Every Friday, we meet a member of the BFS and peer deep into their soul (or, at least, a form they filled out). Want to be featured? Email us: online@britishfantasysociety.org

Name: 
E.D.E. Bell (she/her or e/em)

Which region are you based in? 
United States – Great Lakes Region

If you write, which genre: 
Fantasy

Are you drawn to any specific SFFH sub-genres? 
I love the power, spirit, and inherent tug and pull of Quiet Fantasy.

Your influences

Tell us about the book/film/thing that got you into SFFH: What was it? How old were you? What impact did it have on you?

I always enjoyed SFFH being “Star Wars Old” and having engineers as parents, but when I reached my lowest points in high school into college, I was deeply moved by Star Trek: The Next Generation and the Osten Ard world of Tad Williams. In my life I’ve often felt and been isolated, and these worlds cared about people. They emphasized chosen family amidst grandeur, kindness and hope as forces against inevitability. They saved my life. And so, when I began to spiral again under just too much weight and not enough support around 2012, I returned to the place I knew. It saved me again, as it has saved so many others.

How does that early influence show up in your work now?

Everything I write is focused around connection as power: kindness, listening, standing together. The absolute vitality of trust and integrity.

Where do you draw your creative inspiration from?

I want people’s lives to be better through art. Sometimes that’s being reminded of the joy that surrounds us. Sometimes, it’s resting ourselves in the arms of kindness and community to refuel and in the prickles of thought to reengage. And sometimes it’s communicating that true joy means joy for everyone, and how we can all work toward that as a common goal. My inspiration is always a mix of empathy and understanding. Kinship.

Who do you look to as a genre hero? Why?

I think terms like hero need to be very carefully considered in a world that needs kindness and solidarity. But if I could use the term beacons, I think speculative poets have always been, and are, offering us those. Brandon O’Brien, Linda D. Addison, and Bryan Thao Worra are a few I’ve had the opportunity to listen to personally, and I look forward to much more discovery in realms poetic.

(Pictured: Brandon O’Brien and Linda D. Addison)

Your work

You’re stuck in an elevator for 60 seconds with that hero, and they want you to describe your work. Give us the pitch.

Thank you for your work, your art, for sharing your vulnerabilities to fuel fires. As I’m sure you understand, I have often felt and been alone in life, and our communities—across storytelling media—are my people. I am an empathetic quiet fantasy writer and also do my best as an editor for authentic voices sharing their beauty with the world. I’m so honored to meet you, and I know I’m little, but please let me know if there are any ways I can help with your work.

What are you working on right now?

I am releasing the third novel in my Alyssia series and working on five upcoming Atthis Arts books, two by deceased authors, so it’s hard to get much past that. I really want to work on my poetry, want to play RPGs, and maybe have some space to breathe, but right now there is no choice other than me or the press, and as they are inseparable, Emily will have to wait. And someday—someday! (raises fists in epic fashion)—a bathtub.

(Pictured: E.D.E. Bell on a panel at Glasgow Worldcon)

Thinking about all the stories/work you’ve done, what sticks out most in your mind? Why?

The people who have told me our community saved their life. Because every person is precious and empathetic people are so critical to progress, yet so often left out by those purporting compassion.

Where and when do you create/are you at your most creative?

When I can find space and feel how filled my heart is with love. Note this doesn’t always mean happiness. But love. And some (very very elusive) space.

What’s the best advice you’ve received about creativity?

To write with love.

What’s your writing soundtrack?

Usually Tad (the cat, not the human) being intense about squirrels.

The quickfire round

Sci-fi, fantasy or horror?
Fantasy

Quiet or loud?
Quiet

Dark or light?
Determined

Strict lines or genre blend?
Blend

Awards or bestseller?
Whatever can keep me from letting the Atthis Arts writers down.

Fiction or non-fiction?
Necessary

Poetry or prose?
Necessary

Plotter or pantser?
Without pants

Reading or listening?
Reading

Notebook or computer?
Laptop

Favourite SFFH book of all time?
I like to think it’s one I haven’t yet read.

Last book you read?
Finished: The Butterfly Disjunct by Stewart C Baker
Currently working on Thyme Travellers edited by Sonia Sulaiman

Any SFFH author on auto-buy?
Brandon O’Brien, Tad Williams, Wole Talabi, Gigi Ganguly, Joyce Chng (pictured; source), Amal El-Mohtar, Bogi Takács.

Favourite podcast?
Don’t know enough to answer. Would love to have more time to listen.

The home stretch

What’s the best thing about being part of the SFFH community?

The hope to find safe places.

Time to plug your stuff! Where can we find you and your work? What have you got coming up? Consider this your advertising space.

• E.D.E. Bell: edebell.com (currently most active on Bluesky and Discord – see you in the BFS server!)
• Atthis Arts: atthisarts.com

Please give a look to our three fall releases:

• Storm Tree, by E.D.E. Bell
• Songs for the Shadows, by Cheryl S. Ntumy (part of the Sauútiverse)
• The Factory, by Ihor Mysiak, translated by Yevheniia Dubrova and Hanna Leliv