Welcome to our monthly spotlight on the success stories of our Tellwell authors, highlighting their journeys to acclaim through book awards and five-star reviews!
Awards
Tellwell author Terry Eissfeldt and his book, Anna Wells and the Mystery of the Dusty Duchess, received a 2024 International Impact Book Award in the Mystery and Detective Stories for Young Adults category!
Spinning On A Barstool by Glenda Toews has been recognized with a Silver Award in the category of Overall Grand Prize Non-Fiction by Reader Views!
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!
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 Painshere.
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 Heightshere.
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.
Let’s kick off 2024 with some incredible literary success stories!
We’re shining the spotlight on our remarkable Tellwell authors who are rocking the literary scene. Whether it’s top-notch book reviews, exciting book events, public recognition, or book awards, our authors are out there creating more inspiring stories with every win!
Publicity
We are absolutely thrilled to share that Joseph Camel has graced the grand billboards of the iconic NYC Times Square, featuring his book Little Joe in The Big City.
Joseph’s book takes kids to an adventure to New York City, learning about the history of different landmarks. It gives kids an idea of what NYC is about, and how you can meet some really great people and new friends along the way.
Another month, another celebration of authors’ success stories!
We are putting the spotlight on our authors who continue to make waves in the literary world. From book reviews to public recognitions and awards, we applaud these remarkable achievements. We share a toast to these authors and their masterpieces as we celebrate their literary triumphs!
Awards
Tellwell author Monique Britten has recently received the Silver Litarary Titan Award for her book, The Day Before Tomorrow.
A glowing five-star review from Reader Views was given to Dr. Mark Burns’ book, A Light Amongst the Stars.
Dr. Mark W. Burns writes a concise biography of Amelia’s beginnings and family history with the gift. He describes the inner workings of Amelia’s service to individuals who come to her for readings and enables the reader to get inside the mind of a psychic medium to learn how she deals with clients, divine and dark energies, and messages from beyond the grave.
Reader Views Book Review
A must-read you don’t want to miss! Get your copy of A Light Amongst the Stars by Dr. Mark Burns here!
Don Hackett, author of the book A Lesser God, also received an insightful review from IndieReader!
The patient reader will be rewarded by Don Hackett’s A LESSER GOD (Reason Else Demise), a thought-provoking and philosophical novel that is more interested in posing challenging questions than giving easy answers.
IndieReader Book Review
A fascinating narrative that will keep you turning pages. Grab your copy of A Lesser Godhere!
IndieReader gave another review to Keith Hamilton’s book, Desperation Island.
Keith A. Hamilton’s solidly-written DESPERATION ISLAND (21st Century Pirates in the Caribbean) is an enjoyable, if slightly simplistic, maritime thriller with plenty of drama.
IndieReader Book Review
Don’t miss out this masterpiece by Keith Hamilton. Get your copy of Desperation Islandhere!
Tellwell author Elaine Kozak also received an incredible review by IndieReader for her book Rhapsody in a Minor Mode.
A touching, heartfelt character study, Elaine Kozak’s RHAPSODY IN A MINOR MODE resonates with family drama, vibrant characters, and uptempo melodies.
IndieReader Book Review
A heartwarming literary gem you’ll want to get lost in. Grab your copy of Elaine Kozak’smasterpiece here.
Publicity
We are thrilled to present a retired Olympic rower and one of Tellwell’s incredible authors who recently graced the pages of the Times Colonist with his book, I Hate Bouillabaisse!
The protagonist of I Hate Bouillabaisse! is named after Vandor’s daughter, Sophie. It is about a girl whose imagination scares her before she learns how to harness it positively.
Time Colonist with author Douglas Vandor
An entertaining must-read packed with valuable lessons for kids! Grab your copy of I Hate Bouillabaisse!here.
Tellwell author Dewalt du Plessis was featured in an exclusive interview with Reader Views for his book, Ash Moonlight.
The primary inspiration was some song lyrics I was working on years ago, and I thought to myself this could be an interesting story, and so it just went on from there.
Dewalt du PlessisAuthor Interview with Reader Views
Ash Moonlight takes you to a journey that will have you flipping pages! Grab your copy here.
The author behind the book Badger and Turtle Face the Storm, Daniel McMillan, was also recently featured in an exclusive interview with Reader Views.
“Badger and Turtle Face the Storm” is about a pair of friends who learn to work together under stress. This book is meant not only for children to enjoy, but as a tool for families to better understand a common, hurtful pattern that can occur, particularly between parents.
Daniel McMillan,Author Interview with Reader Views
We are always proud to celebrate all of our authors’ success stories!
This October has been another month to remember for our Tellwell authors. Keep reading to experience recent author celebrations, including awards, media mentions, reviews, and events!
Awards
We are ecstatic to share that Lisa Bournelis’s book, Louie and the Dictator, was awarded an honourable mention Purple Dragonfly Award for the special needs/disability awareness category!
Are you up for an adventurous read? Grab your copy of Louie and the Dictatorhere.
Inspired by her child’s experiences with OCD during the pandemic, Lisa Bournelis pens Louie and the Dictator to empower those living with mental illness.
Your story is gold. Your vulnerability will help others in ways you may not have realized or imagined.
Lisa Bournelis is a mom, taekwondo black belt, healthcare change consultant, and former humanitarian aid worker. She has served all over the world, from Africa to the Balkans to Afghanistan. Inspired by her child’s experiences with OCD during the pandemic, she wanted to uplift children struggling with anxiety during this extraordinary time, by showing that they are the heroes of their own stories, and by sharing the hopeful message that adjustments to the way we think can transform our circumstances.
What inspired you to write Louie and the Dictator?
Like many parents of children with additional needs, the pandemic presented an additional layer of isolation. As access to resources and supports were cut off for the most vulnerable children, and as anxieties were heightened by the continued uncertainty, I wanted to provide a message of hope and inspiration for other anxious and neurodiverse children based on my son’s experiences.
From this time of darkness, the uplifting middle-grade novella Louie and the Dictator was born. The story is designed to take children on a journey that has them see themselves as heroes of their own story, while incorporating clinical elements within an adventurous narrative.
I also wanted to be purposeful in giving back and supporting the team that helped my son prior to, and following, the pandemic. I donate a minimum of 20% of my royalties to the paediatric OCD research team at BC Children’s Hospital.
Phil Earle’s father, Guy Earle, lived an exhilarating life. With his new memoir, I’ll Go the Length of Meself, Phil hopes to showcase his legacy as a great mariner, businessman, humanitarian, and exhibitionist, along with many other attributes.
“There will never be another Guy Earle, there couldn’t be.”
This is his story, and Phil is proud to share it.
Never let failure define who you are, but instead, learn about yourself and grow from it.
– Phil Earle, author of I’ll Go the Length of Meself
Tell us about yourself.
From my mother and maternal grandparents, who were wonderful, I grew up believing their high standards for truth, compassion and integrity. From Captain Guy, my father, and my paternal grandparents, I learned to have respect for people and the world, and to have a drive to give the best of whatever life has given me.
What inspired you to write I’ll Go the Length of Meself?
In the beginning, I wanted to tell the story of the remarkable life of my father—this after he had been gone fifty years. And I finally, at the age of seventy, through maturity and wisdom, realized that no one had a life like him.
After finishing the book, it became obvious to me that Skipper Guy was a gifted, brilliant product of the people and culture of his era.
A second story was thus revealed in the book, the story of the great maritime people of the coast of Newfoundland. It became obvious to me that much of what I admired and expressed about my father and the culture of his people is strongly embedded in my character as well.
As an English major, writing has always been a part of Ryan Lawrence’s life. It was only after leaving his long-time profession that he took his education and a passion for writing and began his author journey.
Ryan currently lives in London, Ontario, with his husband Todd, their cat Dora, and a massive comic book collection that once fell on Todd (Ryan assures us that he’s okay).
We’re thrilled to welcome Ryan as our author of the month for June. Read on to learn his advice for authors when self-publishing and marketing their work . . .
Toot your own horn! Be proud of what you have created, and never feel embarrassed to promote yourself. Excitement is contagious!
Blake “Crash” Priddle has appeared on CTV News, the CBC and City News Calgary to talk about his inspiring and vulnerable memoir.
Always be a leader, not a follower
Bud Priddle, Grandfather of Blake “Crash” Priddle
Tell us a bit about yourself!
I am 28 years old and I currently work as a radio announcer and news reporter in Northern Manitoba for Arctic Radio. I am on the autism spectrum.
If you want to learn more about my life and my career you will have to get a copy of the book, or visit my website and go to the FAQ section!
Your story is definitely an inspiring one! What was it like opening up about the vulnerable parts of your life, and why did you feel they were important to include in your book?
It was difficult reliving some painful memories from my childhood, and as an adult. This includes issues I had with anxiety and depression. For the most part, writing has been cathartic, like journalling. Putting words down on paper releases the pain and also lets you relive the good memories too. I think sharing my vulnerability helps others realize they are not alone in their journey which might give people on the autism spectrum and their families hope.
What’s the main reason someone should really read this book?
I feel that others on the spectrum, their families and those in their lives like teachers, might find comfort in many familiar issues autistic people face. Some may be inspired from reading what I’ve gone through, survived and thrived. Readers who have little or no experience about autism (besides Rain Man or the Good Doctor), will gain compassion for folks that are ‘different’.
