About
My name is Jan McDaniel. I am a writer, and I created A Way for Hope to serve as an informational resource for people who have experienced traumatic loss. I speak grief but also peace and healing. On my own grief journey, I trained to facilitate Survivors of Suicide (SOS) loss support groups at The Link in Sandy Springs, Georgia, and helped to build the Alliance of Hope for Survivors of Suicide Loss, where I am a forum moderator and content provider. I co-facilitated SOS groups in my local area and GriefShare grief recovery support groups. These connections enable me to share my story of love and return to life after tragedy.
My husband and I raised our children on a peaceful little farm in Georgia, where I was a newspaper reporter and freelance writer for print and digital media. After his death following a long struggle with depression and, later, bipolar disorder, I taught English and tutored at a local college. I searched for support and found connecting with others who understood my loss made all the difference. I never expected my personal grief journey to lead to writing about suicide for people all over the world, but that is exactly what happened. The greatest tragedy of my life became a hope-filled mission to help others through the devastation that follows traumatic loss.
My articles about grief and healing have appeared in The Upper Room, Psych Central's World of Psychology blog, the Alliance of Hope blog, Catholic Charities' LOSS newsletter (the Obelisk), the Institute of Mindfulness and Grief blog, and other publications. Books I have authored include Hope in the Aftermath of Suicide and Lost and Found: Rebuilding Your Life After Loss.
Before tragedy entered my life, I wrote other things, but now I write mostly about survival, connection, and hope. My message is simple. With support and a willingness to do griefwork, it is possible to live a life of happiness and joy while still honoring those we love.
My husband and I raised our children on a peaceful little farm in Georgia, where I was a newspaper reporter and freelance writer for print and digital media. After his death following a long struggle with depression and, later, bipolar disorder, I taught English and tutored at a local college. I searched for support and found connecting with others who understood my loss made all the difference. I never expected my personal grief journey to lead to writing about suicide for people all over the world, but that is exactly what happened. The greatest tragedy of my life became a hope-filled mission to help others through the devastation that follows traumatic loss.
My articles about grief and healing have appeared in The Upper Room, Psych Central's World of Psychology blog, the Alliance of Hope blog, Catholic Charities' LOSS newsletter (the Obelisk), the Institute of Mindfulness and Grief blog, and other publications. Books I have authored include Hope in the Aftermath of Suicide and Lost and Found: Rebuilding Your Life After Loss.
Before tragedy entered my life, I wrote other things, but now I write mostly about survival, connection, and hope. My message is simple. With support and a willingness to do griefwork, it is possible to live a life of happiness and joy while still honoring those we love.
Read more about me in this article on the Rockvale Writers' Colony website.
Sample publications:
Awards and Honors
*2020 Rockvale Writers' Colony Flash Fiction Contest, College Grove, Tennessee, Writing Residency Fellowship winner
*2017 The Fountain Magazine Essay Contest, Clifton, New Jersey, Honorable Mention for "Love and Suicide"
*2004 William Faulkner Short Fiction Award (First Place)
*2004 Georgia Press Association Better Newspaper Awards, nine nominations
*2004 Bread Loaf Writers Conference scholarship competition, among top finalists
*2003 Southern Women Writers Conference, Berry College, Rome, Georgia, featured speaker
*2003 Creative Writing Author of the Year, Carrollton Cultural Arts Center, Carrollton, Georgia
*2003 Georgia Author of the Year Award winner, short stories category, collection By Train At Night (2002 Henri Butler Press)
*2003 William Faulkner Awards for Short Fiction (Second Place)
*2002 Santa Fe Writers Project Literary Competition, among top finalists
*1998 Savannah Literary Journal, "Hitchie-Goomie," nominated for The Pushcart Prize
*2020 Rockvale Writers' Colony Flash Fiction Contest, College Grove, Tennessee, Writing Residency Fellowship winner
*2017 The Fountain Magazine Essay Contest, Clifton, New Jersey, Honorable Mention for "Love and Suicide"
*2004 William Faulkner Short Fiction Award (First Place)
*2004 Georgia Press Association Better Newspaper Awards, nine nominations
*2004 Bread Loaf Writers Conference scholarship competition, among top finalists
*2003 Southern Women Writers Conference, Berry College, Rome, Georgia, featured speaker
*2003 Creative Writing Author of the Year, Carrollton Cultural Arts Center, Carrollton, Georgia
*2003 Georgia Author of the Year Award winner, short stories category, collection By Train At Night (2002 Henri Butler Press)
*2003 William Faulkner Awards for Short Fiction (Second Place)
*2002 Santa Fe Writers Project Literary Competition, among top finalists
*1998 Savannah Literary Journal, "Hitchie-Goomie," nominated for The Pushcart Prize
