Happy pub day to Big Island Beatnik: Poetry & Photography from the Lower East Rift Zone (Alien Buddha Press), now available via Amazon!
Read an excerpt here.
Happy pub day to Big Island Beatnik: Poetry & Photography from the Lower East Rift Zone (Alien Buddha Press), now available via Amazon!
Read an excerpt here.
UNBUTTON THE SHIRT SLOWLY / RIVERS
AMISH CHRISTMAS TREE / COFFEE SOUP
GAIA (DUET POEM WITH SETH SPEAKS)
AFTER MAKING LOVE TO EMMANUEL MACRON IN A QUARANTINED PARIS
BRICK/MORTAR / RIVERS / KALAPANA MEDITATION
REVOLUTION & RUST (BOB DYLAN TRIBUTE)
LAST NIGHT A DRAG QUEEN SAVED MY LIFE
MIDWEST AESTHETICS (DUET POEM WITH DAVID L. O'NAN)
THE GREAT AMERICAN AMISH POWER TRIP
WALKING WITH THE ANCESTORS IN DETROIT
IN EVERY DOORWAY / CLUBBING / CABARET DAYS / MIDNIGHT / AFTER HOURS
POGUE (DUET POEM WITH JOSHUA MERCHANT)
LOVE POEM FOR A LOST NIGHT WITH KD LANG ON THE JUKEBOX
NIGHT PORTRAIT OF THE FISHER BUILDING
DARK ACADEMIA (CHARLES BAUDELAIRE CHALLENGE)
ALPINE AIRE / EVERY MORNING / SPIRITUAL TRIPPING IN HAMTRAMCK
Counting down to the May 2 release of my new book Big Island Beatnik!
As a thank you to my readers I'm posting a previously unpublished non-fic poem (Michigan Volcano) here! Happy National Poetry Month!
MICHIGAN VOLCANO
On Michigan's Upper Peninsula
The view from Summit Peak once was
Of molten rivers & steaming fissures
Before time gave formation
To glaciers & Great Lakes
Waterfalls & red sandstone
Sea caves & cliffs
Evidence of volcanic eruptions
The Midcontinent Rift revealed
In water wonderlands, hidden landscapes
Of Pictured Rocks Lakeshore
Porcupine Mountains Wilderness
& the ancient lava flows on
The Keweenaw Peninsula
Still visible in the roadcuts.
Source: "How to explore a billion-year-old volcanic mystery along Lake Superior" by Jacqueline Kehoe
MLive: National Geographic Names Michigan's Upper Peninsula a Volcanic Tourism Destination
My last copy of Some Are and Most Aren't and It's Always Been Like That: Selected Poems 2004-2024 (Alien Buddha Press) at Hazel Perk Cafe!
Poetry Month continues...
"Charming" - Silver Birch Press
I am delighted my new poem Dessert Menu (Paired with a Paperback) has been published via Silver Birch Press blog My Favorite Things series!
"James has a way of bringing words that marry both Amish and the later experiences in life as a non-practicing Amish together. He marries the two off in a unique way that display his own heritage and culture as well as assimilation into dominant culture."
- Mary Byler, Author of Jezebel's Justice: Poetry and prayers for rebellious and disobedient folks
Check back for updates and more reviews
I'm attending Detroit’s Poet Laureate Jessica Care Moore's inaugural address titled “The G.O.A.T City: How Love, Resilience & 17 Syllables Can Amplify the Heart of Our City" to launch National Poetry Month!
I'm happy to have new and recent poetry and photography in Alien Buddha Zine #75 (Milestone Edition) - The 7in5 will drop in June!
My 2014 short story AMISH ROAD TRIP will be featured in the forthcoming Alien Buddha Press SUMMER SUCKS! anthology dropping in May!
Now available! - Alien Buddha's Big Backpack Full of Soup Cans anthology! Includes my recent collab with poet Joshua Merchant!
“And then they have cans of soup. Soup. And they throw the cans of soup. That’s better than a brick because you can’t throw a brick; it’s too heavy. But a can of soup, you can really put some power into that, right? [...] And then, when they get caught, they say, “No, this is soup for my family.” They’re so innocent. “This is soup for my family.” It’s incredible. And you have people coming over with bags of soup — big bags of soup. And they lay it on the ground, and the anarchists take it and they start throwing it at our cops, at our police. And if it hits you, that’s worse than a brick because that’s got force. It’s the perfect size. It’s, like, made perfect.”
-- tRump
The Alien Buddha's Big Backpack Full of Soup Cans: Soup For Our Families (Malcontent Poems)
Alien Buddha Press exhibits a fearless collection of poetry that amplifies voices of the displaced, the rebellious, and the grieving. The Alien Buddha’s Big Backpack Full of Soup Cans (Soup for Our Families): Malcontent Poems is an anthology of resistance, sorrow, and persistence, featuring 34 poets from across this burning planet, challenging the cruelties of the world we live in with turbulent honesty.
This collection is a scream against injustice, a meditation on the sacred and the profane, a remembrance of those we’ve lost, and a witness to the strength of those who survived.
Merry Christmas! The decorations in Detroit are beautiful and oh look the former house of Mark Twain's daughter where he stayed at and even wrote!
Happy Holidays! Join me for a special Christmas poetry reading 12.22 at Eat the Storms podcast!
Dear Readers,
Happy autumn! Thank you to everyone who purchased a copy of my book Selected Poems 2004-2024 and came out for my Detroit readings this past summer - I'm truly grateful and honored by your support.
October is #libraryappreciationmonth so I would like to thank Detroit library for housing a copy of my book which can be checked out via the interlibrary loan by any Michigan branch, FYI.
Some Are and Most Aren't and It's Always Been Like That: Selected Poems 2004-2024 (Alien Buddha Press)
Eccentric Orbits 5 anthology (Dimensionfold Publishing)
Eccentric Orbits 5 is now available via Amazon!
Science fiction poetry holds a special place in our cultural landscape. It invites us to stretch the boundaries of our imaginations, offering glimpses into worlds that are both different from our own and yet relatable through today's values. The genre of speculative fiction pushes the limits of possibility, allowing us to explore diverse societies and realities.
The poems in this anthology weave complex ethical and moral dilemmas. They tackle themes like the impact of technology on our lives, the potential dangers of AI, and the consequences of unchecked scientific progress. These verses remind us that our choices shape the future and challenge us to think about the kind of world we want to build for ourselves and future generations.
In this collection, you'll find a rich mix of voices from all corners of the globe and different cultures. Included are some of the finest poets in the speculative community, as well as a few newcomers making their debut. I hope their words intrigue you and open your mind to new possibilities, both fantastical and futuristic.
So many writers have shaped or inspired me but none more so than Truman Capote! Read his short stories and travel writings! ♥️ Happy 100! #capote100 #trumancapote
Eccentric Orbits (Dimensionfold Publishing, available soon via Amazon) is an anthology of Science Fiction poetry highlighting sci-fi poets from around the globe, celebrating the diversity and unity of the poetic form.
(Includes my Night Portrait of Kalapana)
Featuring:
Angela Acosta
Andrew Burton
Stewart C Baker
Stephanie Barr
Catherine Brogdon
Kayla-Jane Barrie
Erin J. Bauman
Peter Cashorali
Christopher Collingwood
Jennifer Crow
Thomas Easton
Gary Every
Paul A. Freeman
Lee Garratt
Robin Rose Graves
Ken Goudsward
Alex Hernandez
Rikki Holland
Juleigh Howard-Hobson
Michael Hoffman
Deborah L. Kelly
Ngo Binh Anh Khoa
Deborah P Kolodji
Peter J. King
Blaise Langlois
Gerri Leen
Tumelo Michael Magadlela
Kyle A. Massa
Jennifer Moraca
William Mullins
Kimberly Nugent
Aminath Neena
Chrome Oxide
Michelle Oucharek-Deo
Juan Perez
Fiona Perry
Nick Romeo
Ryfkah
James Schwartz
Fariel Shafee
Joshua St. Claire
Rex Sweeny
R.C. Thomas
G.M.H. Thompson
Mary Turzillo
Rehka Valliappan
Thomas Van Horn
Mike Van Horn
Wendy Van Camp
Lynn White
Pooja Arshanapally
Allen Ashley
January Bain
Robert Beveridge
Dan Brook
Faruk Buzhala
Dale Champlin
Linda M. Crate
Binod Dawadi
Billie Dee
Melissa Ridley Elmes
Kendall Evans
Mark A. Fisher
Erik Garske
Jean-Paul L. Garnier
John Grey
Fin Hall
Bradley Earle Hoge
Akua Lezli Hope
Jane Jago
Erin Jamieson
Alshaad Kara
David C. Kopaska-Merkel
Goran Lowie
R. C. Larlham
Richard Magahiz
Jack Massa
Mike McCormick
Michele Mekel
Gerald D. Nordley
Allene Nichols
Roxana Negut
Ramona Ridgewell
Negut Roxana
RK Rugg
Adriana Rocha
Joshua St. Claire
J. J. Steinfeld
Fabrice Stephan
Justin Sloane
Sean Stubblefield
Lisa Timpf
Liz Tuckwell
DJ Tyrer
Lamont Turner
Yulia Vereta
TD Walker
Ruth E. Walker
Ella Walsworth-Bell
M. Weigel
Jeff Young
“Fabulous science fiction poetry and scifaiku by a very talented international group of poets. There’s robots, there’s aliens, there’s intergalactic war, there’s the eternal quest for peace, there’s love found and love lost. Underneath it all, is the quest, the truth, and the realization of humanity.” – from the editor
The highlight of 2024 is the publication of my "greatest hits" collection "Some Are and Most Aren't and It's Always Been Like That (Selected Poems 2004-2024)" from Alien Buddha Press!
Thank you for sharing this journey with me!
*
James Schwartz's collection of selected poems, "Some Are and Most Aren't and It's Always Been Like That," offers readers a compelling journey through the intersections of identity, society, and personal experience. Spanning two decades of poetic exploration from 2004 to 2024, Schwartz's work delves into themes of LGBTQ+ identity, cultural heritage, societal norms, and the human condition with a raw and unflinching honesty.
One of the most striking aspects of Schwartz's poetry is his ability to blend personal narratives with broader social commentary seamlessly. Through his keen observation and introspection, he crafts verses that resonate deeply with readers, inviting them to reflect on their own lives and the world around them.
The collection showcases Schwartz's versatility as a poet, ranging from poignant reflections on his Amish upbringing to powerful expressions of queer pride and resilience. His use of imagery and metaphor creates vivid landscapes that transport readers to the heart of his experiences, whether he's navigating the complexities of love and relationships or grappling with societal injustices.
In addition to his thematic depth, Schwartz's poetic craftsmanship shines through in his attention to language and form. Each poem is meticulously crafted, with every word and line contributing to the overall impact of the piece. From free verse to structured forms, Schwartz demonstrates a mastery of poetic technique that enhances the emotional resonance of his work.
SOME ARE AND MOST AREN'T AND IT'S ALWAYS BEEN LIKE THAT: SELECTED POEMS 2004-2024 by JamesSchwartz (Alien Buddha Press)
2 POEM EXCERPT via Fevers of the Mind
James Schwartz's collection of selected poems, "Some Are and Most Aren't and It's Always Been Like That," offers readers a compelling journey through the intersections of identity, society, and personal experience. Spanning two decades of poetic exploration from 2004 to 2024, Schwartz's work delves into themes of LGBTQ+ identity, cultural heritage, societal norms, and the human condition with a raw and unflinching honesty.
One of the most striking aspects of Schwartz's poetry is his ability to blend personal narratives with broader social commentary seamlessly. Through his keen observation and introspection, he crafts verses that resonate deeply with readers, inviting them to reflect on their own lives and the world around them.
The collection showcases Schwartz's versatility as a poet, ranging from poignant reflections on his Amish upbringing to powerful expressions of queer pride and resilience. His use of imagery and metaphor creates vivid landscapes that transport readers to the heart of his experiences, whether he's navigating the complexities of love and relationships or grappling with societal injustices.
In addition to his thematic depth, Schwartz's poetic craftsmanship shines through in his attention to language and form. Each poem is meticulously crafted, with every word and line contributing to the overall impact of the piece. From free verse to structured forms, Schwartz demonstrates a mastery of poetic technique that enhances the emotional resonance of his work.
An open letter from the Old Order Amish Church.
Could this be leading to either a mass exodus of Old Order Amish churches and/or a church split?
Amish Book Society 2024 - The Misfit Amish blog breaks down what this all means.
They're Conspiring Against the Alien Buddha Too a conspiracy themed anthology (including my recent poem Birds) dropping July 4th from Alien Buddha Press!
Eat The Storms Pride Poetry podcast drops Friday! I'll be reading from my latest book, Some Are and Most Aren't and It's Always Been Like That: Selected Poems 2004-2024 (Alien Buddha Press)!
A 2 poem excerpt and short Q & A is up today at Fevers of the Mind!
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...