This January, we’re shining a spotlight on Tracy, a Tellwell project manager and printing specialist, supporting authors by managing book projects and ensuring high-quality print production.
Read on to learn more about Tracy and her role at Tellwell!
Can you tell us a bit about your role at Tellwell and what a typical day looks like for you?
I oversee projects from initial planning through to final publication, ensuring that timelines, quality standards, and author’s expectations are met. A typical day involves coordinating with authors and internal teams, managing booked appointments and print specifications, addressing publication issues, and making sure each project moves smoothly from concept to completion.
This December, Tellwell Publishing is shining a spotlight on one of our talented editors, Melanie. As part of the Tellwell editing team, Melanie works behind the scenes to support authors and guide them through the book-editing process, from manuscript development to final polish.
Get to know Melanie, learn more about what it’s like working with a professional book editor, and read her advice for authors preparing their books for publication.
Can you tell us a bit about your role at Tellwell Publishing and what a typical day looks like for you as an editor?
With the various editorial options that Tellwell offers its authors, my role as an editor takes many forms. Each dictates the depth of editing I will perform. Sometimes I get the privilege of being the first eyes on the book to give a brief summary based on a light perusal. I comment on the general shape of the manuscript and advise on the extent of edits that would be most useful to the author. At other times, I’m reading the manuscript in its entirety, looking at the overall structure and quality of a work to be able to deliver a manuscript assessment report, advising the author on the main points for improvement. Still other times, I’m drilling deep down into the manuscript in the form of a substantive edit to strengthen character arcs, conflict, plot points, tension, pacing, and flow. Or, in the case of a non-fiction manuscript, organization and presentation of ideas, instruction or theories. And finally, as a copy editor, I get to go on a treasure hunt, sussing out errors and inconsistencies in capitalization, spelling, and punctuation, and looking for grammatical errors. Ultimately, I’m working hard to make sure the author is reaching their reader with a well-presented, structured story or argument that is professionally polished.
As far as what a typical day looks like for me, well, at any one time I can have any or all of the above types of editing on my task list. It’s these times, when I’m dealing with overlapping deadlines, that I have the freedom and room to choose what branch of editing best suits my mood that day, or I can tailor my day to doing a small job in the morning and a more in-depth job in the afternoon or vice versa. But no matter what my task list looks like, I’m always fully present and engaged in whatever manuscript I’m working on.
Marjorie enjoys helping authors turn their book ideas into real publishing plans. With a warm and approachable style, she guides authors through their options, answers their questions, and makes the process feel clear and manageable. The best part of her job is hearing authors’ stories and helping them take their exciting first steps on their publishing journey.
Read on to learn more about Marjorie and her role at Tellwell!
This October, we’re excited to feature Sen Li, one of our contract illustrators at Tellwell. Sen has an incredible talent for turning stories into vivid, captivating visuals that draw readers in.
Read on to get to know Sen and learn more about their creative journey.
Can you tell us a bit more about yourself and your background as an illustrator?
I’ve been drawing for as long as I can remember, it’s always been the most natural way for me to express myself. I grew up in Canada, but my roots are in Taiwan, and I think that mix of cultures shows up in my work, both in the stories I tell visually and in the aesthetics I gravitate towards. I trained myself through a lot of practice, observation, and experimentation rather than a rigid academic path, which gave me freedom to shape my own style.
As an illustrator, I’m drawn to mood, atmosphere, and subtle storytelling. I want my art to feel like a single frame from a larger narrative, a glimpse into a moment that already has a history behind it. A big part of that comes from my love of manhwa, where storytelling through images is so immediate and emotionally charged. That influence shapes how I use composition, pacing, and expression to pull viewers into a scene. My background in graphic design also plays a role in how I balance composition and detail, and I’m constantly looking for ways to bridge fine art with more modern, digital expressions.
This month we’re putting the spotlight on one of Tellwell’s dedicated project managers, Reggie. As a key part of the publishing journey he works closely with our authors, guiding them through each stage of the process, keeping projects on track, and ensuring their work is brought to life.
Get to know more of Reggie and his role at Tellwell.
Can you tell us a bit about your role as a project manager at Tellwell, and what a typical day looks like for you?
A typical day starts with me completing urgent tasks such as reviewing design drafts for my authors. After that I move on to answering emails or giving authors a quick call if they need a gentle reminder about their tasks. Overall, my focus is on guiding them closely and effectively throughout the process of completing their book.
Meet John Henrick Abella, better known to us as JH, our sales manager at Tellwell! He leads our book-publishing consulting team, guiding authors and connecting them with the right services to bring their publishing goals to life. As part of our self-publishing model, JH plays an important role in guiding authors on their journey with Tellwell.
Get to know more about JH and his role at Tellwell.
Getting to Know You
Can you share a bit about your background and what led you to join Tellwell Publishing?
I started out in medical sales, which taught me the discipline and consistency needed to hit tough targets. After that I moved into publishing sales, and that’s where I really found my passion for working with authors and helping them bring their books to life. I’ve now been in the publishing industry for eight years, the last six at Tellwell. I started here as a publishing consultant and grew into the role of sales manager. What drew me to Tellwell, and what keeps me here, is how the company aims to be a true platform for author empowerment. That vision really resonates with me.
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.
Meet Alyza Alenton, one of Tellwell’s project managers. With a love for books and journaling, Alyza brings dedication and passion to every project she handles. From orientation calls to coordinating with editors and designers, she helps guide authors through each step of their publishing journey.
Read on to learn more about Alyza and her role at Tellwell.
Tell us a bit about yourself!Where are you based, and what do you enjoy doing outside of work?
I’m based in the Philippines, specifically in Cebu. I enjoy reading and collecting books as well as figurines. I also love journaling and playing games with my friends.
Amber White is a multi-talented illustrator based in North Hollywood, California. With a background in sculpture, special effects, and wearable art, she brings a whimsical, earthy flair to every project. At Tellwell, Amber works closely with authors to bring their stories to life through expressive and detailed illustrations.
Read on to get to know her better!
1. Hi Amber! Tell us a bit about yourself. Well hello, hello! I’m based out of North Hollywood, California. Outside of illustrating I work in sculpture and attempt to bring out creatures from natural elements to be worn as wearable art. I sell them online. I’m busy at home raising my three little boys, all under the age of eight. Through the year I am randomly brought back on board to my creature-creation film work as a special FX artist. I also do scenic work as well as various freelance art projects and body painting. It’s a constant eclectic, artsy, happy lifestyle. Plus I garden, a lot.
This April, we’re shining the spotlight on one of our talented editors here at Tellwell—meet Jen! She plays a key role in helping authors bring their stories to life, guiding them through the editing process with care, expertise, and a true passion for storytelling.
Read on to learn more about Jen and her role at Tellwell.
How did you get into professional editing?
Throughout my life, editing and I have taken turns
finding each other.
In elementary school, unasked, I would politely point out any errors I noticed in my teachers’ written materials. In high school, people were always showing me their angsty love poems and love letters and asking if I thought they should send them or if they should change any of the wording first for greatest effect. I would advise them to take out the cliches and build on the specifics. In university, as a student of English Literature, I was the one everyone asked to edit their essays at 2 a.m. For a summer I taught English in Japan where, while waiting at an airport in Tokyo, a pilot sat down beside me and silently handed over a pile of papers and a pen. Through hand gestures and facial expressions, I grew to understand that he was asking me to edit his flight notes. I did so, happily. But how did the pilot know to ask me?
