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!
Exploring New Horizons: Karen Harmon’s Growth From Memoirs and Biographies to Fiction
With joy comes pain, and with humour comes tears. Life is hard, but it can be equally, if not more, lovely. Communication is the key, and trying to find the silver lining is a tremendous asset toward making a difference in your overall well-being.
Karen Harmon
Karen on Midday Show
Karen Harmon began her writing journey with memoirs and biographies before venturing into fiction. Her work, including the Book Excellence Award Finalist Looking for Normal, delves deeply into personal and family struggles. A sought-after guest on prominent media platforms, like CBC Daybreak with Shelley Joyce and the CFJC Midday Show with Tanya Cronin, Karen shares insights on her inspiration, the transition between genres, and advice for aspiring authors. Her experiences highlight the joy of exploring new creative paths and the importance of relatability and authenticity in writing. Stay tuned for her upcoming release, Class of ’56, a prequel to her successful novel Class of ’78.
Looking for Normal was a Book Excellence Award Finalist. Can you share what inspired you to write this memoir and how it felt to receive such recognition on such a personal story?
Karen with her books
I wrote Looking for Normal because both of my parents had passed away. My children never got to meet my father, and yet they had beautiful memories of my mother. When my son was 13, I used to tell him stories about my father riding the rails during the Depression at the age of 13. My dad’s life had been one adventure after the next, so my son kept telling me I should write a book. So I did. I was nervous and apprehensive, but I knew my parents’ story would be relatable to so many. When I received recognition in the category of Women’s Health, I was surprised and pleased. My mother struggled with mental health issues during a time when such topics were hush-hush and swept under the carpet. I know my parents would be very proud of me, and now my children have our family’s legacy.
Neena Paul, author of LIV: Life In Virtue, shares insights into the inspiration behind her book and its emphasis on reconnecting with oneself. As the founder of ONE LIVE LOVE LIFE, a platform for mental health and wellness, she shares strategies for fostering connections among individuals seeking support. Additionally, she explores practical insights from her book on discovering and living according to one’s purpose, drawing from personal experiences, and a journey of self-discovery.
Embrace a deeper connection with yourself and the world around you.
Whatever I teach today comes more from the practical experience of life that I have had over the past three decades. Trust me, life hasn’t been easy for me. Challenges have been there and what I have learned all along is to look up and look straight into the eyes of the challenge and see what that is teaching me.
Neena Paul
Can you tell us about the inspiration behind your book, LIV: Life In Virtue, and what motivated you to write it?
LIV: Life in Virtue is my second book after the first one, called DIL: Deeply in Love. It is an enhanced effort on my part to help my readers connect with themselves. There is a world outside of us where we live in and there’s a universe inside of us to which we have to connect to. Only if we are connected to ourselves can we be in a position to connect with the outside world. This is what I have been emphasizing all along in my writings.
As we get ready to say goodbye to 2023, it’s wonderful to reflect on the remarkable journey we’ve undertaken together at Tellwell, both on a personal and professional level. This year has been filled with significant moments, accomplishments, and the joy of connecting with talented individuals who make our community truly exceptional. Here are just a few standout moments at Tellwell from the past year:
We were a finalist for the Better Business Bureau Torch Awards for Ethics for the second year in a row, this year in the Customer Service category.
(left to right) – Monica Martinez – Head of Marketing, Timothy Lindsay – Founder & EO
We launched new book coaching and ghostwriting services aimed at helping writers take their manuscripts to the finish line, either with the help of a book coach or a ghostwriter.
We launched our premium non-fiction packages, which include ghostwriting and publishing services, as a one-stop shop for authors looking for help writing and publishing their books.
Tellwell acquired the Australian publishing imprint IndieMosh, providing existing IndieMosh authors with a full suite of distribution, publishing, and marketing options. IndieMosh continues to operate with its existing name in Australia as a Tellwell Publishing imprint.
We had several well-deserved promotions: Michelle to finance controller, Jealou to software developer team lead, and Rhea to author success manager. Congratulations, and well-deserved!
On a personal note:
Our content creator, Alyssa, welcomed her second child this year, and is off on maternity leave.
Our head of operations, Simon Page, got engaged this year.
We welcomed back our book marketing team lead, Katie Hennessey, and head of marketing, Monica Martinez, from their respective maternity leaves.
Congratulations all! It’s been an incredible year. We cannot wait to help more authors share their stories in 2024! Let’s go!
For centuries, women writers have been making their mark on the world of literature, breaking through barriers and inspiring readers with their stories. From fiction, non-fiction, children’s books, classic novels, to modern memoirs, the works of women writers have left an indelible mark on the literary landscape.
As we celebrate International Women’s Day, we want to take time to honour female authors who have helped shaped the literary world as we know it today. So, join us as we take a closer look at some of the remarkable women who continue to inspire us today!
Rita Kakati-Shah
Award-winning entrepreneur, public speaker, media contributor, best-selling author, and recognized by President Joe Biden with the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award for her international mentoring and volunteering to support young people, women, and minorities of all ages.
Her book, Goddess of Go-Getting, has become the number-one bestseller across multiple categories on Amazon.
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!
We’re always excited to celebrate our incredible authors and highlight their glorious achievements.
This November is another incredible month for quite a few Tellwell authors. Make sure to read through and experience recent author celebrations including award wins, media mentions, events, and incredible reviews!
Reviews
Starting strong is Author Al Rosen. We are proud to share that his book, Avoiding Swindlers, received an excellent review from Reader Views.
Taking a complex topic and simplifying it for the average reader is no easy task, but the author has used his decades of experience as an investigative accountant to boil down a series of examples, wording it in a way that captures the urgency in layman’s terms.
Detailing how companies are getting away with misleading financials and, at times venturing beyond audited statements to real estate “get rich quick” scams, this book educates investors on what they need to look for in each to avoid getting swindled.
Reader Views
If you’re looking for your next go-to read, make sure to grab your copy of Avoiding Swindlershere.
We’re always proud to celebrate with our authors, and share how remarkable they are!
It’s another incredible month this September for Tellwell authors. Keep reading to find out about our most recent author celebrations, including media mentions, reviews, and events!
Media mentions
Author of The Price of Protecting Others: A Memoir of a Country Cop, and the impact on Himself, and his Family, Roger Eichler, was interviewed about his book on Australian True Crime Podcast. Go Roger!
Discover an inspirational read and get your copy of The Price of Protecting Othershere.
Having worked as a social worker and clinical manager before becoming a writer of children’s books, Christina Gitta-Low and her book Be Wild were recently featured in a KidlioMag interview. Way to go, Christina!
Are you up for a fun read? Grab your copy of Be Wildhere.
We’re always proud to celebrate with our authors, and share how amazing they are!
August has been an incredible month for Tellwell authors. Keep reading to find out our most recent author celebrations, including awards, media mentions, reviews, and events!
Pleasant Good Evening, a Memoir: My 30 Wild and Turbulent Years of Sportstalk hits #1 on the Amazon bestseller rankings in multiple categories
Canadian sports fans have grown up listening to Dan Russell’s Sportstalk radio show over its three-decade run, and now they can relive some of the most iconic moments in BC sports history in Dan’s new memoir, Pleasant Good Evening, a Memoir: My 30 wild and turbulent years of Sportstalk.
Russell has been interviewed by dozens of media outlets, and his book hit #1 in the Amazon bestseller rankings in multiple categories.
What began in 1984 as a simple 50-minute filler grew into the longest-running and most-listened-to show of its kind in Canada.
What inspired you to write your memoir?
Initially, it was something I planned for my kids to one day knew what my career was all about. But mostly it was about making sure the legacy of the trailblazing show I hosted would be forever on the record.
What do you hope readers will take away from your book?
Many things, I think. 1) Setting goals is great, both short-term and long-term. But chasing dreams can be as unhealthy as it is healthy. 2) The best broadcasters are the best listeners. 3) To steal a line from former Sportstalk regular Harry Neale, “Hard work beats talent if talent doesn’t work hard.”
