Anna Lena Phillips Bell

Anna Lena Phillips Bell is a Lecturer in the Department of English at the University of North Carolina, Wilmington. She is also the editor of Ecotone, a literary journal, and Lookout Books, a literary press. Bell is a poet, old-time musician, and square dance caller, blending creative arts with academic work. Her poetry collections include Ornament, winner of the 2016 Vassar Miller Poetry Prize, and A Pocket Book of Forms.

She holds a North Carolina Arts Council Fellowship in Literature, reflecting her contributions to literary arts. While primarily affiliated with UNC Wilmington, she has been invited to events such as a poetry reading at Washington and Lee University, sponsored by the Glasgow Endowment.

Bell’s interdisciplinary work spans poetry, music, and dance, with a focus on creative writing and publishing. Her editing roles at Ecotone and Lookout Books highlight her commitment to fostering literary voices and traditions.