Tag Archives: missing from me

Author of the Month

Heather Shtuka honours her missing son’s legacy through her book “Missing From Me”

The power of social media combined with the relentless devotion of a mother’s love has brought tremendous success to Heather Shtuka’s Missing From Me

Heather Shtuka penned her #1 bestseller, Missing From Me, after her son Ryan went missing. In this insightful interview, she opens up about her grief, her son’s legacy, the power of social media for community-building, and how her story has gone on to support other families who have missing loved ones through her organization, the Free Bird Project.

I will never understand the concept that there is a reason this has happened. There can be no reason that makes sense that my son is not here living the life of his choosing.  But I believe strongly there can be a purpose.

To get started, tell us a bit about yourself.

My name is Heather Shtuka. I was born in Comox, BC, where I lived with my father, mother, and older brother for the first six years of my life. My father was in the air force, and when I finished kindergarten, we made the first of many moves to Trenton, Ontario. A far cry from the ocean waters and rainy weather I was used to, but still, I loved living in small-town Ontario. Despite a brief move to Ottawa, it was in Trenton that I graduated high school. Soon after, my dad made his final move with the air force and chose Edmonton, AB, for his retirement. Feeling the need for a change and wanting to remain close to my parents, I followed soon after. Even the chilly winters here could not mask the warmth and genuineness that I felt from the people living in this province. One of them became my husband, Scott.  We met, fell in love, and married in seven short months.  Looking back now, I can only imagine the fear our parents felt at the rush in which we began our relationship. But I knew that in Scott I had found a kindred soul.  Twenty-eight years later, I still marvel at my good fortune. 

I have held many titles that describe me as daughter, sister, friend, and wife. But my favourite and perhaps most fulfilling has always been a mom.  I have been blessed to have had three imperfectly perfect children, Ryan John Marcus, Jordyn Delaney, and Julianna Michelle. I was a stay-at-home mom for most of Ryan and Jordyn’s childhood. During that time, I did carpools, hot-lunch programs and countless volunteer hours at their schools. Then, three years after the birth of our third baby, I ventured back into the workforce, accepting a position with WestJet Airlines. I loved the hustle and bustle of the airport and the people I worked with. I honestly never thought I would leave. I did not anticipate the loss of my son would lead me to other less tangible yet still significant holes that would never be filled. But perhaps the adage that when one door closes, another opens is correct. I completed my degree in public relations in the years since Ryan’s disappearance and embarked on a career in communications and advocacy. I also wrote my book, Missing From Me.

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Author Success - In the media, awards, reviews

Page-turning wins: Celebrating author success stories

Join us as we celebrate the incredible authors whose works have touched our hearts and minds. From page-turning suspense to poignant reflections on life, these writers have enriched our lives with their powerful stories and unique perspectives.

Let’s honour their contributions to the literary world and the joy they bring to readers everywhere!

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Author Success - In the media, awards, reviews

Celebrating Tellwell authors’ December successes!

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!

To get your copy of Deliveries, click here.

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