DOUGLAS BELL
Ringing the bell on untold stories
Threads of Purpose
For the Love of Cake Duology
“I loved Nadia for her "I don't take crap" mindset and for sticking up for herself. I endeavour to be as strong and brave within my life journey. A great story about choices, and the harsh reality of hiding who you are, and the repercussions of these choices. I thoroughly enjoyed this.” – Goodreads Reviewer
Monthly spiritual quote
“Be Patient with Yourself”
🔔 Welcome to “Ringing the Bell” Youtube Channel
A YouTube channel by author and storyteller Douglas Bell, where fiction, spirituality, justice, and creativity converge to explore what it means to live with purpose.
Here, you'll find four signature playlists—each inspired by the themes woven throughout Douglas’s novels: Cakewalk, Love Cake, Threads of Purpose, and the stories still to come.
For Black History Month, February, I’m having a giveaway of six books. Click on the link below to enter.
Are you carrying sexual shame or uncertainty about who you are — or who you are becoming?
Do you find yourself questioning where you belong, or struggling to reconcile your desires with the expectations placed on you by masculinity, culture, or the fear of being seen?
Many people are taught to wear masks — to suppress vulnerability, emotion, and truth in order to survive within systems shaped by toxic masculinity. But what happens when those masks begin to feel heavier than the life they were meant to protect?
If you are curious about how spiritual practices such as meditation and stillness — rooted in Buddhist philosophy — can transform the way you see yourself and your place in the world, then my novels may speak to you.
My work explores the process of removing illusion and confronting shame through reflection and compassion. These stories follow characters searching for identity, acceptance, and the courage to live and love honestly, even when certainty disappears. Through meditation and spiritual inquiry, they begin to see that authenticity is not weakness, but freedom.
These stories are written for anyone learning to move beyond shame, to question inherited ideas of masculinity, and to discover that belonging often begins the moment we stop hiding from ourselves.
Douglas Bell is a Black fiction author, former magician, and LGBTQ+ ally based in Houston. His stories center Black male voices to explore how everyone can be healed through spiritual disciplines, Buddhist wisdom, and fictional characters grounded in truth. Douglas Bell is also the owner of Bumbershoot Press which produces the fictional work of Douglas Bell.
Ringing the Bell — Monthly Newsletter
Discover the inner journey behind the stories.
I created Ringing the Bell to share the spiritual and creative practices that shape my novels—especially how meditation and Buddhist philosophy helped me recognize the deeper truths of my life, release worry, and live with more authenticity and ease.
Each month, you’ll receive:
Reflections on meditation and Buddhist wisdom
Insights into my writing process and upcoming projects
Conversations with authors, artists, and change-makers
Explorations of the cultural and spiritual themes woven into my books
Free eBook for New Subscribers
As a thank-you for joining the community, you’ll receive a FREE eBook when you use the DISCOUNT code for Cake Walk or Threads of Purpose for subscribing.
Your email address is safe with me. It will never be sold or used for any purpose outside this newsletter.
