Author Nathan Bell enjoys sharing his work directly with readers – and in August he’s hosting a mystery pop-up in Wollongong. Photo: Nathan Bell.
Characters in Nathan Bell’s novels commune with the spirit world and have supernatural powers – or do they?
The 41-year-old author has published two novels and four short stories.
Key to his work is the main character’s ambiguous relationships with reality.
Nathan, who was born in Wollongong but lives in Newcastle, was inspired by his own challenges navigating life with schizophrenia.
The mental health disorder can severely distort sufferers’ sense of reality through hallucinations and delusions that feel deeply real.
“I was medicated and well for many years, but relapsed when I was about 28,” he said.
“I had a couple of stays in the psych ward. It’s a terrible place to be and I spent most of my time in the art room.
“I thought I had supernatural powers and could communicate with spiritual beings, so characters in my novels can – I like to use magical thinking to tell an interesting story.”
On Nathan’s second stay in hospital he was connected with Rely Ability, an organisation that pairs NDIS participants with creative industry mentors.
In his early 20s Nathan attempted to write a couple of books, but didn’t have the skills he needed to see them through.
With the support of his mentor, Nathan’s writing took off.
“To write a real book you need skills, how to structure a novel, complete a summary, develop characters,” he said.
“My mentor was an English teacher for most of his life, and with his support over two years I was able to write my first novel.
“It was thanks to that support and the added focus and maturity I had in my 30s that enabled me to complete my first novel.”
That novel, Kings of the New Age, blends sci-fi and fantasy in a post-apocalyptic Australian setting.
It’s hard to believe, but open, friendly Nathan said he really battled with the vulnerability he felt when he released his first book.
In the long run, he said, it’s been a profoundly healing experience.
“I was very insecure about how Kings of the New Age would be received in the community,” he said.
“I set up on Beaumont Street selling my books, and in the past four years I’ve sold about 2000 copies.
“I’ve had overwhelmingly positive feedback and I’ve become confident there is an audience for my writing.
“It’s my legacy. If I do nothing else in my life I’ve written some awesome stories that are thought-provoking and express my philosophies.”
One of those philosophies is a firm conviction that the arts are a powerful tool for mental health.
Nathan said the purpose and meaning he had found through his writing and visual art kept him focussed.
It also helped him work through his relationship to the beliefs that came with his psychotic episodes, and he is a firm believer it can help others.
“You reflect and meditate on things you had thought, and that way your thoughts are able to evolve and grow,” he said.
“I would encourage anyone to be scientific in your analysis of your experiences.
“To resolve your problems you should seek to find yourself.”
Nathan is bringing his signature pop-up book stall to Wollongong in late August.
To find it you’ll need to keep your eyes peeled.
“I’ll find a nice spot in the sun near some cafes and shops, set up my briefcase and start selling,” Nathan said.
To check out Nathan’s books online before he arrives you can see a selection of them on Amazon.
