Meet Ben Belding. As Tellwell’s Business Development Manager, Ben is all about finding new ways to support authors and grow the company.
He works on building meaningful partnerships, developing new programs, and helping publishing professionals and imprint leaders connect with the right tools and support. Ben’s goal is to make the publishing journey more accessible and community-driven.
Read more to see how Ben is helping authors succeed through smart ideas and strong relationships.
About the Role
Can you tell us about your role at Tellwell and what your typical workday looks like?
As Business Development Manager, I’m focused on expanding Tellwell’s reach by identifying new opportunities and building strategic relationships that support both our growth and our authors’ success. My days vary widely—they might involve exploring a new partnership idea, course and program development, publishing consultant, organizing a conference presence, or meeting with a potential imprint leader. At the heart of it all is the goal of making publishing more accessible, guided, and community-driven for authors.
What does business development mean in the context of publishing at Tellwell?
At Tellwell, business development is about creating pathways for authors and partners to thrive. That includes launching programs like imprints and partnerships, connecting with publishing professionals who want to serve authors through our platform, and designing collaborative initiatives that extend our support beyond our existing publishing model. It’s a mix of strategic growth, relationship-building, and program innovation—all aimed at helping more authors succeed.
You’ve been focusing on partnerships. What kinds of organizations or professionals are you hoping to collaborate with?
We’re building relationships with a wide range of collaborators: writing coaches, editors, author community leaders, indie bookstores, universities, and other publishing professionals who are passionate about empowering authors. Whether someone wants to guide authors through publishing more directly, imprints that leverage our infrastructure to support their brand, or simply refer them to a trusted publishing partner, we’ve built flexible options to suit them.
Could you tell us about the new imprint program you’re working on?
Absolutely. The imprint program is designed for publishing professionals—think book coaches, editors, marketers, small publishers, or larger publishers—who want to offer a white-label publishing experience to their authors. We’ve created a tiered model that has varied offerings depending on their business needs, where they can leverage Tellwell’s full production and team while maintaining creative and brand control. It’s a scalable, supported way for partners to run their publishing operations without needing to build everything from scratch.
On Events and Community
What’s your role when it comes to organizing tradeshows and conferences?
I work closely with some of our management team and take the lead on planning and execution for Tellwell’s event presence, including organizing our booth setup, coordinating the team on-site, and creating opportunities for authors to connect with us. I also scout which events make sense for our goals—whether that’s reaching new authors, celebrating our current community, or connecting with potential partners.
Tell us about Tellwell’s upcoming presence at Toronto Word on the Street. What are your goals for the event, and what should authors expect if they attend?
We’re thrilled to be at Word on the Street in Toronto! This event is all about celebrating Canadian writers and connecting directly with the author community. Our goal is to raise awareness about Tellwell’s model, answer publishing questions in real-time, and provide a welcoming space for authors to explore their options. Expect friendly faces, complimentary consultations, and possibly even a few surprises at our booth.
Tell us more about the Empowered Authors Summit. How did the idea come about, and what will make it a valuable experience for authors?
The Empowered Author Summit was born out of a desire to bring together passionate and engaged authors and professional speakers in a collaborative space. It’s a free-to-attend virtual event designed to educate, inspire, and connect authors across all stages of their journey. From practical workshops to motivational talks, the summit is designed to build confidence and foster a sense of community. It’s also a space where the speakers can share resources with authors, creating a win-win for everyone involved.
How do these events and initiatives support authors in their publishing journey?
They help authors feel seen, supported, and part of something bigger. Publishing can be isolating, and these touchpoints—whether online or in person—offer a sense of community, clarity, and encouragement. Events like these remind authors that they’re not alone, and that there’s a whole ecosystem rooting for their success.
Getting to Know You
What drew you to this kind of work in the publishing industry?
I’ve always been passionate about storytelling and entrepreneurship. Working at Tellwell allows me to support both—helping authors bring their stories to life while also building programs and partnerships that scale impact. For me, it’s the perfect intersection of creativity and strategy.
What do you find most rewarding about helping build programs from the ground up?
It’s incredibly satisfying to take something from idea to execution—especially when that program ends up making someone else’s path easier. I love the challenge of creating something that fills a real need and seeing it click for authors or partners. There’s a real need for partnerships and support in our industry and right now its all about support and trust building. When our partners are receptive to what we’re doing and take the time to engage with an open mind, they see the real value for their business and their authors and that is very rewarding.
What’s one fun or unexpected fact about your role that most people don’t know?
I spend a surprising amount of time thinking about ecosystems—how all the moving parts in publishing (and beyond) can connect in smarter ways. Whether it’s designing a better intake process for partners or mapping out support touchpoints, I’m always looking for ways to streamline and scale.
Looking Ahead
What are you most looking forward to accomplishing this year?
This year, I’m focused on expanding our imprint and partner programs, attending Toronto Word on the Street, rolling out the Empowered Author Summit, and increasing Tellwell’s presence in author-focused spaces. I’m also excited about creating more educational resources to help partners and authors navigate publishing with confidence.
If someone is interested in partnering with Tellwell, what’s the best way for them to get in touch?
Reach out to me directly! Whether you’re looking to refer authors, build an imprint, or simply learn more about how we work, I’m always happy to connect. You can email [email protected] or check out our partners page on our website, www.tellwellpublishing.com/partnercertification.
