Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Gaulden.
Hi Michael, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
Growing up unhoused, I spent a lot of time in libraries, which incubated my love for books. My debut memoir, my way home, chronicles growing up homeless in the inner city from ages 7 – 17. My disabled mother did her best to provide for my sister and I, but life at times can be unfortunate. However, she instilled in us the importance of education and the desire to be life-learners.
The homeless community is layered, comprised of different and complex individuals. There are many misconceptions about unhoused, and the adolescent have a lot of questions. Lived experience and advocacy have equipped me with information that provides answers.
And for the youth who wonder how a neighbor can be in such need, I seek to enlighten.
For the young person who finds themselves homeless and/or feeling lonely, I strive to reach them. I seek to show them a way out.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I’ve definitely had my fair share of obstacles. The hardest thing I’d ever done was overcome homelessness. The second hardest endeavor I’ve done was writing about homelessness. Through my stories, I hope to show a new world of homelessness, the realm us advocates on the ground can see. Through my words, I hope to leave a blueprint to the homeless who sit where I once did.
To my writers, this journey is a marathon. It is hard and treacherous. We all must keep going keep telling the tales in our hearts. I truly believe there is no greater means of introspection and honest reflections than storytelling.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am an author. It wasn’t the hottest thing to be growing up in the inner city, but I chose to stick with it. I enjoy being able to educate the youth through hopeful storytelling and imagery. I seek for the next generation to blossom with compassionate equity value and to be the hands of change.
I have a published memoir entitled, “My Way Home: Growing Up Homeless in America.”
“Hello, Neighbor!” is my debut picture book and second book! I’m very thrilled and ecstatic to share it, ’twas was a long road. I love cats, and I’m glad to share my passion for homeless outreach and my love of cats with the world and hopefully help make an impact in someone’s life.
In my work, I identify a societal need that my lived experience and education equips me with knowledge in and then share my wisdom on the subject matter. Through a story. My memoir chronicles my journey. With my picture book, I am happy to simply depict the complexity of homelessness through characters I created.
I am also a public speaker and love motivationally speaking at conferences and community organizations.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
The art of storytelling has been around as long as mankind has. Books will surely continue to intertwine with the technology of today, but there will always be some of us who will love the book in our hand and the smell (he-he). Either way, you can’t go wrong, and industry is strong. I love to see stories told, no matter the format, and can’t wait to see news innovative ways to tell them.
Pricing:
- Hello, Neighbor! – $19.95
- My Way Home – $16.95
- Ebooks available
Contact Info:
- Website: michaelgaulden.com
- Instagram: @michaelbgaulden
- Facebook: @michaelbgaulden
- Other: https://a.co/d/iY7E89f
