About Hazelden Author Shelly Marshall
...sharing the wisdom of the oldtimers and the tools for long-term sobriety through her publishing house, Day By Day.
She stands as a beacon of simplicity in a world of confusion. I recommend her work highly. ~Father Joshep Martin (of Father Martin's Ashley)
Last updated: April 2026
Shelly Marshall is an addiction recovery author, published researcher, and independent publisher. She has maintained continuous sobriety since June 6, 1969.
Marshall's initial recovery books, published by Hazelden, include Day By Day: Daily Meditations for Recovering Addicts, Hazelden's first published book, with documented sales exceeding two million copies, and Young Sober & Free: Experience, Strength, and Hope for Young Adults. Both have been in continuous distribution for decades and have been translated for international audiences, including Russian and Polish editions. These books draw on the real voices of recovering people who shared their thoughts and stories.
She is also the creator of the Pocket Sponsor series including the digital application (PWA Pocket Sponsor), designed to provide hourly recovery support and practical behavioral guidance.
Marshall has published peer-reviewed research on addiction treatment and adolescent recovery, including articles in journals such as the International Journal of Addictions, American Journal of Alcohol and Drug Abuse, Journal of Drug Education, and Journal of Addictive Diseases.
In the 1990s, Marshall lived and worked in Russia during its post-Soviet transition, helping establish training programs for addiction counselors and serving as an accredited representative to the United Nations through NAN (No to Alcoholism and Drug Addiction).
She is the founder of Day By Day Recovery Resources, an independent publishing house focused on experience-based recovery tools.
Areas of Expertise
- Alcoholism and drug addiction recovery
- Adolescent and young adult recovery
- Long-term sobriety and behavioral change
- Family systems and enabling patterns
Publishing and Development
Day By Day Recovery Resources is an independent publishing house focused on practical, experience-based recovery materials designed for real-world use.
Credentials
Bachelor of Science in Human Services (Drugs and Alcohol), Metropolitan State University of Denver (formerly Metropolitan State College).
Additional Information
Public Speaking
I do keynote speaking and workshops. I'd love to arrange something for you. Basically my fee is $200 an hour or $600 for the day plus expenses. I do offer free engagements for non-profits and 12 Step events. Call for details.
An Interview
By Shelly, of course.- Interview with Judith Rich Harris author of the Nurture Assumption
History of Day By Day
Day By Day was written by members of Denver's Young People's group of Alcoholic's Anonymous in 1973. A group of them began a halfway house for the dual addicted (having sprung from the Hippie's of the '60s) and started the first NA group in Colorado. This classic came from those 12 Step Warriors. Download the full story.
