In 1864, Bowman picked up a regular assignment as co-editor with Bret Harte of The Californian newspaper. In 1865, the daily Dramatic Chronicle began publication in San Francisco as a theatre and literary review, under the direction of teenager brothers Charles and Michael de Young. Charles de Young began buying witty articles from Writers such as drinking buddies Twain and Bowman, including a piece written anonymously by Bowman which savaged both the grandiose style of a poetry review in The Californian and the poetry itself, a book by Twain and Bowman's mutual friend Charles Warren Stoddard. The targeted review was one written by Bowman himself. In 1868, The Californian closed, but by then Bowman was editing both the Dramatic Chronicle and the Oakland News. In August 1868, the name Dramatic Chronicle was shortened to Chronicle, and the newspaper given wider latitude in subject matter.
The Overland Monthly began publication in 1868, and Bowman submitted poetry. In 1872, he helped form the Bohemian Club. He served as the club's secretary 1876–1878.
James Bowman was married to Margaret B. Bowman, who "conducted a seminary for young ladies", assisted by her husband who gave lectures in rhetoric and literature. Both husband and wife were very active in forming the men-only Bohemian Club in 1872, along with other journalists and artists such as Bierce, Daniel "Dan" O'Connell, Frederick Whymper and Benoni Irwin, and Margaret Bowman was elected by acclamation to honorary member status at the first formal Bohemian meeting, held in the Bowman home.
Bowman died in 1882, and Ambrose Bierce wrote a moving elegy which was published in the San Francisco Wasp on May 5:
Margaret Bowman died on July 10, 1886, a year after an apoplectic stroke, and her funeral and burial were conducted under the auspices of the Bohemian Club. Four Bohemians served as pallbearers.
