Jessica Bell
Born
Jessica Bell

1981 (age 42–43)
Melbourne, Australia
NationalityAustralian
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter, publisher, author, graphic designer
Years active2005–present
Known forKeep Shelly in Athens
Notable work(Don't Fear) The Reaper performed by Keep Shelly in Athens
Websitewww.iamjessicabell.com

Jessica Bell (born 1981) is an Australian singer-songwriter, author,[1] writing and publishing coach, and graphic designer.[2][3] She has published a memoir,[4] five novels, three poetry collections, and her bestselling series Writing in a Nutshell.[5] She has been featured in a variety of publications and ABC Radio National shows such as Writer's Digest,[6] Publishers Weekly,[7] The Music,[8] Life Matters,[9] and Poetica.[10]

She is also the Publisher of Vine Leaves Press,[11] Co-Founder of Elite Boox,[12] and a voice-over actor.

In October 2016, she became the lead singer of the dream-pop group, Keep Shelly in Athens. She also records and performs as a solo artist under the name BRUNO.[13] and the singer and co-songwriter of Mongoa[14]

Biography

Bell was born in Melbourne, Australia. Her parents, Erika Bach and Demetri Vlass were the founders of two Australian indie rock bands, Ape the Cry and Hard Candy (australische Band). In 1998, her high school band, String Bridge, made it to the state finals of the national battle-of-the-bands, run in conjunction with the Rock Eisteddfod. In 1999, 'String Bridge' became 'spAnk', and the band went on to win the Melbourne University National Campus Band Competition and third prize in the state. They received radio airplay and gigs, including supports with Killing Heidi. In 2003, the band broke up when Bell moved to Greece. There she completed her Bachelor of Arts via Deakin University's correspondence program, and in 2005 landed her first job as an English Language Teaching book editor and writer for CENGAGE Learning (formerly New Editions) in Athens. Since then, Bell has worked in-house and as a freelancer for Pearson Education, Macmillan Education, Education First and Harper Collins ELT. Between 2005 and 2008, Bell regularly performed as a solo artist in Athens, Greece under her own name, including supports with Oneida (2006) and Holly Golightly (2006, 2008[15]). In 2008, Bell began to focus on her writing, and in 2011 her debut novel, String Bridge (Lucky Press LLC), was published. When Lucky Press liquidated in less than a year after its release, Bell ventured into self-publishing, and has since then worked as a writer, publisher, and book cover designer. In 2017, Bell quit her role as an editor for ELT publishing to focus on her own creative projects and businesses.

Bibliography

Nonfiction

  • Go: A Memoir about Binge-drinking, Self-hatred, and Finding Happiness (2021) ISBN 9781925965568
  • Dear Reflection: I Never Meant to be a Rebel (2017) ISBN 9781925417555

How-To-Books

  • Can You Make the Title Bigga? The Chemistry of Book Cover Design (2022) ISBN 9786188607767
  • Self-Publish Your Book: A Quick & Easy Step-by-Step Guide (2019) (Revised Edition) ISBN 9781925417883
  • Polish Your Fiction: A Quick & Easy Self-Editing Guide (2014) ISBN 9780992509712
  • Writing in a Nutshell: Writing Workshops to Improve Your Craft (2014) ISBN 9780987593177
  • The Six Senses in a Nutshell: Demonstrated Transitions from Bleak to Bold Narrative (2015) (Revised Edition) ISBN 9781925417098
  • Adverbs & Clichés in a Nutshell: Demonstrated Subversions of Adverbs & Clichés into Gourmet Imagery (2015) (Revised Edition) ISBN 9781925417081
  • Show & Tell in a Nutshell: Demonstrated Transitions from Telling to Showing (2015) (Revised Edition) ISBN 9781925417074

Novels

  • How Icasia Bloom Touched Happiness (2021) ISBN 9781925965605
  • White Lady (2014) ISBN 9780992509736
  • Bitter Like Orange Peel (1st Ed. 2013) ISBN 978-0987593115 (2nd Ed. 2016) ISBN 9781925417487
  • The Book (1st Ed. 2013) ISBN 9781481179300 (2nd Ed. 2016) ISBN 9781925417463
  • String Bridge (1st Ed. 2011) ISBN 9780984631742 (2nd Ed. 2013) ISBN 9781482097979 (3rd Ed. 2016) ISBN 9781925417449

Poetry

  • A Tide Should Be Able to Rise Despite Its Moon (2023) ISBN 9783988320940
  • Muted & She (2016) ISBN 9781925417524
  • SHE: a short story in verse (2015) ISBN 9781500431112
  • muted: a short story in verse (2013) ISBN 9781489556417
  • Fabric (1st Ed. 2012) ISBN 9781475168549 (2nd Ed. 2016) ISBN 9781925417418
  • Twisted Velvet Chains (1st Ed. 2011) ISBN 9781461108467 (2nd Ed. 2016) ISBN 9781925417425

Anthologies (contributor)

  • Women's Work (2013) ISBN 9780987382535
  • Poetry Pact Volume 1 (2012) ISBN 9781477539545
  • From Stage Door Shadows (2012) ISBN 9780987112682
  • Classifieds: An Anthology of Prose Poems (2012) ISBN 9780984565931
  • 100 Stories for Queensland (2011) ISBN 9780987112620
  • Tribute to the Stars (2011) ISBN 9781617061387
  • Poems from the Dark Side (2011) ISBN 9781617061295
  • Static Poetry II (2011) ISBN 9781617061066
  • Static Poetry (2011) ISBN 9781617060953
  • Literary Foray (2010) ISBN 9781617060724
  • School Days: Tales with an Edge (2010) ISBN 9781617060700
  • Something from the Attic (2010) ISBN 9781617060649

Anthologies (compiler and editor)

  • The 50-Word Stories of 2022: Microfiction for Lovers of Quick Reads (50 Give or Take #2) (2022) ISBN 9786188607750
  • The 50-Word Stories of 2021: Microfiction for Lovers of Quick Reads (50 Give or Take #1) (2021) ISBN 9781925965742
  • Vine Leaves Literary Journal: a Collection of Vignettes from Across the Globe (2017) ISBN 9781925417630
  • Vine Leaves Literary Journal Issues 10 – 18 ISSN 2204-4574
  • The Best of Vine Leaves Literary Journal 2015 (2015) ISBN 9781925417043
  • The Best of Vine Leaves Literary Journal 2014 (2014) ISBN 9780992509774
  • The Best of Vine Leaves Literary Journal 2012 (2012) ISBN 9780987500045
  • The Best of Vine Leaves Literary Journal 2013 (2013) ISBN 9780987593139
  • The Best of Vine Leaves Literary Journal 2012 (2012) ISBN 9780987500045

English language teaching

  • The New Build Up Your Writing Skills (2014) ISBN 9789604920020
  • Business English Projects (2009) ISBN 9783037580608
  • Cinderella Theatrical Reader Teacher's Guide (2008) ISBN 9789604034222
  • Flying Carpets Junior A Resource Pack (2008) ISBN 9789604472239
  • Flying Carpets Junior B Resource Pack (2008) ISBN 9789604472369
  • Super Star 2 Test Book (2006) ISBN 9789604034161

Discography

Jessica Bell

  • spAnk (1998)
  • Ash 11 (2004)
  • Solo (2006)
  • The Girl Who Fell (2008)
  • Mess of Me (2009)
  • Honeymoon (2010)
  • Melody Hill: On the Other Side (Soundtrack to debut novel String Bridge, 2011)
  • Electrip (2014)
  • Before I Was Born (2014)

Keep Shelly in Athens

  • Philokalia (Athenian Aura Recordings, 2017)
  • Introvert EP (Athenian Aura Recordings, 2018)
  • Bendable / Glistening 7" (Cascine, 2018)
  • (Don't Fear) The Reaper Single (Athenian Aura Recordings, 2019)
  • Sunny Day EP (Athenian Aura Recordings, 2019)
  • 9 Years EP (Athenian Aura Recordings, 2019)
  • Steady To Go EP (Athenian Aura Recordings, 2020)
  • Back to Reality – Single (Athenian Aura Recordings, 2020)

BRUNO

  • I Said No (2017)
  • Santa Baby (2017)
  • My Art is in Martian (2019)
  • When I See the Air Turn Blue (2020)
  • Rock 'n' Roll Bride (2020)
  • Robot Alien (2022)

Mongoa

  • Just Dust (EP, 2021)
  • The Sands of Time (Single, 2021)
  • Her Voice (Single, 2021)
  • Silver Moon (Single, 2021)
  • All My Light (Single, 2021)
  • Shadows (Single, 2022)
  • Old Soul (Single, 2022)
  • High Above the Ocean (Single, 2022)
  • Living in the Cracks (Single, 2022)

Awards

Book cover design

  • The Book Designer.com Gold Star 2014
  • The Book Designer.com Gold Star 2016
  • The Book Designer.com Gold Star 2017
  • The Book Designer.com Winner Nonfiction 2018
  • IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award Silver Winner 2021
  • The Wishing Shelf Awards Book Cover Design Silver Winner 2021

Literature

  • Bronze Winner of the 2021 Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Awards in Science Fiction for How Icasia Bloom Touched Happiness.
  • Winner in the 2021 Wishing Shelf Book Awards (Books for Adults: Fiction) for How Icasia Bloom Touched Happiness.
  • Winner in the 2021 Wishing Shelf Book Awards (Books for Adults: Nonfiction) for GO: A Memoir About Binge-drinking, Self-hatred, and Finding Happiness.
  • First place in The 2021 Royal Dragonfly Book Awards (Science Fiction/Fantasy) for How Icasia Bloom Touched Happiness.
  • Semi-finalist in The 2017 Kindle Book Awards for Dear Reflection.
  • Finalist in The 2015 Kindle Book Awards for White Lady.
  • Semi-finalist in The 2013 Kindle Book Awards for The Book.
  • Semi-finalist in the Goodreads Choice Awards 2012: Best Poetry for Fabric.
  • The Disguised Cicada's Click, was awarded 71st place in Rhyming Poem category of the 79th Annual Writer's Digest Writing Competition 2010

Press coverage and interviews

Music

  • Mxdwn Music, 19 December 2020[16]
  • Mxdwn Music, 2 December 2020[17]
  • Under the Radar Mag, 1 February 2018[18]
  • Consequence of Sound, 14 June 2017[19]
  • The Young Folks, 6 October 2017[20]
  • Dork Magazine, 18 September 2017[21]
  • Literature, The Sydney Morning Herald, 24 August 2017[4]
  • theMusic, 10 July 2017[22]
  • tmrw, 3 July 2017[23]
  • ABC Radio National's LIFE MATTERS, 17 July 2017[24]
  • Corner (CT Style), News 8, WTNH.com, 10 December 2013[25]

Publishing

  • The Creative Penn, 14 June 2021[26]
  • The Guardian, 6 March 2015[27]
  • Publishers Weekly, 20 October 2017[28]

Articles and essays

  • MamaMia.com, 8 July 2017[29]
  • The Creative Penn, 28 December 2016[30]
  • Writer's Digest, 13 July 2014[31]

References

  1. ↑ "Best Poetry Books 2012". 13 August 2012. Retrieved 13 August 2012.
  2. ↑ Nanou, Electra (31 March 2021). "The 10 Best Ebook Cover Design Services for Self-Publishing". Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  3. ↑ Chesson, Dave (19 July 2021). "Best Book Cover Software, Designers and Services". Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  4. 1 2 Carroll, Steven (24 August 2017). "Dear Reflection review: Jessica Bell's search for meaning in music and writing". Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  5. ↑ Bell, Jessica. "Writing in a Nutshell". Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  6. ↑ Bell, Jessica (6 October 2016). "Don't Be Afraid of Indie Publishing". Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  7. ↑ Burnett, Matia (20 October 2017). "Indie Author Shaped by Indie Rock Roots". Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  8. ↑ "Creativity, Cigarettes and Self-Destruction: Scenes From Jessica Bell's Memoir 'Dear Reflection'". 10 July 2017. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  9. ↑ Smith, Amanda (17 July 2017). "Growing up in the shadow of valium". Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  10. ↑ "Women's Work". 9 November 2013. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  11. ↑ "Reading tastes a little different than the norm?". Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  12. ↑ "Elite Boox". Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  13. ↑ "I Am Bruno". Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  14. ↑ "The Mongoa". Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  15. ↑ "Eclectic rocker to visit". 1 April 2008. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  16. ↑ "Keep Shelly in Athens Share Dazzling New Single "Back To Reality" Featuring Vauxhall Underground". 19 December 2020. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  17. ↑ "Album Review: Keep Shelly In Athens – "Defy Me"". 2 December 2020. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  18. ↑ "2017 Artist Survey: Jessica Bell and RPR of Keep Shelly in Athens on 2017's Best Albums, #MeToo and Sexual Harassment, and Too Many Music Festivals". 1 February 2018. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  19. ↑ "Keep Shelly in Athens announce new album, share lead single "Leave in Silence"". 14 June 1017. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  20. ↑ "Album Review: Keep Shelly in Athens—"Philokalia"". 6 October 2017. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  21. ↑ "Keep Shelly in Athens—Philokalia—More accosting and encompassing than any record Keep Shelly in Athens have released to date". Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  22. ↑ "Creativity, Cigarettes & Self-Destruction: Scenes from Jessica Bell's Memoir 'Dear Reflection'". 10 July 2017. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  23. ↑ "I Never Meant to be a Rebel: An Interview with Jessica Bell". 3 July 2017. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  24. ↑ "Growing up in the shadow of Valium". 17 July 2017. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  25. ↑ "Book Lovers Corner with "Bitter Like Orange Peel" by Jessica Bell". 10 December 2013. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  26. ↑ Penn, Joanna (14 June 2021). "Embracing Multi-Passionate Creativity And Running A Small Press With Jessica Bell". Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  27. ↑ "Self-publishing lets women break book industry's glass ceiling, survey finds". 6 March 2015. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  28. ↑ "Indie Author Shaped by Indie Rock Roots". 20 October 2017. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  29. ↑ "Because of one day, 20 years ago, I have never considered sex to be something special". 8 July 2017. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  30. ↑ "Book Cover Design Fundamentals: Questions To Consider Before Hiring A Designer". 28 December 2016. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  31. ↑ "Self-Editing Advice: How to Tackle Character Consistency". 13 July 2014. Retrieved 13 August 2021.


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