Thomas Fellows (author)

In 2015, Fellows closed a 7-figure deal that originated off a cold-call he made while with a human resources software company.[9]

During his tenure as Sales Competition Coach at Morehouse College, his squad would collect first-place honors at the 3M Sales Competition at Tuskegee University in 2016, and later on that year, two members of his team would go on to beat both University of Georgia and Georgia Southern University in the Case Study competition to become number one in the Peach State.[9]

When asked to comment on his tenure at Morehouse, Fellows remarked, "I’ve thought about going into education and I’ve thought about going into business, and this is something that combines both of my passions. It’s been an honor being at Morehouse, one of the most prestigious colleges in the state, easily."[9]

Fellows started his first book, Forget Self-Help: Re-Examining the Golden Rule, at age twenty while he was a counselor at a summer camp in Mentone, Alabama.[10] Based upon the Golden Rule found in Matthew 7:12, the book examines the actions of characters in To Kill a Mockingbird and Uncle Tom's Cabin as well as the writings of Robert E. Lee and Martin Luther King Jr.[11] It also gives tips for overcoming clinical depression which Fellows has struggled with since he graduated high school.[12] It was named one of twelve self-help books to read in 2018 by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.[13]

While the book is grounded in scripture, the author commented in the Newnan Times Herald that he "didn't just write it for Christians."[14] Faye Daysen of The Pilot writes that "Fellows uses scripture, but doesn't hit readers over the head with it."[15] In an al.com article, Fellows claims that reaching out to others with love is lost, quipping that "In the South, People are more focused on staying away from sin rather than doing God's will. The three biggies were save sex for marriage, don't drink, don't cuss. If you did those three things you were a good Christian."[7] In that same interview, Fellows makes the claim that the Golden Rule is lost in modern-day Christianity.

Fellows’ second book, He Spoke with Authority: Get, then Give the Advantage of Confidence, explores the connection between confidence and both humility and empathy. The book's title gets its name from Matthew 7 verses 28 and 29 where the people in the crowd notice that Jesus speaks with authority and not as one of the teachers of the law.[16] Fellows wrote the majority of the first edition of the book in just 45 days, while working at a Walmart store in the midtown neighborhood of Atlanta.[17] By using characters such as Jay Gatsby in The Great Gatsby, and Jane in Jane Eyre, Fellows illustrates why confidence is important to have in interpersonal relationships as well as in life. Fellows also uses To Kill a Mockingbird as he does in his previous book.[2] From a historical lens, Fellows uses both George Washington and Abraham Lincoln to teach these two lessons. Lastly, the book explores the role that confidence played in the life of Bill McDermott, former CEO of SAP, who Fellows says has "taught (him) more about life than sales."[14][8] The book also uses the 1997 drama, Good Will Hunting, to make several points on both confidence and vulnerability.[2] In a Northside Neighbor interview with Everett Catts, Fellows said that he wrote the book because, "there’s a misconception about confidence. I think confidence ultimately leads to empathy and security. It leads empathy because people who are secure with themselves won’t attack people who are behind or ahead of them. They deem themselves as fit. Then it leads to humility because you’re humble enough to learn and you’re also accessible.”[17]

The Criminal: The Power of An Apology, examines the Criminal on the Cross found in Luke 23:29-43 who gives an unprovoked apology next to Jesus before he dies. Specifically, Fellows examines the gratitude, humility, courage, discipline, integrity, and vulnerability displays in that pivotal scene. By using classic works such as Catcher in the Rye, A River Runs Through It, Flowers For Algernon, A Separate Peace, and Joy-Luck Club, Fellows encourages the reader to be a man or woman after God's own heart. Fellows also uses popular movies such as Flight, He's Just Not That Into You, and popular music featuring Dave Matthews Band, Taylor Swift, and The Eagles to make his case.[3] In a review by South Georgia's largest newspaper, The Valdosta Daily Times, Dean Poling says, "The Criminal looks at the empowerment behind well-known concepts: It takes a big person to apologize. There is power in humility. Less is more."[18] An additional review came from the 5th largest paper in Louisiana, Lake Charles', American Press. The reviewer, Donna Price, commented that, "It would be difficult to become bored reading a book by Fellows. In fact, just the opposite is true. The reader may want to strap on some sort of literary seat belt as he or she races with Fellows from one idea or point to another." In the book, Fellows says "most people think that admitting their faults would be the weak thing to do, but in actuality, this shows their strength. You'll always get respect for being authentic."[19] The book was also featured by Charleston's The Post And Courier.