Meet Douglas Bell

We recently connected with Douglas Bell and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Douglas, really appreciate your meeting with us today to talk about some particularly personal topics. It means a lot because so many in the community are going through circumstances where your insights and experience and lessons might help, so thank you so much in advance for sharing. The first question we have is about divorce and how you overcame divorce and didn’t allow the trauma of divorce to derail your vision for your life and career.

In the midst of unbearable betrayal, I found myself gathering her clothing and expensive shoes into a pile in the backyard. The act wasn’t just about discarding material things—it was a physical manifestation of the chaos inside me. Just moments before, I had discovered a three-page, handwritten confession tucked away in her lingerie drawer. It was a raw admission from the man who cleaned our fish tank, a secret lover whose words bared their clandestine meetings and his undying affection. In that split second, as I tossed away items, I believed were precious to her, she walked in, and the full weight of that betrayal became starkly evident.

A year later, I was divorced and adrift—broken financially, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. In the midst of this desolation, the only beacon of wisdom came from my mother, whose sincere advice offered a fragile lifeline when everything else seemed lost.

In the early days of my solitude, I clung to the soulful strains of James Cleveland’s hymn “A Good Day.” Every morning, its rich, powerful chords filled my silent room as I sang along through tears, each note a reminder that even in the darkest moments, there is beauty and grace. Yet, amid the melody, I recognized a deeper truth: I had forsaken hope, abandoned my dreams, and lost sight of who I truly was.

The turning point came in quiet, unassuming moments—a cup of coffee, a visit to Barnes & Noble, and a serendipitous encounter with a book by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, titled The Art of Happiness. In his words, I found a gentle, yet profound, reminder that I had never lost the right to be happy. This revelation nudged me toward meditation and Zen Buddhism, opening a path to rediscovering my inner self. Instead of numbing my pain with superficial distractions—sex, alcohol, or fleeting escapes—I began to explore the depths of my own heart and mind.

Through meditation, I gradually learned to face the raw edges of my sorrow, to sit with my pain, and to understand that healing begins when you allow yourself to truly feel. It was a slow, deliberate journey toward reclaiming the pieces of my identity that I had long thought were irreparably lost. In that sacred space of introspection, I found not only solace but the courage to rebuild, step by step, into a version of myself that was resilient, self-aware, and open to genuine happiness.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

Douglas Bell is a storyteller who transformed his background as a professional magician into a literary journey. His guiding motto—*”a ringing a bell on untold stories in our society”*—reflects his commitment to bringing overlooked narratives into the light.

Bumbershoot Press and Its Mission
As the founder of Bumbershoot Press (a name inspired by the word for “umbrella”), Douglas established a platform dedicated to publishing literary fiction that may not fit traditional molds. The press champions stories of individual transformation that reveal our collective humanity. By embracing self-publishing, Bumbershoot Press creates space for voices from both privileged backgrounds and underserved communities. In these narratives, meditation serves as a tool for characters to reflect, grow, and overcome personal challenges.

The Cake Series: A Duology of Love, Identity, and Social Change
Douglas’s debut work, the Cake Series, is a powerful contemporary duology set in the dynamic, politically charged environment of Houston, Texas. Cakewalk and Love Cake comprise the Cake Series.

Cakewalk
This novel introduces Bryan Hicks, a divorced father and Senior Vice President at a global oil company. Bryan wrestles with internal and societal barriers in his relationship with his transgender girlfriend, Nadia Brooks, while also learning to support his queer son, Lance. Set against the backdrop of debates around the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance (HERO) bill, *Cakewalk* is a poignant exploration of self-acceptance, love, and the pursuit of equality.

Love Cake
In the sequel, Bryan and Nadia, now running a bakery in Houston, face the turbulence of contemporary issues. Their story unfolds amid the chaos of events like the “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville, the COVID-19 pandemic, the rise of the MAGA movement, and Black Lives Matter protests. *Love Cake* offers a deep, insightful look into how a genuine cis-trans relationship can thrive even in challenging societal climates.

Upcoming Novel: Threads of Purpose
Scheduled for release in June 2025, *Threads of Purpose* marks Douglas’s next narrative exploration. The novel follows Asher Tidwell, a former college football player who finds himself entangled in dangerous, high-stakes activities—delivering illicit pills for a risk-loving friend. Haunted by his abandoned passion for fashion design and weighed down by broken relationships, Asher stands at a crossroads between a perilous present and a possibility for self-discovery and redemption. His journey raises a compelling question: can he stitch together a new future, one thread at a time?

Through his work, Douglas Bell not only crafts vivid, timely narratives but also invites readers to reflect on their own lives—encouraging personal transformation and a deeper understanding of our shared human experience.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

On my journey, I’ve come to understand that the most transformative skills are not found in technical prowess, but in the quiet, enduring qualities of our spirit: patience, self-awareness, and consistency.

**Patience**
Patience is not merely waiting; it is a deep trust in the unfolding of life. When you explore and define what success truly means to you, the next step is to allow that vision time to manifest. Inspired by insights from thinkers like Deepak Chopra in *The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success*, I believe in investing our full energy into our pursuits while remaining open to the unexpected twists and turns along the way. Rather than rigidly clinging to a single path, we must embrace the mystery of the journey—acknowledging that every encounter, idea, or person may hold the key to our growth.

**Know Thyself**
The timeless call to “know thyself” invites us on a profound inner expedition. True destiny is forged when we understand not just our desires, but the very essence of who we are. This self-knowledge emerges in moments of stillness—through meditation, quiet reflection in nature, or simply pausing to listen to the inner voice. In these reflective spaces, we uncover our deepest motivations and fears, aligning our outer journey with our inner truth and creating a life that resonates with authenticity.

**Consistency**
In the tapestry of life, each small, mindful effort contributes to a greater whole. Consistency is the art of sustaining deliberate actions day after day. When our focus wavers from one fleeting task to another, we risk missing the quiet opportunities that arise from steady progress. By nurturing a consistent approach, whether in our personal growth or professional endeavors, we build a resilient foundation—one that turns everyday moments into stepping stones toward lasting achievement.

Together, these soft skills invite us to live with intentionality and openness, transforming our path into not just a pursuit of success, but a journey of profound personal evolution.

What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?

The main challenge or obstacle I face today is finding my tribe. Writing fictional stories that ask us to look at ourselves, accept how shame and vulnerability play a big part in living authentically, and have a more emphatic approach to each other is a challenge because of what is being asked. Literary fiction readers are looking for escapism in many ways. As I get better at storytelling through literature, I strive for the right balance between entertaining and teaching us to be better people because we are going to need each more than ever today. There is a group of readers who see the value in my brand and its mission, that is my biggest challenge to reaching my goals.

I started a YouTube channel called Ringing the Bell. Ringing a Bell features interviews with artists and activists who harness creativity as a powerful form of activism. In these in-depth conversations, Bell explores how art challenges the status quo, inspires change, and sparks transformative movements. His work celebrates the creative spirit of those who use their art to ignite social change and empower communities.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.douglasbellbooks.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/douglasbellauthor/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61552631680940
• Twitter: https://x.com/DBellblog
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DouglasBellauthor