A new twist on a classic tale recently hit the bookshelves, as Southern Miss Ph.D. student Bella McGill took pen to paper for a story she couldn’t let go of.
McGill’s debut novel, Princess and the Pauper, is published under the pen name Isabelle Kelly. It began as a passion project and later evolved into an undergraduate senior thesis. The book is a modern, queer retelling of Mark Twain’s The Prince and the Pauper. Its main characters, who are identical in appearance, navigate a series of emotional and personal challenges—from grappling with their sexuality to dealing with the loss of a father figure.
A self-proclaimed lover of storytelling, McGill said her inspiration for the book stemmed from the 2004 animated film Barbie as the Princess and the Pauper, a childhood favorite. That early spark was solidified by the 2018 romantic comedy The Princess Switch, in which a duchess swaps places with an ordinary woman.
“What I want people to take away from this is the idea that you can be yourself no matter what and that people are going to love you no matter what,” McGill said. “It is probably an ideal ending, honestly, but I didn’t want to write a sad book; I wanted to write a happy book.”
McGill earned her undergraduate degree in English literature from Ball State University in her home state of Indiana. She later received her MFA in Popular Fiction and Publishing from Emerson College, a credential that already qualifies her to teach at the college level. Yet McGill decided to continue her academic journey at the University of Southern Mississippi, where she is now pursuing a Ph.D. in English.
“Writing as a career is really, really difficult. I’m not naive to that,” she said. “Right now, it’s probably more of a passion project and I probably will still teach, but if it could eventually become a full-time career, that would be the dream.”
Like many writers, McGill faced personal hurdles while completing her book, including struggles with mental health. She initially wrote about half of the novel during National Novel Writing Month several years ago, but it wasn’t until she committed to developing it as her senior thesis that the pieces began to fall into place.
A devoted fan of young adult literature, McGill credits author Jennifer Lynn Barnes as a major influence. Barnes, who holds a Ph.D. in psychology, is known for weaving academic insight into her storytelling—something McGill deeply admires.
“The main reason I want to write young adult literature is to have those kids feel like they have someone who sees them,” McGill said. “That is what really saved me as a teenager when I was in the deep of my depression.”
Despite her passion, McGill said the editing process proved to be one of the most difficult aspects of writing the novel. While she began the process confident in her narrative, revisiting her own words during revision often made her question that self-assurance. Still, she persevered.
“Bella McGill writes with a confidence and crispness that are very rare in fiction,” said Dr. Joshua Bernstein, one of McGill’s professors at USM. “Bella’s work is both engrossing and fresh, remaining a continual source of inspiration to readers, colleagues and friends.”
The 18-month journey to publication was filled with challenges, but McGill said it was worth every moment. Her nephews, who she calls her biggest inspirations, provided motivation during difficult times.
“They encourage me not only to write but to live,” McGill said.
Ultimately, her goal is simple: to leave something meaningful behind for those she loves.
“It’s inspiring to see her work ethic on a daily basis and across genre, but also to know that her hard work has resulted in a published book,” said Arleigh Rodgers, a close friend. “I know others will come to love her writing as I have, and I can’t wait to get my copy of Princess and the Pauper.”