Tellwell Publishing
Thinking about publishing with Tellwell Publishing? Here’s an independent, sourced look at whether it’s a legitimate assisted self-publishing or one to avoid — measured against the IBPA hybrid-publisher criteria, the ALLi Watchdog, and Writer Beware, and last checked on 2026-06-09.
Key findings
- Proceed with caution — meets 8 of the 11 IBPA hybrid-publisher criteria.
- Author pays: $1,749–$11,499 USD (package-based upfront fees; CAD pricing is $2,199–$12,999).
- Author keeps their rights.
- Distribution: trade distribution.
Our assessment
Tellwell Publishing (legal entity: Tellwell Talent Inc.) is a Victoria, BC-based assisted self-publishing company founded in 2015 by Tim Lindsay. Authors pay upfront fees ranging from approximately $1,749 to $11,499 USD (or $2,199 to $12,999 CAD) for tiered packages covering cover design, interior layout, editorial review, ISBN assistance, and print-on-demand trade distribution through Ingram to roughly 45,000 booksellers worldwide.
Authors retain full copyright over their manuscripts and final books per the published Terms and Conditions. A significant contractual caveat is that Tellwell retains ownership of production files (InDesign, Photoshop, PDFs, ePub files) unless the author purchases them separately, which limits portability if the author later switches services.
On royalties, packages launched from September 1, 2025 onward include Managed Distribution 100 (100% net to author) at no added cost; however, the Terms and Conditions updated March 2026 still designate Managed Distribution 85 (85% net to author) as the contractual default unless another model is expressly selected in writing — authors should confirm which model governs their specific contract. The company holds a BBB A+ rating and has been accredited since February 2019; it received the 2024 BBB Torch Award for Professional Services.
Trustpilot shows a 4.6/5 average. Tellwell does not appear on ALLi's (Alliance of Independent Authors) rated services directory as of June 2026, and no Writer Beware listing was identified.
The primary concerns for authors are the upfront cost model, the production-file ownership gap, and the ambiguity between marketing claims about MD100 being standard and the legal terms still defaulting to MD85.
This is Glass Elevator’s assessment based on the sources listed below. Facts are attributed; opinions are the watchdogs’ own.
IBPA hybrid criteria
- Defines a clear mission & vision
- Vets submissions (is selective)
- Commits to truth & transparency
- Provides a negotiable, clear contract
- Publishes under its own imprint & ISBNs
- Publishes to industry standards
- Ensures editorial & design quality
- Manages a range of rights
- Provides real distribution
- Demonstrates respectable sales
- Pays higher-than-standard royalties
Watchdog ratings
- ALLi Watchdog
- Not rated
- Writer Beware
- Not listed
- BBB
- A+
No listing found on the Writer Beware blog or SFWA resources as of June 2026.
Observable red flags
- Charges authors to publish
Terms
- Typical cost
- $1,749–$11,499 USD (package-based upfront fees; CAD pricing is $2,199–$12,999)
- Royalty to author
- 85%–100% of net royalties depending on distribution model selected. Managed Distribution 100 (100% to author) is included in packages launched on or after September 1, 2025, but Managed Distribution 85 (85% to author) remains the contractual default under the March 2026 Terms & Conditions unless another model is expressly selected.
- Author keeps rights
- Yes
- Distribution
- Trade distribution
- What you get
- Cover design, interior layout, editorial review, ISBN/copyright assistance, eBook conversion, global print-on-demand distribution via Ingram to approximately 45,000 booksellers worldwide, marketing workshop, author website option (higher tiers), and quarterly royalty payments. Production files (InDesign, Photoshop, PDFs, ePub) are owned by Tellwell unless separately purchased by the author.
- Website
- www.tellwellpublishing.com
Tellwell Publishing: frequently asked questions
Is Tellwell Publishing a legitimate hybrid publisher or a vanity press?
Glass Elevator's assessment is "Proceed with caution." Mixed signals — meets some criteria but not all, or has notable terms to weigh. Do your due diligence. It meets 8 of the 11 IBPA Hybrid Publisher Criteria.
How much does Tellwell Publishing cost?
$1,749–$11,499 USD (package-based upfront fees; CAD pricing is $2,199–$12,999) Always get the full, itemized price in writing before you commit.
What royalties does Tellwell Publishing pay authors?
85%–100% of net royalties depending on distribution model selected. Managed Distribution 100 (100% to author) is included in packages launched on or after September 1, 2025, but Managed Distribution 85 (85% to author) remains the contractual default under the March 2026 Terms & Conditions unless another model is expressly selected.
Does Tellwell Publishing take your rights?
No — authors retain their rights. Still read the contract's rights and termination clauses before signing.
Should I publish with Tellwell Publishing?
That's your call, but here's the basis: Mixed signals — meets some criteria but not all, or has notable terms to weigh. Do your due diligence. Compare it against the IBPA checklist and watchdog ratings above, get every term in writing, and remember that traditional trade publishers pay authors rather than charging them.
Sources
- Tellwell Publishing – Official Site (tellwellpublishing.com)
- Tellwell Publishing Terms and Conditions (updated March 2026) (tellwellpublishing.com)
- Tellwell About Us (tellwellpublishing.com)
- Tellwell Publishing Packages (CAD) (tellwellpublishing.com)
- Tellwell Publishing Price List (USD) (tellwellpublishing.com)
- Tellwell 2025 Package Pricing Update (Blog) (blog.tellwell.ca)
- Tellwell Talent Inc. BBB Profile (bbb.org)
- Trustpilot – Tellwell Publishing (trustpilot.com)
- ALLi Best Self-Publishing Services (selfpublishingadvice.org) (selfpublishingadvice.org)
- Writer Beware (SFWA) (sfwa.org)