Meet Australian publishing consultant Melissa Barker

Jun 26,2023 / By Ben St. James / No Comment

Find out how Melissa helps get authors on track and ready for book production and her life down under!

In the world of independent publishing, there are heroes who work tirelessly behind the scenes to bring authors’ visions to life. One such luminary is Melissa Barker, a talented publishing consultant at Tellwell. With her extensive experience and keen eye for detail, Melissa plays a crucial role in the book-production process, ensuring that every aspect of a manuscript is polished to perfection.

Join us as we unveil Melissa’s role in the book production process and gain insights into the life of a Tellwell publishing consultant from Australia.

Tell us a bit about yourself.
Mmmm, where to start? I am a Pisces, and a Myers-Briggs ENFJ personality
type. I have a love-hate relationship with coffee. I have stepped foot in 35
different countries. I have been known to hold a plank for 10 minutes. I am the health nut of my family and the ocean equally intrigues me and terrifies me. But the generic answer is: I am 41 years old and currently live in Melbourne, Australia. I am the eldest of 4 children, yet to have children of my own. I am studying counselling and brain-body medicine, and have immersed myself in the health and wellness space for well over 10 years, with interests in nutrition, psychology, human development, and spirituality.

What do you enjoy most about your role?
Definitely being able to connect with authors on a deep level and supporting and nurturing them, helping them feel safe, heard, and less overwhelmed. I love hearing the tone of excitement and passion in their voices as they explain their story to me.

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

Most days are the same: a mix of starting the day checking Slack and emails, then assessing new leads and making outbound calls, receiving any inbound calls and consulting with potential authors about their book and publishing needs.

What is a question you get asked the most by authors? How do you
answer it?
“How much will it cost to publish my book?” Closely followed by, “So, what are the next steps?” If an author is inquiring about the costs without us having discussed anything about their book, or about the process at all, I use it as an opportunity to explain that it depends on their goals, the needs of the book, and their budget.

I segue into the milestones that each book will journey through on it’s way to being published, and how the costs involved will depend on the depth of service required through each of those steps. I always like to provide a clear path ahead for an author when it comes to the next steps. I explain that once we have identified the service requirements and settle on a package together, they will then receive an invoice from me with a payment link for them to process their own secure deposit.

From there I am guiding them through the practical steps that cross the
bridge into production, and meeting and connecting with their project manager.

Do you have an achievement that you are most proud of? What inspires
you to succeed?
I often think that, as a whole, we underestimate how much of an achievement it can be to make it through some of life’s most tragic or challenging experiences, and come out the other side a better person with a kind heart. So for me, I am proud to have made it through some of my own personal life challenges still intact and more resilient and wise. And always with compassion and appreciation for this life. My inspiration to succeed is always driven by proving to myself that I can do hard things, and to live a life that I am proud of while being the best person I can be to myself and others. Aiming to live up to my potential inspires me.

What do you enjoy doing most outside work?
I’m a nature girl, so getting out into the mountains and the trees and exploring new tracks. Cooking. Or learning all about the human body, health, psychology and why us humans are the way we are and do what we do. And drinking coffee, reading, or writing.

Australia is known for its exotic wildlife. What is your favourite Australian animal?
Hahahaha—me! But I will say that baby kangaroos are pretty cute and adorable.

Do you have any good books to recommend?
Argh . . . too hard. But I think that The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho is a sweet
story and a classic for any age.

Author of the Month Tellwell News

From Nashville bounty hunter to children’s book author: Paul Hart shares his insights & inspiration

May 19,2023 / By Ben St. James / No Comment

Paul Hart shares advice for career transitions and talks about the magic of writing for kids

I let the books write themselves. Whatever I feel at that moment in time, I write.
Paul Hart

This month we are featuring Paul Hart. Our interview delves into the fascinating journey of a man whose career has taken him from the high-stakes world of a Nashville bounty hunter to the enchanting realm of children’s literature. With eight years of experience in the thrilling bounty-hunting industry, Hart has now embraced a new passion as a children’s book author. As he embarks on this creative transition, we have the opportunity to gain insights from his unique perspective, seek his advice for readers considering a drastic career change, and discover the values he hopes to instil in the children who experience his stories.

His newest book, Shirley the Perky Turkey, recently launched through Tellwell publishing and reached #18 on the Children’s Animal Stories Kindle chart on Amazon.com.

You’ve had a versatile career with 8 years as a Nashville bounty hunter, and now you are making the transition into children’s book author. Do you have any advice for readers who might be thinking about a drastic career change?

At the risk of sounding cliché, my advice would be to go for it. Sometimes, our life interests change with the passing years. In my case, I wrote poetry and a children’s book when I was a teenager, long before the bounty hunting opportunity popped up in my life. Now that chapter is closed. I’m revisiting an old friend: children’s literature.

Your last book, The Nashville Bounty Hunters, was a memoir, and your current book, Shirley the Perky Turkey, is a story for children. What challenges did this creative shift pose for you as an author?

I have such a passion for all the different styles and designs of the craft of writing. Believe it or not, it wasn’t that challenging to transition. Firstly, it’s been ten years between publications of the two books. Secondly—and this may sound strange—but I let the books write themselves. Whatever I feel at that moment in time, I write.

What inspired you to write children’s books?

What has inspired me to revisit children’s books is that I see a path we are headed down and I don’t like it. Some literature that is being put in the school libraries is completely and utterly disgusting. In my own small way, I would like to combat this by being an author that offers good, wholesome stories with a positive message.

Who is your favourite children’s book author and why?

That is a tough question. I would have to say Aesop. His stories have stood the test of time and always contained a life lesson. Some of our favourite stories we’ve read as a kid were actually first created by Aesop: “The Lion and the Mouse,” “The Tortoise and the Hare,” and many others.

What was your favourite part of the children’s book creation process?

The very end. After the dust settles and the book is created, that’s when the magic happens. I’ll show you what I mean. Attached is a photo recently taken of my friend’s great-niece reading Shirley The Perky Turkey with her father. That’s my absolute favourite part.

Do you have anything else you’d like to share?

Whether you are a reader or a writer, you’re helping keep the craft of writing alive. If by chance you pick up a copy of Shirley The Perky Turkey, I hope it brings you joy.

For more information on Paul Hart and his books visit www.PaulHartbooks.com

Author of the Month Uncategorized

Sci-fi series author Barry Fellinger shares tips for securing media spotlights and in-person events

Apr 21,2023 / By Ben St. James / No Comment

Blast off into the inspiring true adventures of one of Tellwell’s sci-fi/children’s authors

Start putting words to paper or screen, even if they are only ideas, maybe just a few sentences. It’s quite possible the more you write, the more the story will start writing itself, or at least help you write it.
Barry Fellinger

Today we have the pleasure of interviewing an incredibly hard-working author and comic book enthusiast, Barry M. Fellinger. Residing in St. Thomas, Ontario, Barry not only works as a director in health care but also teaches leadership courses and seminars. His latest book, The Not so True Adventures of Brandon, Josh, and Adam, reached #1 on Amazon’s Children’s Time Travel Books chart. He is currently on the promotional trail with interviews and appearances in southwestern Ontario. We’re excited to learn more about his journey as an author and his tips for finding inspiration.

Your newest book, The Not so True Adventures of Brandon, Josh, and Adam, is part of a series. What prompted you to create a series instead of standalone stories?

I can’t honestly say it started out that way, but when I ended the first book on a cliffhanger, it kind of demanded a sequel some day. During an email conversation with my Tellwell project manager, Sem, about the possibility of at least the two books possibly being part of a series, we (actually he) came up with the suggestion “True Adventure Series,” which totally resonated with me. The new book also ends on a cliffhanger, so that lends itself to another book in the series too.

Cracking the code: how to successfully market on Instagram in 2023 with the latest algorithm updates

Apr 12,2023 / By Ben St. James / No Comment

The key to success on Instagram lies in mastering its algorithm, which governs the platform. By understanding and utilizing the algorithm effectively, you can boost your follower count and increase engagement. On the other hand, if you neglect the algorithm your account may struggle to gain visibility, regardless of the quality of your content.

Since Instagram’s algorithms evolve over time, it’s essential to keep up to date with the latest changes to ensure your account continues to grow. We’ve gained valuable insights into content creation, success strategies, and the occasional misstep. In this article, we’re sharing everything we’ve learned about the Instagram algorithm as of 2023, including tips on how to get it working in your favour.

Before diving into the details, it’s important to acknowledge a fundamental point: there is no publicly available breakdown of the Instagram algorithm. Companies that utilize algorithm-based feeds, such as Google, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, do not disclose all the factors that determine the placement of content in a feed.

Although Facebook and Instagram do not reveal their entire algorithms, they do provide occasional insights into how they work. For example, we are aware that our actions on the platform—such as comments, likes, and views—affect the content that appears in our feeds. Moreover, it is evident that the algorithms vary depending on whether we are browsing the feed, the Explore page, Reels, or Instagram Stories.

In 2023, the Instagram algorithm operates through a range of algorithms, classifiers, and processes, each serving a distinct purpose. In the platform’s early days, images were simply displayed chronologically. Nowadays, Instagram uses different algorithms for each section of the app, including the feed, Stories, Reels, and Explore, to assist users in finding relevant content.

Below, we’ll explore the criteria that Instagram takes into account for each part of the platform.

Reels

Instagram has placed a significant emphasis on Reels, making it the most crucial aspect of the platform. Neglecting Reels could prove detrimental to your account’s growth.

IGTV is no longer relevant, and horizontal or long-form videos are no longer prioritized as Instagram focuses on short-form videos. To optimize your content production process to align with the Reels algorithm, here are some steps to follow:

Crop all video content to 9:16.
Keep videos short, ideally no longer than 30 seconds.
Ensure your content is engaging, entertaining, and fast-paced.
Avoid using low-resolution or recycled content from other platforms, such as TikTok.
Instagram favors Reels that attract likes, comments, shares, and views. The algorithm also takes note when users save videos or add Reels to their Stories.

Stories

The operation of Instagram Stories is comparable to that of the feed. The content displayed in Stories, apart from ads, is from the accounts you already follow rather than from new ones. Interactions with stories differ slightly from those in the regular feed.

Story Interactions

Direct messages (DMs): Does a user view your story and respond?
Profile clicks: Does a user click your profile to see more of your content after watching a story?
Emoji reactions replace “likes”; they could be happy, upset, or a thumbs up.
Finish or skipped: did your user watch each Story in its entirety, or did they get bored and skip to the next one?

In addition to these signals, Instagram also considers user actions such as turning on notifications for your Stories or sharing a Story with their friends (or on their own Stories). All of these actions can influence the algorithm’s preference for your content.

Creating engaging content that encourages user interaction is key to getting the algorithm’s attention. Experiment with surveys, stickers, and Q&As to get your followers to take action on your content.

The Main Feed

The feed is still the primary area of Instagram, despite the addition of Stories and Reels. In this section, the algorithm favours content from accounts that you already follow. However, in the Explore or Reels tab, other factors come into play.

To determine the preferred content, the algorithm considers various signals, such as:

Who posted the content: Do you interact with this account frequently? Do they have a large and active following? Is their content typically high-quality?

Information about the post: Is it an image or video? How long is the video? What time of day was it posted? Are you viewing it on a mobile device or desktop? Is there a location attached to the post?

Your activity: What kind of content have you engaged with previously? What is the likelihood that you will leave a comment?

A helpful tip for 2023 is to use alt text when uploading images, much like optimizing for SEO on a website. The easiest way to SEO-optimize an image is to describe who and what is in the image, and add a little background information if you can.

The Explore tab

The Explore tab on Instagram is dedicated to showing users fresh, relevant content that aligns with their interests. This means that most of the posts you’ll see will be from accounts you don’t follow yet. Although you might come across posts from accounts you follow, it’s not as common.

According to Instagram, the most important actions that impact the Explore algorithm are likes, saves, and shares.

Other factors that the algorithm takes into account include:

The account that posted the content: Does it have a high engagement rate, or have several of your friends followed it? Have you interacted with their content before?

Information about the post: Is the content popular among other users? Are they quickly liking, commenting, and sharing the post? When was the post uploaded?

Your activity: Have you engaged with similar content before? Do you typically save or share this type of content on your stories?

The algorithm attempts to predict your interests based on your activity. For instance, if you follow Manchester United and like their content, the algorithm may suggest other football clubs, or other sports that align with your interests. If you like the suggestions, the algorithm will continue to show you more of that content. If not, it will try to find something else that will keep you engaged.

Meet the Team

Tellwell editor Kim Martins shares tips for transforming your manuscript

Mar 23,2023 / By Ben St. James / No Comment

Get pro tips from a Tellwell book editor on perfecting your manuscript & improving your writing.

Everyone should read, read, and then read more. It exercises the brain and improves mental health, but it is also great fun to lose yourself in another world for a few hours.
Kim Martins – Editor

If you’re an aspiring author, you know how crucial it is to have your manuscript polished to perfection before submitting it to publishers. That’s where manuscript editor Kim Martins comes in. With years of experience under her belt, Kim has edited a wide range of genres and helped numerous authors refine their writing. In this exclusive interview, Kim, an Australian editor based in New Zealand, opens up about her inspiration for becoming an editor and her all-time favourite books, and shares valuable tips and advice on how authors can improve their writing and increase their chances of success.

Can you tell us about your role as a book editor at the publishing company? What are your responsibilities, and what does your typical workday look like?

I edit everything from poetry collections to memoirs and novels in most genres, and it is a joy to work with authors. My typical workday begins around 8.00 a.m., and it might include a manuscript evaluation, paying close attention to story structure and character arc. Or it might be a substantive edit of a novel, which means I look at the manuscript broadly and help the author with things like pacing, clarifying plot points or possibly ambiguous sentences, whether the narrative is being lost due to unnecessary inclusion of too much information, and so on.

Because the editing process is thorough, I might also work on manuscripts that have been through a substantive editing round and have now moved to the copy and line edit. With copy editing, grammar, spelling and punctuation are looked at as well as fact-checking, while line editing involves tightening up sentence structure so the language is sharp.

Book Marketing Tips & Tricks

Synopsis Writing Tips for Indie Authors

Mar 17,2023 / By Ben St. James / No Comment

Master the art of writing a captivating novel synopsis with these top tips and impress media outlets and readers alike!

Focus on the main plot points and character arc, and don’t try to include every single detail or character in the book.

WHAT IS A SYNOPSIS?

A synopsis is a concise summary of your novel, typically spanning one to four pages. It outlines the plot, main character arc, and resolution of the story. The purpose of a synopsis is to market your book to the publishing industry, including both traditional publishers and self-publishing platforms. It is a critical component of your book proposal and can significantly impact your chances of securing opportunities. A good synopsis is a must for any indie or self-published author.

If you’re writing a novel synopsis, here are some useful tips to keep in mind:

The three-paragraph format is a common method to follow.
In the first paragraph, introduce the character, setting, and conflict or inciting incident.
The second paragraph should cover major plot points, conflicts, and characters necessary for the conclusion to make sense.
The third paragraph should detail how the conflict is resolved and how the character changes from the beginning of the book.
Use active voice instead of passive voice to make the synopsis more engaging.
Stick to the standard third-person point of view.
Remember that your synopsis is a reflection of your writing skills. Write it in a way that showcases your style rather than just summarizing the book.
Keep your synopsis clear and concise. Avoid being too long or rambling, or you risk losing the reader’s interest.
Focus on the main plot points and character arc, and don’t try to include every single detail or character in the book.
Don’t worry about trying to create an intriguing or mysterious hook. Simply provide the necessary information. Save the hook for your book blurb, which we’ll talk about later.

Team Tellwell Scores A Hat Trick

Feb 21,2023 / By Ben St. James / No Comment

Top-ranked books by master storytellers Diane Martin, Mike Ellis, and Shelley Snow

Three Tellwell authors have recently achieved a remarkable accomplishment by reaching the top spot on various Amazon charts. Diane Martin, Mike Ellis, and Shelley Snow are the masterminds behind these hit books, each of which has achieved #1 status in its respective category.

Discover your purpose and find fulfillment with Azim Jamal’s latest book, Spark

Feb 21,2023 / By Ben St. James / No Comment

Learn from the CEO of Corporate Sufi Worldwide and unlock your full potential

A dedicated person is guided by self-awareness and purpose, while a workaholic is guided by the frenzy of activity for the sake of activity.
– Azim Jamal

Azim Jamal is a well-known figure in the world of personal and professional development, inspiring and empowering individuals across the globe to achieve their full potential. As the CEO and founder of Corporate Sufi Worldwide, he has helped countless people to find balance, purpose, and fulfillment in their personal and professional lives. With a dedicated following around the world, Azim’s expertise is widely recognized for its ability to help people make positive and lasting changes in their lives. In his latest book, Spark, he sets out to help young professionals discover their true purpose and find meaning in their work, offering valuable insights and practical advice to guide them on their journey.

Spark is your tenth book. How does it stand apart from the corporate Sufi series?

This is a fable, thus different from most of my other books. The only other book written as a fable was What You Seek is Seeking You (WYSISY), co-authored with Brian Tracy. In WYSISY, the underlying emphasis was on attraction, whereas in SPARK the underlying emphasis is on significance and SPARK. SPARK is an acronym which encompasses S: service, P: purpose, A: attraction, R: resilience and K: knowing. None of the other nine books cover all of these five elements together in one book.

What sparked you to write this particular book?

I have been working with successful people for the past 25 years, and I have learned that they are successful outwardly; however, they still struggle to find purpose, fulfilment, inner happiness, and balance.

How To Market Your Book Like a Pro

Jan 23,2023 / By Ben St. James / No Comment

10 book marketing strategies to maximize your book sales

Promoting your original book (fiction or non-fiction) begins with understanding your unique value proposition.

What will a reader get from your book? Is it entertainment? Specific knowledge or insight?
Why should they purchase your book over others on the market? Is your story funnier or more romantic? Or can your combined experience and education help a reader’s business grow while teaching them a new skill?

Why it’s Important

Understanding what sets your book apart and why it appeals to specific audiences allows you to craft effective pitches and taglines and develop your overall book marketing strategy with your audience in mind. This knowledge allows you to build a great book with a strong foundation and the opportunity to create an exciting brand.

Author of the Month

Authorship, toy manufacturing, and living your dreams: author of the month Monika Blichar

Dec 21,2022 / By Ben St. James / No Comment

Polish-Canadian author Monika Blichar shares advice for aspiring creatives and provides insights on the people and places that have influenced her the most.

I have always wanted to write my own book and I still have some very detailed books I created from elementary school on my bookshelf!
Monika Blichar

Monika Blichar wears many hats. She is both a congenial creative and a goal-oriented entrepreneur eager to create growth and opportunities for herself and others. Monika’s latest project, My Magical Gnome, provides wholesome entertainment to children while fostering creativity and a sense of wonder. In addition to talking about her latest project, Monika also shares her experiences as an artist and entrepreneur.

The first time Tellwell readers saw you was as the illustrator of Murray The Dragon by Cristina Petersen. What sparked the move towards publishing your own story?

I loved working on the artwork for Murray the Dragon, and it was a great way to start learning about publishing, as the author, Cristina, is a good friend of mine who I have known since high school. It was great fun to work with a friend and a talented writer to launch our first real published book together. I have always wanted to write my own book and I still have some very detailed books I created from elementary school on my bookshelf! It dawned on me just before Christmas 2019 that I needed to launch my own book. I feverishly came home from the art studio and told my family all about my idea. For the next two years, I focused a lot on writing, illustrating and bringing to life my own story, which is inspired by my childhood and our hometown of Wroclaw, Poland.

What inspired the story of My Magical Gnome?

Author Archives: Ben St. James

Find out how Melissa helps get authors on track and ready for book production and her life down under!

Paul Hart shares advice for career transitions and talks about the magic of writing for kids

Blast off into the inspiring true adventures of one of Tellwell’s sci-fi/children’s authors

Get pro tips from a Tellwell book editor on perfecting your manuscript & improving your writing.

Master the art of writing a captivating novel synopsis with these top tips and impress media outlets and readers alike!

Learn from the CEO of Corporate Sufi Worldwide and unlock your full potential

10 book marketing strategies to maximize your book sales

Polish-Canadian author Monika Blichar shares advice for aspiring creatives and provides insights on the people and places that have influenced her the most.