Blake “Crash” Priddle has appeared on CTV News, the CBC and City News Calgary to talk about his inspiring and vulnerable memoir.
Always be a leader, not a follower
Bud Priddle, Grandfather of Blake “Crash” Priddle
Tell us a bit about yourself!
I am 28 years old and I currently work as a radio announcer and news reporter in Northern Manitoba for Arctic Radio. I am on the autism spectrum.
If you want to learn more about my life and my career you will have to get a copy of the book, or visit my website and go to the FAQ section!
Your story is definitely an inspiring one! What was it like opening up about the vulnerable parts of your life, and why did you feel they were important to include in your book?
It was difficult reliving some painful memories from my childhood, and as an adult. This includes issues I had with anxiety and depression. For the most part, writing has been cathartic, like journalling. Putting words down on paper releases the pain and also lets you relive the good memories too. I think sharing my vulnerability helps others realize they are not alone in their journey which might give people on the autism spectrum and their families hope.
What’s the main reason someone should really read this book?
I feel that others on the spectrum, their families and those in their lives like teachers, might find comfort in many familiar issues autistic people face. Some may be inspired from reading what I’ve gone through, survived and thrived. Readers who have little or no experience about autism (besides Rain Man or the Good Doctor), will gain compassion for folks that are ‘different’.
Authors, we will never grow tired of helping you succeed!
– Pamela Pasco, Tellwell General Manager
Pam, can you tell us about your professional experience and your role at Tellwell.
I have been working in the publishing industry for nearly 15 years now. I started as a book formatter and my responsibilities never stopped growing.
I joined Tellwell in 2018 as a general manager in the Philippines to manage finance, operations, and human resources. Building a cohesive team and a work environment that is shaped around the company’s core values are a few of my responsibilities. It is my goal as the GM to make sure that as we deliver excellent Customer Satisfaction, and that employees also feel supported and taken care of.
What does a typical week look like for you?
Team coordination, meetings, strategizing, problem-solving, and of course fun and excitement as I drive team performance.
What do you enjoy most about your role at Tellwell?
I enjoy reaping the rewards of my hard work – finding the best people in the industry, working with them, and keeping them happy and motivated.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
Aside from family time, I enjoy challenging myself with physical activities like trekking, rock climbing, and running. They help me think clearly and make me feel much more alive.
Goodreads is a social network specifically designed for finding your next great read, and is a vital tool for authors! With over 125 million users, it provides authors with direct access to not only their current readers, but also potential new readers.
By claiming your Goodreads author account, you will be able to unlock a whole new world of Goodreads beyond ratings and reviewing books. Below, we’ve broken down these benefits for you to showcase why Goodreads should be one of the top platforms in your marketing plan!
Book marketing is a crucial aspect of a book’s success. It takes a lot of hard work and effort, but the payoff can be worth it. We are celebrating a number of authors this month who have done a wonderful job promoting their book in the media, speaking at events such as TEDx and even starting their own podcast. One of our authors even invested in a huge ad campaign with her local transit line.
Lisa Bournelis’ TEDx Talk is now live. Watch here!
Five different Tellwell authors are offering their books for free until the end of February, folks! That’s five unique titles for your digital bookshelf. You have until February 28, so don’t waste any more time. Let’s get to it!
For lovers of personal development books . . .
Shelter from Our Secrets, Silence & Shame by Rebecca L. Brown, MSW, RSW
Readers’ Favorite gave Shelter from Our Secrets, Silence & Shame5 stars and said, “In her crisp narrative, you learn what separates people who manage to face their dark struggles and how it has shaped them to become a stronger and better version of themselves over those who chose to let their secrets and shame define them. Having mental and emotional strength does not entail having some special genetic trait. There is no hocus pocus here. As a clinical social worker who went through her own struggles, Brown understands the importance of setting realistic expectations and the willingness to embrace the story of who you are with all your heart.” Download your free copy of Shelter from Our Secrets, Silence & Shame by Rebecca L. Brown.
The Art of Self-Supervision: Studying the link between self-reflection and self-care by Laurie Ponsford-Hill
In a 4-star review, IndieReader said, “The Art of Self-Supervision by Laurie Ponsford-Hill offers valuable insights for art therapists – or anyone – experiencing career exhaustion and burn-out, though the depth of detail and clinical approach may make it a tedious read for casual fans of self-help books.” Download your free copy of The Art of Self-Supervision by Laurie Ponsford-Hill.
There is no substitute for a professional editor, designer, marketer, etc.
Ben Belding, Tellwell Publishing Consultant
Tell us about your role at Tellwell.
My role as a publishing consultant is to support prospective authors during the first steps toward self-publishing. My first priority is to present them with all necessary resources, so that they may make an informed decision that suits their projects, families, and budgets. By taking the time to understand their needs and assess their intentions, I do my very best to ensure that the services they choose are appropriate for their book project(s) and, when required, recommend options that may be more suited to their project. I am always excited for the first chat with a new author. It’s a great opportunity to meet interesting, creative minds and develop relationships with people from all different backgrounds! It’s pretty neat to work in an industry where the young, the elderly, and everyone in between are on a level playing field. It’s especially rewarding to see their work go from an idea to fruition.
From book signings to rave reviews and exclusive interviews, our authors had a busy end to 2021! Congratulations on your terrific accomplishments, everyone! We’re thrilled to highlight your successes.
“A clear, thoughtful memoir with an upbeat tone, GOOD MORNING, BLAKE is both a delightful read and a valuable perspective on growing up autistic in a neurotypical world.” – Catherine Langrehr for IndieReader.
For me, just getting the book published was a success. Would I love to sell a million copies, too? Of course! But that wasn’t my goal going into it. I wanted to help as many people as possible.
Serena Holmes, author, The Accidental Entrepreneur
2022, here we are! How are you all doing? Rested and energized for a new year, we hope. However, if you’re more so in the mind state of, What? A new year! Where do I begin? What do I focus on? know that you aren’t alone. Take a breath. You’re doing your best.
One of the best ways to get out of a funk is to take a page of advice from someone who’s been in a similar situation and managed to work their way out of it. Take Serena Holmes, for example. Serena is the author of The Accidental Entrepreneur: Turning Tragedy into Triumph to Embrace my Destiny in Entrepreneurship. Serena doesn’t just offer advice and inspiration for growing entrepreneurs based on her success and accomplishments, she gives readers a look at what it took to get there, including the hardships she faced growing up.
In a 4/5 star review from IndieReader, C. S. Holmes said, “THE ACCIDENTAL ENTREPRENEUR by Serena Holmes is an introspective, hopeful self-help tome offering detailed facts and figures regarding one woman’s journey towards creating a self-sufficient, self-actualized life.” If you’re looking for a book to inspire and motivate you, this is it! Moreover, when we asked Serena if we could feature her as Tellwell’s January Author of the Month, she agreed to not only answer our questions, but to share the lessons she learned from self-publishing, so that other authors could benefit. Find out about her self-publishing tips and how she’s used media mentions and online marketing to build a following of over 14 thousand on social media!
Serena, tell us a bit about yourself.
Where do I begin? I just celebrated my fortieth birthday. I am a proud mama to a gorgeous two-year-old girl named Sienna, and a happy wife. I became a mom pretty late in life, since I was focused on my career throughout most of my twenties and thirties.
I have had my own brand-experience agency called Tigris Events for the past eighteen years, and also obtained my real estate license this past year. Before COVID, I loved to travel but am fortunate to have a family cottage to get away to when I have some downtime.
What inspired you to write The Accidental Entrepreneur?
Running your own business can be a lot like riding a roller coaster. There are plenty of ups, downs, and learning curves, especially since you have to figure out most things for yourself. I had a lot of crazy things happen throughout my childhood that I believe helped give me the foundation to be successful as an entrepreneur. Between those experiences and those I gained during my time as a business owner, I felt compelled to write and publish a book about it to help others on the same path.
What was it like opening up about the vulnerable parts of your journey as an entrepreneur, and why did you feel they were important to include in your book?
Opening up in this way was extremely nerve-wracking. I was worried about upsetting some people, but in no way was I trying to do that. The experiences were what they were, and for those that I included in the book, I felt it was important to add context for readers and detail the kinds of lessons that were learned along the way.
