* * * * *

As a respected poet, writer and author on the Philadelphia spoken word scene, BILL HOLMES has touched many souls through his creative endeavors by striving towards excellence in everything he does. His performances have captivated many audiences through his unique style of humor, insight, spirituality, pride, and most importantly, love and appreciation of a woman. His work has been featured in The Philadelphia Tribune, Essence Magazine, the spoken word CD Urban Assault, and the anthology Mine Eyes Have Seen Into the Millennium. Holmes' debut novel, One Love, is now available!

Straight From My Heart, Bill's poetry debut under Poetry Press, will be released April 1, 2007!

MICHAEL J. BURT is a native of Washington, DC, and the author of Experience Is Impossible Without a Chance and Love Changes. Burt has opened for poet Nikki Giovanni and Def Poet J. Ivy. He is a contributor to multiple thought-provoking African American-experience books including Not In My Family: AIDS in the African American Community, featuring writings by Patti LaBelle, Mo’Nique, Hill Harper, Al Sharpton, and many more, as well as a featured poet in ESSENCE Magazine. Visit Michael J. Burt online at www.mjburtpoetry.com or www.myspace.com/poetmjb.