A Multi Genre Author

Dan Hamel wrote his first poem, “A Hunter’s Prayer,” in 2011 at the age of 46. A native of Vermont and passionate about the outdoors, turns out his love of writing would rival deer season and summer hikes on Mt. Ascutney. "Dog is God Spelled Backwards," was first published in Four Legs and a Tail. Putting his thoughts on paper; sharing the inspiration of nature and its infinite gifts; seeking peace in an often chaotic world; as Dan’s writing interest grew, so did his alcohol dependence.   But self-medicating through writing wasn’t enough to break the cycle of addiction. Dan has won two Book Excellence Awards, one with Take the Bullying by the Horns and one with It's Ok to Cry. Rebel Reprieve was a Finalist award winner as well. Dan's greatest accomplishment in life was on November 16th 2021 when he donated a kidney to his sister's 9-year-old grandson. "It was an honor and a gift of all the gifts that I've received since getting sober," says Dan.

In 2014, Dan looked for and found help through Alcoholics Anonymous. His interest in writing took on deeper personal significance through the recovery process and in 2015 he self-published, Inspirations and Emotions: Seven Layers to the Truth. To this day, it reminds him of how far he has come and that he is where he is today because he never gave up - grateful that others did not give up on him either.  “We all deserve a second chance,” says Dan, “so often we don’t appreciate our first chance or fall victim to our own self-destruction.”

Reflecting over his years of sobriety, Dan realized that the missing link in his life was serving others. Knowing first-hand the strain of alcoholism on his own family; the pain suffered by spouses and children alike, Dan began the soul-searching and technically rigorous process of writing and publishing, What’s Wrong with Dad? It is a realistic portrayal of the physical and psychological effects of addiction as seen through the eyes of 9-year-old Timmy. And how one mother's determination to keep her family together prompts Timmy’s father, Ethan, to seek help from Alcoholics Anonymous. Ethan’s recovery becomes a heartwarming opportunity for father and son to rebuild their relationship. What’s Wrong with Dad? is an excellent resource for non-alcoholic parents and/or school counselors to explain to children what substance abuse is, that it’s not their fault, and that there are people at home or at school they can talk to for support. A resource page is included.   

Dan enjoys hunting and fishing with his son and grandson. And watching his grandson play sports. He and his dog, Maisy, live in Vermont and they always will. He is available for speaking engagements, he can be reached at [email protected].