D. A. Hickman

Daisy A. Hickman, author, poet, blogger, editor, holds a master's degree in sociology from Iowa State University, and a bachelor's degree from Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri. Currently at work on new projects, she is also a longtime member of the Academy of American Poets. Some of her published works include ...

A HAPPY TRUTH: Last Dogs Aren't Always Last is a story of spirited dogs, clever cats, and fortuitous decisions. If you've ever loved a pet but felt unsure about saying "yes" to a new dog, you'll love this thought-provoking memoir. Funny, poignant, memorable, it all comes down to a key question: Do you have the courage to love again? Admittedly, sometimes we aren't sure, and we experience a roller coaster of emotion. Time passes. We worry, we wonder, we analyze and delay. Sound familiar?

"A very important book for anyone who loves animals and has grieved for pets lost to time and circumstance.

Beloved family members we call dogs and cats hold a serious place in our hearts."

ANCIENTS OF THE EARTH: Poems of Time is an insightful collection that captures a persistent wondering, gently inviting readers to explore the powerful dictates of time anew. Humanity is a story of inevitable sameness, yet, as careworn individuals, we yearn to transcend the confines of time to glimpse something beyond the finite lines of mortality.

THE SILENCE OF MORNING: A Memoir of Time Undone speaks directly to loss and grief, but it also explores critical social and cultural issues. Examining our contemporary culture, its addictive tendencies and the troubling implications that follow, the author delves deeply into the spirituality of loss. Hickman notes how extremely challenging experiences, such as the loss of a son, eventually instruct and guide us, finally pointing us to more universal messages.

ALWAYS RETURNING: The Wisdom of Place is a second edition of Hickman's first book (William Morrow, '99). In this inspiring look at place and people, the author aptly reminds us that "insights we call wisdom must be learned repeatedly: each time, at a deeper, more profound, level."

The wisdom in Hickman's first book originated on the American prairie, specifically when she stepped back to look at the place and its people from a sociological and spiritual perspective, and with the maturing distance of adulthood and greater life experience. Noting how an organic and lasting wisdom had evolved over the ages in a place known for hardship, but great beauty, as well, the author was compelled to articulate this for others.

Looking at life through a sociological lens, Hickman's work focuses on cultural and societal influences. Writing, for her, is a way to connect more deeply to the complexities and challenges of the human condition. Books have been a big part of Hickman's life since childhood. "I was a big fan of our Carnegie Library and checking out as many books as possible. I lived in a small town in South Dakota and had no idea what the rest of the world was like, but books magically transported me via time and place. And I was amazed at how stories inspired me, informed me, and sometimes made me laugh or cry--a comforting source of mystery, joy, and adventure."