In this Meet the Team feature, we’re proud to introduce you to Francis Lu, one of our talented book-publishing consultants.
Francis plays an important role in connecting with authors who are interested in sharing their stories with the world. Read through to learn more about Francis and his role at Tellwell!
fbt
What does a typical day look like for you as a book-publishing consultant?
A typical day of a publishing consultant can be summed up in three words: Many. Phone. Calls. This is because a publishing consultant would typically aim to have as much opportunity as possible to speak with authors, learn about what their goals are, and provide guidance and suggestions to help authors achieve their dream of publishing their book in a way that is easy, simple and fun:)
Introducing Ralph Cavero, one of our skilled in-house book designers! This March we’re shining a spotlight on the creative journey involved in designing authors’ books.
Join Ralph as he uncovers the secrets behind book covers.
Tell us a little about yourself.
I’ve been happily married for 12 years and have three kids: two lovely daughters and an angel son. Spending meaningful time with my family is important for me.
I completed my bachelor’s in computer engineering with a focus on computer networking at the University of San Carlos. Music is a passion of mine—I enjoy all genres and can play the guitar. Sports, particularly basketball, captivate my interest, and I also have a fondness for art, including drawing, design, and decoration. Nature, with its lush greens and serene blues, holds a special place in my heart.
How did you start your journey as a book designer, and what drew you to working with Tellwell Publishing?
During my college years, I began developing my design skills by taking on commissioned projects in my spare time. Upon graduating, I decided to pursue a career in design, alongside managing computer shops and laboratories, driven by my deep fascination in the field.
I spent two years at Sunstar Publishing, followed by five years at Author Solutions Inc. Later, I joined Black Card Books for two years before settling into Tellwell, where I’ve been for the past three years. What attracted me to Tellwell was their commitment to valuing their employees. Even during the hiring process, I was impressed by their treatment of human resources. For me, work becomes less of a chore when you feel valued, acknowledged, and supported. Tellwell has demonstrated that it’s not just about what you contribute to the company, but also about receiving recognition and support that matches your hard work.
Introducing Shaira Villamor, a skilled project manager at Tellwell. In this month’s Meet the Team, Shaira shares her behind-the-scenes insights into the book publishing journey.
Dive into Shai’s world and discover her pivotal role in the publishing process!
Tell us a little about yourself.
I am a graduate of Communication Arts. I am interested in public speaking and feature writing, but that doesn’t mean I am good at them. I started reading books in an attempt to improve my speaking and writing skills. My recent favourite read is The Hunger Games Trilogy. Once in a while, I enjoy travelling with family. I learned that travelling helps me understand myself more.
Welcome to our Meet the Team series, where we showcase talented team members that make Tellwell exceptional. This January, let’s learn about Abby, our in-house illustrator.
Learn more about her and her artistic journey, exploring the details of the drawings and stories in her amazing illustrations that make our projects come alive.
Meet Christian Añasco! As our talented book publishing consultant, Christian is dedicated to guiding you through every step of your publishing journey.
Take a moment to get to know Christian!
How did you first become interested in book publishing, and what led you to join Tellwell as our in-house publishing consultant?
I am a fan of dystopian and fantasy books, but the question of how exactly they were made never occurred to me. Before Tellwell, I had zero knowledge about how publishing works. I was at a stage where I tried to pinpoint unknown areas of my life that were causing me discontent and left my job of five years to breathe. After that break, I came across this opportunity, a total pivot from being in software development to publishing. I am a guy who believes in the importance of continuous learning, and it has been my goal to be proficient in something new, be it in knowledge or practical skills. Why not get a grasp of how these paperbacks are being put together? Very informative!
Say hello to Simeon from Tellwell Publishing, our talented developer! Simeon loves simplifying processes. From improving payments to creating smooth online spaces, he’s our digital wizard. Read on to get to know Simeon a little better!
Tell us a little about yourself.
Hi! I’m Simeon, but you can call me Mon. I’ve been working as a developer for almost ten years, and I really enjoy taking photos and videos to capture memories.
Meet Ryan, a trusted book-publishing consultant at Tellwell, with one year of dedicated service to our team. He’s here to make your publishing journey a success!
Tell us a little about yourself.
Hi there! I’m 34 years old and I absolutely love medieval fantasy books. I’m also a big fan of movies, anime, and manga.
How did you end up in the world of book publishing?
A friend of mine encouraged me to dip my toes into the publishing industry, and I’m genuinely grateful that I took the leap. I find great satisfaction in my work, where I assist budding authors in their initial steps of the publishing journey. I guide them through the various options at their disposal and outline how we can support them through every phase of the process.
For the month of September, we are thrilled to introduce you to Mark, one of our team’s gifted book-marketing associates. In this interview you’ll learn what keeps Mark inspired creatively, what a typical day at Tellwell looks like for him, and how he enjoys spending his free time when he’s not bringing author visions to life!
Tell us a bit about yourself!
Hey there! My name is Mark and I’m one of the book-marketing associates here at Tellwell. I recently celebrated my first work anniversary with the company in July.
My journey in the marketing world began back in 2018. I kicked things off by working in digital marketing for a jewelry brand. After that, I took a detour and worked as a consultant in the government sector. Now, I’m thrilled to be a part of the amazing Tellwell team as a book-marketing associate.
What does a typical day look like for you?
My workday starts with my ritual cup of coffee. With my caffeine fix in hand, I dive into the day ahead. Firstly, I go through emails and over my to-do list, ensuring that no important tasks in my book-marketing projects are missed.
As a book-marketing associate, my role is all about collaboration. I work closely alongside our marketing consultants, offering a helping hand whenever they need it. Whether it’s creating book backgrounders, designing promotional materials, setting up ad campaigns, organizing book blog tours, or tackling various other marketing tasks, I’ve got my hand in the mix.
I also take care of our website section. It’s my responsibility to keep track of website renewals for our authors, providing them with prompt, helpful responses to any website-related queries, and keeping their websites updated.
In a nutshell, my days are a blend of coffee, collaboration/teamwork, and ensuring that our authors’ book-marketing journeys are as seamless as possible.
At Tellwell, we’re proud of the teamwork that makes book publishing happen, and at the forefront is Charlene, one of our skilled book-project managers!
Let’s explore her drive and inspirations, and how she makes books come alive. Join us to uncover the person behind the role and feel her dedication in every project.
Tell us a little about yourself.
My name is Charlene, but I’m used to being called by my nicknames: Yen or Charlie. And since I belong to a medical family, I hold a degree in nursing, but haven’t really practiced it.
I am both spontaneous and meticulous. I plan the small activities I need to do before starting a new day (what time to wake up, shower first or breakfast? Movie or reading?) Yet, so far I have never planned the huge things in my life (the major I took in college, my travel experiences, past jobs). Amazingly, things always turn out great!
My family and friends see me as the go-getter, but I feel otherwise. I just feel like I really do not show my full potential to people. And when I feel comfortable with something, I just stop there and make it a habit. But looking back, I think I had left my comfort zone a lot of times but never recognized it.
I am a dog lover! I am always happy to talk about the times I pet sit.
I’m a homebody, but not really. I can stay inside my box-like room for a week without complaining (as long as I have food, internet, music to listen to, movies to watch, books to read). But there are times that I crave traveling—I really want to explore places that are unfamiliar to me. Experience their culture. Taste their food. Have interesting chats with other travelers. It just feels so liberating!
For July’s Meet the Team we are proud to introduce Trixie Raboy, one of Tellwell’s Book Marketing Associates! Read on to learn more about what Trixie enjoys most about working with our authors, as well as some of the adrenaline-inducing activities she enjoys outside of work!
Hello Trixie!Tell us a little bit about yourself!
Hi, I’m Trixie Raboy! I’m one of Tellwell’s Book Marketing Associates and recently just passed my one year anniversary with Tellwell. I have been working in the marketing industry for around five years now which has included working in the hospitality industry, logistics, and now book publishing.
What does a typical day look like for you at Tellwell?
I work a night shift at Tellwell to ensure my client availability for those located around the globe. I start my day at 11pm with my mandatory cup of coffee, and then review my to-do list and check my emails and messages. My responsibilities include book-marketing services along with creating content for Tellwell’s social media, so I typically alternate days between social media content creation and book-marketing deliverables for our authors.
What is your favourite part about working at Tellwell?
I actually have three favourite things about working at Tellwell!
For starters, the people I work with are simply amazing. It really is wonderful to work with people who are so supportive, collaborative, and easy to get along with. I of course have to make a special mention of my partner-in-crime, also an amazing Book Marketing Associate, Mark Mionda, who’s so enjoyable to work with.
My second favourite aspect is the ability to work from home. For someone who lives further from our office, it’s very convenient to complete most days from the comfort of my home office. Occasionally, our team meets up at the office to check in with each other which is a great opportunity to connect with everyone in person.
And lastly, the overall experience of working with Tellwell has been nothing short of enjoyable. In just one year of working as part of our marketing team, I have accumulated a wide range of experience and enhanced my pre-existing skillset. I love the fact that I get to work on different projects that allow me to continue to develop my skills and knowledge!
