“Bell’s poetry collection, Words Describing Fire, gives voice to suffering carried inside, given to us by other individuals or society. Her poignant poems do not turn away from pain/loss burning inside, instead they weave words into poetic songs, because this is the first step to healing.” —Linda D. Addison, award-winning author, HWA Lifetime Achievement Award recipient and SFPA Grand Master of Fantastic Poetry

“Words Describing Fire is a small book, but the emotional content is big. True, there are awkward moments, but rather than being missteps in an intricate dance they are raw emotion rising. The kind of raw emotion poets are encouraged to obscure behind pretty phrases and metaphor and perfectly measured meter. Instead Emily Bell roars. Art is meant to move us, not comfort us, which makes this book high art indeed.” —Weyodi OldBear, Numunu writer, poet, and author of As Many Ships As Stars

“Humour, anger, empathy and love, always written unapologetically, make it to these pages of E.D.E. Bell’s Words Describing Fire proving that just like fire, it can warm but if it burns, it’s you needing to self-reflect.” —Dr Zukiswa Wanner, award-winning South African writer, curator, editor, publisher, and author of Flotilla: A Journey of Conscience

“e.d.e. bell has written a wonderful first collection inserting touches of fable into her poems while highlighting life, family & womanhood. at its height, bell wouldve challenged for Poem of the Week honors on my old poetry site, onceuponatimeintheprojects & it wouldve been my honor to have hosted these poems; i hope others find the warmth & charm in Words Describing Fire as much as i have.” —poet upfromsumdirt, author of The Second Stop Is Jupiter

“Intimate and fiery, in turns empowering, funny, heartbreaking, and relatable.”—artist Ulla Thynell, author of Faraway Dreaming

“Naked, brutal, messy in all the greatest ways. Filled with humor and humility, pain and passion, wisdom and wiliness. A portrait of a powerful soul bursting beautifully at the seams.” —Marsalis Higgs, author of Brother Goose

“Starts with the deeply personal and then expands outwards into more overly social and political topics without ever losing sight of the ways in which those larger scale issues feel. The language lens into a more simple lyricism, and intersperses that with sharp call to the anger brought forth by a world lacking basic justice.” —Reviewer D.

“Overall, this was really good! It had some powerful poems that really resonated with me. I liked the flow, and the overall subject matter. I do think for some of the poems there could have been a little more finesse so to speak, but nonetheless wonderful writing. I think that there was a lot to be said, and this book highlighted some serious topics, and did so with care.” —Reviewer Rhea Romero-Guiliana

“This was great! It was funny, like hysterically so and hearing the voice of a progressive fifty something made my heart happy.” —Reviewer Kendra Parker