November 11, 2025 — Keokuk, Iowa That night, the sky in Keokuk didn’t look extraordinary at first glance. Standing in the cool November air, I saw a faint glow to the north — almost like a trick of the light, a soft haze against the dark. To the naked eye, it could’ve been mistaken for distant city glow. But through my camera lens, the truth unfolded: the northern lights had come to Iowa. Aurora...
James E. Hamelton Jr. is an author, entrepreneur, and creative visionary behind The Inkstand, where thought and storytelling intertwine. His debut epic novel, An Enchanted Heart, introduced readers to his gift for weaving emotion, mythology, and human truth into vivid, enduring worlds. From the haunting banks of the Mississippi River to the quiet pulse of small-town life, his work explores the beauty and complexity of the human spirit. When he isn’t writing or developing new ventures under Hamelton Brands LLC, he continues to expand his literary universe with stories that challenge, inspire, and linger long after the final page.