Tellwell Author Success Stories July 2024
This month, we’re excited to highlight our authors’ journeys and celebrate their successes. From the initial idea to publication and beyond, these stories showcase their dedication, hard work, and passion in creating incredible page-turners and sharing them with the world!
Events
Tellwell author Alexandra Labrie recently launched her debut book, The Shadow of Her. Alexandra began her journey of self-discovery two years ago, turning personal milestones and past traumas into a compelling fictional narrative with the help of her therapist.
The essence of this book is to inspire readers to do the same with their own stories and to find hope amidst adversity. Based on my own experiences, I chose to share this story to bring hope to those who have encountered challenges early in their lives.
Alexandra Labrie,
in her recent Instagram Post
Celebrating another successful book launch, Tellwell author Cristina San Martin presents Married to Fiji: A Tale of Love Based on a True Story. Her journey through love, loss, and everything in between became the catalyst for rediscovering her heart and embarking on a healing journey.
This book, Married to Fiji, is dedicated to my family who lived through this journey with me. It’s also more than a memoir of a wild time of my life. It’s a testament to my resilience, dedication, and healing journey.
Cristina San Martin
in her recent Instagram Post
Book Awards
![](https://blog.tellwell.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Classof78-MC-638567078447390434.png)
Tellwell author Karen Harmon’s book Class of ’78 achieved remarkable success at the Next Generation Indie Book Awards 2024, winning Best Cover Design (Fiction) and being honoured as a finalist in the Chic Lit Fiction category!
![](https://blog.tellwell.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/HatsforHailey-MC-638531727099468701.png)
Tellwell author Marytė A. Running has won the 2024 Next Generation Indie Book Award (NGIBA) for her book, Hats for Hailey, in the Children’s/Juvenile Early Readers/Chapter Books (Fiction) category!
![](https://blog.tellwell.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/IWishICouldForget-MC-638125568525023149.png)
Paul Smith’s I Wish I Could Forget has just received a finalist medal at the Next Generation Indie Book Awards in the First Book under 5000 Words category!
![](https://blog.tellwell.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/RuntieandTudiesGrandSailingAdventure-MC-638406270345562285-1.png)
Runtie & Tudie’s Grand Sailing Adventure by Sharon Stevens-Smith has been recognized as a finalist in the International Book Awards for Children’s Picture Book: Hardcover Non-fiction!
Publicity
![](https://blog.tellwell.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/IMG_5558-768x1024.jpg)
Meet Chelsey Peat, Tellwell author of Two Sides to a Face, recently featured in CBC News Canada! In her interview, Chelsey shares her heartfelt experience living with Sturge-Weber Syndrome while raising her daughter, discussing their challenges, triumphs, and her advocacy for greater awareness of this rare condition.
With time, both my daughters have become my advocates. My five-year-old Zelda will happily talk about Mommy and her special purple skin. Thanks to them, I’ve begun to feel more self-confident as I strive to be a role model. Athena and Zelda are always there to cheer me on with my advocacy and other work in the facial differences community. I know they are kinder and more resilient because they’ve seen the discrimination I face.
Chelsey Peat,
in an exclusive interview with CBC NEWS, Canada
![](https://blog.tellwell.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Author-SpotlightMario-Cuttelle-1024x1024.png)
Mario Cutulle, author of Victoria and Yellowknife’s Big Canadian Adventure, was recently featured in Kidliomag, sharing his journey from composing music to writing children’s stories.
My journey as a writer began in my early twenties composing music.
Mario Cutulle,
When my nine-year-old daughter approached me for help to learn Canada’s provincial capitals for a school test, I wrote this story, which in turn led me to write other children’s stories.
in an exclusive interview with Kidliomag
Reviews
Tellwell author B L Ryan received a glowing five-star review for her book, Greystone, from Reader Views Kids!
B L Ryan’s superior storytelling will no doubt enthrall fantasy enthusiasts worldwide. Her book, “Greystone” is a worthy addition to its genre.
-Reader Views Kids Book Review
![](https://blog.tellwell.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/TheKingandtheOgre-MC-638446534610373783.png)
William Birrell also received a five-star review from Reader Views Kids for his book, The King and the Ogre!
William J. Birrell’s The King and the Ogre, with its beautiful truths, is suitable for any time of the year. With its focus on the harvest celebration, however, it easily reminds us of Thanksgiving, which would be an especially delightful time of year to share this tale with additional gathered family.
-Reader Views Kids Book Review
![](https://blog.tellwell.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/TracesofaBoy-MC-638284393627407726-1.png)
Traces Of A Boy, written by Russ Grabb, also received an incredible book review from The British Columbia Reviews!
This memoir’s authenticity and emotional depth make it a compelling read, especially for those who have experienced trauma or work in the mental health and criminal justice fields.
-The British Columbia Book Review