Happy National Poetry Month! My new poem Portrait of a Protest is featured in the new international Poetry of Peace anthology, edited by poet Sourav Sarkar.
Official site of poet James Schwartz, author of The Literary Party: Growing Up Gay and Amish in America
Amish Alchemy Interview
Author of the Lambda Literary Award nominated book The Literary Party: Growing Up Gay and Amish in America (2011) James Schwartz is a Detroit based poet whose credits include Motor City Mix (2022) and his latest Alien Buddha Press poetry chapbook Amish Alchemy.
Q: What inspired your new book?
JS: Amish Alchemy was inspired by many things including the juxtiposition of being gay and Amish. There are poems on Amish life, love sonnets, an autobiographical haiku sequence, a one minute horror play, a look at Swiss / French Amish history and illustrations from the Public Domain Image Archive.
Q: Who are your go-to authors?
JS: I love the South Pacific short stories by W. Somerset Maugham and read a lot of books on Kilauea and volcanoes. Willa Cather, Oscar Wilde, James Baldwin, Truman Capote, Paul Bowles and to list more modern authors, Michael Cunningham and Garth Greenwell. I've been reading Dante with Ascend: The Great Books podcast.
Q: How do you stay creative?
JS: Hiking and connecting with both my city and nature. Museums, theater, art, poetry, listening to 90s trance / club music. I recently collaborated with my friend Detroit techno artist Butch Baxter and wrote lyrics for Acceleration (Detroit Mix) which is on all streaming platforms and YouTube! I love Detroit techno so to contribute to the Detroit techno genre was way cool!
Q: Any projects to shout out?
JS: You can find a new poem of mine titled After the Enlightenment (prefaced by a Hemingway quote) in semiosis issue 1 (poetry from poets who express solidarity against the rise of violent authoritarianism) along with poets Robert Kelly, Louis Armand, Dennis Formento, Deborah Tosun Kilday, Jonathan Cant, Marc Olmsted, Larry Goodell, Wang Ping, Ron Whitehead, Strider Marcus Jones, Rita S. Spalding, John Stickney, John Holding, Danny Shot, Richard Modiano, Jay Simpson, Mark Lipman, Eliot Katz, Dan Flore III, R.M. Engelhardt, Randy Barnes, Bernard Pearson, Merritt Waldon, Gabor Gyukics, Terry Wheeler, Dave Boles and Chris Bodor.
'Gay and Amish' Charts on Amazon Gay Poetry Bestseller List!
Congrats to The Literary Party: Growing Up Gay and Amish in America (Kindle, 2011) for reentering the Top 100 Gay Poetry Bestseller list! My Literary debut previously reached #1 in 2011 and in the Top Ten several times over the years.
Alien Buddha Zine #85
Alien Buddha Zine #85 (includes an excerpt from Amish Alchemy) is now available! Read a preview here!
Amish Alchemy Book Review
"James Schwartz congratulations on this book! It was a short read but I found it thought provoking in regards to Amish heritage and politics. Discussion about mental health and the need for resources was insightful and much needed.. like a balm to my heart. Thank you!"
- Mary Byler
"Amish Alchemy" (Alien Buddha Press, 2026) by James Schwartz available in paperback here!
Amish Alchemy Book / Bday Party!
Thank you for your bday wishes! Celebrating with an Amish Alchemy book launch party at The Black Salt Bar (Hamtramck, MI.)!
PARTY PHOTOS!
Each copy of Amish Alchemy included a printed QR code for "Acceleration (Detroit Mix)" my recent collab with Butch Baxter!
Amish Alchemy Now Available! 🌹
Amish Alchemy (Alien Buddha Press) is now available in paperback! Read a preview here.
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.
Diversity Rules Magazine Review
Thank you Diversity Rules Magazine! "Amish Alchemy" drops Wednesday!
Poetry Reading: Ocala Rainbow Gathering 2026
Let the Way of the Heart shine through... Valentines Day poetry reading at #OcalaRainbowGathering2026! Thank you Rainbow family!
semiosis issue #1
I have a new poem titled After the Enlightenment in the literary journal semiosis issue #1, dropping in February!
Post update now available!
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!
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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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Author of the Lambda Literary Award nominated book The Literary Party: Growing Up Gay and Amish in America (2011) James Schwartz is a Detro... -
Congrats to The Literary Party: Growing Up Gay and Amish in America (Kindle, 2011) for reentering the Top 100 Gay Poetry Bestseller list! ... -
Happy National Poetry Month! My new poem Portrait of a Protest is featured in the new international Poetry of Peace anthology, edited by po... -
Alien Buddha Zine #85 (includes an excerpt from Amish Alchemy ) is now available ! Read a preview here !
