Meet Michael Gaulden | Author

We had the good fortune of connecting with Michael Gaulden and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Michael, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I was born and mostly raised in San Diego, CA. However, in my adolescence, I traveled across the country in what I coined was my own underground railroad. From seven to seventeen I grew up homeless or unhoused; no personal preference for both words evoke the same triggering memories. The underside of society is a melting pot of diversity. Homelessness is not prejudiced, homelessness will infect lives without discretion. Many of us are exposed to tragedy and anguish young. In most cases, the cry of the voiceless only echo in unknown memories. I experienced and witness many injustices that I made the decision to work my way out of. I understood a successful path would be longer than most for I had to travel from farther down in life. In my adulthood, I observed enough impoverished youth who also did not understand what was happening to them or a replicable means to escape it.

My debut memoir was my family’s story and the story of others we encountered along the way. A blueprint to depict where to eat, how to survive and the tools to stabilize from homelessness. And for those who were fortunate enough to not experience that great plague, to know empathy and understanding. With the continuous increase of community members asking how to explain homelessness to their inquisitive children, the thought process behind my next project was born. I wrote my debut picture book to create understanding for early readers in an honest but hopeful way. In both of these projects, I strive for my words to spread light, wisdom and hope to reach the young person who sits in the unfair seat I once did. I wish for them to know that their life’s trajectory is up to them. To them I would give these words, “list your goals but also your obstacles, in grim situations focus on rejuvenating your mind and body and use unrelenting hard work to compete against the odds. My friend, from where you sit, I cannot direct toward an easy journey. But I can point you toward upward mobility.”

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I started writing short stories and poems in elementary. In middle and high school, I would handwrite tales cover to cover in three subject notebooks. I’d consider that the launch point for an author’s life for sure. I’ve definitely had my fair share of obstacles. Growing up unhoused for ten years, I spent a lot of time in libraries which incubated my love for books.

The hardest thing I’d ever done was overcome homelessness. The second hardest endeavor I’ve done was writing about homelessness in my debut memoir, My way Home. 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 weave an escape map to the homeless who sit were I once did.

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. This produced my debut picture book, “Hello, Neighbor!”

I also enjoy writing fiction and although the stories may change, there will always be an undertone of societal reflection.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
San Diego, CA is arguably “America’s Finest City.” Famous attractions such as the zoo and beaches are a must. But be sure to experience the excitement of Liberty Station, the historic Old Town and the iconic Gaslamp Quarter of downtown.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
As always, to my mother, who kept my spirt lit through a rain of homelessness. Cheers, mom!

Website: michaelgaulden.com

Instagram: @michaelbgaulden

Facebook: @michaelgaulden

Youtube: @michaelgaulden

Other: https://www.amazon.com/Hello-Neighbor-Michael-Gaulden/dp/1947966693/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.j4kkC_AfKgOuh7WJKeOX0_ILaVKpQGiCUc5T1NkXbr4.3PMcN7zTXwMMxQb_nVzEZXsAxQLLXRW4Jk31bW5Apkc&qid=1711835605&sr=1-1 https://www.amazon.com/My-Way-Home-Growing-Homeless/dp/1937178943/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2GQTBDPCIHITA&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.VvTO_xRPn64yrA2_H8A7mgpe7WTcYhKPTU2W443004fyJmSpyFdD-jxiPf61qcJERKRDcOco-l656A7vsZzxK7giGbPh9TEih17cR9TuuQw.Jk8nXBRkyrMdlI7GsUngJOmhkMDsISzM9CWQZJJxpNg&dib_tag=se&keywords=michael+gaulden&qid=1711835528&sprefix=michael+ga%2Caps%2C534&sr=8-2