Antony J. Bell is a historical fiction author whose work is deeply rooted in the history and soil of the North of England. Raised in a working-class Yorkshire family, he has always been drawn to the quiet, untold stories of ordinary people caught in the sweep of extraordinary events.
His debut novel, A Penny a Shell, is a personal tribute born from a piece of his own family history: the story of his great-grandmother, who was one of the thirty-five women killed in the catastrophic Barnbow munitions factory explosion of 1916.
Driven by this deep personal connection, Antony combines meticulous historical research with empathetic storytelling. He seeks to honor the courage, sacrifice, and fierce solidarity of the women on the WWI home front—giving a voice to those who were silenced by history.
“Patriotism, pay, politics… It’s all different words for the same thing. It all costs the same. And we’re the ones who pay.”
Antony lives in Yorkshire with his family and is dedicated to uncovering the stories that have been forgotten.
My writing is grounded in the true stories of the people of Yorkshire during the Great War. I build my narratives from the accounts of real people, using historical archives, recorded interviews, and the stories passed down through my own family.
My goal is not just to recount events, but to give an authentic voice to the ordinary men and women of the home front, honoring their quiet heroism and ensuring their sacrifices are not forgotten.
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