A WITCH AWAKENS
WELCOME to the second episode of IN THE SPOTLIGHT. This week, Dianne takes a closer look at A WITCH AWAKENS by Ellis Elliott. It’s another Current Words production from 2025, published on our Hawkshaw Press (mystery and crime) imprint. Ellis has written a compelling debut novel, one in which plot and character development are front and center—one that honors traditional mystery writing. “[It’s] a throwback to a time before graphic violence and hardcore police procedurals became the norm,” writes KIRKUS, adding:
“Elliott crafts a pleasantly twisty mystery populated by rich characters… an intriguing tale that is sure to delight old-fashioned mystery lovers. A satisfying cozy mystery with just a hint of the supernatural.”
Check out the video below to learn more and get a glimpse of what awaits you between the covers.
A Witch Awakens at a glance
Ellis Elliott’s novel, the first in a planned series of novels that will bear the banner A FIRE CIRCLE MYSTERY, follows Tennessee “Cece” Chagall. A former New Yorker, Cece finds herself back in her hometown of Eureka Grove, Tennessee. No sooner does she arrive when a murder shatters the tranquility of the town.
Aided by an eccentric aunt and the women of the local “fire circle,” Cece is pulled into a mystery that blends personal rediscovery with long-buried community secrets. The work is very much an ensemble piece, because Ellis writes not only Cece’s story, but a complete tapestry of family, friendship, and the generations that make Eureka Grove feel lived-in and real. Readers drawn to small-town charm, quirky characters, and a touch of magic threaded through a cozy mystery will find this tale absolutely worth the read.
Midwest Book Review excerpt
“A WITCH AWAKENS is a ‘Fire Circle Mystery’ steeped in an Appalachian backdrop and traditions. It delivers a punch with the hard-hitting story of Cece Chagall, who moves back to her hometown of Eureka Grove in search of peace, only to herself involved in a murder…Readers seeking vivid, engrossing stories that weave supernatural overtones into issues of murder, discovery, and transformation will relish the combination of realistic characterization and community awakening that make A WITCH AWAKENS a vibrant, thoroughly immersive experience.”
Behind the scenes: A Witch Awakens cover build
Ellis and I discussed the cover design and were both in agreement that we wanted it to incorporate collage. She had amassed a number of images which she photographed and sent to me. Below are some of those images. I also found numerous graphics to add to the design. Including text and effects layers, the Photoshop source file ultimately exceeded 100 layers.
During the process, Ellis explained that she planned to write a series of tales under the name Fire Circle Mysteries. This inspired me to create an oval graphic that could be placed on each volume for purposes of depicting a unified brand.
I created three versions. I quite liked version 1, but the problem is that it focuses exclusively on the “witch” aspects of the book and lacks any reference to fire circles. The second iteration depicts witches around a fire circle, but the image itself is so heavily stylized it’s nearly impossible to see what’s actually taking place. The third version was the clear winner, by removing the human element from the graphic, the focus became the fire circle itself, so it’s easy to imagine that anyone could be part of the circle—we just don’t need to see them. The font was also adjusted and letter-spaced for greater distinction.
Once the fire circle graphic was completed, I placed it along the bottom front atop a faux ribbon that spans the horizontal length of the cover. The ribbon also provided real estate for one of the reviewer blurbs. Overall, the cover took a few hours to get right though I believe it was time well spent because Ellis was pleased with it, and that’s really what matters most.
To learn more about A WITCH AWAKENS, follow these links:
Book Trailer | Amazon Product Page | Current Words Portfolio Page
See you again soon!
David Yurkovich
Current Words Publishing