Tag Archives: book signings

Author Success - In the media, awards, reviews

Beyond the Page: April Author Milestones

April brought a series of meaningful milestones for our authors.

Through book events, awards, public recognition, and reader reviews, their work continued to gain visibility and reach. These moments reflect more than individual achievements—they show steady progress in how their stories are being seen and received.

Here’s a closer look beyond the page!

Publicity

An interview on the YouTube channel Can’t Be Censored featuring Tellwell author Tim Cherry, brother of the late Cindy Cherry, is nearing 70,000 views and continues to gain attention as he reflects on Cindy’s The Don Cherry Story and hints at the upcoming Part II. The conversation also touches on Don Cherry’s recent Order of Ontario recognition, alongside ongoing public discussion around a possible Order of Canada. When asked about it, Tim suggests it may depend on political timing, noting “maybe under a Conservative government.”

Moments like these reflect how author stories can continue to resonate well beyond the page, sparking conversation, reaching wider audiences, and keeping important narratives alive in public discourse.

Featured in the Easter issue of KidlioMag, Tellwell author Amal Elnahas is highlighted for her heartfelt work in children’s literature. Based in Montréal, Québec, she draws inspiration from her life as a mother, balancing a busy routine with meaningful family moments that often become the heart of her stories.

Her books, The Magic of Mom’s Hugs and Passion Soccer Activity Book, reflect this blend of warmth, play, and everyday childhood magic—capturing simple moments that resonate with both children and parents alike.

Events

Tellwell author William Birrell had a booth at the Spring Market in the Niagara Region, showcasing his book The King and the Ogre at a vendorless community event.

A longtime educator based in Southern Ontario, Birrell brings his passion for storytelling into his work, including this tale of an unlikely friendship between a king and an ogre who work together to protect their village from mischievous dragons.

Tellwell author Maximiliano Moreno Sastre recently held a book signing for this coming-of-age story, connecting with readers through a narrative inspired by real-life friendship and lived experience.

Ain’t No Way This Is Real tells a deeply personal story of brotherhood, growing up, and the kind of loss that lingers long after goodbye.

Author of the book Chro Is My Name, Tellwell author Chro Zand, held a book launch event marking an intimate evening centered on themes of lived experience, memory, and resilience.

The gathering brought readers into a reflective space where storytelling opened conversations around identity, displacement, and rebuilding life across borders. It served as a meaningful moment of connection, showing how personal narratives can carry both history and healing beyond the page.

Reviews

Tellwell author Mike Rafferty’s The Last Neighborhood has received a 5-star review from Reader Views, highlighting the novel’s emotional depth and compelling storytelling rooted in South Philadelphia life.

The review praises its coming-of-age story set in a tough urban neighborhood, capturing themes of identity, family, and resilience, and the lasting impact of growing up in that environment.

Mike Rafferty chose the perfect title for this excellent and gritty memoir about not only boxing, but the working-class South Philly neighborhood that drives him — both positively and negatively — to develop the toughness that shapes his early career as a fighter. In The Last Neighborhood: A South Philly Memoir, the community itself looms large as a central force, shaping the narrator’s identity and instilling the pressure and determination that propel him forward.

-Reader Views Book Review

Mission Alpha: Take Flight in Your Career Transition by Tellwell author Aaron Jones has earned a 5-star review from Reader Views, recognizing its clear, structured, and empowering approach to navigating career transition, especially for those moving from military to civilian life.

Reader Views highlights the book’s practical guidance in helping readers translate experience into direction and confidently plan their next chapter.

Aaron Jones is on another important mission with his Mission Alpha: Take Flight in Your Career Transition.  His purpose is to equip Defense Force members who are transitioning from an active military life and career into the civilian sector.  Jones is speaking and addressing specifically the Australian Defense Force and the Australian Air Force, where he served, although there are significant and shared challenges for veterans of many countries and services. His work and writing are both utilitarian and personal: he has become a career coach and wants to “give back” by sharing what he’s learned.

-Reader Views Book Review

Awards

Water Your Flowers With Love by Tellwell author Koula Hadjitooulou has received Gold in the L.A. BookFest Poetry Category and was named a Spring Winner at the Pencraft Awards 2026.

The collection, rooted in love, resilience, and hope, continues to resonate with readers through its deeply personal and lyrical reflection on the human experience.

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Author Success - In the media, awards, reviews

September Reads to Celebrate

September was full of wonderful moments for our authors. This month, we saw books recognized with awards, celebrated at events, and shared with new readers. It’s always inspiring to watch these stories connect with people in meaningful ways. Here’s a closer look at the highlights and achievements that made September worth celebrating.

Awards

We’re happy to share that Amy and the Magic Forest by Zlata Prudyus has been named a winner of the Golden Wizard Book Prize. This heartwarming story follows Amy as she enters a magical forest, meets a kind fairy named Freya, and learns valuable lessons about bravery, friendship, and kindness.

Zlata first wrote this story as a school project before turning it into the delightful book we know today. This recognition is a wonderful celebration of her creativity and imagination.

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Author Success - In the media, awards, reviews

A December Celebration of Stories!

This December, we’re sharing the latest author events, achievements, and success stories. From book launches and awards to exciting milestones and reader highlights, our authors have had a month full of meaningful moments.

Join us as we celebrate their hard work, creativity, and the impact their stories are making.

Events

Tellwell author Monica Buchanan, author of Outsider, attended the 2024 Miami Book Fair alongside Tellwell’s head of marketing, Monica Martinez.

Russ Grabb recently shared his book promotion for Traces of a Boy in West Vancouver, Canada, engaging with readers and celebrating his work in the local community.

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Author Success - In the media, awards, reviews

October Author Highlights!

This month, we’re excited to share the latest updates from our talented authors, including spotlight features, recent book events, and some exciting milestones. From captivating readings to book launches, our authors have been busy making waves in the literary world.

Dive into this blog to catch up on all the memorable moments of this month and discover what’s next in their creative journeys!

Book Events

Our Tellwell authors gathered at the Word on the Street Book Festival in Toronto, where they proudly displayed their books and connected with a vibrant community of readers. Participating authors included Heather Shtuka, Samantha Solis, Angie Vanderwees, Sarah Malo, and Rebecca Brown.

Mahāmahopādhyāya Bhadreshdas Swami, V. I. Lakshmanan, and S. Kalyanasundaram recently celebrated the launch of their book, Spirience: Experiencing Peace and Prosperity through Spirituality and Science.

Kristyn Jewell recently hosted a book launch and signing event for her heartwarming children’s book, Poppy & Pa.

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Author Success - In the media, awards, reviews

April’s Literary Success Stories

We’re putting the spotlight on Tellwell authors who shared their unique literary journeys, each emerging as a beacon of inspiration in the literary world!

Awards

Joanne Kimm, Tellwell author of the book The Enforcer’s Tale, received the 2024 International Impact Book Awards under the Young Adult Fiction category!

Mamluks of Thunder Island, written by Tellwell author Aly Brisha, received the Silver Award in the Literary Titan Book Awards.

Publicity

Tellwell author Hunter Snow was recently featured on Find Your Sounds and Tinnitist with her novel Rock Crush and Roll.

This book, at its core, is about navigating relationships. Friends, families, partners, colleagues, and what truly makes you happy at the end of the day.

Hunter Snow, in an interview with Find Your Sounds and Tinnitis

A former North Vancouver RCMP officer, Tellwell author Russ Grabb, shares his story on Global News about his book Traces Of A Boy.

Traces of a Boy is creative nonfiction at its best. True and accurate down to the last detail, it pulsates like a stylized novel. Above all else, it’s the out-loud narration diary of an injured child in search of untroubled peace. As a story that exposes the barbarity of opposite-sex incest, bone-breaking violence, and the depraved indifference of mainstream society, it is by design a hair-raiser with an intensity reminiscent of A Clockwork Orange.

Events

Tellwell author Millian Lloyd Jones was in Florabel, Eden, New South Wales, to launch his book Milli and Max

A unique alphabet learning book and a treasury of fun facts about each sea creature that will delight children and their parents alike. Grab your copy of The Adventures of Milli and Max here.

Growing Pains author Sarah Taylor-Malo recently had her book signing at Indigo Kingston, Ontario.

It’s a story about the ups and downs of: life, love, anxiety, expectations, and self-acceptance. Grab your copy of Growing Pains here.

Author of the book The Heights, Shaelyn Gaskin, was in Mississauga, Ontario, for her book signing.

Delving into the complications of grief, this story examines the hardships of losing a loved one while showcasing the different ways grief presents itself. Ada’s journey, while difficult, seeks to provide the reader with a sense of hope that even the toughest obstacles in life can be overcome with the love and support of those around you. Grab your copy of The Heights here.

Reviews

Susanne Clark’s book Dishing Love Daily received a glowing five-star review from Reader Views!

I love how the author shares mindful words and concepts in the beginning of the book, how food played a role in pivotal moments in her life. She also describes the book’s origin story. You’ll find space to write down your ideas and inspiration, and extra tips for that special flourish. The tempting images will motivate you to try some of the recipes right away.

-Reader Views Book Review

It’s a five-star review from Literary Titan for Tellwell Author Joanne Kim, for her book The Enforcer’s Tale!

Joanne Kimm’s The Enforcer’s Tale stands out for its captivating plot, richly drawn characters, and thoughtful use of language. It is an excellent choice for those who appreciate novels that blend suspenseful narratives with complex characters and themes, offering a rewarding literary journey.

-Literary Titan Book Review

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Author Success - In the media, awards, reviews

Celebrating September’s Tellwell authors success stories!

We’re always proud to celebrate with our authors, and share how remarkable they are!

It’s another incredible month this September for Tellwell authors. Keep reading to find out about our most recent author celebrations, including media mentions, reviews, and events!

Media mentions

Author of The Price of Protecting Others: A Memoir of a Country Cop, and the impact on Himself, and his Family, Roger Eichler, was interviewed about his book on Australian True Crime Podcast. Go Roger!

Discover an inspirational read and get your copy of The Price of Protecting Others here.

Having worked as a social worker and clinical manager before becoming a writer of children’s books, Christina Gitta-Low and her book Be Wild were recently featured in a KidlioMag interview. Way to go, Christina!

Are you up for a fun read? Grab your copy of Be Wild here.

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Author Success - In the media, awards, reviews

Celebrating July’s Tellwell author success stories

Our Tellwell authors are so incredibly talented. We are always proud to highlight their many achievements. Keep reading to see a selection of recent author celebrations, including awards, media mentions, reviews and events.

Awards

Vali Benson’s Blood and Silver won a 2022 International Book Award in the Novella category.

Are you a fan of historical fiction? Get your copy of Blood and Silver here.

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Author Success - In the media, awards, reviews

Authors in the wild: launches, and signings, and tours, oh my!

Now that the world is opening up to a new normal, our authors are diving back into the world of author events. This past month, we’ve seen some fantastic meet-and-greets, readings, and even a cross-country launch! We’re so happy and proud to see our Tellwell authors getting themselves out there to promote their books!

Paula Gregory – Dream High As The Sky

Mississippi-based children’s author Paula McClellan Gregory finished off the month with an adorable book launch at the Gumtree Bookstore to promote her inspiring children’s book Dream High As the Sky. Paula’s book launch included a fun read-along, a discussion about the children’s dreams, colouring time, snacks, exclusive bookmarks to go with signed copies of the picture book, and even a giveaway for a Dream High As They Sky t-shirt!

Dream High As They Sky follows little Zach (based on Paula’s grandson) as he discovers life’s possibilities and ways of achieving his dream of flying like the birds high in the sky. This high-flying children’s book encourages your little ones to follow their dreams. After all, Zach can tell you, “I dreamed as high as the sky, and my dreams came true.”

Paula has a couple of more events coming up soon so stay tuned to www.paulamcclellangregory.com to learn more! 

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Tips & Tricks

How to market your book during the COVID-19 pandemic

Physical distancing, self-isolation and quarantines during the coronavirus pandemic have completely altered our lives. We’ve all had to reimagine the ways we connect and engage with each other. With so much fear and uncertainty circulating during the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a great need for breaks from the news cycle. We are also spending more time at home now than, perhaps, ever in our lifetime. Indulging in a good story is one of the oldest and most enjoyable forms of escapism. Hopeful, cheerful, funny or just straight-up weird and quirky content can lighten our mood and make us feel so much better.

For authors, it’s a great time to promote and market your book. While holding book launches, book tours, book signings and school visits are not possible in a physical setting, you can take these activities online. Authors are using social media, and platforms like Zoom, to hold live events, digital book tours, and Q&As. They are partnering with other authors, book bloggers, booktubers and influencers in their space to share their stories and engage with their audiences.

Here are some ideas and strategies to consider on how to market and promote your book during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Book launch Digital book launch

Considering using Facebook live to launch your book. It’s free and relatively easy to setup. Almost everyone has a Facebook account together and it’s likely the people you would invite to a physical book launch event will already be your Facebook friend. Facebook Live can also accommodate another person which is great if you would like a co-host, emcee or someone to introduce you.

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Tips & Tricks

How to plan a book tour

Now that you’ve published your book, it’s time to think about ways of generating buzz. A book tour can be a good way to engage with potential readers, make connections, and get exposure. In some cases, you’ll be able to talk about the book, read a sample chapter, and answer questions. It also gives you a hook for contacting local media and material for social media promotion.

We talked to Tellwell author Sharyl Rains to get her advice on planning a book tour. She’s held dozens of book signings and author talks across Canada and the United States for her book The Holy Tudors. She lives in St. Albert, Alberta.

sharyl-library-signing

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