Drenched with historical references of Carter County and Elizabethton, could “Justice for Toby” become the next novel to be showcased on the big screen?

If you ask screenwriter Michael Manuel, co-author of the novel, there’s a shot at it.

Released back in 2016, Manuel and Larry C. Timbs, Jr., penned the novel as a sequel to their previous book, “Fish Springs: Beneath the Surface.” Throughout the sequel, a fictional story takes place but takes in historical instances about the way slaves were received following the end of the Civil War. One of the key local structures highlighted in the book is the Snyder House, a hotel in Elizabethton which was operated from the 1850s until the 1900s.

When it comes to developing the lore of the Fish Springs series, the idea of a movie coming through the pipeline started with a chance encounter between Manual and Belle Avery.

Manuel, who turns 80 years old this month, was also quick to point out that he “hopes to be kicking” if or when the movie gets the green light due to the amount of time it takes to produce a movie.

The screenwriter went on mention that was the case for Avery’s upcoming movie, “The Meg.” As time pressed on, Avery spent time raising 75 percent of the movie’s multi-million dollar budget in Asia. While there was time invested into the project, the movie is receiving the greenlight in September with a star-studded cast that includes Jason Statham, Ruby Rose and Rainn Wilson.

“I think this movie will be a blockbuster,” Manuel said. “It’s a shark movie, and we really haven’t had a good shark movie since ‘Jaws.’ Whatever it does here in the country, it will do more in China, where Belle raised most of the budget.”

Manuel and Avery have actually been acquaintances for over 10 years. It started during a workshop in the Virginia area where Avery took an interest in Manuel’s screenwriting, which led to the development of the Fish Springs novels.

“She actually convinced me to write the books,” Manuel said.

Avery’s eye for movies has been wildly successful. Other projects by the producer include “Devil Knows You’re Dead” in 2007, which features Philip Seymour Hoffman, and “Grizzly Park,” which was shot in her home state of Virginia.

While the future of “Justice for Toby” continues to look bright, Manuel and Timbs will both be in the community during next week’s Covered Bridge Celebration in downtown Elizabethton.

“Justice for Toby” and Timbs, Jr.’s newest book, “Unlikeliest Suspect,” will both be available for purchase during the event. Both authors will also be signing copies of their novels.