The Literary Party Blog

50 Word Story

My short Belle Isle Bard is up at 50 Word Stories!

Alien Buddha Zine #82

This year is almost over! 2 poems (a new poem February Blues and my recent newspoem The Great Louvre Caper) will be included in Alien Buddha Zine #82 (out Jan. 2026)!

"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!

Sharna Eberlein

Cozy Mysteries 🔍

I was asked in an interview once if there was a genre I would like to write that I haven't yet and my answer was a memoir. I still haven't written a memoir but I'm not too pressed as the idea rather bores me at the moment. I would like to answer that question differently however, my answer being a cozy mystery.

The all knowing oracle of knowledge Google defines a cozy mystery thus:

A cozy mystery is a subgenre of crime fiction that features a lighthearted, non-graphic murder mystery, often set in a small town or village. Key characteristics include an amateur sleuth (frequently a woman) who solves the crime using intelligence and intuition, minimal violence or swearing, and a strong focus on the community.

My favorite mystery authors are Rita Mae Brown, Agatha Christie, Emily Brightwell and my friend Sharna Eberlein. We had fun times at Kukuau Studio poetry events and Sundays at The Center for Spiritual Living, during my years in Hawaii!

Growing up I read every Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew and Sherlock Holmes book I could find. I even devoured the Mandie series which are very popular with Amish readers.

I love Dan Brown, Elmore Leonard and thrillers by James W. Hall as well but cozy mysteries just hit different (Every once in a while I'll visit CrimeReads)!

I wouldn't mind trying to write a mystery short story, perhaps, but I'm aware that a longform novel is a lot of work and poetry is my first love.

ICYMI: THE GREAT LOUVRE CAPER

Holiday Haiku!

Ready for Christmas?

SNOWFALL AND STARLIGHT: A Christmas Haiku Anthology (coming out in Dec.) will include several holiday haiku by me!

Also in Dec, my new short story The Golden Age of Trance will be published in The Alien Buddha's Chaos Countdowns 2 sequel anthology of New Years stories!

In late Nov. look for my Dark Academia poem in the Alien Buddha's Arcane Magick anthology!

ICYMI:

Book Announcement!

Breaking literary news! My next poetry book (and first Amish themed collection since 2011) is slated for a 2026 release from Alien Buddha Press!

Michigan Photography

I'm happy to announce my Michigan photography will be published by Great Lakes Review next summer!

Fevers of the Mind: After Lāhainā Noon 🌞

A short poem titled After Lāhainā Noon is up at Fevers of the Mind literary journal today! (Note: Fevers of the Mind is now on hiatus.)

#victober2025

Although I can say that I've read the majority of Wilde I missed Salomé! After adding the book to my Halloween reads I also watched the recent film adaptation which is streaming on Roku. Of course Salomé is brilliant!

The New Verse News: The Great Louvre Caper

My poetic take on what is being called the Heist of the Century: The Great Louvre Caper is today's The New Verse News poem ‐ read it here or here.

Schwartz Family Genealogy 🇨🇭🇫🇷

Several years ago I was interviewed by students at the University of Zurich researching Swiss Amish. I meant to add some genealogy material then but didn't get around to it. I have been working on a mini essay distilling this which is harder than it sounds! Genealogy research is not necessarily an interesting topic but French Anabaptists are rarely mentioned.

Happy Birthday Arthur Rimbaud!

Art Ambassador

I'm honored to be named as an Art Ambassador to The Misfit Amish org!

Consider making a donation here.

• We are grounded in core values such as integrity, compassion, excellence, innovation, collaboration, respect, accountability, service, sustainability, and equity. These principles guide our approach to serving and supporting our community.

• We strongly believe in maintaining a secular foundation to help bridge cultural gaps between the Amish, Mennonite, and other Plain communities and the English world. We welcome all faiths and backgrounds, and believe that wherever you are in life, there are meaningful resources available to support you.

• We strive to be a welcoming and safe place for the LGBTQIA community and all marginalized groups. This includes honoring diverse identities, fostering a sense of belonging, and upholding the values of equity, inclusion, and respect in our actions.

• We recognize the urgent need for anti-racist education and inclusive support, especially for people of color who have been adopted into, joined, or left the Amish and Plain communities.

• We are committed to being a safe, empowering space for people with disabilities. As our understanding of ableism deepens, we strive to amplify the voices and leadership of individuals with lived experiences.