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Meet the Team

Introducing Mark Mionda, one of Tellwell’s treasured book-marketing associates

For the month of September, we are thrilled to introduce you to Mark, one of our team’s gifted book-marketing associates. In this interview you’ll learn what keeps Mark inspired creatively, what a typical day at Tellwell looks like for him, and how he enjoys spending his free time when he’s not bringing author visions to life!

Tell us a bit about yourself!

Hey there! My name is Mark and I’m one of the book-marketing associates here at Tellwell. I recently celebrated my first work anniversary with the company in July.

My journey in the marketing world began back in 2018. I kicked things off by working in digital marketing for a jewelry brand. After that, I took a detour and worked as a consultant in the government sector. Now, I’m thrilled to be a part of the amazing Tellwell team as a book-marketing associate.

What does a typical day look like for you?

My workday starts with my ritual cup of coffee. With my caffeine fix in hand, I dive into the day ahead. Firstly, I go through emails and over my to-do list, ensuring that no important tasks in my book-marketing projects are missed.

As a book-marketing associate, my role is all about collaboration. I work closely alongside our marketing consultants, offering a helping hand whenever they need it. Whether it’s creating book backgrounders, designing promotional materials, setting up ad campaigns, organizing book blog tours, or tackling various other marketing tasks, I’ve got my hand in the mix.

I also take care of our website section. It’s my responsibility to keep track of website renewals for our authors, providing them with prompt, helpful responses to any website-related queries, and keeping their websites updated.

In a nutshell, my days are a blend of coffee, collaboration/teamwork, and ensuring that our authors’ book-marketing journeys are as seamless as possible.

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Book Giveaways

A treasure trove of page-turner giveaways!

Let Tellwell take you to another world this September as we bring something even more magical than the changing seasons: an abundance of captivating stories waiting for you!

We’ve got extraordinary tales that will transport you to far-off realms, introduce you to unforgettable characters and their adventures, and ignite your imagination like never before.

Prepare to dive into our September book giveaway, where the treasures of captivating stories await!

A wonderful poetic journey

A must-read poetry masterpiece in Alysha Potente’s Heart Expressions.

Creative expression is one way of communicating across your thoughts and emotions. It is about conveying what it is that your heart and mind want to others in an artistic way. Included in this book are 80 poems that analytically showcase this, along with beautiful imagery to each poem and three extra chapters at the end of the book that are all based on English poetry, a bit about it’s history, the different styles and how you too can analytically write.
It’s more than just a book of the author’s poems.

Click HERE to get your FREE copy

An adventurous tale awaits

Enjoy a fun-filled and heartwarming adventure that embraces differences with Crystal Beach’s book, One Polar Bear.

One Polar Bear is a delightful rhyming book filled with lovable animals from the Canadian Arctic. Polar Bear is home sick and alone. Many animal friends drop by to cheer Polar Bear up. This counting story celebrates individuals with a variety of abilities and disabilities, and the text helps teach the numbers one to ten. Canada is a country made up of many peoples and cultures. This book reflects this diversity by featuring the word “welcome” in different languages amongst its pages. One Polar Bear is a wonderful bedtime story and a beautiful way to educate and celebrate the differences in our world.
If you can be anything, be inclusive.

Click HERE to get your FREE copy

A love story in poetic lines

Feel the love in every page, where love meets the written word, with Marina Quindiagan’s poetry book, My Thoughts are Coloured Purple.

This is a book of poems on love. Love is a universal language. Love yourself, love your neighbours, love your parents, love your siblings—even love your enemies. Most of the poems are on romantic love. When you are in love, you get an awesome feeling. You walk on the clouds. However, love can be unrequited, unanswered and can bring an awful feeling. Love is in the movies, in songs, and in music. Love is in this book of poems, ever so strong and powerful.
It’s there for you to enjoy.

Click HERE to get your FREE copy

For every little tot who loves books

Come along on a wonderful journey with Summerton Thompson Connor’s children’s book, The Adventures of Captain Jimmy Jams.

A bedtime storybook for parents to read to their children, depicting the excitement for possible adventures in dreams and the sensation of letting thoughts wander as you drift off to sleep.
Meant to invoke soft imagery and imaginative thoughts of adventure and fun, it’s a relaxing read for pleasant sleep.

Click HERE to get your FREE copy

Looking for another must-read fantasy story?

Look no further than this magical tale by Ailan McAndrew, Royal Souls.

The year: 963 AD. Prince O’Manus and Princess Sadreen are murdered at their wedding by the evil self-ordained Queen Sorcha. The souls of the royal couple, wrapped in magical protection, are cast from their bodies. The Prince’s search, to reunite with his bride, begins, and Queen Sorcha goes on a thousand-year killing spree trying to destroy either soul and enslave the magical world.
Beth, unaware of the prophecy, has been alone for fifteen years, training to become the most powerful witch alive in the 21st century, and now her life is about to explode into a battle of survival and trial by fire. Then she meets Karse, the son of a Scottish clan chief, and her Lysa bloodline curse ignites. Beth fights to control her desires for Karse as an unknown world unfolds and threatens to devour her very soul as she goes from a carefree witch to the key of victory. The soul of Prince O’Manus, hidden in unsuspecting Rhynan Doon, must get from the West Coast of British Columbia to Rainsford Island in the Boston Harbor, where Princess Sadreen’s soul awaits, before Queen Sorcha slaughters the magical world to prevent the reunion.
Nine days. Win or lose.
The clock starts on August 29 at 3 a.m. The ‘Day of Dust’, 9-6 3 a.m.

Click HERE to get your FREE copy

Searching for your next historical read?

Embrace the past one page at a time with Leonida Teohari’s memoir, Mama Dida.

Leo Teohari was born in Constanta, Romania. Leo holds both a law degree and a degree in international economics. Leo defected from Communist Romania in 1980, and settled with his family in Toronto, Canada, where he became a businessman. Today he writes about his experiences and runs an international food trade business.
In 2004 he published his first book, Hawala, based on a true story about a government cover-up and diversion related to the Romanian revolution in 1989.

Click HERE to get your FREE copy

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Author Success - In the media, awards, reviews

September author celebrations

September is here, and it’s time to roll out our author celebrations! Let’s celebrate the remarkable authors this month of September and explore their literary achievements …

Awards

At the forefront of our list is author Lisa Bournelis. Her book Louie and the Dictator has achieved its third international honour, securing a silver medal in the middle-grade category from Reader’s Favorite.

Patroosh, the Cheeky Pelican by Renée James has been awarded second place in the Clara J. John’s Literary Award 2023 for Best Picture Book and Illustrations.

Get your own copy of Patroosh, the Cheeky Pelican here!

Reviews

Aldyth Irvine-Harrison, the talented author behind the enchanting book Kindness, Capers, and Conundrums, recently earned a glowing 4.5-star review from IndieReader.

Lovers of poetry who are looking for laughter, literary allusions, and a skeptical-but-not-jaded view of humanity will enjoy the lyrics of Aldyth Irvine-Harrison’s KINDNESS CAPERS AND CONUNDRUMS.

IndieReader

Don’t miss out and grab your own copy of Kindness, Capers, and Conundrums here.

Jerome Cranston has hit a literary home run with Half-Caste: Decidedly Brown in a Black or White World, as another prestigious 4.5-star review has just rolled in from Self-Publishing Review.

On the surface, the book may seem to be written for a mixed-ethnicity audience, but there are anecdotal gems of wisdom and experiential advice that will benefit any reader. With a unique voice and style, Cranston shows himself to be a skilled storyteller and a relentless observer of his own life, as well as encapsulating the experience of so many others.

Self-Publishing Review

Get your own copy of Half-Caste on Amazon!

Monique Britten’s literary prowess shines bright with a glowing 4-star review from Self-Publishing Review.

Thanks to Britten’s deeply moving and beautifully crafted prose, this richly emotional book manages to talk about death, grief, and hope across generations without ever being maudlin or heavy-handed, offering a finely tuned balance of insightful messaging and character-driven storytelling.

Self-Publishing Review

Grab your own copy of The Day Before Tomorrow here.

In Badger and Turtle Face the Storm by Daniel McMillan, you’ll embark on a delightful adventure alongside two charming animal friends. This enchanting story, reviewed by Reader View Kids, promises an engaging and heartwarming experience for readers young and old.

Get your own copy of Badger and Turtle Face the Storm here!

Events

Renée James recently graced a lively stage at the St Mary’s Primary Grafton Writers’ Festival. Her presence was a true delight for all attendees, weaving stories and captivating hearts with her charm.

Grab your own copy of Patroosh, the Hungry Pelican on Amazon!

Celebrating Larenzo Jensen’s unforgettable book launch for his Wines and Winters! Here are some great snapshots of the event, where literature and libations came together in perfect harmony.

Get your own copy of Wines and Winters here!

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Author of the Month Author Success - In the media, awards, reviews Uncategorized

Author Bryan Cole unveils the complex world of paladins in his fantasy novels ‘Beginning of Arrogance’ & ‘Futility of Defense’

Dive into an exciting interview to discuss the creative process for an epic fantasy series

Cole’s vivid depictions of combat are nothing short of mesmerizing. Imagine being entrenched in battle, surrounded by monsters, all the while strategizing to unveil the greater powers at play. Fans of the fantasy genre will find themselves entranced by the myriad magical and supernatural elements skillfully interwoven into the narrative. This book is a veritable treasure trove of fantastical wonders, from teleportation to gods, prophecies, and dragons.

★★★★ Literary Titan

In his compelling fantasy series, critically acclaimed author Bryan Cole delves into the intricate relationship between paladins and the societies they engage with. His book Beginning of Arrogance recently reached #2 on Amazon.com’s Military Fantasy chart and peaked at #20 in Epic Fantasy. His latest novel, Futility of Defense, explores the complexities of divine champions, blending heroism with the disruption of the balance of power. Inspired by a desire to create a world where paladins aren’t just token additions but significant forces with real-world consequences, Cole crafts a captivating narrative. Join us as we dive into the inspiration behind his characters, the challenges they face, and the intriguing blend of classic fantasy elements that shape his storytelling.

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Author Success - In the media, awards, reviews

August author celebrations

We cannot wait to celebrate our author achievements with you this month! From ranking high in the Amazon charts to being featured in prestigious online publications, our authors continue to share their literary works with the world.

Publicity

We’re excited to shine a spotlight on Barb Lockert’s mainstream media placement in The Edmonton Journal for Easy Baking in Barb’s Kitchen.

Next up we have Colleen Kanten Carbol’s debut romance novel, Find Me on 4th Street, which was featured on BroadwayWorld!

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Meet the Team

Meet the Team: Introducing Charlene, your dedicated book-project manager

At Tellwell, we’re proud of the teamwork that makes book publishing happen, and at the forefront is Charlene, one of our skilled book-project managers!

Let’s explore her drive and inspirations, and how she makes books come alive. Join us to uncover the person behind the role and feel her dedication in every project.

Tell us a little about yourself.

My name is Charlene, but I’m used to being called by my nicknames: Yen or Charlie. And since I belong to a medical family, I hold a degree in nursing, but haven’t really practiced it.

I am both spontaneous and meticulous. I plan the small activities I need to do before starting a new day (what time to wake up, shower first or breakfast? Movie or reading?) Yet, so far I have never planned the huge things in my life (the major I took in college, my travel experiences, past jobs). Amazingly, things always turn out great!

My family and friends see me as the go-getter, but I feel otherwise. I just feel like I really do not show my full potential to people. And when I feel comfortable with something, I just stop there and make it a habit. But looking back, I think I had left my comfort zone a lot of times but never recognized it.

I am a dog lover! I am always happy to talk about the times I pet sit.

I’m a homebody, but not really. I can stay inside my box-like room for a week without complaining (as long as I have food, internet, music to listen to, movies to watch, books to read). But there are times that I crave traveling—I really want to explore places that are unfamiliar to me. Experience their culture. Taste their food. Have interesting chats with other travelers. It just feels so liberating!

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Book Giveaways

August tales and treasures!

Yes, it’s that time again: another month of adventure and enchantment!

Take this invitation to embark on yet another extraordinary escapade through the realms of imagination, emotions, and experiences penned by talented Tellwell authors.

Let the pages turn and the stories unfold with August book giveaways!

Become inspired, become you.

Embark on an inspiring journey with Lorenzo Louden’s book, A Soldier’s Redemption.

A Soldier’s Redemption is a true, candid, no-holds-barred story of infamous former gangster disciple Lorenzo Louden, a.k.a. “Shorty G.”
His story immerses you in the notorious world of gangs, taking you on a bone-chilling ride through the streets of 1970s Chicago. While serving 17 years behind bars, his militant rule of the underworld expanded from the streets to the prisons until a spiritual encounter directed his journey out of the darkness onto a miraculous path of purpose and possibility.

Click HERE to get your FREE copy

A Journey through poetic lines

Delve into the pages of Marina Quindiagan’s poems of love in her book, My Thoughts Are Coloured Purple.

This is a book of poems on love. Love is a universal language. Love yourself, love your neighbours, love your parents, love your siblings—even love your enemies. Most of the poems are on romantic love. When you are in love, you get an awesome feeling. You walk on the clouds. However, love can be unrequited, unanswered and can bring an awful feeling.
Love is in the movies, in songs, and in music. Love is in this book of poems, ever so strong and powerful. It’s there for you to enjoy.

Click HERE to get your FREE copy

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Author of the Month

Unleashing heroic baking: An exclusive interview with author, entrepreneur, and TV personality Barb Lockert

Find out how to be a hero in the kitchen, and learn about Barb’s journey as an author!

Get Barb’s book on Amazon.com

Are you ready to transform your baking prowess and elevate your culinary skills to heroic levels? Look no further than the delectable pages of Easy Baking in Barb’s Kitchen. This extraordinary baking cookbook is poised to revolutionize your baking experience, providing you with a treasure trove of time-saving techniques and scrumptious recipes that will make you the baking hero among your friends and family.

Our guest today, Barb Lockert, is not just an accomplished author and entrepreneur, but a television personality who has been gracing screens for over four decades. With a passion for people, travel, cooking, and baking, Barb’s infectious enthusiasm has made her a natural at delivering easy-to-understand instructions that resonate with novices and experts alike. Her culinary journey began with the establishment of a teaching gourmet kitchen store, where she honed her teaching skills and perfected her easy cooking and baking methods.

Barb preparing desserts.

But Barb’s influence extends far beyond the kitchen. Her entrepreneurial spirit has earned her a plethora of awards, and she has shared her expertise on both local and national television, captivating audiences with informative and entertaining cooking demonstrations. Her contributions to various magazines and newspapers have solidified her status as a culinary authority, and her motivational speaking engagements have inspired countless individuals in their own ventures.

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Meet the Team

Meet the Team: Trixie

For July’s Meet the Team we are proud to introduce Trixie Raboy, one of Tellwell’s Book Marketing Associates! Read on to learn more about what Trixie enjoys most about working with our authors, as well as some of the adrenaline-inducing activities she enjoys outside of work!

Hello Trixie! Tell us a little bit about yourself!

Hi, I’m Trixie Raboy! I’m one of Tellwell’s Book Marketing Associates and recently just passed my one year anniversary with Tellwell. I have been working in the marketing industry for around five years now which has included working in the hospitality industry, logistics, and now book publishing.

What does a typical day look like for you at Tellwell?

I work a night shift at Tellwell to ensure my client availability for those located around the globe. I start my day at 11pm with my mandatory cup of coffee, and then review my to-do list and check my emails and messages. My responsibilities include book-marketing services along with creating content for Tellwell’s social media, so I typically alternate days between social media content creation and book-marketing deliverables for our authors. 

What is your favourite part about working at Tellwell?

I actually have three favourite things about working at Tellwell!

For starters, the people I work with are simply amazing. It really is wonderful to work with people who are so supportive, collaborative, and easy to get along with. I of course have to make a special mention of my partner-in-crime, also an amazing Book Marketing Associate, Mark Mionda, who’s so enjoyable to work with. 

My second favourite aspect is the ability to work from home. For someone who lives further from our office, it’s very convenient to complete most days from the comfort of my home office. Occasionally, our team meets up at the office to check in with each other which is a great opportunity to connect with everyone in person.

And lastly, the overall experience of working with Tellwell has been nothing short of enjoyable. In just one year of working as part of our marketing team, I have accumulated a wide range of experience and enhanced my pre-existing skillset. I love the fact that I get to work on different projects that allow me to continue to develop my skills and knowledge!

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Author Success - In the media, awards, reviews

July author celebrations: Embracing another month of remarkable writers!

Welcome to yet another month of celebration as we honour talented Tellwell authors! Let’s come together to celebrate their remarkable achievements and delve into the magic of their literary works.

Awards

Welcome to the world of Mystical Force: Shadows and Darkness and meet talented Tellwell author Craig Weidhuner, whose remarkable work has recently been featured in Literary Titan. Prepare to be captivated by the fifth volume in a series filled with magical beings and extraordinary powers, as you embark on an exciting adventure through this fantastical world.

Grab a copy of Mystical Force: Shadows and Darkness here!

Let’s celebrate another achievement, this time from Tellwell author Arwinder Kaur. Her book, Living While Human, has recently received the Silver Winner title at the Nautilus Book Awards!

Don’t forget to grab your copy here, and find out for yourself why Living While Human is one of the best in its genre.

We’re proud to share that Indigo Johnson’s book, The Kindness Quilt, received an honourable mention in the Picture Books 6 & Older category at the 2023 Purple Dragonfly Awards. Check out the official winners and mention list here!

Don’t missed out on getting a copy of The Kindness Quilt. It’s available on Amazon!

A huge shoutout to author Krysten Guilbault! Her book, Rainbow of Glowing Hearts: The Tale of the Healing Tree, has been recently honoured with the 2023 Golden Wizard Book Prize.

Rainbow of Glowing Hearts is a wonderful, mindful read that will give children the same rejuvenated feeling and reset as meditation.

Book review by Louise Jane, CEO THE GOLDEN WIZARD BOOK PRIZE

Grab your copy of Rainbow of Glowing Hearts on Amazon.

Reviews

Author/coach Tim Burris was recently featured by IndieReader and received a glowing 5-star review for his book, Signed: Ironwill Football’s Recruiting Guide for Canadian High School Football Players.

A clear, concise, and well-organized book offering expert guidance, Signed by Coach Tim Burris should be on the reading list for any young Canadian student who wishes to continue playing football after high school.

IndieReader Book Review

You can purchase this interesting read by Coach Tim Burris here!

Check out this glowing review of Kelly Lang’s book, Who’s at the Door? Who’s at the Door? in KidlioMag!

This book is a great way to encourage conversation with children at home or even in a classroom. This book will help to spark wonderful imagination and learning through repetition and colors.

Kidliomag Book Review

Don’t missed out in getting your own copy of Who’s at the Door? Who’s at the Door? here!

Publicity

Author Zara Merzaei was recently featured in KidlioMag for her amazing book, ZeeZee the Bee: A Tale of a Magical Friendship. Learn more about Zara and her book here!

ZeeZee the Bee is an empowering tale of friendship that empowers children to love themselves and encourages them to be proud of their uniqueness and other physical differences.

Kidliomag Book Review

Join ZeeZee the Bee and her friends in an exciting adventure. Click here to get a copy of your own!

Events

Lisa Bournelis, the author of Louie and the Dictator, recently had her first school author visit, and it was a heartwarming success! She shared some photos on Instagram from her fun book event.

To all my fellow #author friends and #writingcommunity who published during the pandemic and had nowhere to go, how awesome is it to FINALLY meet your readers?! I could do this all day! Grateful to L’s school and the wonderful librarian and teachers for having me. Also to the kids for their awesome engagement and questions. I actually feel like a bonafide author now!

Lisa Bournelis (@makeoneshift)

Louie and the Dictator is available on Amazon!

Ginette Valiquette, the author of Eli Finds His Zen, recently had a delightful story time reading at the Bruce Mines and Plummer Additional Public Union Library with Central Algoma CAPC Early ON Child & Family Centre. Check out this adorable photo from her Instagram!

Join the joy of story time with Eli Finds His Zen and get your copy now on Amazon!

Sharon Bruce, the talented author of Shoebox Baby recently hosted a successful book signing event at the park and even made it into the local paper.

Explore the captivating journey of Sue and her family in Shoebox Baby, a creative non-fiction story filled with joy, sorrow, laughter, and courage. Grab your copy now on Amazon!

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