Interview With Author Douglas Bell
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am an African American writer from Houston, Texas. I was raised in an upper-middle-class family attending majority-white non-coed Jesuit schools in the 80s. I consider myself well-balanced between the analytical, obtaining an architectural engineering degree UT@Austin and an MBA from Texas A&M; and being creative, communicative, and a bit of a risk-taker such that I earned a living as a professional magician in the early 2000’s.
Most importantly, my empathetic worldview drives my primary reason for serving on several non-profit boards, speaking about the importance of allyship, and is the foundation for my meditation practice. Blog — Douglas Bell (douglasbellbooks.com)
I enjoy exercising, being fashionable or fashion-forward, cooking, going to art museums, attending live contemporary dance performances, and collecting fountain pens.
I’ve written one book, CAKEWALK, and my second book is in the editing phase.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
CAKEWALK is the name of my debut novel.
Through CAKEWALK, I wanted to bring to life the societal and family constructs which generated a cisgender man’s shame and confusion for loving a transgender woman. The protagonist’s journey revealed the harm the privileged straight, cisgender community inflicts on the LGBTQ+ community and provides a possible example of what contemporary love could resemble. CAKEWALK is narrated through a Black perspective to unpack the intersectionality of racism and sexual identity.
CAKEWALK looks deeply into the compartmentalization of our lives as a form of self-preservation or avoidance of vulnerability which only stifles our maturity.
CAKEWALK gives the reader a perspective into the healing power of meditation as a way to find answers to your life and the faith to trust your intuition. When you stop to listen, your intuition is the answer the universe gives you.
Ultimately, CAKEWALK was my way of honoring the humanity of the trans women specifically (and all LGBTQ+ people) in my life.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t know if this is unusual, but I like to pour around 3 ounces of brandy while snacking on a few crème sandwich cookies while writing or editing.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Because of his ability to articulate the Black experience in a deeply meaningful way, James Baldwin gives me a roadmap for my voice.
Authors like Tessa Hadley and Lilly King have very easy-going styles that have made reading fun and enjoyable.
Books like Real Queer America by Samantha Allen, and The Argonauts by Maggie Nelson, revealed nuances to my current experiences and relationships with close LGBTQ+ friends. I want to add the documentary Disclosure as another source of inspiration for my writings.
What are you working on now?
My second novel is in deep developmental editing now. I decided to continue Bryan and Nadia’s relationship from CAKEWALK as they build a thriving bakery business. I spent so much time on Bryan’s journey to love that I could not focus on who they could become as a couple.
The second novel tackles the definition of tokenism versus allyship. I show this construct through Lindsey, Bryan’s daughter, who becomes a MAGA supporter. At the same time, Bryan wants to prove his support of the trans and LGBTQ+ community goes beyond his relationship with Nadia.
Racism and transphobia are common threads in the second novel, just as seen in CAKEWALK as Bryan contemplates how best to protect everyone amidst the latest police shootings of Black males and the social conservative agendas of red-leaning Texas.
The second novel reflects society’s need for sensationalism to deliver viewers and generate advertising revenue.
In the end, love wins in ways Bryan and Nadia never expected.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
If you are self-publishing, I believe you must hire a publicist. One thing I learned in business school and being a full-time magician; work on what you are good at and delegate everything else to the experts in that field because you will get it back.
Trying to do everything yourself or having a hoarding mentality is only cutting you short of what’s possible. You must be willing to give of yourself to the universe. Making things happen has to start with you and leaving it to the experts allows you the freedom to be a better writer because you have the opportunity now to work on that.
Get your Ingramsparks, Goodreads, and Amazon accounts set up.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Writing a book is no different than any other endeavor. I believe you must create a plan, an outline of tasks with duration and dates. Creating a plan does two things: a plan tells where you are going, the directions you need, and when you will get there, and having a plan informs you where you are.
Take your small wins when you get them.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
My finance professor, Ms. McAnally, at the Texas A&M Mays Executive MBA program, stated you should start every answer with “It deepens.” Starting your answer this way allows you to set the context of your answer. This consideration becomes important as an author because this logic defines the environment in which your character exists.
What are you reading now?
A Burning by Megha Majundar. She gives a real view of the harshness of being lower class in the Indian caste system. I am enjoying it.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I will continue to take on social justice topics. I want my writing skill to elevate to a level that overcomes any apprehension to read a story with these human decency issues front and center.
I’ve already started outlining my third book. I think I will dig into why our society needs to look into prison reform and how the current system is not working for anyone.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
It deepens.
I will need books that must continually nourish every part of me until I’m hopefully found. There is a Spiritual Solution to Every Problem by Wayne Dyer and How to Know God by Deepak Chopra. I think about Kink Stories edited by R.O. Kwon and Garth Greenwell, and I am Dandy, The Return of the Elegant Gentleman by Gestalten.
Author Websites and Profiles
Douglas Bell’s Social Media Links