Jim Lively is an artist, author and film maker. His artwork and art films have been recognized in numerous juried competitions, publications and film festivals. Jim is also an accomplished author. He received the 2016 Merrimack Media Outstanding Writer Award for his novel, Punitive Damages. His two novels, Surreal Absurdity and Choking on the Splinters won the Bronze Award in the Global Book Awards. Jim's novel, Never Ignore Monica received a five star review from Reader Views. His latest novel, Your Brain's Still Flashing, received the 2024 Person of the Year Book Award for Suspense and Thriller as well as the 2024 International Impact Book Award for Mystery and Thriller. In addition, Jim has exhibited his artwork in several group and solo exhibitions across North America and in Europe. He was presented a Certificate of Excellence for the 2015 Palm Art Awards. In the past two years, eighteen of his short experimental films have been either selected or won best in genre at film festivals in the world. Among the highlights, his film, The Soul of Vinyl; Abbey Road Side 2 screened at the 2016 New York City Independent Film Festival and Still Mad as Hell screened at the 2017 New York City Independent Film Festival. Jim’s film, The Case of the Deranged Sommelier won Best Experimental Film in the 2016 Directors Circle of Shorts Film Festival and in the 2017 Lionshead Film Festival in Dallas. His film, Put Another Needle on the Record won Best Experimental Film at the 2017 Austin Indie Fest. Jim's film, The Right to Bear Arms was an official selection at the Cardiff International Film Festival in Wales. Two new films, Spinning Vinyl and The Existentialist TV have just been selected to the 2018 Ft. Worth Indie Film Showcase. Jim's formal education includes a B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin and a Juris Doctor from Southern Methodist University.