Official site of poet James Schwartz, author of The Literary Party: Growing Up Gay and Amish in America
semiosis issue #1
I have a new poem titled After the Enlightenment in the literary journal semiosis issue #1, dropping in February!
Press Release: "Amish Alchemy" by James Schwartz
Press Release: "Amish Alchemy" by James Schwartz
In my fourth decade on this planet I just feel grateful to still be around and still inspired!
A Michigander who happened to grow up in an isolated, high control religious environment and rebelled against the homophobic status quo.
Conform or be shunned. The Amish Closet or the streets. I chose the road less traveled (with a lot of gay bars along the way).
Exotic locations, a few romances, a lot of friends and many adventures later I have not forgotten about the youngsters in similar situations, this act of alchemy is for them.
My new poetry collection Amish Alchemy also raises awareness for The Misfit Amish org. I am honored to serve as an Art Ambassador!
"The Misfit Amish delivers secular insights into Amish, Mennonite and Plain communities, striving to bridge the gap between Amish and English cultures, offering resources authored by former members of these communities and developing presentations to enhance awareness and promote understanding."
Amish Alchemy (Alien Buddha Press) available via Amazon Feb. 18th!
Amish Alchemy POEMS 🌹 2/18
Poet James Schwartz (author of the Lambda Literary Award nominated The Literary Party: Growing Up Gay and Amish in America, 2011) returns to Alien Buddha Press with a sparkling collection of poetry mining his Amish heritage into gold.
Through a raw autobiographical haiku sequence and love sonnets Schwartz confronts homophobic religious intolerance and loss, death and grief transforming to spring, love, freedom and renewal.
Amish Alchemy is a transformation of the Ages, illustrated with stunning images from the Public Domain Image Archive spanning antiquity and offering alternative mirrors of contemplation.
In this Amish themed journey through the Midwest and beyond lies beautiful temples of knowledge, fountains of wisdom and the alchemy of an exquisite artistic endeavor.
Release date: Feb. 18th!
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FREE PRINTABLE BOOKMARK!
Detroit Techno Track!
I was honored to collaborate with my friend Butch Baxter, the end result "Acceleration" is now on SoundCloud and YouTube! I'm officially a Detroit techno songwriter! Also on Apple, iTunes, Spotify!
Happy 2026! 🎉
Happy New Year! Grab your copy of Alien Buddha's Chaos Countdowns 2 anthology, now on sale! Includes my short story The Golden Age of Trance!
Alien Buddha Zine #82 Now Available!
The Alien Buddha Zine #82 (January 2026 issue) is now available! Selections from me are my recent New Verse News poem The Great Louvre Caper and a new poem February Blues.
Spiritual Tripping in Hamtramck VIDEO 🍄
Spiritual Tripping in Hamtramck
Poetry reading from Big Island Beatnik, 12-6-25
Psychedelic Shack (Detroit, MI.)
The Golden Age of Trance (playlist)
My club kid era
The 90s were a trip! My new 90s themed short story The Golden Age of Trance (in The Alien Buddha's Chaos Countdowns 2 anthology) references several trance / dance songs from around that time. I have also created a playlist, enjoy!
The Golden Age of Trance
Amish vs. Mennonite
Congrats Mary (and Rosanna!) on your newest book, We're Not Wrong, You Are: Amish vs. Mennonite now available! Sure to shake up the systems!
The Alien Buddha's Chaos Countdowns 2 🎉
My new short story The Golden Age of Trance is now available via The Alien Buddha's Chaos Countdowns 2 anthology!
Snowfall and Starlight
Wishing you happy holidays and the festive joy and warmth of the season,
Christmas has come early!
I'm happy to share my holiday haiku are now available alongside many festive others in
"Snowfall and Starlight: A Christmas Haiku Anthology" from Fresh Words International Literary Magazine! Perfect for fire-side readings, Christmas gifts and an icebreaker at your holiday parties!
The Alien Buddha's Arcane Magick
The Alien Buddha's Arcane Magick anthology is now available! Includes my poem Dark Academia!
Quote
"Gay Amish people have been excluded from the very start of the Anabaptist movement. We are still oppressed and shunned today. America is quick to laud the Amish for their lifestyle but remains silent on their homophobia. Amish practice shunning which is forced family separation and conversion therapy which is illegal.
The harm caused by the church has led to LGBTQ Amish suicide and physical, emotional and spiritual abuse.
The Amish communities place a great emphasis on their ancestors who were martyred yet today persecute their LGBTQ minority."
‐ James Schwartz
Old Order > New Thought
Most people that leave the Amish church tend to gravitate toward other Plain Anabaptist or Mennonite denominations although I have personally known ex-Amish that are now atheists, Baptist and other Protestants. Keep in mind before the Amish and Mennonite forefathers known as Anabaptists broke away from the church they were Catholic. I have an ex-Amish relative in my family tree that joined the Catholic church. I considered it myself at one point in my spiritual journey! Instead I went from Old Order to New Thought!
I have been attending the Centers for Spiritual Living and studying Science of Mind since 2017 and have been a member of the CSL teaching chapter Center for Spiritually Integrated Arts for over a year. I really believe in maintaining a spiritual framework in my life. I tell my atheist friends to connect with nature on Sundays or read Rumi but a spiritual life is important!
My favorite Science of Mind teachers are Rev. Cathy Hough and Rev. Dr. Raymont Anderson who kindly wrote a beautiful Foreword to my recent book Big Island Beatnik: Poetry & Photography from the Lower East Rift Zone (Alien Buddha Press) which included elements of native Hawaiian spirituality - The Bowl of Light by Hank Wesselman is a favorite read. I am grateful for their spiritual tutelage!
Whether you're an atheist enjoying the peace in nature or Madonna studying the wisdom of Kabbalah there are many paths, pick one and if it doesn't fit try another.
Sunday is my favorite day of the week (maybe because I was born on a Sunday?) and I look forward to my Sunday morning ritual of coffee and reading Science of Mind!
Literary Parties: Authors, Poets, Artists
Over the course of 2 decades I have met numerous authors, poets, artists and creatives! Here are a few highlights from the poetry slam circuit to book parties etc. in no particular order. I have linked to their books / works for you to learn more. Enjoy!
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"The Literary Party: Growing Up Gay and Amish in America" Book Reviews + Media Highlights
THE LITERARY PARTY: GROWING UP GAY AND AMISH IN AMERICA (EBOOK) BOOK REVIEWS: As a country boy in Kentucky, I’m acquainted with the Ami...
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I have a new poem titled After the Enlightenmen t in the literary journal semiosis issue #1 , dropping in February! -
Press Release: "Amish Alchemy" by James Schwartz In my fourth decade on this planet I just feel grateful to still be around and st... -
I was honored to collaborate with my friend Butch Baxter, the end result "Acceleration" is now on SoundCloud and YouTube ! I...
