Tag Archives: public relations

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

From Pages to Recognition: February Author Highlights!

February may be the shortest month of the year, but this one was filled with meaningful milestones. From book awards to public recognition and inspiring author events, our writers have been making waves in the literary world.

There is something powerful about seeing a story move beyond the page and into the spotlight. Each achievement reflects the passion, resilience, and dedication our authors pour into their work. This month, we are taking a moment to celebrate those accomplishments and the journeys behind them.

Awards

Tellwell author Raymond Maher’s suspense novel Trapped At Birth With Only One Way Out has won a 2025 Maincrest Media Book Award, earning international recognition for its gripping and powerful storytelling.

Set in rural Saskatchewan, the novel explores loyalty, betrayal, and survival as dangerous secrets come to light. Drawing on his experience as a pastor and newspaper columnist, Maher brings depth and emotional insight to a tense and unforgettable story.

The Maincrest Media Book Awards celebrate exceptional authors from around the world, making this achievement a meaningful milestone in Maher’s literary journey.

Event

Author Matt Mallinson recently hosted a book signing at Victoria & Albert Guesthouse in the Blue Mountains, celebrating his novel The Writer Upstairs.

Set in the great plains and a secluded mountain cabin, the story follows a reclusive chemist and a mysterious woman as they uncover centuries old secrets in the forest, exploring the power of nature, science, and hope for humanity’s future.

A passionate historian, Mallinson draws inspiration from early trail diaries and historical accounts. His novels intertwine the stories of mountain families with present day descendants, bringing history to life with depth and authenticity.

Publicity

There is magic in the everyday and author Karly Sidman proves it. Recently featured in KidlioMag, Sidman’s journey from chef to children’s author shows how passion and imagination can transform even the simplest moments into stories that inspire and delight.

Her love for her dogs especially Hardy Boy sparked the creation of her heartwarming children’s book Hardy: The Best Boy Ever, celebrating the bond between pets and their humans. From imagining adventures for Hardy in the summer of 2025 to seeing her story published, Karly shares her creativity and encouragement for young dreamers everywhere.

Storytelling can spark curiosity and inspire positive change, and author Aldona Nowak is doing just that. Recently featured in KidlioMag, Nowak’s debut book The Health Adventures of Nurse Priya encourages children to make healthy choices while showing how public health nurses make a difference in their communities.

Aldona’s passion for storytelling began with sharing special moments with her own children. Now she is using that same love for stories to inspire young readers to dream big, believe in themselves, and see the impact they can have in the world around them.

Reviews

Author Josie Smith delivers a powerful memoir, Debris, recently earning a five star review from Reader Views. The book follows Josie’s journey through love, loss, and grief after the Black Summer Bushfires took her husband, showing how courage and hope can help rebuild a life.

Drawing on her personal experience and psychology studies from Swinburne University, Josie shares a story of resilience that resonates with anyone who has loved and lost.

The tragedy of losing a loved one can feel unrelenting—no one can prepare you for the far-reaching effects of grief. But Josie’s story reminds us that piecing our lives back together is possible when we rely on purpose and courage. Readers who love memoirs about overcoming adversity will love ‘Debris.’

-Reader Views Book Review

Over a Glass of Wine by Schultz is a psychological mystery that received a glowing review from Indiereader. The novel follows Claire, an enigmatic woman hiding her past, and Harry, a flawed artist determined to uncover her secrets, leading to unexpected twists and a gripping ending.

Blending humour, suspense, and thoughtful reflections on love, death, and personal identity, Schultz offers a multi-layered story rich with insights into wine, art, and human relationships.

Schultz serves up a deliciously irreverent slice of epicurean excess in OVER A GLASS OF WINE: Wine, Food, Love, Sex, Murder. Propelled by a diverse cast of characters and their provocative situations, this story is a highly addictive, entertaining, and unorthodox read.

-IndieReader Book Review

Helen Lapada’s memoir Fight Like Hel received an amazing review from IndieReader. The book shares her journey through an aggressive cancer diagnosis at thirty during the COVID-19 pandemic, blending humor, heartbreak, and resilience.

With practical principles, candid reflections, and prompts for readers to reflect on their own lives, Fight Like Hel is a powerful reminder that showing up, scars and all, is still a victory.

In its savviness and candor, Lapada’s memoir stands perfectly well on its own merits. Helen Lapada’s FIGHT LIKE HEL: Fourteen Battle-Tested Principles for Resilience is a witty, engaging, and warm-hearted take on the ins and outs of cancer diagnosis and treatment.

-IndieReader Book Review
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Author Success - In the media, awards, reviews Tellwell Books

Authors in the Media

Our authors have recently been featured on CBC radio and television, the Burnaby Now newspaper, CHEK News, the Times Colonist and in a documentary. Congrats on all the great press!

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