This March, let a new book take you on an unforgettable journey! Whether you crave adventure, mystery, or inspiration, there’s a story waiting just for you.
Enchanted tales of love and mystery
Can a princess defy fate and forbidden love to save her kingdom? Discover the secrets of Harbinger by Niah Bach!
In Praetoria, the elite do not have any special talents. Then why is it the only imperial princess is having vision-like nightmares? These dreams foretell the destruction of her world and the death of her family, and every day they gain strength in their horror.
The return of a particular imperial rook changes the tone of her dreams, providing her with much needed relief. But this too is perplexing, for he is a rook and she an elite. The law strictly forbids a union between the two.
Yet four little female moiohs scheme to bring them together, providing the path to secure their future, a future threatened by traitors who would use the princess as a way to steal her father’s throne.
This month authors have reached exciting new milestones, from launching books to earning well-deserved recognition. March has been filled with inspiring moments in the literary world—let’s take a look at some of the highlights.
Publicity
A story of survival, resilience, and an unbreakable bond. Richard K. Lowy’s Kalman & Leopold: Surviving Mengele’s Auschwitz shares the powerful true story of two boys who endured unthinkable horrors, were separated for 56 years, and found their way back to each other. Featured in North Hollywood news, this book is a vital reminder to preserve history and stand against rising antisemitism.
Amherstburg resident Stacey Davidson has turned a long-held idea into reality with 15 Fishes, her debut children’s book. Inspired by a fleeting moment nearly two decades ago, her story is a testament to the power of creativity. Featured in River Town Times, Davidson shares her journey from inspiration to publication—and she’s just getting started!
This #InternationalWomensDay, we shine a light on the remarkable women who are breaking barriers, uplifting communities, and leading with unwavering passion.
From authors and advocates to educators and trailblazers, these women redefine what it means to be strong and resilient. Their journeys—marked by courage, perseverance, and the pursuit of dreams—serve as a testament to the power of determination and the impact of lifting others along the way. Today we celebrate their stories, their achievements, and the boundless possibilities they inspire for future generations.
Ali Williams
An inspiring coach and therapist from Adelaide, South Australia. After being diagnosed with breast cancer at 45, Ali embarked on a transformative journey of healing in mind, body, and energy. Her experience ignited a passion for helping women do the same. Since 2017, she has been guiding clients worldwide through their own personal transformations. Ali’s journey also led her to write her first book, The Glorious Responsibility of Happiness, sharing the powerful message that happiness is within reach for everyone—often in simpler ways than we expect.
Chelsey Peat
Two Sides to a Face tells the inspiring story of Chelsey, a fierce advocate and educator who has defied the odds. Born with Sturge Weber syndrome, she underwent multiple surgeries, including life-saving brain surgery as an infant. Despite predictions of significant limitations, she has surpassed them all—earning a sociology degree and a certificate in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. With nearly 40 years of experience living with a facial difference, Chelsey channels her journey into powerful advocacy, fighting discrimination and fostering inclusivity through her work with various organizations.
Peta-Ann Wood
An author, healer, and unapologetic trailblazer. After 25 years in media, PR, and communications, Peta-Ann found a new calling as a Holistic Counsellor, Reiki Master, and Colour Therapist. A breast cancer survivor, she chose to stay flat after a bilateral mastectomy—no prosthetics, no reconstruction, just full self-acceptance. Through soul-searching and self-discovery, she realized she didn’t need a “new normal”—she simply needed to celebrate her uniqueness. In What Happens When They Don’t Grow Back, she shares her story with warmth, wisdom, and a refreshingly candid style, inspiring others to embrace themselves fully.
Rasie Bamigbade
A leader, mentor, and bestselling author dedicated to empowering others. As the founder of RB Jumpstart Coaching and RB Jumpstart Mentorship & Youth Leadership Training Society, Rasie helps corporate leaders strengthen their teams and guides aspiring authors from idea to publication. Passionate about uplifting youth, she provides mentorship resources and bridges the opportunity gap in leadership. In Be Not Alone, she shares her insights on self-leadership and personal growth, inspiring lasting change.
Monica Buchanan
Monica, a psychologist, educator, and advocate for community empowerment, authored Outsider, a powerful exploration of resilience, identity, and belonging. With a PhD in psychology and a background in Women’s Studies, she built a long and fulfilling career in counseling, psychotherapy, and coaching. Passionate about uplifting marginalized communities, she now develops strength-based resources to support those in need. An active volunteer, she continues to make a difference while embracing mindfulness, reading, writing, gardening, and meditative walks. Through both her professional and personal life, she inspires others to live with purpose, resilience, and compassion.
Elaine Kozak
An author whose journey has been as rich and varied as the stories she writes. From designing information-retrieval systems to shaping international trade policy and co-founding an award-winning winery, she has embraced each chapter of her life with passion and curiosity. Her vineyard experience led to her debut mystery novel, Root Causes, followed by The Lighthouse and Rhapsody in a Minor Mode. Now based in Victoria, Canada, Elaine continues to craft compelling stories, proving that it’s never too late to pursue new adventures.
Monique Gliozzi
Monique, a psychiatrist, educator, and aviator, has a passion for both medicine and aviation. Based in Perth, she specializes in forensic psychiatry and has served as a Senior Clinical Lecturer at UWA. She also holds a commercial pilot’s license and works as a senior flight instructor. Monique published Foresight, Hunted, Vestige, Diversity, Facets of the Past, Once Is Never Enough, Hidden, and Requittal with Tellwell.
This is a guest post by Tellwell author Robert McBryde
My publishing experience with Tellwell has been unique: I’ve witnessed three radically different versions of the same book emerge squalling and wailing into the literary universe and collaborated with three different “midwives.”
My book is available in English, in French, and in audiobook form, and I translated the original English book into French myself.
Let’s imagine an interrogation of an author who has reached these heights of folly . . .
What inspired you to write the book in the first place?
The introductory vignette of my book and the very first tale addresses exactly this question!
I worked as a radio writer/broadcaster for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation in Quebec City, Canada, for 10 years, between 1987 and 1997, honing storytelling skills through a weekly recounting of personal and often satirical tales of everyday life, which a number of listeners urged me to publish. My Time with You Has Been Short but Very Funny is a belated response to those requests and includes an array of freshly minted humorous and edgy sketches besides.
The book, my first, was prompted by a sense of urgency. I feel like my own shelf life is about to expire!
Over the last several years, and particularly since I reached the age of 70 nearly three years ago, I’ve become acutely aware of how little time I have left before disappearing like an evanescent soap bubble. Pop! Gone! Moreover, the surreal dystopia that suddenly emerged full-blown from the depths of a preternatural realm of nightmare in March 2020 has served to foreground the haunting fragility and fleeting nature of life itself.
These days, each time that I listen to a favourite piece of music, re-watch a beloved film, or re-read a personally meaningful book or article, I’m acutely aware that this may be the last time around. A bizarre and unsettling experience, which is both profound and strangely banal.
Memories are of course consciously prompted by a sort of mental rewind button, or arrive on their own, stimulated by sights, sounds, or smells. Rewinding memories and sharing them with readers—who may discover all sorts of affinities—is part of my ritualized last lap.
I’m a former college teacher and I once had a student who declared at the end of term, “My time with you has been short, but very funny.” This statement, made in passing, has come to summarize my earthly existence and was a logical choice for the title of my book. A fitting epitaph as well!
Last but not least, I’ve written this book as a legacy work for friends and family, most of all for my two clever and witty sons, Dan and David, and for Anne, my kind and gentle wife of nearly 45 years.
Why did you translate your book into French?
“You need your head examined,” my father used to tell me. ”You’re a devil for punishment.” It’s true that the fabric of my life is woven with multitudinous strands of inexplicable masochism. So often I love what makes me miserable and I’m miserable doing what I love. Acting, teaching, radio broadcasting and storytelling, social activism, translating . . .
Take translation . . . please. Specifically translation of idiomatic creative writing.
I relish the challenges inherent in striving to render what is ineffable, an ultimately futile attempt to transpose a verbal repository that holds an unassailable otherness. And yet these same challenges drive me bananas!In my pea brain, ambivalence not Brittania rules the waves.
When I set out to write My Time with You Has Been Short but Very Funny, the masochistic demon lodged within my scarred psyche pushed me to translate each sketch into French.
I was soon lost in translation with not one, but two books on my plate. Of course, the need to have the French version of the book revised by a Francophone professional became readily apparent. Fortunately, my younger son is a professional translator, educated in French. He had time to do some quick revising.
And I was so fortunate to be able to call on the services of a brilliant French language wordsmith, Hélène Charpentier, for deep revision. Translating this book was a true labour of love. And collaborating with Hélène, a brilliant editor, was an extraordinary privilege.
What are a few of the challenges of translating this creative work, or any other?
Let’s start with the title. Hélène and I first struggled to find an appropriate rendering of the book’s title. Hélène’s daughter suggested it, and we settled on, My Time with You Was Brief but Hilarious.
A title with an idiomatic flair! I had originally put forward a much more banal rendering: The Time I Spent with You Was Short but Very Amusing. In comparison to Hélène’s, my suggestion went down the proverbial hatch like a lump of undigested porridge!
Finding the author’s voice (Hélène’s French comments with my English summary underneath):
Hélène: You know, since I already told you, I really enjoyed doing this work. I really appreciated the subtlety of your style, your humour, and this incredible self-deprecation.
One of the first challenges: respecting this very particular spirit which emanates from your words; sometimes I had to think about whether what you had written was “correct” French, because sometimes you used unusual expressions, but which characterize your original personality well.
Hélène says here that during the revision process, she tried to respect my narrative voice, including the pervading tone of self-deprecation. It’s only in writing this book that I discovered that I had such a voice, and when translating the book I feared that the voice would vanish like the chirping of a lone sparrow at the onset of winter darkness.
Wordplay
Hélène: Another challenge: finding French expressions to make a pun identical to the English one.
Hélène was faced with the unenviable task of finding equivalents for puns and other wordplay, as was I when translating the texts.
Example: The title of a vignette, “Reigning Cats and Dogs”—In English, it’s excellent. You translated it donner sa langue au chat (give your tongue to the cat), as if you really wanted to keep the word “cat,” but it didn’t really have any connection with what you wrote afterwards. In French, I couldn’t find an identical pun, so I put les chiens ne fait pas des chats (dogs don’t make cats), but obviously we lose the touch of humour.
“This bird was for the birds” means nothing if you translate it verbatim. But I think that une cervelle d’oiseau (a bird brain) translates what you mean quite well while being a typically French expression.
“Youth hostile.” In English, the pun is excellent. In French, auberge de vieillesse is not bad, but we don’t find the same pun as in English between “hostel” and “hostile.” I haven’t found a better one. I’m still looking . . .
Hélène describes here the impossible challenge of dealing with wordplay, including puns and authorial inventions. For example, “youth hostile” is a play on youth hostel, because in the instance described in the story the hostel was indeed hostile to youth! There’s simply no way to capture that in French.
Idioms from Quebec and from France
Hélène: Another challenge: linguistic differences from one country to another, that is to say, in our case, checking that the expressions you used were more suited to France than to Quebec, or vice versa. I put a comment in the margin each time. Example: “shopping,” avoir les chocottes, etc.
Hélène is referring here to the fact that I tended to mix expressions from Quebec with expressions from France, which are not necessarily mutually understandable.
Cultural references
Hélène: Another challenge: cultural references. Any good translator must be highly cultured, right? Unfortunately, I didn’t quite catch your allusion to “Britannia.” I’m sorry!
“Cosmic muffin,” which means nothing to a French-speaking audience. Well, not to me, at least . . .
“Miltonic Hades.” It’s okay for Hades, but “Miltonian” won’t be understood by all audiences . . .
“Hairy Thunderer.” You translated “hairy” as poilu, but it seemed to me that barbu was more appropriate because I could clearly see the image of the angry god with his big beard, and I found that poilu didn’t sound right in French. Question: does barbu accurately translate what you meant?
I had trouble with “trespasses,” because in English the link is perfect between “trespassers will be prosecuted” and “forgive us our trespasses,” but in French this is not the case at all!
“A true hit of Father.” It sounds so good in English, but in French I couldn’t leave a “veritable dose” . . .
“Lather, rinse and repeat supplication time.” Not easy for me to guess the allusion to laundry or shampoo, so I don’t know if what I put corresponds to your thought, but in French l’heure de la mousse, du rinse, etc. didn’t mean much.
“Leaving the proverbial frying pan.” In French, la poële à fritre doesn’t mean much.
Here Hélène lists images and references that cannot be translated, or simply don’t resonate with a French-speaking readership. In short, my book is jam-packed with cultural baggage that I want so much to share with Francophone readers, but which sometimes get lost in translation.
But thanks to Hélène’s splendid suggestions and clever solutions, the French version of the book contains riches I would never have dreamed of.
You can order the French version of My Time with You Was Short But Hilarious is now available to order via this link.
Your masochistic proclivities reached an apex when you decided to have Tellwell produce an audiobook version of My Time with You Has Been Short but Very Funny. What on earth could you have been thinking?
The genesis of the audiobook is twofold. Firstly, I have a wonderful friend by the name of Kelly Edmison who swears by audiobooks and informed me that he would only listen to the book, not read it. The audiobook is dedicated to him.
Secondly, many of the stories were recounted on air, so are meant to be heard as well as read. Overseeing the production of an audiobook is not for the faint of heart. The project took a whole year to complete!
Tellwell authors are not permitted to narrate their own Tellwell audiobooks. The highly skilled narrator whom I selected from several options provided by the publisher had to overcome numerous obstacles, not the least of which stem from the bits of French and Slovak included in a few of the stories.
I’m excited to announce that the English version of my audiobook is at long last available on Audible, Amazon, and Apple Books, meaning listeners can purchase it outright, use an Audible credit, or get a discount if they own the Kindle version.
Alyssa is Tellwell’s content creator and the voice behind the Demystifying Self-Publishing podcast. She’s passionate about storytelling, connecting with authors, and making self-publishing feel a little less overwhelming.
From creating engaging content to hosting insightful conversations, Alyssa brings creativity to everything she does.
Get to know her and what goes on behind the scenes!
Can you tell us about your role at Tellwell, and what a typical day looks like for you?
As Tellwell’s content creator, I have the privilege of exercising my creative energy through podcast recording and editing, creating videos for our YouTube channel, designing captivating thumbnails, or executing trendy Reels and TikToks for social media to enhance our brand awareness. A typical day might include researching an upcoming podcast guest and creating questions for our interview, recording a podcast or YouTube video, designing internal or corporate marketing assets, or hopping into an afternoon check-in with our team.
From Opera to Espionage: Kay Sparling shares her inspiration behind Mission THAW and the power of independent publishing
Kay Sparling’s Mission THAW is a gripping spy thriller that blends high-stakes espionage with the world of opera. Drawing from her own journey from an Iowa farm to performing in Vienna, Sparling brings authenticity and depth to her protagonist, Kaitlyn Stewart. In this interview, she shares how her personal experiences shaped the novel, the challenges of tackling dark themes, and why she chose the independent publishing route. From the elegance of the Viennese opera scene to the pulse-pounding dangers, Mission THAW delivers action and adventure.
Kaitlyn Stewart’s journey from a farm in Iowa to an opera star in Vienna is unique. What inspired you to create such an ambitious character?
Well, those are actual facts about my own life. I grew up in Midwest farmland surrounded by soybean and corn fields, and went to a small school in the nearest tiny town twenty miles away. I left to go to college and voice training at the age of 17 and ended up in Europe as an opera singer 12 years later. When I was in middle school, my dad bought me a map of NYC. I put it up on my bedroom wall and pinned the location of all the famous Broadway theatres and the Metropolitan Opera. I guess you could say I was a goal-driven kid.
Vienna plays a central role in the story. How does the city’s cultural heritage and high society influence the narrative and Kaitlyn’s journey?
Since Kaitlyn is an opera singer, the Wien Staatsoper is a perfect venue to set the story. Viennese culture eats and breathes opera and classical music. The famous cafes lend a spark of romance for the opera aficionados to meet and gossip about the latest diva debut and hope that they get a glimpse of her sitting with a famous maestro. One persistent possible stumbling block for Kaitlyn is to always keep up with all the high-society manners and traditions. A high demand for an American farm girl. But, in order to infiltrate the trafficking cartel, she must be convincing that she is one of them. Kaitlyn is always relieved to come home at the end of the day, kick off her shoes, and eat a BLT. The upper-class nonsense makes her teeth itch.
Step behind the scenes with our editing and distribution experts as they shape stories into polished, published works.
Meet Simon:
At Tellwell, Simon Ogden plays a key role in bringing books to life. He refines manuscripts, oversees design quality, guides project managers, and ensures smooth communication with authors.
Quality assurance is central to his work, with careful reviews and refinements maintaining high publishing standards. A quick break offers a moment to recharge before final checks and project coordination.
With a focus on storytelling and precision, Simon helps authors turn their ideas into well-crafted books that connect with readers.
Check out the behind-the-scenes with Simon, Tellwell managing editor here.
Meet Joy:
Getting a book into the hands of readers takes more than just great storytelling—it requires careful planning and seamless logistics. That’s where Joy, Tellwell’s Distribution Manager, comes in.
From coordinating shipments and tracking timelines to working with publishers and ensuring books arrive on schedule, Joy plays a vital role in the publishing process. Her work helps bridge the gap between authors and readers, making sure every book finds its way to the right audience.
And the best part? She can do it all from anywhere—whether she’s working from a coffee shop, her home office, or on the move. Wherever she goes, the books go with her.
Check out the behind-the-scenes with Joy, Tellwell Distribution Manager here.
Michael is a senior book designer who is bringing stories to life through creative and compelling layouts.
As part of Tellwell’s quality assurance, he makes sure every book meets the highest design and printing standards before reaching readers. From refining layouts to coordinating with designers and project managers, Michael plays an important role in delivering polished, professional books.
Learn more about his journey, insights, and passion for design and quality assurance!
Tell us a bit about yourself!
I am 32, a motorcycle and travel enthusiast, and I have a background in graphic design. I love the creative process of bringing stories to life visually.
Authors shape the world with their stories, offering new perspectives, sparking conversations, and leaving a lasting impact on readers. Their journeys are filled with dedication, creativity, and the courage to share their voices.
This month we’re taking a moment to highlight their work, celebrate their achievements, and recognize the power of storytelling in all its forms.
Publicity
Tellwell author Richard K. Lowy’s book launch was recently featured on Vancouver CityNews, highlighting the powerful story behind Kalman & Leopold: Surviving Mengele’s Auschwitz. Hundreds gathered at Congregation Schara Tzedeck Synagogue in Vancouver to hear Lowy discuss the true story of two boys who survived Auschwitz—a testament to resilience, survival, and the importance of remembering history. The event brought together readers, historians, and community members, all moved by the book’s message and its impact.
Black History Month is here, and it’s time to celebrate the incredible voices that inspire, educate, and empower!
At Tellwell we’re shining a light on Black authors who have brought powerful stories to life—stories that spark conversation, uplift communities, and leave a lasting impact. Their words deserve to be read, shared, and cherished. Join us in honouring their contributions to literature and beyond!
Philip Pitia Lako
Philip Pitia Lako’s journey is one of unimaginable hardship, resilience, and ultimately, hope. Growing up in a Mundari village, his childhood was shattered at just ten years old when Sudanese rebels took him under the guise of education. Instead, he was thrust into the brutal reality of life as a child soldier, enduring relentless suffering, malnutrition, and the constant threat of attack.
In 2000, he escaped to a refugee camp in Kenya, seeking safety and a fresh start. However, the harsh realities of refugee life soon set in, replacing hope with despair. After four difficult years, he was finally resettled in Australia in 2004, marking the beginning of a new chapter.
Lako shares his powerful story in The Ten-Year-Old Man: Unwavering Resilience to Self-Restoration, a memoir that recounts his early years in an African village, the brutal traditions of the Mundari tribe, his harrowing experience as a child soldier, and his journey to freedom. His story sheds light on the trauma of war, the resilience of the human spirit, and the long road to healing.
