A loving daughter, animal advocate, and determined storyteller, Cindy Cherry leaves behind a powerful legacy with her final tribute to her father, Don Cherry

While hockey fans may know her as Don Cherry’s daughter, those closest to Cindy remember her as a passionate advocate for animal welfare and health causes. She was a founder of Don Cherry’s Pet Rescue Foundation, dedicating much of her life to saving and supporting animals in need.

At Tellwell, our Author of the Month features usually spotlight writers and their creative journeys. This month’s feature is a little different—and deeply special. It’s a tribute to Cynthia Margaret “Cindy” Cherry, an author, daughter, mother, and passionate advocate who left an indelible mark both in print and in life.

Cindy Cherry, the daughter of legendary hockey coach and media personality Don Cherry, passed away unexpectedly on July 15, 2024, at the age of 67. While the loss is felt profoundly by those who loved her, including her father Don, son Del, and brother Tim, it also reverberates through the Canadian literary and sports communities, who had only just begun to discover her voice through her debut book.

Cindy’s book, The Don Cherry Story, is not just another hockey biography. It’s an intimate, unfiltered, and fiercely loyal account of Don Cherry’s life as seen through the eyes of the person who perhaps knew him best. From his coaching days with the Boston Bruins to his decades-long tenure on Hockey Night in Canada, Cindy was there, taking notes and witnessing history unfold.

The book doesn’t shy away from controversy, including a candid account of her father’s highly publicized firing from Coach’s Corner in 2019. In a chapter titled “Poppygate,” Cindy offers her family’s side of the story, one of heartbreak, loyalty, and resilience.

More than a biography, the book is a love letter from a daughter to her father, and to the Canadian hockey culture that shaped them both. Released in April 2025, coinciding with the start of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the book quickly soared to the top of several Amazon.ca categories, reaching #1 in Hockey Biographies, Memoirs, and New Releases.

While hockey fans may know her as Don Cherry’s daughter, those closest to Cindy remember her as a passionate advocate for animal welfare and health causes. She was a founder of Don Cherry’s Pet Rescue Foundation, dedicating much of her life to saving and supporting animals in need. Inspired by a rescue dog named Lucy, Cindy’s compassion extended beyond words and into tireless action.

In her youth, she made a life-changing decision to donate a kidney to her brother Tim, a gesture emblematic of the selflessness that would define her life. Cindy also spent over a decade working with the Kidney Foundation of Canada, championing awareness and support for those battling kidney disease.

Cindy’s passing came just as she was preparing to release not one, but two books. While she didn’t live to see her work in readers’ hands, her son Del and the Cherry family made sure her dream was realized. A second book, planned for release this Christmas, will continue Cindy’s storytelling legacy.

As Del poignantly said, “This is her story, through her eyes.” And through her eyes, we’re invited not only to see Don Cherry as a national figure but as a father, a mentor, and a man deeply rooted in family tradition.

We honour Cindy Cherry not only as an author but as a woman of conviction, compassion, and courage. Her book reminds the importance of telling one’s truth, and to the enduring power of love, compassion, and loyalty.

In her memory, a portion of the proceeds from The Don Cherry Story will support Don Cherry’s Pet Rescue Foundation, ensuring that Cindy’s legacy of kindness lives on.

Cindy Cherry reminded us that stories matter, especially the ones told from the heart. At Tellwell, we’re proud to have been part of her publishing journey and to celebrate her as our Author of the Month.

As we close the chapter on another year, it’s the perfect time to start a brand new one—literally. Whether you’re working on your first manuscript or ready to self-publish your magnum opus, 2025 is your year to take control of your writing destiny. Think of it as the opening lines of a brand new book, where the plot is in your hands, and the ending? Well, that’s up to you.

In this post, we’ll walk you through actionable steps to help you write, publish, and market your book like a pro. Here’s your blueprint for turning those writing and publishing dreams into a reality next year.

Step 1: Set Clear, Manageable Goals

First things first—write down your goals. Here’s how to break down the massive task of writing and self-publishing into bite-sized, manageable chunks.

• Be Specific: “Write a book” sounds great, but “Write 2,000 words a week” is something you can actually track. Make your goals SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound).
• Create Milestones: Write 10,000 words? Celebrate. Finish your first draft? High five yourself. Set achievable milestones so you can feel a sense of progress along the way.
• Get Organized: Whether you love spreadsheets, notebooks, or fancy apps, find a system that works for you. Trust us, there’s something magical about crossing things off a list!

Step 2: Prioritize Writing Time (Because Life Doesn’t Stop)

The world won’t pause just because you’re writing a book. Kids, work, laundry (ugh)—life has a way of taking up space. But to make 2025 the year of your book, you need to prioritize writing time.

• Find Your Best Writing Window: Are you a morning person or a night owl? Embrace your natural rhythm and carve out time during your peak hours.
• Stop Waiting for “Inspiration”: As much as we would like it to, inspiration isn’t going to knock on your door when you want it to. You’ve got to show up and work. Even if you’re feeling uninspired, write anyway. Sometimes the magic happens when you push through the block.
• Write Everywhere: Got 10 minutes before your meeting? Jot down a few sentences. Stuck in traffic? Try brainstorming ideas. You’d be surprised how many words you can sneak in between life’s busy moments.

Pro Tip: Set a timer for short, focused writing sessions. Aim for 30-minute bursts of writing. You’ll be amazed at how quickly those words add up.

Step 3: Publish Like a Pro

Now that you’ve written your masterpiece (yay!), it’s time to take the next step: publishing. But no need to panic—the publishing options available in 2025 are diverse and there is something for everyone.

• Interested in traditional publishing? Do some research and connect with a literary agent who will work to pitch (and sell!) your manuscript to a publisher. Keep in mind that if you sell your manuscript, you’re also relinquishing your rights to the book.
• Looking to DIY? Amazon KDP is a quick way to get your manuscript to the masses if you aren’t interested in having professional formatting, design, or editing before your book goes to market.
• Curious about a happy medium? Assisted self-publishing with a reputable company (like us!) allows you to retain your creative control while receiving global distribution and putting your best foot forward through professional design, illustrations, formatting, editing and book marketing services.

Step 4: Market Like You’ve Got a Bestseller (Even If You Don’t . . . Yet)

Okay, so your book is out in the world. Now, how do you get people to notice it? Spoiler alert: writing the book is only half the battle—marketing is where the magic happens.

• Start Early: Build your author platform before your book is released. Social media, blogs, and newsletters are key to growing your audience. No, you don’t have to post every day, but consistency helps.
• Network with Other Authors: The author community is huge, and many writers love to support each other. Join Facebook groups, attend online conferences, and collaborate. Cross-promotions and shout-outs can be a game-changer.
• Leverage Book Reviews: Reviews are the digital equivalent of word-of-mouth recommendations. Send out ARCs (advanced reader copies) to bloggers, influencers, and readers in exchange for honest reviews. Just don’t forget to thank them afterward!

Pro Tip: Use tools like Goodreads to run promotions. It may take some time to build up momentum, but it’s worth it. Need some extra marketing help? Our Book Marketing Team is always happy to chat.

Step 5: Don’t Get Discouraged—Keep Going

Here’s the thing: you’re going to face setbacks and that’s okay. The important thing is to keep going.

• Celebrate the Small Wins: Finished your manuscript? Celebrate! You deserve it. Received your first review? Text your best friend. Don’t wait for big success to appreciate the journey.
• Learn from Mistakes: You’ll make them. We all do. Learn from them, grow from them, and keep moving forward.

2025 is your year. Write your book, publish it, and share it with the world. And remember, every bestselling author started just like you—sitting down and writing one word at a time.

So, what are you waiting for? Let’s make 2025 the year you stop dreaming and start publishing!

At Tellwell, we know how important your book release is. It’s more than a date on the calendar, it’s the moment your story meets its readers. That’s why we’re thrilled to introduce two exciting new features to give you even more control over your book’s big day!

1. Set a Specific Launch Date for Your Book

Planning your release date just got easier! You can now choose a specific launch date for your book—whether it’s a special day, a milestone, or the perfect timing for your marketing efforts.

Here’s how it works:

• Pick a date at least 2 weeks in the future.
• We’ll begin the distribution process 3 days before to help ensure your book is available across platforms when launch day arrives.

With a specific launch date, you can confidently plan your promotions, book events, or online buzz knowing your book will hit the shelves when you’ve planned it to!

2. Pre-Order Setup for Ebooks

If your publishing package includes eBook distribution, you now have the option to set up pre-orders! This powerful tool lets readers place orders for your eBook before your official release date, giving you a head start on sales and creating excitement for your book release.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the pre-order process:

Start Date: This is when pre-orders begin. You’ll need to set a start date at least 2 weeks in the future to give everything time to align.

On-Sale Date: This is the big day! Pre-orders are processed and delivered to readers. The on-sale date must be at least 30 days after your pre-order start date.

If you’re also launching a print edition, the on-sale date for your eBook will align with the specific launch date for your book. While we strive to make sure both formats are available simultaneously, please keep in mind that occasional delays can happen due to unforeseen distribution issues.

Why These Features Matter

A planned and strategic release can make all the difference in building buzz, boosting sales, and reaching your readers. With the ability to choose your release date and set up eBook pre-orders, you’ll have the tools you need to make your book release a success.

Ready to plan your perfect launch? Reach out to your Tellwell team to get started today!

Tellwell is now accepting applications for our Indigenous Voices book publishing grant. We are seeking Indigenous authors with a book idea or manuscript who need help getting published.

Tellwell is allocating $10,000 of in-kind services towards one or two book projects. These services will cover things like writing coaching, editing, design and layout, illustrations, printing, distribution, and marketing support. The creation of the Indigenous Voices Grant was announced by Tellwell in Fall 2023.

The deadline for applying for the grant is July 31, 2024. Indigenous authors can apply by submitting a simple form at the link below.

APPLY HERE

Books can be in any genre, such as:

• Illustrated children’s books
• Fiction
• Nonfiction
• Memoir
• Multi-author collaborations