A Conversation with Gail Marlene Schwartz, Author of Falling Through the Night

Gail Marlene Schwartz is a relationship artist, musician and dual U.S./Canadian citizen. Gail uses her writing as a way to explore who she is and to connect with others. All of her writing has emotional resonance with her. My favorite line from our interview: "Mess and success can co-exist," she said, as she defined what she believes to be a healthy family, i.e., one whose members are willing to be introspective, create trust and be vulnerable with each other. She strives to become her best version by keeping a focus on her own choices in any situation, asking herself, "What can I do to grow?"

An award-winning author, Gail has penned a new Jewish, queer, coming-of-age novel that fearlessly explores the difficult topics of mental health, suicide and addiction. Inspired by her own journey with anxiety and healing from childhood trauma, “Falling Through the Night” (Demeter Press, Feb. 25, 2024) captures many of the growing pains of young, queer folks as they struggle to find their footing and independence in adulthood, to which much of Gail can deeply relate. In this episode and in her latest book, Gail touches on:

--How the story takes inspiration from Gail’s own relationship with her mother, her personal struggles with anxiety, and the suicide of her childhood best friend

--The ways in which classification and labeling can be helpful and harmful in terms of mental illnesses

--The importance of found family and how the LGBTQ+ community as a whole has redefined what it means to choose your family

--The complex decision to put a child up for adoption or to adopt a child, and the trauma that can come with those decisions

--The representation of Judaism, a faith that Gail shares with her main character

Falling Through the Night is a deeply moving novel aimed to empathetically demonstrate the complexities when healing from trauma while also showcasing the joy and community of queer folks, topics that I think are in alignment with Becoming Your Best Version podcast listeners.

Gail is co-author of the books My Sister’s Girlfriend and The Loudest Bark (Rebel Mountain Press) and co-editor of the forthcoming essay collection, Boyhood Reimagined: Stories of Queer Moms Raising Sons (Motina Books). She is a founding editor of Hotch Potch Literature and Art, a collaborative online magazine, and also a freelance editor, writing coach, and writing instructor at the Community College of Vermont. Gail lives in Montpelier, Vermont with her partner, Erin; she spends every other weekend in Montreal with her ex, who is still her best friend, Lucie, and their teenage son, Alexi. You can read more about Gail, follow her or contact her at: ⁠gailmarleneschwartz.com

Twitter: @GSchwartzauthor

Instagram: @gailmarleneschwartzauthor

Email: gailmarleneschwartz@gmail.com