This July, we’re happy to celebrate some wonderful moments from our authors. From being featured in the news to receiving kind words in book reviews, book awards, and joining book events, it’s been a month full of meaningful highlights.
We love seeing their stories reach more people and their hard work recognized in new ways. These moments—big or small—deserve to be shared and celebrated.
Take a look at a few of the special shoutouts and public milestones that made this month one to remember.
Awards
Jeremy Durgana’s inspiring memoir, Mighty Joe Mui, has earned two awards at the International Impact Book Awards: Autobiography: Overcoming Adversity, and Memoir: Inspirational Memoirs.
The book follows the remarkable journey of Joe Mui from a difficult childhood in rural China to playing NCAA Division I soccer and earning a place at Cornell University. It’s a powerful story of resilience, determination, and hope.
As a teacher, actor, and musician, Durgana brings depth and heart to Joe’s story, turning real-life challenges into a moving and unforgettable read.
May brought plenty of moments worth celebrating in the world of books and authors. From public recognition to engaging events, it’s been a month of spotlighting the voices behind the stories. Whether through panels, signings, or special features, authors had the chance to connect with readers and share their journeys.
Here’s a look at some of the highlights and familiar faces from this month’s literary celebrations.
Events
The 2025 Los Angeles Times Festival of Books marked its 30th anniversary on April 26–27 at the USC campus, drawing over 150,000 attendees to celebrate storytelling, creativity, and community. As the largest literary event in the U.S., the festival featured author panels, book signings, exhibitor booths, and live performances—creating a space where readers and writers could connect.
The vibrant atmosphere also included storytelling for kids, food trucks, cooking demos, and live music. Among the many authors in attendance were a few familiar faces from Tellwell Publishing, including Richard Lowy and Peter Gribble, who were spotted engaging with readers and celebrating their literary journeys.
Maximiliano Moreno Sastre, author of Ain’t No Way This Is Real recently held his first-ever book signing at Indigo Langley. It was a meaningful experience for him, especially as it took place at one of his favorite bookstores.
Grateful for the opportunity, Maximiliano shared how special it felt to talk about his story and meet readers in person. Signing copies of his debut book, he marked an exciting moment in his publishing journey—one that he won’t soon forget.
Every month, we love taking a moment to recognize the achievements of our Tellwell authors. This April we’re celebrating five-star reviews and a well-earned award, and spotlighting one of our incredible storytellers.
Let’s look at some of the highlights and give a round of applause to the authors who continue to inspire us!
Publicity
Tellwell author Cindy Cherry has been making headlines with her book The Don Cherry Story, a heartfelt tribute to her father. Featured in Toronto Sun and Yardbarker, the book is a celebration of Cindy’s life with the iconic hockey coach and commentator.
Don Cherry, one of Canada’s most well-known and controversial figures, is best known for his outspoken opinions on hockey and politics. Cindy provides a frank account of his career, from his days as a player and coach to his rise as a broadcaster, and his impact on the hockey world and his family.
In a moving social media post, Don Cherry expressed, “This year has been the hardest of my life. I miss her every day, but I know she’s with me in spirit.”
This new book adds a personal layer to Cherry’s career, shedding light on his life beyond the public persona and offering an intimate look at a complex, influential figure.
Book Award
We’re happy to share that Peter Gribble has won a Gold Medal fromThe BookFest Awards in the Literary Sci-Fi & Fantasy category for his book Within.
Within is a richly imagined story that blends speculative fiction with deep, literary themes—truly a standout in its genre. Peter’s has published three books with Tellwell in the City of the Magicians series: Threat, Within, and Quickening.
Authors shape the world with their stories, offering new perspectives, sparking conversations, and leaving a lasting impact on readers. Their journeys are filled with dedication, creativity, and the courage to share their voices.
This month we’re taking a moment to highlight their work, celebrate their achievements, and recognize the power of storytelling in all its forms.
Publicity
Tellwell author Richard K. Lowy’s book launch was recently featured on Vancouver CityNews, highlighting the powerful story behind Kalman & Leopold: Surviving Mengele’s Auschwitz. Hundreds gathered at Congregation Schara Tzedeck Synagogue in Vancouver to hear Lowy discuss the true story of two boys who survived Auschwitz—a testament to resilience, survival, and the importance of remembering history. The event brought together readers, historians, and community members, all moved by the book’s message and its impact.
With new book launches, glowing reviews, prestigious awards, and public recognition, these success stories are a testament to their talent and dedication.
Join us in celebrating their incredible success stories this month!
Book Awards
A huge congratulations to Tellwell author Peter Gribble for his incredible achievement at the 2024 L.A. BookFest! Peter’s debut novel, Threat, the first installment in his City of the Magicians trilogy, has won Gold in the Literary Sci-Fi category. This thrilling series, which also includes Within and Quickening, has captivated readers with its imaginative storytelling and now boasts a prestigious award for its outstanding debut.
To celebrate his well-deserved win, Peter paid a visit to the Tellwell office, where he was warmly welcomed by our head of marketing and his editor. It was a special moment of recognition for a truly talented author whose work continues to inspire and delight. Congratulations again, Peter—this is only the beginning of an amazing journey!
September has been an amazing month for our authors! From earning book awards to hosting exciting events and receiving fantastic reviews, there’s so much to celebrate. We’re proud to share their accomplishments and highlight the incredible stories behind their success.
Let’s take a moment to recognize the hard work, passion, and dedication that have made this month such a standout for our authors!
Awards
Tellwell author Michael B. Davison, author of the book Defiant Valor, recently won Gold in the Non-Fiction Authors Association’s 2024 International Impact Book Awards!
We’re setting sail on a literary adventure filled with inspiration!
Let’s raise a toast to celebrate our Tellwell authors making waves in the literary world with their inspiring narratives who have turned their dreams into reality!
Publicity
Elaine Alec, named BC’s Woman of the Year in 2023, recently shared an update on her upcoming literary endeavours with Tellwell. In her post, she reflected on her journey as an author and discussed the anticipation surrounding her forthcoming publication.
Elaine sold 16,000 copies of her first book, Calling My Spirit Back.
Today I had my first call with my editor at @tellwellpublishing for my second book, Coming of Age.
I am self-published. And I’ve really considered the traditional publishing route, but I’m not just a writer, I’m an entrepreneur. Do I want to make $1 per book in royalties, or $5-$7/book?
This book has been sitting with me for two winters and I’m happy to finally take this next step . . . Editing and rewriting isn’t always the most exciting but it’s really rewarding knowing that it brings you one step closer to getting your book out there.
-Elaine Alec in her Instagram Post
Tellwell author Karen Harmon recently appeared on CFJC MIDDAY! In an exclusive interview, Karen delves into the details of her latest book, her fourth: Class of ’78.
Karen has published all four of her books with Tellwell: Looking for Normal,Where Is My Happy Ending?, Fat and Beautiful, and Class of ’78.
Awards
Glenda Toews earned a Silver Award in Non-Fiction in the Reader Views Literary Awards with her book, Spinning on a Barstool.
As the holiday season fills the air with joy, we’re excited to share these journeys of inspiring authors and their success stories. Come along on an enchanting ride through our December highlights, where each story sparkles brightly with the magic of success and perseverance.
With a festive spirit, we raise a toast to the incredible accomplishments of our authors this December!
Awards
Tellwell author Keith Hamilton has recently received the Silver Literary Titan Award for his book, Desperation Island.
An incredible review from IndieReader was given to Monique Britten for her book, The Day Before Tomorrow.
A challenging and emotional read in terms of subject matter, Monique Britten’s THE DAY BEFORE TOMORROW is not for the faint of heart—a beautiful narrative that addresses real-world hopes and fears unflinchingly, albeit with a potentially divisive ending.
IndieReader Book Review
A page-turner you don’t want to miss. Get your copy of The Day Before Tomorrow by Monique Britten here!
We have an extensive assortment of author successes to celebrate this October. Join us as we round up 5-star reviews, new chart-toppers, and award-winners!
Publicity
Parimalasri Docktor reached #1 on the Hot New Release charts in Children’s Reptile and Amphibian Books with Tortoise Goes to the Vet. In addition to soaring on the charts, Parimalasri Docktor and her book have been featured on CBS News!
Daniel McMillan was recently featured on the Inside Scoop Live! podcast discussing his book Badger and Turtle Face the Storm. His book follows a pair of friends who learn to work together under stress. This book is meant for not only children to enjoy, but as a tool for families to better understand a common, hurtful pattern that can occur, particularly between parents.
Brother Bo recently scored a #1 hit on two charts with his book on sacred masculinity, The Father’s Seeds. Learn more about this chart-topper.
September is here, and it’s time to roll out our author celebrations! Let’s celebrate the remarkable authors this month of September and explore their literary achievements …
Awards
At the forefront of our list is author Lisa Bournelis. Her book Louie and the Dictator has achieved its third international honour, securing a silver medal in the middle-grade category from Reader’s Favorite.
Patroosh, the Cheeky Pelican by Renée James has been awarded second place in the Clara J. John’s Literary Award 2023 for Best Picture Book and Illustrations.
Get your own copy of Patroosh, the Cheeky Pelicanhere!
Reviews
Aldyth Irvine-Harrison, the talented author behind the enchanting book Kindness, Capers, and Conundrums, recently earned a glowing 4.5-star review from IndieReader.
Lovers of poetry who are looking for laughter, literary allusions, and a skeptical-but-not-jaded view of humanity will enjoy the lyrics of Aldyth Irvine-Harrison’s KINDNESS CAPERS AND CONUNDRUMS.
IndieReader
Don’t miss out and grab your own copy of Kindness, Capers, and Conundrums here.
Jerome Cranston has hit a literary home run with Half-Caste: Decidedly Brown in a Black or White World, as another prestigious 4.5-star review has just rolled in from Self-Publishing Review.
On the surface, the book may seem to be written for a mixed-ethnicity audience, but there are anecdotal gems of wisdom and experiential advice that will benefit any reader. With a unique voice and style, Cranston shows himself to be a skilled storyteller and a relentless observer of his own life, as well as encapsulating the experience of so many others.
Monique Britten’s literary prowess shines bright with a glowing 4-star review from Self-Publishing Review.
Thanks to Britten’s deeply moving and beautifully crafted prose, this richly emotional book manages to talk about death, grief, and hope across generations without ever being maudlin or heavy-handed, offering a finely tuned balance of insightful messaging and character-driven storytelling.
Self-Publishing Review
Grab your own copy of The Day Before Tomorrowhere.
In Badger and Turtle Face the Storm by Daniel McMillan, you’ll embark on a delightful adventure alongside two charming animal friends. This enchanting story, reviewed by Reader View Kids, promises an engaging and heartwarming experience for readers young and old.
Get your own copy of Badger and Turtle Face the Stormhere!
Events
Renée James recently graced a lively stage at the St Mary’s Primary Grafton Writers’ Festival. Her presence was a true delight for all attendees, weaving stories and captivating hearts with her charm.
Grab your own copy of Patroosh, the Hungry Pelican on Amazon!
Celebrating Larenzo Jensen’s unforgettable book launch for his Wines and Winters! Here are some great snapshots of the event, where literature and libations came together in perfect harmony.
