William Edwin Bell was a Canadian author of young adult fiction, educator, and speaker.
William Edwin Bell, born in Toronto, Ontario, on October 27, 1945, was a Canadian author primarily known for his young adult fiction. He pursued higher education, earning a Master of Arts in literature from the University of Toronto in 1969 and a Master of Education in curriculum and administration from the same university's Ontario Institute for Studies in Education in 1984. Bell had a notable career as an educator, teaching in various high school settings in Simcoe County and serving as head of the English department at Orillia District Collegiate & Vocational Institute. His teaching experience extended internationally when he taught English in China during the early 1980s. He also held positions at the University of British Columbia and the Simcoe County Board of Education. Bell was a frequent presenter at conferences and spoke to students about creative writing.
Bell's decision to become a writer was influenced by a speech from author John Metcalf. He expressed a preference for writing for young people, viewing them as an enthusiastic and loyal audience. His literary works were often set in specific locations in Ontario, including Orillia, Barrie, Toronto, and Fergus. Bell's books achieved international recognition, being translated into numerous languages such as Chinese, French, German, Spanish, and Japanese. He passed away on July 30, 2016, in Orillia at the age of 70. He was married to Susan Arnup, with whom he had three children, and lived with his wife, author Ting-Xing Ye, before his death.
