Storytelling runs deep in Peter Berk’s DNA. The longtime IngramElliott Publishing collaborator and award-winning novelist and screenwriter grew up watching his father, Howard Berk, craft the pulse-pounding worlds behind television classics like Columbo, Mission: Impossible, and The Rockford Files—then carried that creative spark forward in his own action-packed work.
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Now Peter is turning up the heat with FireLine, IngramElliott’s dazzling new action/thriller and the first book in an electrifying new series. Blending razor-sharp wit, relentless momentum, and timely themes about the fragile planet we all share, FireLine promises a high-stakes ride for longtime fans—and the perfect entry point for readers discovering Peter Berk for the first time.

We caught up with the author ahead of the release of his new action/thriller, FireLine. 

What do you hope readers take away from your work, beyond the story itself?
I try to avoid being overtly preachy or message-oriented, but I of course hope readers are not only entertained by my novels but may be inspired to see how possible it can be for so-called "ordinary" people like the ones I tend to write about to find an inner strength within they perhaps didn't know they had and to heroically tackle obstacles they didn't know they could overcome.

Do you have any rituals or routines that help you get into a writing mindset?
The honest truth is that it takes very little effort for me to get into a writing mindset since I love the process so much - even when faced with the inevitable bouts of writer's block. No question that there are times working out a storyline or making a new character compelling enough to read about can be challenging, to say the least, but most days I can't wait to get to work because I'm as invested in what will happen to my characters as I hope my readers will be.

How do you approach editing and revisions—do you find it enjoyable or challenging?
Early in my writing career, I probably wasn't always a good sport when given a list of suggested edits and revisions, especially since many of them required substantial rewrites. But over the years, I finally realized that every time I made those changes, the piece in question was unquestionably better. Now, when the great team at IngramElliott sends me notes about a new work, I'm truly excited to read them since I know each revision will only improve the manuscript and ultimately guarantee a better reading experience.

Are you currently working on any new projects or ideas you’d like to share?
I'm especially excited about Merrilake Falls, my next novel with IngramElliott, since it's a bit of a departure for me in terms of character and storyline. Focusing on a single mother (the first time one of my novels has featured a female lead) who moves back to her picturesque hometown of Merrilake Falls in British Columbia, the story - combining romance, drama, science fiction and hopefully a bit of humor - follows the arrival of a mysterious galactic cloud that causes the town to be split into two side-by-side interacting time periods, the present and 1882, and leads our heroine to meet a man from the past who might just represent her future. The book is intended as the first in a new series and has also been written as a television pilot script currently being shopped to producers and production companies in the U.S. and Canada.

IngramElliott’s newest author, Arthur McMaster, has done it all—playwright, novelist, teacher, and poet. Remarkably, writing is his second career. His first took him into the world of foreign intelligence, serving in military intelligence and the CIA. After retiring from government service, Arthur turned his talents to teaching and to writing fiction and poetry.

​This summer, IngramElliott Publishing is excited to launch Arthur’s thrilling new Shadow Series with the first book in the trilogy, In the Orchards of Shadow and Light. Drawing on his eclectic background and masterful storytelling, the series blends historical fiction, espionage, romance, suspense, and high-stakes intrigue into one unforgettable read.

​We caught up with the author ahead of the release of his new romantic spy thriller, In the Orchards of Shadow and Light. 

What do you hope will be the reaction of readers to your book?
I would want readers to see and accept that so much that matters to us happens by chance. We plan, yes, but when the right doorway opens, and anything is possible, we must allow ourselves to be open to walking through that door, as Claire and Jacques do, against all odds. The war going on around them, they persevere. They become more than they could ever be alone and apart.

Do you plot your stories, or do you just get an idea and off you go?
I love this question, because as a guy that has been teaching creative writing for years (my second career), and emphasizing that manner of writing often called upmarket fiction, I emphasize that characters are more important to good story-telling than is plot. So, yes, I get an idea, I chose a good setting—time, place, and social environment—and give the main character a challenge. Inner directed challenges are sharper than outer. But both help propel the journey. Detail is crucial. I do a lot of research as I write, to deepen and sharpen the work. Here, the reader is traveling with the protagonist toward an end that may not be clear until the Volta, an Italian word for the Turn. I also like “cliff hangers,” urging the reader to want more.

What genre do you generally write and have you considered others?
I started writing short fiction in high school. I was also writing poems, but I had not yet realized that one must read poetry, get immersed in it, in order to begin to truly write well. I have published a lot of poetry, including three volumes of “verse.” Also, several pieces of short fiction. I owe it to one professor I took in my undergrad years who helped me to get in any way competent. The gateway for me was James Wright (volume, The Branch Will Not Break). So, years later, having wrapped up my career in intel ops and special operations, I trooped off to Florida for an MFA in Creative Writing. I have also written a bunch of stage plays, about half of them have been produced.  And now, in my third career, I write novels!

IngramElliott Publishing loves bringing unique stories to light for readers of all genres. Our bestseller list is a great place to start stocking up on paperbacks for the beach. Check out our recommendations below. From favorites to new releases, IE has got you covered!

For your young readers, IE Kids offers these extraordinary dual language titles to entertain and educate. 

Guest blog post by K.C. Freeman

Deep in the Louisiana river bottoms, the fate of voodoo power in New Orleans lays in the hands of  the legendary “swamp witch” Mama Moo. She must decide who to share her juju with—the white light voodoo priestess she attempted to murder years ago or the black magic criminal mastermind she calls “son.”

Mama Moo leans in very closely and whispers into her ear. “When you want hoodoo as much as you wanted that air, come back to see me, child.”
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Will Mama Moo side with her son or the pupil who wouldn’t take “no” for an answer? Her seemingly obvious choice is complicated by long-buried secrets that will determine who lives or dies. 

“JuJu Justice spins a tale that is both intriguing and culturally rich… JuJu Justice enthralls viewers with a combination of magical intrigue and Southern Gothic drama.” ~ NYISA

“JuJu Justice creates a supernatural stage filled with spirits, ghosts, murder, and deception…with a skillful blend of supernatural elements with deeper themes of family and responsibility.” ~ Austin Film Festival
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The screenplay has won five script awards:

• Semifinalist Your Script Produced 4th Edition 2025
• Semifinalist Los Angeles International Screenplay Awards
• Official Finalist NYISA Best Feature Screenplay Award
• Second Rounder Austin Film Festival Screenplay Competition
• Quarterfinalist Manchester Film Festival

 

T.E. Lane writes screenplays and fiction. A fan of action, thrillers, mystery, and literary fiction, the author enjoys blending aspects of many genres into a single work, creating a unique reading experience that will keep you turning the pages. Her award-winning debut novel, The Cornbread Letters, won three awards and the script was named a second rounder at the Austin Film Festival.
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Every T.E. Lane story begins with family at its core and spirals into mystery, action, with a touch of the supernatural. Her books are places where magic always feels possible, the coincidences may not be so coincidental, and the line between reality and something more is always worth crossing.
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You can connect with T.E. Lane on social media at:
Instagram @telane_author
Follow T.E. Lane on BookBub @telane_author
Follow the author on Goodreads @telane_author
Connect with T.E. Lane on Facebook 

Guest blog post by KC Freeman

What does one retired college English professor have to do with post-World War II thriller suspense, intrigue, and epic romance? In this particular case…quite a lot. 

Arthur McMaster began his career as a foreign intelligence officer so he knows the spy business well enough to craft an engaging thriller set in post-World War II. However, it’s his lifelong pursuit of lyrical creativity that infuses his novels with such beauty the reader may wonder: Is this fact, fiction, romance, or pure poetry?
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We had the privilege of sitting down with Arthur to pick his poetic mind about what makes his writing so special and to give us some insight into his latest literary masterpiece, In the Orchards of Shadow and Light (previously In the Orchards of Our Mothers).  

Arthur wants his readers to see and accept that so much that matters to us happens by chance. We plan, yes, but when the right doorway opens, and anything is possible, we must allow ourselves to be open to walking through that door, as Claire and Jacques do, against all odds. They become more than they could ever be alone and apart.

Arthur started writing short fiction in high school, including poetry, even though he admits he had not yet realized that one must read poetry, get immersed in it, in order to begin to truly write well. He has published a lot of poetry and several short fiction pieces. He declares he owes his success to one professor in his undergraduate years who helped him to gain competency. The gateway for him was James Wright (volume, The Branch Will Not Break).
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Years later, having wrapped up his intelligence career, he trooped off to Florida for a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing. He also wrote a bunch of stage plays, about half of them have been produced.  And now, in his third career, he writes novels!

Arthur, as a guy who has been teaching creative writing for years, emphasizes that characters are more important to good storytelling than plot. So, when he gets an idea, he chooses the setting and gives the main character a challenge. He prefers inner-directed challenges rather than outer ones since both propel the journey. Details are crucial and he diligently researches as he writes to deepen and sharpen the work. Arthur wants the reader to travel with the protagonist toward an end that may not be clear until the Volta, an Italian word for the Turn. He is also keen on cliffhangers.

Arthur's novel, In the Orchards of Shadow and Light, will be available anywhere you buy books in print and e-book from IngramElliott Publishing in 2026. 

Also by Arthur McMaster:

• In the Orchards of Our Mothers (previously published)
• The Whole Picture Show, (poems)
• Musical Muse, Wives & Lovers of the Great Composers
• Birdies Never Die
• The Spy Who Came Down with a Cold (poems)
• Need to Know, a Memoir ​

The Benny Moon series by Salem Wolf Heart has been an IE fan favorite since the very first installment of this exciting middle grade story about racing, friendship, family, and the Native American Medicine Wheel. 

IngramElliott Publishing is proud to announce that Salem Wolf Heart's third book in the Benny Moon series, Benny Moon Saves the Standing People, has taken the top prize at the 2025 NYC Big Book Award. The awards received books from around the world, and from a number of well-known names, journalists and authors. NYC Big Book Award is committed to celebrated the highest quality in ​independently and traditionally published books.

Guest post by IE Author Salem Wolf Heart
Title: Benny Moon Saves the Standing People (available in print and e-book from IE)
Coming Soon! A new Dual-Language Edition (Spanish-English)

A conversation with my character, Benny Moon

Benny, when did you believe that trees could talk?
 I heard a cry for help from my bedroom window.  I didn’t see anyone so I kind of ignored it.
When I went with my Grandpa T to the Reservation, I again heard a cry for help.  I was alone with only a row of trees in front of me. It was my friend Fawn that told me trees could talk.  That is when I began to wonder if she was right.  I think somewhere inside my mind I believed her.
 
Benny, can you tell me what you think made the rain come when it did?
Dancing, using a “rain stick”— it was like asking the clouds to open up and pour out water and take away the fire. It felt magical—made me want to believe when we danced, when the rain stick was used, that we could actually cause it to rain.
 
Benny, can you explain to me what you mean by “mind talk?”
I think when you are close to someone you can talk to them through your thoughts—without speaking words. My Dad seems to be able to hear me talk to him without me speaking out loud or being next to him. On the race track, my friend Fawn gives me warnings that I hear in my mind. It is like she is riding on my bike with me, telling me what dangers are ahead, but she is not there—not on my bike with me.
 
Thanks, Benny.  This has been fun.  Good luck with your racing!

Guest post by IE Author Jordan Berk
Title: The Timestream Verdict (available in print and e-book from IE)

A conversation with my character, Aaron Barnett

Hello, Aaron, I'm New York Times Interviewbot 7.2. Nice to meet you. How are you liking 2042 so far?
Well, I guess I'm talking to a robot right now, so that's something! It's, I dunno, magical? Everyone is so healthy, and happy, and, well, tall. And great food too! But seriously, where are the flying cars?

Flying cars are technologically viable and occasionally enjoyed for recreational purposes, but largely rendered obsolete by teleportation technology.
Oh, sure. Makes sense. 

Tell us about yourself--and when you're from.
Good old 1985! I'm from Chicago; lived there all my life. Let's see... I'm an accountant. I have a dog. I have a girlfriend, Jennifer. Pretty typical, boring guy, I suppose. This trial is definitely the most exciting thing that's ever happened to me. 

This trial has captured the attention of the whole world. How will you handle your verdict?
Oh boy, done with the softballs already. Well, I don't know much about the case yet, but I do understand the victim is "The Mother of Time Travel," so I get it. She is revered, I know. So I will, er, strive to uphold the virtue of the position and come to a verdict that is well-substantiated and, um, proved. Proven. Well-proven. I'll do my best, I guess is what I'm trying to say. 

Along those stumbling lines, do you know why I was chosen? I seem utterly unqualified. 

Query denied. Access to jury selection rationale requires level-12 clearance or higher under Temporal Governance Protocol 9.1.
Oh...okay, fine. But can you answer this? One of my fellow jurors is a Cloud Engineer by title. Can you all actually control the weather?

That's our time, Aaron. It was good to meet you. Good luck with the trial.
So...that's a maybe?

Columbo Writer Howard Berk Was a Prolific Author. Now, His Son and Grandson Are Continuing the Family Legacy (Exclusive)

​Peter Berk, whose latest book was published this month, and his son, Jordan, are both novelists published by IE.

We're excited to share that the Berk family of writers - Howard, Peter, and Jordan - are featured in an exclusive interview in People magazine's Books section. Carly Tagen-Dye is the Books editorial assistant at PEOPLE, where she writes for both print and digital platforms. She wrote an amazing article highlighting the talent and history of the Berk family in television, films, and IE Published books. Howard and Peter Berk's Award-Winning Trilogy - the TimeLock series - was covered along with Jordan Berk's time-travel thriller, The Timestream Verdict. 

“It's just an incredible experience to get to explore a creative side that I didn't really know I had, despite the genetics,” Jordan says. “Maybe I should have known it was there the whole time.”
But looking back on their author journeys, both Peter and Jordan recognize Howard as a large influence. Peter says that working with his dad was "one of the highlights of my life."

The article follows the journey of Howard, as a reknown television and film writer, eventually collaborating with his son, Peter, on the TimeLock screenplay - which became the basis for the book trilogy. Peter's son, Jordan, carried on the family legacy with his sci-fi time travel novel, also published by IngramElliott. 

“It's really another way of honoring my dad, in a sense; keeping the tradition alive,” Peter says of his own writing career.

No one except Jordan’s wife knew that he was writing a novel, until he presented Peter with a 300-page manuscript as a Father's Day gift in 2022. IngramElliott went on to publish that novel, The Timestream Verdict, and added to the Berk family legacy.