Anyone familiar with the brilliant songs of lesbian singer/songwriter Mary Gauthier won't be at all surprised to learn that she also has an undeniable gift for writing prose. Her first book, Saved By A Song: The Art and Healing Power of Songwriting (St. Martin's Press, 2021), which I would describe as a memoir/manual hybrid, is as personal and revealing as her tunes.
Over the course of 13 songs (11 originals and two by others, including John Prine's "Sam Stone" and John Lennon's "Mother"), Gauthier takes the reader behind the scenes with stories about how the songs came to be, while also delving into the process itself. It's fascinating read for all, songwriters and fans alike. Mary was generous enough to talk to me in advance of the July 6 publication of the book.