Cole Burch said he has always had a way with words. Now, the 2023 Daviess County High School graduate is preparing to share his first full-length story with the world. His debut novel, “Elevate: The Elijah Cross Story,” is expected to be released on Amazon by the end of this week.
“This project has meant everything to me — a story born from my love for sports, resilience, and the belief that greatness isn’t always in the spotlight,” Burch said. “It’s in the scars, the setbacks, and the quiet moments of growth.”
The fictional story follows Elijah Cross, a young man from Philadelphia navigating adversity in pursuit of something greater. While the characters are fictional, Burch said there are real emotions and lived experiences behind the pages, shaped by personal interests, conversations with friends, and his own lifelong love of sports.
“I’ve played sports pretty much my whole life, so no matter what I write, it’s going to be influenced by that,” he said. “This story isn’t based on my life, but it’s inspired by real people and real situations. It’s kind of like something you’d see in a ’30 for 30.’”
Burch, who now attends Lindsey Wilson College and plays football for the Blue Raiders, said he began writing “Elevate” about a year and a half ago. A fan of authors like John Gordon and John Feinstein, he said the idea sparked after revisiting their books and realizing he wanted more — more stories that dig deep and speak to the struggle behind success.
“I’ve always liked writing, even as a kid — poems, short stories, anything,” he said. “But this is the first time I’ve taken on something this big.”
The book is also deeply rooted in themes of mental health, a topic close to Burch’s heart. He’s majoring in human services and counseling and hopes his writing can help others feel seen.
“Elijah is a Black kid from Philly, but he goes through a lot of things people can relate to, not just athletes, but anyone,” Burch said. “The deeper meaning is that we all face battles. But how we react to them can make the difference.”
From formatting and editing to designing the cover, Burch handled every aspect of the publishing process himself, utilizing Amazon’s free tools to bring the book to life. The only delay in the official release is clearance regarding the use of real-world institutions like St. Joseph’s University, which is referenced in the story.
“If it doesn’t work out with them, I’ll just make up a school,” Burch said. “But having real places adds a sense of authenticity that I really like.”
Though “Elevate” is just his first novel, Burch has plans for more, including possible nonfiction projects down the road.
“I definitely want to continue writing, but I don’t want it to ever feel like a job,” he said. “It’s something I enjoy. And if it helps people or connects with someone, that’s what matters most.”
To keep up with release updates and future announcements, follow @coleburchbooks on social media.
