Words for
the
hapless,
helpless
& hopeless.
Poetry and novels written to return a reader to ambition — sacred in source, plain in speech, and honest about the weight a person carries. Read one page and you will know whether this shelf is yours.
Latest title
AM I ?
In print
Poetry & novels
Written for
Every reader
Speaking
Booking 2026
Author · Poet · Novelist
Lee Nichael
Lee Nichael is a retired United States Army military police First Sergeant. He is also a retired JROTC Instructor from the Kansas City Public Schools {Kansas City, MO}. Despite his major learning disabilities, he was adamant for and about higher education. As soon as he was stationed in his first military assignment, he started his college classes. He has a 1985 cum laureate Associate Degree in Criminal Justice from Gadsden State Community College {Gadsden, AL}, a 1995 Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Park University {Parkville, MO}, a 1999 Master’s Degree in General Administration from Central Michigan University {Mount Pleasant, MO}, a 2002 Master’s Degree in Scriptural Psychology from Faith Bible College in Independence Missouri, a 2005 Doctorate Degree in Scriptural Psychology from Faith Bible College {Independence MO}, a 2006 Master’s Degree in Curriculum & Instructions from University of Colorado at {Colorado Springs, CO}, a 2007 Chaplain Residency from Research Medical Center Kansas City, MO, a 2013 graduate of Missouri Satellite Leadership Academy for future school administrators, a 2015 Master’s Degree in Education Leadership from UMKC of {Kansas City, MO}, a 2020 Master of Divinity from Central Baptist Theological Seminary {Lenexa, KS}. Lee is a decorated Fort McClellan Alabama Drill Instructor, Fort McClellan Alabama Basic Training Committee Group 1985 Instructor of The Year. Lee was also Kansas City Public School Lincoln College Prep 2019 Teacher of The Year. He is also a former pastor of Greater Wurzburg Missionary Baptist Church 1991-1994 {Wurzburg, Germany} and former pastor 2005-2006 of Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church, Kansas City, KS. He is smitten and driven by morality, spirituality, mentality and punctuality.
The books
Poetry that is precept & direct.
Novels with an intense awakening.
Every title ships worldwide in paperback, hardback and e-book. Read the opening pages free before you decide.
About Lee
Two shelves. One intention.
stand on.
Lee Nichael has spent a working life paying attention to people at the bottom of a hard week, and writing down what he found there. The work draws on sacred inspiration and comes out plain: no lecture, no ornament, nothing asked of the reader except honesty.
The subject rarely changes. A person meets a choice, carries a charge, faces a change, and is handed a challenge. What happens next is the book. Readers who arrive feeling hapless leave with something nearer to ambition — the only measure of success this desk recognizes.
He writes for everyone who reads: young and old, bold and unsure, schooled and self-taught, well and unwell. The door is the same width for all of them.
Be
better
Character before commentary. The work starts with the person holding it.
Know
better
Guidance sought first from our Maker, Caretaker and Soul-Provider.
Do
better
Empowerment over every choice, charge, change and challenge.
Show
better
Honour yourself and others, illustrating or demonstrating right, best and good.
At a glance
Writes as
Lee Nichael
Genres
Poetry, literary fiction, inspirational
Themes
Faith, ambition, dedication, dignity
Readers
Young & old, all backgrounds
Based in
Kansas
Available for
Readings, workshops, interviews
Readers
What readers say.
“I read it in one sitting and then read it again the next morning. It doesn’t let you feel sorry for yourself.”
Verified reader · Houston, TX
“Plain language doing heavy work. I’ve given four copies away already.”
Book club · Kansas
“He writes like someone who has actually sat with people in trouble.”
Verified reader · Atlanta, GA
Writings
Notes from the desk.
New poems, chapter excerpts and short reflections — published here first.
Poem · 12 July 2026
On carrying what you did not choose
A short piece on charges that arrive without invitation, and what to do with them at three in the morning.
Read the poem →
Excerpt · 28 June 2026
Chapter one of The Soul-Provider
The opening pages, free to read — a man returns to a town that has already decided who he is.
Read the poem →
Reflection · 9 June 2026
Why I write for every reader
Young and old, rich and poor, healthy and ill. On refusing to write for a narrow room.
Read the poem →
Events
Readings, workshops &
invitations.
Congregations, libraries, schools, book clubs and community
groups. In person across Kansas, or online anywhere.
14 Sep
14 Sep
Reading & signing · 6:30pm
Free
02 Oct
Mount Olive Fellowship
Evening reading · 7:00pm
Free
19 Oct
Online — Reader Circle
Live Q&A · 5:00pm CT
Members
08 Nov
Kansas Community Centre
Workshop · 10:00am
Ticketed
The Reader Circle
A poem in your inbox, first thing Sunday.
Free to join. Members read new work before it reaches the shop, and keep their whole library in one account.
- One new poem every Sunday, before publication.
- First refusal on signed first editions.
- Purchases, downloads and reading list in one account.
- Read in English, Spanish, French or Portuguese.