It’s that time of the month again, when we raise a glass to the amazing authors whose successful journey has inspired us all. Join us as we celebrate their triumphs and applaud their hard work as they create remarkable stories in the literary world!
Are you up for an adventurous sci-fi read? Grab your copy of Last Chance here.
If you’re a fan of incredible self-help books, you’re in for a treat! One of our Tellwell authors, Blaise Hunter, has just earned the Literary Titan Award for her book, Captain Communicator!
A must-read best-selling book you should not miss! Grab your copy of Captain Communicator here.
As an author, you may already be aware that the hard work of writing a great book is just the beginning, and promoting it effectively can be quite a real challenge.
This is where Lesley Morrison, a book-marketing consultant for Tellwell, can help you! With years of experience working with authors, Lesley knows how to develop marketing strategies that work and can assist you in standing out in a competitive market. In this meet-the-team interview, we will chat with Lesley about the art of book marketing and how you can use her expertise to promote your book.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background? How did you become interested in book-marketing consulting?
As a published author, I realized the importance of knowing how to market a book in a saturated and competitive market. Having some insider knowledge prompted me to find ways I could help others on the same literary journey and overcome the same challenges I faced.
What does a typical day in the life of a book-marketing consultant look like? Can you walk us through your daily routine?
My day always starts with emails! I like to ensure no one is left hanging for answers. Typically I prioritize tasks that will have the greatest impact for authors in getting marketing underway. I keep close communication with my authors to let them know where things are at, and to get feedback on services I am working on if necessary. I save the most creative tasking (like promotional material design) for the evening when I do my best visual work.
10 book marketing strategies to maximize your book sales
Promoting your original book (fiction or non-fiction) begins with understanding your unique value proposition.
What will a reader get from your book? Is it entertainment? Specific knowledge or insight?
Why should they purchase your book over others on the market? Is your story funnier or more romantic? Or can your combined experience and education help a reader’s business grow while teaching them a new skill?
Why it’s Important
Understanding what sets your book apart and why it appeals to specific audiences allows you to craft effective pitches and taglines and develop your overall book marketing strategy with your audience in mind. This knowledge allows you to build a great book with a strong foundation and the opportunity to create an exciting brand.
If reading more or supporting independent authors is part of your resolutions for this new year, we’ve got some great options to get you started!
Three of our authors are offering their books for free for you to enjoy! These promotions won’t last forever, so make sure to get your copy while you can.
Searching for your next favourite story?
This book promo features a variety of great books to lose yourself in, including My Magical Gnome Story Book by Tellwell author Monika Anna Blichar.
Magic is everywhere. You just have to believe. Follow Edy on his magical adventures into the human world while he tries to save the last Golden Believer left on earth. A magical adventure for young and old alike!
Looking for the perfect warm and fuzzy story to get you through these winter months? The Forever Heart by Diana Bolianaz is the perfect read to grab!
Liza is a beautiful nineteen-year-old girl who comes from a strict Mennonite background. She lives at home with her mother, brother, and domineering father. When Liza meets Melvin, a handsome young Black journalist, they fall madly in love. She has to keep the relationship a secret from her family because she knows her father would never approve. When Liza becomes pregnant, her world is turned upside down.
Welcome to the world of Zar, one of Tellwell’s gifted in-house illustrators. As one of our newest team members, Zar has quickly become a top choice among authors looking to bring their stories to life. From his unique approach to working with authors to his expert insights on what to look for when selecting an illustrator for your book, this post is your chance to get to know Zar and discover how his talents can elevate your storytelling.
Tell us about yourself.
Hi, I am Eleazar Daligdig, also known as Zar and @zaroncanvas on IG, Twitter & Facebook. I am a visual artist & illustrator, the CEO of Zar on Canvas, an art director/illustrator of Dungeon Diaries, and a former art teacher at Artissimo Arthouse.
As we take a step into a new year, we wanted to take a moment and share with you last year’s author successes.
From Tellwell authors receiving awards and public recognition to hitting bestseller charts to gaining speaking opportunities and their own radio shows, 2022 was an impactful year worth celebrating.
Bestsellers and hot new releases
Dan Russell’s Pleasant Good Evening: A Memoir isa #1 New Release in General Broadcasting on Amazon!
He also hit #1 Bestseller in three categories: #1 in Hockey #1 in Hockey Biographies #1 in Hockey Sport Biographies
Don’t miss this best-selling book! Grab your copy of Pleasant Good Evening: A Memoirhere.
If you’re on the hunt for books to enjoy this holiday season, look no further!
Three of our authors are offering their books for free for you to enjoy! These promotions won’t last forever, so make sure to get your copy while you can.
Looking to change your life for the better in 2023?
This book promo includes a variety of books to help you improve your life, and perhaps cross some New Year’s resolutions off your list!
Featuring Tellwell author Dr. Haissam Dahan, and his book, Heal Your TMJ:
We treat every author success as though it were our own, and we are elated to share some recent recognitions with you!
This December is another incredible month for several of our Tellwell authors. Make sure to read through to see what our authors have been up to, and the acknowledgements, exposures, and reviews they’ve received as published authors!
Reviews
Heather Shtuka’s Missing From Me has garnered extreme praise and publicity since her launch. Her book has been at #1 on the Grief and Bereavement charts, #4 (one spot under Michelle Obama) on the Hot New Releases, and #94 on the overall book charts.
In addition to her chart ranking, she has received publicity from several media outlets, including CTV, and recently received a 5-star review from ReaderViews.
Your son is missing. As a mother myself, this is irrefutably my worst nightmare, but for Heather Shtuka, this was the sobering reality. On February 18, 2018, after being alerted by her son’s roommate that he hadn’t been seen since the night before, she and her husband made the nine-hour trip from Alberta to Sun Peaks, BC, to begin the arduous and heartbreaking task of searching for Ryan. Days turned into weeks, then into months, but the parents’ resolve never wavered. Their supportive community of friends and volunteers tirelessly dedicated their time. But still, there was no solace—no Ryan. Heather would not grieve until her son’s body was recovered.
Reader Views
To get your hands on your next great read, Missing From Me, click here.
The Adventures of Milo Chow from Tellwell author Caroline E. Rayfield received a 5/5 review on IndieReader!
Each chapter of THE ADVENTURES OF MILO CHOW unfolds like a short story, the book laid out in little vignettes of Milo’s life after he’s taken home to his new family. He’s shy and uncertain at first, but it’s not long until he understands that this family—and their endless love and affection for him after a rough start—is his to keep. Milo has tons of personality for such a small dog, from his inquisitive nature, playfulness, and his frequent demands to be carried by his new mom when he gets tired or bored on their walks. His adventures introduce new experiences, like losing a favorite toy, playing—or chewing on!—with fallen leaves, meeting larger dogs in the neighborhood, getting drenched in the rain, and even Milo’s image inspiring those around him and showing off the good work the rescue shelter has done for this lucky little Chow.
IndieReader
To pick up your own copy of The Adventures of Milo Chow, click here.
Peter B. Dunfield received a glowing 5 star review for Jack Through Time from IndieReader!
Despite its status as YA fiction, JACK THROUGH TIME is a novel that will easily appeals to adults too. Fans of detective fiction and mysteries will find all the reassuring tropes of these genres. And the time-travel aspect, which could easily be off-putting for some, does not dominate; conversely, it provides a vehicle for driving the plot forward. The characters, though not immediately fully rounded, gradually get under the skin – as the story progresses, one wills them on and hopes for their safety.
IndieReader
To add Jack Through Time to your literary collection, click here.
Publicity
Al Rosen experiences continued success with his book Avoiding Swindlers as he receives recognition as one of the 10 titles chosen for the annual Publisher’s Newswire “Books to Bookmark” list out of releases from 2022.
“Avoiding Swindlers” by Canadian author Al Rosen, is a book full of warnings based on true events. Investors lose multi-millions of dollars to financial tricksters. Social media and new investing apps have encouraged new investors to buy into “hot tips” – this has created more hazards and swindlers. Al Rosen wrote “Avoiding Swindlers” so individuals can learn to identify red flags.
Publisher’s Newswire
To purchase Avoiding Swindlers for your collection, click here.
IndieReader previously reviewed Scott Benjamin Gracie’s book, and now they have interviewed him as an Indie Approved Author!
What’s the book’s first line? “Light has teased and enveloped the dust, ice and debris that made up the early Earth, ever since the first ignition of radiation sparked from the Sun”
– I chose these words specifically to evoke a realisation that light is ancient, has always been, and always will be.
Scott Benjamin Gracie for IndieReader
To pick up your copy of Light, Dark and the Electromagnetic Spectrum, click here.
Awards
Murgatroyd Monaghan was a finalist for the Joy Kogawa Award for Fiction in November 2022. Check out For Soldiers and Sailors Alike: Poems on the Familiar Wars of Womanhood.
To add this acclaimed piece to your personal library, click here.
Deliveries from Tellwell author Paul Smyth was selected as a finalist in the Independent Author Network 2022 Book of the Year Awards for Action/Adventure. Congratulations Paul!
Polish-Canadian author Monika Blichar shares advice for aspiring creatives and provides insights on the people and places that have influenced her the most.
I have always wanted to write my own book and I still have some very detailed books I created from elementary school on my bookshelf!
Monika Blichar
Monika Blichar wears many hats. She is both a congenial creative and a goal-oriented entrepreneur eager to create growth and opportunities for herself and others. Monika’s latest project, My Magical Gnome, provides wholesome entertainment to children while fostering creativity and a sense of wonder. In addition to talking about her latest project, Monika also shares her experiences as an artist and entrepreneur.
The first time Tellwell readers saw you was as the illustrator of Murray The Dragon by Cristina Petersen. What sparked the move towards publishing your own story?
I loved working on the artwork for Murray the Dragon, and it was a great way to start learning about publishing, as the author, Cristina, is a good friend of mine who I have known since high school. It was great fun to work with a friend and a talented writer to launch our first real published book together. I have always wanted to write my own book and I still have some very detailed books I created from elementary school on my bookshelf! It dawned on me just before Christmas 2019 that I needed to launch my own book. I feverishly came home from the art studio and told my family all about my idea. For the next two years, I focused a lot on writing, illustrating and bringing to life my own story, which is inspired by my childhood and our hometown of Wroclaw, Poland.
It’s that time of the year! We bet you are thrilled that Christmas is getting closer day by day. And to make the countdown more exciting, Tellwell is featuring 12 Books of Christmas to make this yuletide season even more festive!
A new Christmas tradition to bring the whole family together!
Featuring our first book for this holiday, Christmas Treasure Hunt, by Leslie Hoolaeff and Tyler Hoolaeff.
This book tells a charming story of Santa preparing to deliver a game on Christmas Day. Beyond the fun of the story, the heart of this book can truly help create a better, more memorable Christmas that is accessible to anyone.
A daily Christmas laugh for everyone in the family!
Here’s our second book for Christmas! 22 Christmas Without You, written by Christopher Ross.
22 Christmas Without You is the true story of a father and son separated for the first time at Christmas. Told in playful real time with elf rhymes, and illustrated with whimsical, warm-feeling art, a father remains close to his son leading up to the holidays.
Now for our third book of Christmas, The Christmas Adventure, written by Stephen James Moore.
Murgatroyd, a member of the elite M.I.N.U.T.E. (Mice International Network Unit Team Elite) tactical team, and his young cousin, Archimedes, set off on a Christmas Eve raid on the refrigerator. This annual yuletide caper had been meticulously planned earlier by senior mice, but, as the poet Robbie Burns once said, “The best laid schemes of mice and men often go awry.”
Following the plan to the letter, Archimedes and Murgatroyd discover only fridge tracks. Horror of horrors: it’s been stolen! Join our intrepid adventurers on their quest to find the missing appliance and steal it back.
Through it all, one little mouse will need to stand tall to save Christmas—with a little help from Santa, of course.
Now for our fourth book! Enjoy reading Belle’s Christmas Surprise by Carrie Joy & Schafer Krause.
This story is written for the enjoyment of children, but also to intentionally create discussion and learning regarding the passage of time, traditions and the changes to living that time can bring. It is also meant as a picture book for families, libraries and classrooms to share.
• Stories provide important opportunities to bring history to life. Through stories, people share information, values and attitudes about history, culture and heritage.
• Stories provide learners with opportunities to understand the dynamics of people, cultures and places.
• Stories provide learning opportunities for children to value diversity, respect, dignity and equality among all people.
Featuring our fifth book, The True Meaning of Christmas, written by Jenna R Peters.
Freddy sets out to find the true meaning of Christmas, and why we celebrate this very special day each year. What exciting news will he discover? Will Freddy find the true joy that comes with the Christmas season?
Here’s our sixth book for Christmas! Have fun reading Joey’s Christmas, written by Samantha L. Douglas.
Joey the baby kangaroo is off on another grand Christmassy adventure! He and his mother, Mother Kangaroo, have never celebrated Christmas before, and Joey wants to find the best Christmas present for his mom. But what happens when his plan goes awry? Find out in this brand-new adventure of Joey, and how he looks for the perfect Christmas present. Will he find it?
Take a holiday with this twisted tale of Christmas!
You definitely don’t want to miss this unusual Christmas tale with our seventh book: Hel Takes a Holiday, written by Ryan L. Canning.
Something unusual is going on in Santa’s village: the naughty and nice lists are being tampered with, and Santa seems to have more secrets than usual. Hel, the ruler of Helheim, master of Krampus and Death itself, sends a spy to Kris Kringle’s snowy home to uncover the scheme robbing her of souls to torture. When the Queen of the Underworld discovers the dark deceit unfolding at the North Pole, she puts Santa on her own naughty list—not a good place to be! Unleashing her battalions of demons for a Krampusnacht no one will ever forget, she rejoins a war that stretches back thousands of years. However, nothing is as it seems in these lands of myth and magic, and there may be an even greater villain hiding in the shadows. As December 25 draws near, will the truth be revealed, or will Christmas be cancelled forever?
More Christmas fun with our eighth book: Christmas: Christmas Stories, written by Pamela Rose Rasmussen.
This book is children’s fiction stories about Christmas, with lots of fun along the way. It’s all about the love others show and enjoy at Christmastime. There are three stories in this book of fun and happiness.
Featuring our ninth book of Christmas: Josie the Christmas Saving Cat, written by Chris Quigley.
What has a three-legged cat, a pack of crazy dogs, sick reindeer, amazing illustrations, a message for kids of all ages and takes place in the North Pole at Santa and Mrs. Claus’s home? This book, so give it a read!
An adventure that brings out the light of the holiday season!
More exciting Christmas escapades with our tenth Christmas book, Santa’s Very Own Christmas Tree, written by Steven Prince.
This is a story about a boy named Belcher who lives in a cabin in the far north. He’s just finished reading a book about trees and has learned that they can’t grow at the North Pole because it’s far too cold. This fact makes him curious to know if Santa Claus has a Christmas tree at his toy workshop. It’s almost Christmas Eve when he decides to visit Santa to find out the answer to his question. Follow Belcher on his adventure and meet his new friends, Snort the helpful brown bear and a lonely little tree named Sprucie.
Featuring our eleventh Christmas tale, The Tiny Angel: A Christmas Story, written by John and Julia Stirling.
The Tiny Angel begins her journey at the gates of heaven where she meets the Greeting Angel. The Tiny Angel soon finds out that all new angels are asked to study and practice their heavenly skills before they can become special angels and receive their wings. Over time the Tiny Angel’s friends were growing taller, which made her feel different and sad. Would she ever learn enough, know enough and sing well enough to be accepted as a Special Angel and receive her wings? As time goes by, she discovers there is a purpose for all in heaven and her own destiny becomes clear.
We’re finishing up with vibrant colours and creativity in our twelfth Christmas Book, Joy and Jesus: Learn About the Bible Through Coloring and Activities, written by Davia Boston.
This activity book is designed to help young children discover their God-given joy through biblical stories, positive affirmations, crossword puzzles, word searches, and colouring sheets. This twenty-page book encourages the youth to feed their spirit and dive into their creativity and self-expression.
