Category : Tellwell Team Stories

Tellwell Team Stories

A Tribute to the Artistic Legacy of Veronika Hipolito and Gerardo Basilio Faelnar

Illustration by Jamie Jamandre Trani, Tellwell Illustrator

At Tellwell, we’ve had the privilege of collaborating with some truly exceptional creatives. Veronika Hipolito, one of our amazing illustrators, and Gerardo Basilio Faelnar, an outstanding illustrator and designer, sadly passed away recently, and their loss is deeply felt throughout Tellwell. Their beautiful contributions will leave a lasting imprint, not only on the books they helped create, but on the whole company as we honour their lives and generous spirits.

In remembering Veronika and Gerardo, we reflect on the mark they made through their talent, dedication, and passion for storytelling. Their work brought stories to life, inspired readers, and became a vital part of our creative journey at Tellwell.

This tribute looks back at some of their most memorable projects—the ones that resonated deeply with readers and became team favourites. Through their art, their spirits continue to shine.

Remembering Veronika Hipolito

Veronika’s illustrations spoke volumes through their depth, detail, and warmth. Whether working on children’s books or adult fiction, Veronika’s artwork has a way of connecting with readers on a deeply emotional level, inviting them into worlds full of colour, imagination, and heartfelt moments. Her illustrations brought every story she touched to life, making her a beloved part of Tellwell’s creative efforts.

Some of Veronika’s most noteworthy works include:

Veronika’s legacy lives on in her art. She had an innate ability to connect with readers through her illustrations, leaving behind a body of work that will continue to inspire and touch hearts.

Celebrating Gerardo Basilio Faelnar

Gerardo’s work is a perfect blend of design and storytelling. His illustrations, whether for book covers or interiors, bring out the soul of each story, creating visual representations that are as captivating as they are meaningful. Gerardo’s designs capture the essence of the narratives they accompany, bringing each book to life in ways that resonate with audiences of all age.

Some of Gerardo’s most beloved works include:

Gerardo’s designs will continue to serve as a source of inspiration for other creatives, and his work will forever be a part of the stories he helped bring to life.

Honouring Two Talented Souls

Veronika and Gerardo’s work will never be forgotten. Their passion for storytelling through art shapes the books they worked on, bringing them into the hearts and minds of readers everywhere. Their legacy lives on through the books they helped create, and we are grateful for the time we had with them as part of the Tellwell team.

While they are no longer with us, their influence will continue to guide and inspire. We carry their memories with us and celebrate their lasting contributions to the world of art and storytelling.

To Veronika and Gerardo, thank you for sharing your incredible gifts with the world. Your legacy will live on in the stories you helped bring to life. You will always be remembered.

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Tellwell Team Stories

Tellwell Team Stories: Behind the Scenes!

Step behind the scenes with our editing and distribution experts as they shape stories into polished, published works.

Meet Simon:

At Tellwell, Simon Ogden plays a key role in bringing books to life. He refines manuscripts, oversees design quality, guides project managers, and ensures smooth communication with authors.

Quality assurance is central to his work, with careful reviews and refinements maintaining high publishing standards. A quick break offers a moment to recharge before final checks and project coordination.

With a focus on storytelling and precision, Simon helps authors turn their ideas into well-crafted books that connect with readers.

Check out the behind-the-scenes with Simon, Tellwell managing editor here.

Meet Joy:

Getting a book into the hands of readers takes more than just great storytelling—it requires careful planning and seamless logistics. That’s where Joy, Tellwell’s Distribution Manager, comes in.

From coordinating shipments and tracking timelines to working with publishers and ensuring books arrive on schedule, Joy plays a vital role in the publishing process. Her work helps bridge the gap between authors and readers, making sure every book finds its way to the right audience.

And the best part? She can do it all from anywhere—whether she’s working from a coffee shop, her home office, or on the move. Wherever she goes, the books go with her.

Check out the behind-the-scenes with Joy, Tellwell Distribution Manager here.

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Tellwell Team Stories

Tellwell Team Stories: Behind the Scenes!

Go behind the scenes with our talented content creator and graphic designer as they bring creativity and collaboration to life, helping stories shine.

Meet Alyssa:

At Tellwell, Alyssa’s days are a blend of creativity, collaboration, and storytelling. From editing episodes of our podcast, Demystifying Self-Publishing, to designing attention-grabbing thumbnails, managing social media, and curating our monthly newsletter, her work celebrates authors and their journeys.

Team collaboration plays a big part, inspiring new ideas and creative approaches. With her focus on storytelling and engaging content, Alyssa ensures every project resonates with our audience.

Check out the behind-the-scenes with Alyssa, Tellwell content creator lead, here.

Meet Ian:

Say hello to Ian De Guzman, our amazing senior graphic designer! His day is filled with innovative ideas, precision, and teamwork. He kicks off the day by reviewing assignments, responding to design requests, and handling projects to meet set timelines. Whether it’s chatting via Slack, ZohoMail, or Skype, Ian keeps in sync with the team, especially during their regular check-ins.

From focusing on Octavo design priorities to tackling creative challenges, Ian ensures everything is perfectly aligned with the overall goal. As the day comes to a close he follows up on tasks, resolves issues, and adds those finishing touches to his work, ready to take on another day of design magic!

Check out the behind-the-scenes with Ian, our amazing senior graphic designer, here.

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Tellwell Team Stories

Tellwell Team Stories: Behind the Scenes!

Meet the Tellwell team! Take a behind-the-scenes look at the creativity and collaboration that power our passion for bringing stories to life.

Meet Katie:

Meet Katie, the talented lead of Tellwell’s book-marketing team! Katie is hard at work preparing an exciting new initiative for the upcoming year: a book-marketing webinar and workshop! 🎉

Starting next year, this comprehensive presentation will be included in all publishing packages. It’s designed to provide authors with a go-to guide for marketing success. From identifying your target audience to planning impactful book launches, this workshop is here to support authors at every step of their publishing journey.

In addition to developing this exciting new resource, Katie leads our team of book-marketing consultants and associates. She ensures every author receives personalized support and exceptional marketing services. Whether it’s crafting effective campaigns or offering strategic guidance, Katie and her team are dedicated to helping authors connect with readers and achieve their goals.

Stay tuned for more updates about the webinar and other exciting plans for 2025—there’s so much more to come, and we can’t wait to share it with you!

Check out the behind-the-scenes with Katie, Tellwell book-marketing team lead here.

Meet Christian

At Tellwell, working with authors isn’t just about publishing books—it’s about connecting with their stories and, sometimes, discovering new passions. For Christian, one of our publishing consultants, this connection led to an unexpected adventure. After working with an author whose story deeply resonated with him, Christian was inspired to visit Vietnam, a place vividly brought to life in the author’s work.

Publishing consultants like Christian play a vital role at Tellwell. They serve as the bridge between authors and their dreams, answering questions, providing guidance, and ensuring every step of the publishing journey feels informed and supported.

Stories have the power to inspire, connect, and transport us, both on the page and in the real world. Here’s to the incredible journeys they take us on!

Check out Christian day in the life as a Tellwell publishing consultant here.

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Tellwell Team Stories

Tellwell Team Stories: Behind the Scenes!

Get to know the Tellwell team! Peek behind the scenes to see what fuels our creativity and teamwork as we bring stories to the world.

Meet Melissa:

Meet Melissa Barker, one of Tellwell’s amazing publishing consultants! Melissa takes us behind the scenes of her day, where she helps authors turn their publishing dreams into reality.

Her day is filled with answering inquiries, guiding authors through their publishing journeys, and ensuring they have all the tools they need for success.

When it’s time for lunch, Melissa enjoys delicious food, breathtaking views, and quality time with friends 🐑. Afterward, she dives back into team collaborations, supports fellow consultants, and tackles tasks that bring authors closer to achieving their goals.

Check out Melissa’s day in the life as a Tellwell publishing consultant here.

Meet Mark:

Say hello to Mark, one of Tellwell’s dynamic Book Marketing Associates! Mark works closely with our Book Marketing Consultants, ensuring our authors receive top-notch creative services. He’s also a key player behind Tellwell’s monthly blogs and newsletters, bringing fresh and engaging content to life.

To stay energized, Mark enjoys a quick run outdoors and a peaceful view before tackling the rest of his tasks. From team check-ins to project updates, Mark keeps the day on track with creativity and care.

Take a peek into Mark’s day in the life at Tellwell here!

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Tellwell Team Stories

Tellwell Team Stories: Behind the Scenes!

Check out Tellwell Team Stories! Get a glimpse of what inspires us and how we work together to bring our books to life. Join us as we share our daily experiences and the dedication behind the scenes.

Meet Simon:

Meet Simon Page, Tellwell’s operations manager! Simon takes us through his workday, where the magic happens in his home office. From project planning and meetings to managing customer feedback and overseeing updates like Octavo improvements, Simon ensures everything runs seamlessly behind the scenes. He also makes time for a refreshing nature walk and has some exciting personal news to share!

Check out Simon’s day in the life as Tellwell’s operations manager here.

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