The Literary Party Blog: poetry

Showing posts with label poetry. Show all posts

"Environmental Anthology" Now Available!

Several poems of mine appear in the Environmental Anthology, now available!

"World Poetry 2026 Anthology" Now Available!

WORLD POETRY 2026 ANTHOLOGY includes my poem East / West Symphony, now available!

New & Forthcoming Releases! 📚

I've been stretching my creativity in new ways from playwright to Detroit techno songwriter!

This year readers can expect several new projects:

Poetry in a Sourav Sarkar anthology!

A new short story next month!

Photography in The Great Lakes Review later this summer!

A new non-fiction essay in IN THE ALIEN BUDDHA'S DREAMS anthology, out in Sept!

ICYMI, POEMS (with Sourav Sarkar) is now available!

2 New Anthologies!

The sequel anthology Great American Poets 2 is now available - Includes my poem City of Refuge! Also the new A Glimpse of Nature Anthology includes my poem Michigan Volcano!

"Poems" with Sourav Sarkar Now Available!

Poems (with Sourav Sarkar) is now available! Our collaborative book (edited and published by Sourav Sarkar) features a selection of my Hawaii / volcano / travel poetry!

For National Poetry Month I'm posting this previously unpublished historical trivia tidbit in poetic form, Wilde in Detroit which I wrote in 2025. Oscar Wilde was in Detroit on February 17, 1882 to deliver his lecture on the Decorative Arts at the Music Hall.

Walking downtown Detroit,

Dreaming over history,

Wild to think of Wilde,

On February 17, 1882,

On Fort street,

Or Lafayette,

His feet,

Encased in,

Buckle &

Rosette slippers,

Per the Detroit Free Press,

Noting he kept,

His audience

"Waiting until

Doomsday."

'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 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.

Amish Alchemy Goodreads page

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

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!

FREE PRINTABLE BOOKMARK!

Spiritual Tripping in Hamtramck VIDEO 🍄

Spiritual Tripping in Hamtramck

Poetry reading from Big Island Beatnik, 12-6-25

Psychedelic Shack (Detroit, MI.)

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!