We caught up with the author ahead of the release of Benny Moon Saves the Standing People on December 3. 

Who is the primary audience for the book?
Although I have targeted the pre-teen and teen audience, the Benny Moon books can be enjoyed by all age groups.

Do you have advice for other writers?
Write for the fun of creating.  Commit to writing just one sentence a day.  Don't worry about being published, just do it for the joy it brings you.

Photo available via Adobe Stock

Book authors often face the dual challenge of producing compelling content and marketing it effectively. While writing is at the heart of their craft, today’s authors also need to master the art of promotion. Adobe Express offers a powerful set of tools that can help authors manage their creative and promotional needs with ease. Whether designing eye-catching book covers or creating engaging social media posts, Adobe Express can be a valuable resource. Here’s how authors can make the most of this tool.

Creating Stunning Book Covers
The first impression a book makes is often through its cover. Adobe Express offers a wide variety of templates that can be customized to create stunning book covers. Authors can start by choosing a template that fits the tone and genre of their book, then personalize it with their own imagery, fonts, and colors. Adobe Express allows authors to upload their own photos or choose from Adobe’s stock photo library. This flexibility ensures that authors can create professional, high-quality book covers that captivate potential readers and stand out on the shelf or online.

Designing Social Media Graphics for Book Promotion
Promoting a book requires a strong presence on social media, and Adobe Express can help authors design eye-catching graphics that grab attention on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. With its simple drag-and-drop functionality, authors can create engaging posts that highlight key quotes from the book, announce launch dates, or share behind-the-scenes content about the writing process. Adobe Express even allows for the creation of animated posts and stories, making it easy to capture attention in a crowded social media landscape.

Crafting Beautiful Marketing Materials
Beyond social media, Adobe Express can also be used to create a wide range of marketing materials such as flyers, posters, and digital ads. Authors who are planning book signings, speaking engagements, or virtual events can use Adobe Express to design promotional materials that reflect their book’s aesthetic. With customizable templates, authors can produce consistent branding across all of their marketing efforts, ensuring a cohesive look that resonates with their audience.

Developing Author Branding
For authors, branding is just as important as writing a compelling book. Adobe Express allows authors to create logos, business cards, and other branding materials that reflect their unique style. By developing a consistent visual identity, authors can build their personal brand and make themselves more recognizable to readers. Whether they are self-publishing or working with a traditional publisher, having strong branding can help authors establish themselves in the market and foster a sense of professionalism.

Making Engaging Book Trailers
A book trailer is an effective way to pique the interest of potential readers, and Adobe Express makes it simple for authors to create short, engaging videos. With Adobe Express’s video editing features, authors can combine text, music, and visuals to create a cinematic teaser for their book. These trailers can be shared on social media, added to the author’s website, or included in email newsletters. The drag-and-drop interface and pre-made templates make video creation accessible to authors, even those with no prior experience in video editing.

Creating Email Newsletter Designs
Email newsletters are a powerful tool for maintaining an author-reader connection. Adobe Express provides customizable templates that authors can use to design visually appealing newsletters. Authors can craft newsletters that include updates on their writing journey, exclusive content, and upcoming book releases, all while maintaining consistent branding. Adobe Express’s easy-to-use interface ensures that authors can create professional-looking newsletters without needing advanced design skills, helping them to stay in touch with their audience and build a loyal reader base.
​
Collaborating with a Team or Publisher
If an author is working with a team, whether it be a publicist, marketing agency, or publishing house, Adobe Express’s collaborative features make it easy to share and edit designs. Authors can invite collaborators to view, comment on, and edit their designs in real time. This feature allows for seamless collaboration, ensuring that all aspects of the promotional process are aligned and that the final product reflects the author’s vision.
In today’s competitive publishing landscape, authors need more than just great writing to succeed—they need to market themselves and their work effectively. Adobe Express provides an intuitive platform that allows authors to create professional-quality designs, whether for book covers, marketing materials, or social media content. By utilizing Adobe Express, authors can take control of their branding and promotion, ensuring their books reach a wider audience and make a lasting impact.

Ready to ramp up your author platform? Check out Adobe Express and their free trial to bring your creative vision to life!

Jackson Blaine, the President of the United States and a former defense lawyer, shocks his estranged son Brian and the entire world when he decides to personally go to court to help defend the young man after he’s arrested for murdering his best friend and college dormmate. This is the compellingly unique premise of First Line of Defense, a political/legal thriller and murder mystery coming out October 1 by one of IE's most awarded and prolific authors, Peter Berk. 

​First Line of Defense marks award-winning author Peter Berk’s third novel with IngramElliott, following the recent publication of TimeLock and TimeLock 2: The Kyoto Conspiracy, the first two entries in an imaginative series of sci-fi and action novels co-authored by Peter’s father, Columbo and Mission: Impossible writer Howard Berk. 

And now, Peter adds legal thriller to his distinguished list. Tinged with action, suspense, romance, humor and more than a few unexpected twists, the new novel takes its 21-year-old lead protagonist, Brian Blaine, on a life-altering adventure that will dramatically change his relationship with his father and alter the course of his entire personal and professional life forever. 

We caught up with the author ahead of the release of First Line of Defense on October 1. 

Please tell us something about your book that is not in the summary. 
It can rightly be called a political legal thriller, but I mainly consider the book to be about a family - in this case, the First Family - and more specifically about a young man reconnecting with his estranged father. And because I had the opposite relationship with my late dad, Howard, Brian's turbulent rapport with the President through at least the first half of the book was the hardest part to write for me.

What do you most hope will be the reaction of readers to your book?
Like any author, I just hope people are compelled to keep reading, care about the characters, come across a surprise twist or two and enjoy the overall reading experience.

Why did you pick this particular subject matter to write about?
I hadn't written anything in the legal thriller genre and out of the blue had this wild notion of a President who's a former lawyer actually representing his own son in court. Not likely of course, but that's why it's called fiction!

What is your favorite scene in your book? Why?
Probably the meet cute scene when Brian first meets Emma; a later scene when the President catches a beet-red Brian and Emma after their first romantic encounter; the scene when father and son finally reconcile; and the "big reveal" at the end in the courthouse.

Writing a novel can be personal. Did you ever question whether to include or exclude any of your personal experiences or feelings?
Despite writing from a 21 year-old's perspective so long after I was in fact that age myself, I did include a lot of my own personal sensibilities throughout - being an only child like Brian, having a best friend who's like a brother (who is happily still very much in my life), possessing a self-deprecating sense of humor and more.

Please tell us something about yourself and how you came to be a writer. What inspired you to write your first book? 
My writing inspiration has been and always will be my father - a far better writer than I'll ever be. "First Line of Defense" was actually my first novel, but not the first one published, since I was fortunate enough to connect with IngramElliott after novelizing the screenplay of "TimeLock" my dad and I wrote several years back.

Do you have any advice for other writers?
Only the corniest of advice - never stop writing! Unlike being a dancer or athlete where you have a limited number of years to perform on the stage or on the field, writers can write at any age. My dad was working on a new novel at 92 and look how long it took me to have a book published, so keep at it forever.

Tell me a little about your book’s title and what it represents?
Nothing too subtle here, I'll admit, but "First" as in First Family and "Defense" since that's what the entire story is about.

About The Author                                                                  
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 novels. The original TimeLock novel was named as a Distinguished Favorite in the TechnoThriller category of the 2024 Independent Press Award and was a Finalist in the 2023 Chanticleer International Book Awards for Science Fiction, Mystery, and Global Thrillers. TimeLock 2: The Kyoto Conspiracy was published in 2023 and the third book in the series, TimeLock 3: The Millennium Paradox, will be published in Spring 2025 by IngramElliott. Peter and his family live in Southern California.
​
Connect with Peter on Facebook and Instagram @peterberk_author.

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.​

We're proud to congratulate our author, M.M. Cochran, on reaching the Amazon best seller list! Between the Ocean and the Stars, a dynamic coming-of-age mystery, reached the top 100 on Amazon's best seller list for Young Adult novels last week. ​

Praise for the book
"This was an amazing debut novel...that leaves you hooked from page one until the very end!...This is a must read novel for all book lovers." 
-Bookstagrammer @memyshelfandwine

"It kept me intrigued and turning the pages until the end." -Books, Cooks, Looks

"Cochran writes an emotional and gripping story of young love and how far we would go to achieve it." -Bookstagrammer @nurse_bookie

A new and dangerous psychological thriller from award-winning author, M.M. Cochran coming September 17, 2024 in print and e-book. This exciting new psychological thriller from award-winning author M.M. Cochran will keep you up at night. 

Also available from IngramElliott Publishing
Don't miss the author's debut young adult novel hailed as, "Heartbreaking, poignant, and emotional," and "an intense first love story." 

A finalist in the 17th Annual National Indie Excellence Awards, Between the Ocean and the Stars is a mystery romance where high winds and passion collide.

When Chicago journalist Jessica Knight is linked to a string of odd murders, she 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. ​

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 Instagram @m.m.cochran_writer.  

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.