A poet, slam performer, speaker, and author, James Schwartz is the Lambda Literary Award-nominated author of “The Literary Party: Growing Up Gay and Amish in America,” and a Pushcart Prize nominee whose work has appeared in numerous literary journals. Bold, heartfelt, and impossible to forget, this collection further cements Schwartz as one of Alien Buddha Press’ defining voices.
James Schwartz returns with his seventh book from Alien Buddha Press following acclaimed titles such as Motor City Mix (2022) and Amish Alchemy (2026). The Golden Age of Trance and Other Stories is a fearless collection that explores identity, memory, desire, and the complicated search for belonging. Whether set beneath the flashing lights of Chicago nightlife or the quiet isolation of rural America, these stories pulse with emotional honesty, sharp wit, and unforgettable characters who refuse to fit neatly into anyone else’s expectations. Schwartz writes with compassion for outsiders while never looking away from the contradictions that make them real.
“James has the spirits of many writers flowing through his blood.” — Fevers of the Mind
More information about The Golden Age of Trance and James’ other books is available HERE and at Goodreads.