Tag Archives: publishing journey

Meet the Team Uncategorized

Meet Debbie, Book Publishing Consultant

In today’s Meet the Team we talk to Debbie, one of Tellwell Publishing’s dedicated book-publishing consultants.

Passionate about helping aspiring authors bring their stories to life, Debbie works closely with writers as they begin their self-publishing journey. From answering questions to offering guidance and encouragement, Debbie is committed to making the publishing process feel clear, supportive, and exciting for every author he works with.

Read on to learn more about his role at Tellwell.

Can you tell us a little about your role as a book-publishing consultant at Tellwell, and what a typical day looks like for you?

I help aspiring authors take the first steps toward publishing their books. My role involves listening to their stories, understanding their goals, and guiding them through the self-publishing process in a way that feels exciting and manageable.

A typical day includes speaking with authors through calls and emails, answering questions, discussing their book ideas, and helping them understand the support available to them. What I enjoy most is meeting passionate writers from different backgrounds and being part of their publishing journey.

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Meet the Team

Meet Ashleigh: Guiding Authors Through the Self-Publishing Journey

Meet Ashleigh, our in-house book-publishing consultant based in Australia. She previously worked as a book-marketing consultant, offering her strong insight into how books connect with readers and what it takes to position a title successfully in the market.

In her current role as a publishing consultant, Ashleigh introduces authors to the self-publishing process and guides them through the early stages of bringing their book to life. She helps authors understand their publishing options, set clear expectations, and make informed decisions about their project from the very beginning.

With experience across both marketing and publishing, Ashleigh brings a well-rounded perspective to every author she works with, supporting them as they take the first steps in their publishing journey with clarity and confidence.

Read on to learn more about her role at Tellwell.

Can you tell us about your journey at Tellwell and how you got started as a marketing consultant?

Working in publishing has always been a dream of mine, so after finishing my master’s in Writing, Editing and Publishing at the University of Queensland, I began searching for publishing roles in Australia. I’d like to say I walked into a job fresh out of university, but it took six months of searching, all while I continued working at my local bookstore. Finally, I came across Tellwell and began working as a marketing consultant. 

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Meet the Team

Introducing Marjorie, One of Our Book Publishing Consultants

Marjorie enjoys helping authors turn their book ideas into real publishing plans. With a warm and approachable style, she guides authors through their options, answers their questions, and makes the process feel clear and manageable. The best part of her job is hearing authors’ stories and helping them take their exciting first steps on their publishing journey.

Read on to learn more about Marjorie and her role at Tellwell!

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Meet the Team

Meet John Henrick (JH) Abella, Sales Manager at Tellwell

Meet John Henrick Abella, better known to us as JH, our sales manager at Tellwell! He leads our book-publishing consulting team, guiding authors and connecting them with the right services to bring their publishing goals to life. As part of our self-publishing model, JH plays an important role in guiding authors on their journey with Tellwell.

Get to know more about JH and his role at Tellwell.

Getting to Know You

Can you share a bit about your background and what led you to join Tellwell Publishing?

I started out in medical sales, which taught me the discipline and consistency needed to hit tough targets. After that I moved into publishing sales, and that’s where I really found my passion for working with authors and helping them bring their books to life. I’ve now been in the publishing industry for eight years, the last six at Tellwell. I started here as a publishing consultant and grew into the role of sales manager. What drew me to Tellwell, and what keeps me here, is how the company aims to be a true platform for author empowerment. That vision really resonates with me.

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Meet the Team

Working with Alyza, Project Manager at Tellwell

Meet Alyza Alenton, one of Tellwell’s project managers. With a love for books and journaling, Alyza brings dedication and passion to every project she handles. From orientation calls to coordinating with editors and designers, she helps guide authors through each step of their publishing journey.

Read on to learn more about Alyza and her role at Tellwell.

Tell us a bit about yourself! Where are you based, and what do you enjoy doing outside of work?

I’m based in the Philippines, specifically in Cebu. I enjoy reading and collecting books as well as figurines. I also love journaling and playing games with my friends.

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Tellwell Author Stories: Behind the Books

Traces of a Boy: A Story of Survival, Strength, and Truth

A story of survival, told without fear. In Traces of a Boy, Russ Grabb takes readers on an unflinching journey through his deeply personal memoir—a gripping work of creative nonfiction.

For Russ Grabb, writing Traces of a Boy was not just about revisiting the past—it was about breaking the silence and giving a voice to the child he once was. His journey as an author is one of resilience, honesty, and the unshakable belief that storytelling can illuminate even the darkest truths.

Russ writes with an intensity that demands attention, blending creative nonfiction with the raw emotion of lived experience. His work doesn’t just recount trauma—it challenges, exposes, and invites readers to witness the strength it takes to survive. Through Traces of a Boy, he transforms painful memories into powerful prose, proving that even the most difficult stories deserve to be told.

By sharing his truth, Russ not only reclaims his own story but also offers solidarity to others who have faced unimaginable realities. His writing is a testament to the power of survival, the necessity of speaking out, and the enduring impact of an untold story finally brought to light.

Traces of a Boy is not an easy read, nor was it meant to be. This haunting memoir blends the depth of creative nonfiction with the gripping intensity of a novel, drawing readers into the life of a wounded child navigating a world of unimaginable hardship. Russ exposes the harsh realities of betrayal, bone-breaking violence, and society’s indifference, crafting a story that is as harrowing as it is necessary.

With haunting prose and unflinching detail, Traces of a Boy is more than a memoir, it’s a reckoning. It compels us to confront the darker corners of human experience while recognizing the unbreakable spirit of those who endure. It’s a book that lingers, challenges, and ultimately serves as a powerful reminder that some stories must be told, no matter how difficult they are to hear.

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Tellwell Author Stories: Behind the Books

A Calling Beyond Belief: Celia McBride’s Journey to Faith and Publishing

Celia McBride’s journey is anything but ordinary. In her forties, she felt an undeniable calling—to explore life as a Catholic nun, despite not being Catholic. Her memoir, O My God: An Un-Becoming Journey, chronicles this deeply personal path of faith, transformation, and self-discovery.

Celia’s story is one of unexpected twists, deep introspection, and profound change. Raised in an atheist household, she never imagined she would one day consider a life devoted to faith. But an inner pull led her to a convent, where she spent time exploring what it meant to live a life of spirituality and devotion. Her journey wasn’t just about religion—it was about seeking truth, embracing vulnerability, and following an unknown path with an open heart.

Writing a memoir is a brave act, especially when it involves such a deeply personal transformation. For Celia, putting her journey into words meant revisiting some of the most profound moments of her life, embracing honesty, and trusting that her story could inspire others.

Through the publishing process with Tellwell, she has not only brought her book to life but also extended an invitation to readers—to reflect on their own journeys, question their beliefs, and remain open to transformation.

In O My God: An Un-Becoming Journey, Celia shares the highs, lows, and eye-opening moments of her transformative path. Her story challenges beliefs, embraces uncertainty, and uncovers truths in the most unlikely places. But beyond her own experience, it serves as a powerful reminder that life often leads us down unexpected roads—and sometimes, the boldest leaps of faith bring us exactly where we’re meant to be. Whether you’re drawn to spiritual exploration or personal growth, her memoir is a compelling and thought-provoking read.

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Tellwell Author Stories: Behind the Books

From Blank Pages to New Beginnings: Sarah Taylor-Malo’s Journey with Growing Pains

Every great story starts with a blank page, and for Sarah Taylor-Malo, that blank page was an invitation to turn her challenges into something extraordinary. Her debut book, Growing Pains, is a testament to resilience and self-discovery—a beautifully crafted narrative born from a time of uncertainty and self-doubt.

In Growing Pains, Sarah opens up about facing anxiety and navigating the weight of unmet expectations. Like many young adults, she found herself questioning her life’s direction and struggling to define her place in the world. But through these moments of doubt, she uncovered inner strength, clarity, and a renewed sense of purpose. Her journey is not just a personal story; it’s a message of hope for anyone seeking to overcome their own growing pains.

Beyond her work as an author, Sarah wears many creative hats. Her love for storytelling extends to photojournalism, with her work featured in publications like the Toronto Star and the Winnipeg Free Press. Whether through the lens of a camera or the pages of her book, Sarah’s curiosity about the world shines through.

Currently completing her BA in Global Development Studies at Queen’s University, Sarah continues to explore stories that inspire, educate, and connect people. Growing Pains is just the beginning of her journey, and we can’t wait to see where her passion for storytelling takes her next.

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Tellwell Author Stories: Behind the Books

L.M. Gregson: Weaving Stories of Magic and Adventure

L. M. Gregson, the author of Prue’s Journey, shares her incredible journey as a writer, blending the art of storytelling with the realities of daily life. From sparking ideas to refining her manuscripts, she remains deeply committed to her craft, embracing every step of the creative process with determination and joy.

Growing up in a small rural community, L.M. discovered her vivid imagination early on, crafting worlds and characters that would one day evolve into her stories. Her debut novel, Prue’s Journey, introduces readers to the fantastical land of Castalia, where adventure, courage, and magic abound. The Perdilum series, her first published work, is a culmination of her years of writing and a reflection of her unwavering dedication to her craft.

Through her writing, L. M. continues to explore new worlds and share her passion for storytelling, drawing from her own experiences and imagination to create stories that resonate with readers.

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Meet the Team

Meet Francis, our Book Publishing Consultant

In this Meet the Team feature, we’re proud to introduce you to Francis Lu, one of our talented book-publishing consultants.

Francis plays an important role in connecting with authors who are interested in sharing their stories with the world. Read through to learn more about Francis and his role at Tellwell!

What does a typical day look like for you as a book-publishing consultant?

A typical day of a publishing consultant can be summed up in three words: Many. Phone. Calls. This is because a publishing consultant would typically aim to have as much opportunity as possible to speak with authors, learn about what their goals are, and provide guidance and suggestions to help authors achieve their dream of publishing their book in a way that is easy, simple and fun:)

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