The 2024 Austin Film Festival celebrates the best films and screenplays the industry has to offer. The mission of the AFF is to further the art and craft of storytelling by inspiring and championing the work of writers, filmmakers, and artists who use written and visual language to tell a story. 

The screenplay for JuJu Justice - a forthcoming novel by award-winning author T.E. Lane - was just named an official Second Rounder in the AFF Script Competition. It's a thrilling win for the author and a notable achievement as only the top 20% of screenplays are awarded the honor. 

This is the second honor for the screenplay as it was named a Finalist in the New York International Screenplay Awards earlier this year. 

JuJu Justice is a mystical action/drama written by award-winning writer T.E. Lane. The author’s debut novel, The Cornbread Letters, was a finalist in the 2023 National Indie Excellence and Chanticleer International Book Awards and the Winner of the 2024 Independent Press Awards for Paranormal Thriller. JuJu Justice will be published in 2025 by IngramElliott Publishing. ​

Author M.M. Cochran is more than a fiction writer--she spent early years in her career as a journalist and is no stranger to the frantic pace of getting a news piece out on time, long hours on the news floor researching a story, and the 'cold, ambiguous' atmosphere that a news room can generate. She's put all this moody experience to great use in her latest novel, a highly anticipated psychological thriller called The Button Collector. 

​Available everywhere books are sold September 17

A bone-chilling story set in snowy Chicago, this psychological thriller revolving around newspaper journalist Jessica Knight and the serial killer known for murdering Knight’s family members combines atmospheric drama with romance and mystery reminiscent of book-to-screen adaptations like Sharp Objects (HBO), The Last Thing He Told Me (Apple+), and Verity by Colleen Hoover (Amazon/MGM).

“This book’s aesthetic is very mysterious, with cigarette smoke, dark apartments, snowy streets, and police cars. It’s exactly what a reader would expect from a journalist on the run from a killer––and falling in love with a detective the whole time,” says author M. M. Cochran. “When a thriller lover picks up The Button Collector, I know they’ll be trying to solve the mystery from page one, and I’m really excited to see who can put the puzzle pieces together before the ending.”

Cochran’s award-winning debut novel--Between the Ocean and the Stars—was published in 2022 by IngramElliott Publishing and hailed by reviewers as “heartbreaking, poignant, and emotional.” The novel was named a Finalist in the National Indie Excellence Awards® and is available anywhere books are sold. Her fans are very excited about her second novel and can get signed copies at her book launch event in October. 

Cochran will be holding a book launch party for The Button Collector on Saturday, October 12, at Third Space Coffee & Bakery in Landrum, SC, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Third Space is located at 803 E. Rutherford St., Suite D, Landrum, SC. The public is invited to attend the party, where light snacks and refreshments will be served. Please bring your copy of The Button Collector for Cochran to sign at the event or purchase a paperback or hardcopy at the event. 

About the book
​
Can Jessica button up this case on her own?
​
When Chicago journalist Jessica Knight is linked to a string of odd murders happening across the country, her life takes a turn for the worse. She is left wondering why her relatives are the ones dropping like flies under the signature mark of a serial killer . . . why she can’t stop thinking about Michael Bradley, the appealing detective assigned to protect her . . . and most of all, why, despite being the Button Collector’s prime target, she’s still alive at all.

One thing she knows for certain: the killer is always watching.

As the line between truth and deception begins to blur, Jessica crumbles under the dense web of lies she’s trying to keep straight––especially once the police start questioning more than just her sanity. With pressure mounting, Jessica must navigate being under the watchful eye of the police––and the killer––while risking it all in a dangerous game to make up for the mistakes of her past.

Her days are numbered…one way or the other.

We caught up with the author in advance of the release of The Button Collector on Sept. 17. 

​Writing a novel can be personal. Did you ever question whether to include or exclude any of your personal experiences or feelings?
The Button Collector is full of personal experience. Obviously, I’ve never been hunted by a serial killer, but I was a journalist for five years (like my main character), and I’m currently in my mid-twenties just like my main character. I drew a lot of inspiration for this book while I was interning at a newspaper in my early twenties. In fact, a lot of The Button Collector was written in the conference room of that newspaper office. I hope my readers can really feel that cold, ambiguous aesthetic as they’re reading. 

Tell me about your book’s title and what it represents?
The Button Collector 100% represents the serial killer in the book, whose nickname was been deemed by media due to his wild calling card. Originally, I was calling this book “Blood Stains,” but after going back and forth with that one and “The Button Collector,” as well as pitching that name to my parents and publisher, everyone agreed that The Button Collector was the way to go. 

Who is your first reader? 
Typically, my first reader is always my mom. With The Button Collector, I knew I wanted my mom to have eyes on the manuscript first because she loves thrillers. I knew she’d give me honest feedback. It turns out that this is her favorite book of mine! 

The Button Collector is available September 17, 2024, in print and e-Book. Order your copy now through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, Rakuten kobo, Apple iTunes, and anywhere books are sold. 

About the author
​M. M. Cochran is an award-winning journalist and fiction writer. She is the author of young adult mystery romance novel Between the Ocean and the Stars, which was named a finalist in the 2023 National Indie Excellence Awards. She lives in the foothills of South Carolina and can most commonly be found watching sunsets, making homemade lattes, or seeking out the next adventure. Keep up with M. M. Cochran on @m.m.cochran_writer.

IngramElliott’s latest author, Jordan Berk, is more than meets the eye. He's a software engineer by trade, and a self-proclaimed "nerd by nature."  He also writes songs for piano, plays basketball, travels, and now . . . writes science fiction!

Tackling the mind-bending complexities, potential world-changing ramifications and confounding ethical quandaries associated with time travel, The Timestream Verdict not only spans several fiction genres, but finds an inventive new way to tell the classic story of an ordinary person thrust into extraordinary circumstances that is certain to resonate with readers of all interests and backgrounds. 

Is it in the genes?
Jordan has loved time travel stories for as long as he can remember, which is why it’s no surprise to those who know him that his first-ever novel would be in that genre. He also grew up around the world of writing, film, and television. Jordan is the grandson of noted screenwriter and novelist Howard Berk, whose credits included Columbo, Mission: Impossible and The Rockford Files. Jordan’s father is Peter Berk, co-author (with Howard Berk) of IngramElliott’s award-winning TimeLock series of action/sci-fi novels and the author of a political legal thriller, First Line of Defense, available October 1. ​

​Aaron Barnett falls asleep as an ordinary 1980s accountant and wakes up sixty years later as a juror for the trial of the century. As he soon learns, the utopian society of 2042 is grappling with the murder of the legendary scientist deemed the ‘mother of time travel.' And only this jury of inadvertent time travelers is equipped to reach an impartial verdict.

Once the shock of his situation begins to wear off, Aaron finds the world of the mid twenty-first century to be a paradise. Far removed from his monotonous life, he savors the advancements and luxuries that the seemingly idyllic future has to offer.

Unfortunately, Aaron’s initial euphoria is shattered once he uncovers the complicated, hidden truths behind time travel, and realizes that his own past, present, and future are suddenly at risk. Because the harsh reality is that Aaron and his fellow jurors may be ruling on far more than a lone case of temporal homicide. They may be delivering a verdict on the very nature of time itself.

Who is your first reader – who do you first show your work to?
On Father’s Day, 2022, I handed my dad an unmarked manilla envelope. Inside was the first
copy of the just-completed Timestream Verdict (though not yet with that name): the fully-formed version of a loose idea that he had pitched to me two years prior and had surely
forgotten about since. The idea always resonated with me, and after a few months of noodling on it, I started the long writing process, always with the intention of culminating with the gift. Other than my wife, nobody was even aware of the ongoing work; it was a surprise to everyone and especially my brother, who gave him tennis racket-shaped pasta. (Not that it’s a competition.) My dad and I spent the next couple months refining and expanding the book as collaborators, and also settled on the Timestream Verdict title together.
​
What genre do you generally write, and have you considered other genres?
Time travel fiction of all kinds has always called to me; I find it to be the most compelling genre given the unprecedented level of storytelling possibility. It’s not a coincidence that my favorite movie (Back to the Future) and favorite novel (Replay) are both in the genre, and yet even these two examples are wildly different in how they use the device. However fictional it may be, it’s the only genre in which I feel qualified to write.

​Tell me a little about your book’s title and what it represents?
The title has two meanings. One is literal, as the protagonist is a time-traveling juror who must reach a critical verdict. The other cuts deeper into the core of the story, which ultimately is about how each character’s perspective on the mutability of the timestream dictates their choices and actions.

Writing a novel can be personal. Did you ever question whether to include or exclude
any of your personal experiences or feelings?
While it’s not intensely personal, I pulled in as much as possible from my own history. Aaron, the protagonist, shares many of my more introverted and antisocial tendencies, though he is ultimately braver and more affable than I’ll ever be. And bits of dialogue or humor were pulled from personal experience, to add relatability and realism, and because I’m not nearly imaginative enough to come up with it on my own.

Where do you find joy in life?
Anywhere I can! Beyond the usual and most important source – spending time with friends and family – I love to sit down at a piano and write songs. I can’t sing, and have never played with anyone else, but I find it peaceful and fulfilling. Beyond that, I play basketball as much as I can. I’m gangly, awkward, and can’t jump over a sheet of paper, but I’ve got a mean mid-range jump shot, and it helps a lot that I’m tall. I also love traveling, watching television, and of course: writing sci-fi!

What is your favorite scene in your book? Why?
I’m particularly partial to the jury deliberation scene that comprises the bulk of chapter fourteen. It was inspired by 12 Angry Men, and I tried to follow that beloved, classic film’s blueprint of one (or in this case two) jurors taking on the burden of convincing their peers of the correct verdict using logic, reasoning, and healthy skepticism. And, during the writing process, I intentionally avoided seeding the trial with little clues in anticipation of this chapter. Instead, I was making the same logical extrapolations that I wrote for Aaron as I went along. I also really like the defense attorney’s closing statement that comes shortly before. My mom always said I would make a good lawyer; maybe she was right?

​
The Timestream Verdict is available September 10, 2024, in print and e-Book. Pre-order today at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Bookshop, and Rakuten Kobo or wherever books are sold.

​About the author
Jordan Berk is a software engineer by trade and a certified nerd by nature. He has loved time-travel stories for as long as he can remember, and The Timestream Verdict is his first contribution to the genre. In addition to writing, he enjoys basketball, technology, and amateur songwriting (even though he can’t sing to save his life). He lives with his wonderful wife and two kids near Los Angeles, California.​

Guest blog post by contributor Sierra Osborne

What are book trailers?
Book trailers are essentially commercials for books, designed to pique your audiences’ interest and get them excited to read your story. They're short videos, usually around 30 seconds to 2 minutes long, that use a combination of visuals and audio to give you a taste of what to expect during the read.

Have you ever watched a movie trailer that persuaded you to buy a ticket to see the film? Or even purchase the movie itself? Imagine that same concept, but for your book.
​
Here's what a book trailer typically does:

• Introduces the genre and tone of the book: Whether it's a thrilling mystery, a sweeping romance, or a hilarious comedy, the trailer will give you a sense of what you're in for.
• Highlights key plot points and characters: You'll get glimpses of the main characters and some of the challenges they'll face. But don't worry, they won't spoil the entire story!
• Hooks you with a compelling message: The trailer will leave you wanting more, eager to dive into the full book and see how the story unfolds.

How are they made?
An engaging trailer can leave a lasting impression on viewers, and the more effort you put into it, the more compelled your audience will be to read the book. Effective trailers can be shared across social media platforms, reaching potential readers who might not have otherwise come across the book.

Ultimately, the goal of a book trailer is to generate interest and lead to sales. Book trailers can boost sales by capturing the essence of the book, making the genre and tone clear, and enticing viewers to take action. Studies have shown that people are more likely to purchase a product after seeing a video about it. Trailers can be a powerful tool for authors to convert that interest into sales.

Book trailers can be made in a few different ways, depending on budget and desired complexity. Here's a breakdown of the general process:

1. Concept and Script: This is where you brainstorm and solidify the key message you want your trailer to convey. Write a script that outlines the visuals, narration (if any), and music to achieve that goal.

2. Gathering Assets: This involves collecting the visual and audio elements you'll use in the trailer. These can include:

• Filmed Scenes (Live-Action): For a more professional look, you can film short scenes with actors portraying characters or depicting key events.
• Stock Footage: Websites offer royalty-free video clips that you can use to represent certain settings, moods, or actions.
• Images: This could be book cover art, character portraits, or evocative images related to the story's themes.
• Text Overlays: Text on screen can be used to introduce key lines, chapter titles, or other elements.
• Music and Sound Effects: Music sets the mood and tone, while sound effects can add realism and impact.

3. Editing: The magic happens here! You'll use video editing software to assemble your clips, images, text, and audio into a cohesive and engaging sequence. There are many editing programs available, some with user-friendly interfaces suitable for beginners.

4. Polishing and Distribution: Once you're happy with your trailer, add any final touches like titles, credits, or calls to action. Then, export the video in a format suitable for online sharing on platforms like YouTube, social media, or your author website.

Alternative Approaches

• Animation: If you're comfortable with animation software or can hire an animator, you can create a more visually unique trailer using animation.
• Online Trailer Makers: There are online services that offer pre-made templates and tools specifically designed for creating book trailers. Check these out if you are a beginner on a budget.

The bottom line ... whatever your vision, bring it to life in whatever way you can! Your audience is waiting.

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.

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

Sometimes our greatest strengths can come from what we view as our greatest weaknesses. Robin Elno says this idea was a huge inspiration for him when he was writing the Clown William series, which is about a young man, William, who suffers from a physical ailment we now know as Tourette's Syndrome. After being kicked out of his house by his father in the first book of the series, a self-defense situation teaches him that he has astounding accuracy with a six-gun.

​The book series follows this unexpected hero through Colorado and New Mexico as he defends himself and those around him with this unexpected talent. And now, Elno has the third installment in the series ready for readers.
 
Picking up where book two left off, Clown William and the Wind of Vengeance finds William still in New Mexico. In the book, he is obsessed with tracking down and finishing his war with the man he blames for his life turning out the way it has – Jesse Evans. 

​As always, William is a target for many. He battles an inner conflict, as well, deciding to wait until Jesse is out of a compromising position before making his attempt on Jesse’s life. William is in a race against his own inner tornado . . . Will he beat it before it takes him out?

Robin Elno brings his experience as a retired army colonel and semiretired psychiatrist to this book series. He says he was also inspired by neurologist Oliver Sacks’s work about the unusual speed and accuracy often displayed by people with Tourette’s syndrome. The third installment in this series, Clown William and the Wind of Vengeance, is now available for pre-sale at both Barnes and Noble and Amazon.com. And, until then, here’s a little sneak peek . . .

IngramElliott Publishing is proud to announce that four of our titles have been named as Finalists or Winners in the 13th Annual National Indie Excellence Awards! The National Indie Excellence® Awards (NIEA) celebrates indie publishing and is proud to be a champion of independent presses "going the extra mile" to produce books of excellence in every aspect.



​IngramElliott Publishing truly appreciates the NIEA recognition for these amazing titles and we congratulate our winning authors!

Earlier this month, the Clown William series won the Bronze Medal for Best Fiction Series in the 2019 IPPY Awards and book one in the series, Clown William, was the 2018 IPPY Silver Award winner for Best First Book/Fiction. Set in the late 1800s, this fresh twist on the Western features an unlikely gunslinger with Tourette Syndrome.

A Call to China was named as a Silver Winner in Friday's IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards(TM), which include over fifty categories recognizing excellence in book publishing and are regarded as one of the highest national honors for independent publishers. Winners were announced April 6, 2018 during a gala dinner held in conjunction with IBPA Publishing University in Austin, Texas. 

IngramElliott is proud to be an IBPA member and shares this prestigious award with author, Jeffrey Meyer.

See all the winners on the IBPA website and read the press release here!