the platform in which you’ve chosen to pursue.  Also, dive into reading groups and make contacts with other people interested in similar subject matter. 

​Don’t forget to stay in contact with local organizations!  Those around you who already know and support you will build your author platform higher than you think––in fact, word of mouth is quite effective in selling books, especially to your built-in audience of family and friends!


Picture

To stay organized and on top of your author platform, here’s a bulleted list you can check off as needed while building your platform.
​


  • Create a social media page to target the audience interested in your genre​
  • Contact journalists/newspapers about an author interview (Tip: newspapers in small towns around you will be very likely to speak with you and will likely contact you for a follow-up article)
  • Create an author website where people can learn about you and your book
  • Ask your local Barnes and Noble when they’re having their next “local authors book signing”
  • Contact indie bookstores about hosting a book singing there
  • Post on social media and your website every book review, award, accomplishment, and signing
  • Research magazines’ specific audience and pitch your article to them


Picture
Another way to get build your platform and spread your title as an author is to have a book launch party! Find a venue, set a theme from your book, and have themed baked goods and drinks to share.  But before the party, have local press write a piece on the event to spread the news about the time and place of the party and invite all who want to come out and support you. Also, a book launch is the best way for an author to spring into the adventurous life of a writer!

See how much fun building your author platform can be? While it might seem intimidating at first, once you’ve got all the right tools and resources to build, there’s nothing stopping you from being on your way to the Bestseller list!  


Picture
​

​Macy Cochran is a freelance editor and writer for the Tryon Daily Bulletin. Learn more about how to work with Macy on her website at ElegantEditingServices.com or by email at eleganteditingservices@gmail.com. 
​

0 Comments

What’s a POV, and Why Can’t I Use Adverbs?

2/21/2021

0 Comments

 
or…..
A Lesson on Narration Styles and Adverbs
​By guest contributor Macy Cochran
Picture
​Hello writers, new and experienced alike!  There’s never been such a thing as over-studying, so allow us here at IngramElliott to offer our best lesson on narration styles and adverbs in dialogue tags, a couple of the most important aspects to consider while drafting.
           
Point of View
The point of view (POV) of your book sets the initial tone for readers whether we’re aware of it or not.  While first person narrative gives the story a tighter grip on the main character, third person offers a more story-telling tone.  But let’s dig deeper…

First person narrative is used often in thrillers and young adult novels so readers can feel a deeper connection with the main character (MC).  This style of POV reads as though the MC is speaking his thoughts, though it can be written in present tense or past tense.  I’ll share an example from John Green’s young adult novel The Fault in Our Stars, “I woke up in the ICU.  I could tell I was in ICU because I didn’t have my own room…”

Notice how that quote is written as if coming straight from the mind of the MC and being told as though it happened in the past by using past tense verbs.  This narration style is used frequently when authors strive for their audiences to experience a more intense relationship with the book and the characters within, and past tense is included to give a more nostalgic tone.  Here’s an example of first person, present tense in Gayle Forman’s If I Stay: “I can feel them praying.  Which also makes me think I’m dead…And I’m not crying either, even though I know that something unthinkable has happened to my family.”  This tense is used by authors who want to convey a story that’s more action-packed with an in-the-moment feel. 

Third person narrative is a regularly used POV, especially in literary fiction, using pronouns like “he,” “she,” and “they,” opposite of first person’s pronouns like “I,” “myself,” “me,” etc.  However, there are two types of third person POV––omniscient and the more common past tense.  Third person omniscient is rather flexible for writers in that this POV is all-knowing of numerous characters in the story, following more than just one character.  This omniscient style allows readers to be aware of what is happening in each of the character’s lives, permitting the author to “head-hop” from one person to the other. 

Editors note: Take care when hopping from one character to another while using omniscient point of view--if not crafted with much care, this approach may confuse readers. 

Third person past tense follows only one character, similarly to first person, though the story is told from the author’s point of view, saying things like, “He walked to the store,” or “She helped the man up, and then she pushed him back in his chair.” Most genres in commercial fiction such as thrillers or young adult pieces are written in first person narrative.  Literary fiction is most often seen in third person.  Some examples of this are Great Expectations, Pride and Prejudice, and The Scarlet Letter. 

Overall, each of these POVs is fun to work with, so before you take on your first draft, do a little research and find which narration style works best for you!


Picture
Now for the Adverbs
Watch out, avid writers, because we’ve all come across adverbs in dialogue tags like this one: “‘I love you,’ she said sweetly.” Now let’s try, “‘I love you.’  She touched his cheek and rubbed the tip of her nose on his.” Notice how readers can interpret that the dialogue was said sweetly due to the actions that followed. 

Editors often warn against adverbs in dialogue tags because adverbs are known to tell action instead of show it.  But how come we see adverbs so much in bestselling novels? Many times, authors with a high platform can get away with including these risky techniques in their writing because publishers want the authors’ exposure. 

But the cornerstone to good writing is using exciting verbs that help the reader see the action rather than taking the easy way out by using adverbs.  The best way around adverbs is to step back, imagine what action you’re trying to convey, and search out your best verb for that description. 

​So once you’ve nailed your POV and started writing, choose your words carefully!  They just might land you on the bestseller list…           


Picture

​Macy Cochran is a freelance editor and writer for the Tryon Daily Bulletin. Learn more about how to work with Macy on her website at ElegantEditingServices.com or by email at eleganteditingservices@gmail.com. ​

0 Comments

Drawing Inspiration from 2020 (and What to Learn from It)

1/8/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
By contributor Macy Cochran

Last year (isn’t it relieving to call 2020 ‘last year’?) was difficult for everyone, even writers who were probably comfortable with being quarantined at first.  So we authors had to suffer through somehow, whether that was reading books or writing them. . . .  No matter the trials and errors of making do with the little inspiration last year brought, here’s how authors at IngramElliott stayed sound!


Picture
​January 2020 brought Robin Elno’s Wild West stories and sent him on a virtual book tour the following month, allowing his audience a chance to connect with his newest Clown William series novel, Clown William and the Wind of Vengeance.  Check in at http://www.ingramelliott.com/news--updates/archives/01-2020 to learn a little more about Elno’s award-winning series.  Flashforward to the end of his virtual tour in March, and read all the praise for his latest novel at http://www.ingramelliott.com/news--updates/archives/03-2020.  Here, you can get to know the author of the much-loved series for both youth and Wild West-loving adults!


Picture
By April, the year was nearly half-way over.  Woo-hoo!  We celebrated by sharing with you some upcoming new releases to help weather the effects of staying indoors during the pandemic and highlighted author interviews with Marsha G. Cook and Jeffrey Meyer on their new releases, inspirations for their new books, and more. ​


Picture
​At the half-way point of 2020 (finally) it was time for us writers to get serious with marketing our works.  Hanging out on social media during quarantine––what better way to pass the time?  Moreover, what better way to market your writing?  Learn all the ins and outs of using social media platforms to reach a broader audience by clicking on our link: http://www.ingramelliott.com/news--updates/archives/06-2020.  



Picture
In August, we offered some more insightful tips on how exactly writers are supposed to build their online platform. Guest Instagrammer and guest contributor Marc Anthony Brown shared his extensive experience in building a strong platform on the book-cover-friendly social media platform.

Between hashtag strategies on Instagram to interacting with fans, http://www.ingramelliott.com/news--updates/archives/08-2020 is where to find this useful info and revisit Marc's excellent recommendations. 


Picture
​Last year, finding the motivation to keep writing through the hard times of 2020 was challenging to come by.  That’s why we brought you a Q&A with Vince Bailey, author of his award-winning novel, Courses of the Cursed.  At http://www.ingramelliott.com/news--updates/archives/07-2020, perhaps you can draw some inspiration from Bailey’s story and how he came to be a writer.



Picture
​Alas, 2020 ended, and perhaps you writers out there used this slow year of quarantining to complete the manuscript of your dreams.  If that’s the case, you’ve heard the rumors of the dreadful editing process. . . .  But don’t fret!  Here’s a relief––even editors need editors!  Though the editing and revision of your novel might sound challenging at first, this blog post might offer some comfort and advice on how to get that manuscript ready for publication (http://www.ingramelliott.com/news--updates/archives/11-2020). 

Writers, though perhaps homebodies at heart, certainly had their fair share of struggles last year, but we remembered one thing if nothing else: writers stick together.  And unite, we did.  With much hope and cheer for the optimistic year ahead of us, let’s reflect on the last one and apply what we learned to further our writing opportunities in the months to come!


Picture

​Macy Cochran is a freelance editor and writer for the Tryon Daily Bulletin. Learn more about how to work with Macy on her website at ElegantEditingServices.com or by email at eleganteditingservices@gmail.com. 
​

0 Comments

Holiday Gift Guide 2020 - Give the Gift of Reading!

12/13/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
Shop Amazon
Shop IndieBound
Shop Barnes & Noble

For thrills and chills

Picture
Winner in the Chanticleer International Book Awards for Paranormal and Supernatural Fiction
Picture
"A rollicking, Western-flavored frightfest."
-Kirkus Reviews
Book 2 in the award-winning Curtis Jefferson series
Picture
​This intense thriller is set against a backdrop of biker gangs, drug cartels, terrorism, and dangerous liaisons. ​ All secrecy is not meant to deceive. 

For heroes and horses

Picture
Silver IPPY winner and Finalist NIEA & NextGen Indie Book Awards
A reluctant 1870's gunslinger with Tourette's and a quick draw . . ..William just wants to fit in somewhere. But people keep picking on him. People with guns. ​
Picture
​Winner NIEA & IPPY - Western Fiction; Best Fiction Series
When William escorts the lady Emily over the mountains and into Lincoln, New Mexico he finds her brother John in a battle for survival in the infamous Lincoln county War.  
Picture
Book 3 in the  award-winning Clown William series. While the battle for Lincoln, New Mexico, rages on, William is consumed by his own war against Jesse Evans, the man he blames for the loss of his friends and the start of his life as a gunfighter.

For lovers of literature and romance

Picture
Picture
Picture
New Release! This new novel by award-winning author Jeffrey Meyer explores government, religion, and  ​​personal transformation in this visionary work of literary fiction. 
IBPA Silver Winner & Finalist NIEA and NextGen Indie Awards
"An engrossing fictional exploration of family, culture, and what it means to belong in both China and America." 
-
Kirkus Reviews
Love, tropical style. Travel with Jessica as she explores mystical locations and exotic scents, sights, and tastes. Long-forgotten passions will awake as you take a journey into the unknown. A journey into love. 

For young adults

Picture
New Release! This debut novel by Marsha G. Cook will take YA fans into new realms of mystical magic and whispers . . . on the wind. ​
Picture
Finalist NextGen Indie Book Awards
Young Authors under 25

​Something ancient is stirring on the island…and it’s out for blood.​

For young readers

Picture
Picture
Picture
Silver Winner Moonbeam Children's Book Awards, Finalist NIEA & NextGen Indie Book Awards
​
When Tabby wakes on her twelfth birthday magically transformed into grown-up "Ms. Mulligan," she and her friends must solve the mystery before it's too late.  
xciting middle-grade mystery series
​
Mystery and Soda are on the case with the whole town relying on them . . . even the police! They'll do whatever it takes to save the town and learn the truth about the legend of Mr. Creepy.​
k 2 in the Mystery Muffin Series
​Join the kid sleuths, Mystery Muffin and Soda Pop Slooth on their investigation to find out the truth. Is the ghost of Crippler’s Creek fact or fiction?

Picture
Picture
Picture
Boys 8-11 will love Benny Moon and his exciting adventures. With the help of a wise Owl, Benny learns the tools and techniques of the ancient Medicine Wheel to help him cope with the emotional toll often felt in an ever changing world.
Benny Moon’s dream of winning the Motocross Nationals is about to come true.
​
Will Benny be able to use the lessons of the Medicine Wheel to get a second chance to fulfill his dreams? Find out in Book 2 of the series. 
Kids 2-6 will adore Pablo Prairie Dog and his half-animal/half-human wrestling heroes. 
 Pablo learns that value is found in everyone, no matter our size or differences.​

Picture

IngramElliott Publishing wishes you a wonderful holiday season.
​Happy Reading!
​www.ingramelliott.com

0 Comments

All writers need editors . . . and all editors do too!

11/20/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
By guest editor and contributor Macy Cochran

Patience is key to publication, and after writing a novel, the dreaded editing process is next, calling for the utmost patience. Writing a novel might sound like the difficult and tedious part of publishing, but isn’t editing your work the most time-consuming part? 

The editing and revision process is hard on the author and even more trying when beginning the process right after completing your last chapter.  All writers need a break from their manuscript, so before taking a nose dive right back into your novel, give yourself a break and allow for time to refresh your creative mind prior to looking upon your manuscript with a pair of fresh eyes. 


Picture
Some of the best practices for editing your work prior to publication or professional editing can be quick and easy if you take one step at a time. 

First, read through your manuscript checking for instances where you might “tell” the action instead of “showing” it.  Doing a word search for adverbs that end with “ly” is a perfect place to start.  The best way to avoid pesky adverbs is to consider the sentence and create a description the adverb was trying to imply.

All writers face overused words that always make their way into your work.  While editing your own piece, start cutting some of those overused words.  Though it might seem time consuming, a quick read-through of your book is what will call attention to any sort of redundancy that’s woven within. 

Like most authors, we’d like to think our work is a masterpiece that needs no professional editing.  The problem is that all authors need editors, and even better––all editors need editors.  While you might not catch some awkward phrasing or wordy sentences, an editor is sure to polish those blemishes. 

Editors can seem intimidating in the beginning because they’re literally hired to find your mistakes. But what might not meet the eye upon first introduction is that working with an editor builds a level of trust.  An editor cares for your book as much as you do, and that’s why they chose to work with you. 


Picture
Working with an editor is often a learning experience. 

During the time you’re with an editor, you’ll get a better understanding of what kind of editing you need. While developmental editing clears up plot holes and character development, line editing takes care of general syntax issues where grammatical errors tend to appear. Proofreading is almost always a necessity that gives your manuscript a final review for typos and last-minute details prior to publication.   

 
But if working with an editor right after the completion of your novel feels too soon, online workshop classes are a timeless means of receiving peer feedback from writers and editors alike.  Every author’s opinion is valuable and worth considering. 

When it comes down to it, editing is likely the most important part of publishing a novel, so track down an editor who’s right for you and your genre and get to work!


Picture
​
Macy Cochran is a freelance editor and writer for the Tryon Daily Bulletin. Learn more about how to work with Macy on her website at ElegantEditingServices.com or by email at eleganteditingservices@gmail.com. 


Want to know more about working with editors? Check out a previous blog post about working with professional editors: It's your baby, let it grow!
0 Comments
<<Previous
Forward>>

      Join our mailing list

    Subscribe

    Archives

    November 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    November 2022
    October 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    May 2022
    November 2021
    August 2021
    June 2021
    April 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    January 2020
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    January 2017
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016

    Categories

    All
    Advertising
    Amazon
    Author Platform
    Authors
    Awards
    Barnes & Noble
    Blog Tours
    Blog Writing
    CIBA
    Contests
    Editing
    Events
    Gift Guide
    Gifts
    Goodreads
    Holidays
    IBPA
    Independent Publishers
    IndieBound
    IngramElliott
    IPPY
    Marketing Books
    Merchandise
    New Releases
    NIEA
    Publishing
    Reading For Kids
    Reviews
    Social Media
    Uncommon Publishing
    Virtual Assistant
    Writing Tips

    RSS Feed

©2015-2023 IngramElliott, Inc.
  • Welcome
  • Titles
    • A Call to China
    • Benny Moon: Racing the Medicine Wheel
    • Benny Moon Eats Dirt
    • Between the Ocean and the Stars
    • Clown William
    • Clown William and the Lincoln County War
    • Clown William and the Wind of Vengeance
    • The Cornbread Letters
    • Crooked Lines
    • Highlights of Palmistry
    • Hungry
    • Indian Country
    • Island Whispers
    • Ms. Mulligan and the Enchanted Ice Cream
    • Mystery Muffin & Soda Pop Slooth: The Legend of Mr. Creepy
    • Mystery Muffin & Soda Pop Slooth: The Ghost of Crippler's Creek
    • Path of the Half Moon
    • Courses of the Cursed
    • Merging Paths
    • Surrender
    • TimeLock
    • TimeLock 2: The Kyoto Conspiracy
    • Whispers on the Wind
    • WWCC Heroes
  • Submissions
    • Guidelines
    • IE Snaps! Imprint
  • News & Updates
  • Contact
  • Bookstore