What role does a local bookstore play in shaping the cultural and literary heartbeat of its city? In this episode, William May sits down with Caylee Wilson of Midtown Reader to talk about the power of independent bookstores, the literary scene in Tallahassee, and how poetry connects with readers of all ages.

From building community partnerships to hosting vibrant author events (including William’s upcoming reading at Midtown Reader on September 10th), Caylee shares insights on what keeps a bookstore thriving in today’s world. We also explore Midtown’s unique coffee shop, The Piebrary, the store’s relationship with Florida State University, and what genres resonate most with Tallahassee readers.

This episode will give you a window into the people, passion, and purpose behind Midtown Reader, so don't forget to share!

📅 Book Launch: Sunday, September 10 @ 6PM | Midtown Reader 🎟️ RSVP here: ⁠https://rsvp.link/rn8tU

Check out William May's website: www.williammaywrites.com

Check out Midtown Reader: www.midtownreader.com

🎧 If you enjoyed this episode, share it with your writing crew, leave a review, download, and don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a moment of Argh!

Produced by Denise Marsa & Meggie Dimitrova. Mixed & Mastered by Paul A. Harvey,

(C) 2025 William May. All Rights Reserved.

In this special episode of Argh! Not Another Podcast About Book Publishing, William May welcomes poet, editor, and professor Freesia McKee for a deep dive into the collaborative journey behind his new chapbook, Blaze without Burning.

Together, they explore:

• How they met and why the partnership worked

• The creative and editing process behind the book

• Mentorship, trust, and how feedback helps shape a poet’s voice

• The often-overlooked world of press and publicity in poetry

• Freesia’s own writing process, publishing path, and life as a teacher-writer

Plus, they share reflections on literary community, staying inspired, and what comes next, including details on William’s upcoming book launch event in Brooklyn!

📅 Book Launch: Sunday, July 13 @ 3 PM | Pete’s Candy Store, Brooklyn🎟️ RSVP here: https://rsvp.link/rn8tU

—

🔗 Learn more about Freesia: Freesia McKee writes about gender, genre, history, and place. Her work appears in three chapbooks, City of Honesty (Water's Edge Press), How Distant the City (Headmistress Press) and Hummingbird Vows (Bottlecap Press), as well as The Journal, Fugue, Puerto del Sol, Cleaver, ellipses, Mobius, Stoneboat, Tinderbox Poetry Journal, and elsewhere. Freesia served as the Fall 2022 Poet in Residence at Ripon College. Since 2023, she has served as an Assistant Professor of English at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
Website: https://freesiamckee.com/
How Distant the City: https://freesiamckee.com/publications/how-distant-the-city/
Hummingbird Vows: https://freesiamckee.com/publications/hummingbird-vows/

🔗 More from William: William May, a fourth-generation native of New York’s Greenwich Village, dubbing himself a “Neurodiverse Language Wizard,” began writing poetry when he was 9 years old while a student at The Stephen Gaynor School, a pioneer in special education. There, he received individualized support, allowing him to thrive academically and, eventually, enabling him to attend New York City’s highly competitive Collegiate School. William now also resides in Southern Florida.His work has been featured in SoFloPoJo, Chameleon Chimera: An Anthology of Florida Poets, and The Centifictionist. A graduate of Sarah Lawrence College and the University of North Carolina’s MFA program in creative writing, William shares his work through performances, newsletters, and his podcast, Argh! Not Another Podcast About Book Publishing.
Order Blaze Without Burning: https://williammaywrites.com

📖 Referenced poem:
Passing a Truck Full of Chickens at Night on Highway Eighty by Jane Mead → https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/88762

🎧 If you enjoyed this episode, share it with your writing crew, leave a review, and don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a moment of Argh!

Produced by Denise Marsa & Meggie Dimitrova. Mixed & Mastered by Paul A. Harvey,

(C) 2025 William May. All Rights Reserved.

In this special episode of Argh! Not Another Podcast About Book Publishing, we’re tuning into something a little different: the sound of poetry. Join us as we explore the musical world behind the soon-to-be-released soundtrack for Blaze Without Burning, the debut poetry collection by William May ⁠[Available for Presale!]⁠.

In Part One, Meggie Dimitrova moderates a candid conversation between Denise Marsa and UK-based musician Paul A. Harvey, who not only co-created the 25 original musical compositions for the chapbook but also mixes and masters Argh! Not Another Podcast About Book Publishing.

Together, they unpack the artistic process behind composing the musical companion for William’s poetry, the delight of allowing yourself to listen deeply to the words first or the music first, or read and listen at the same time. A discussion about how to translate emotional nuance into melody and sound. From instruments and moods to artistic inspiration, it's a behind-the-scenes look at what it means to score a collection of words with intention.

In Part Two, Denise reconnects with William May, who shares more about his journey as a poet and student at Sarah Lawrence College and reflects on why music has always been essential to his creative life. They dive into the shared vision that led to the Blaze Without Burning music project—and how the poems almost change the way we read them, and we perceive them, based on the music.

Curious about how poetry can be transformed through music? This episode dives into a one-of-a-kind collaboration that brings both to life.

Tune in, listen between the lines, and don’t forget to preorder your copy of Blaze Without Burning (if you have not already)  to support independent poetry. If you have purchased your book and are waiting for its arrival, thank you!

📚 Order Now: ⁠https://www.finishinglinepress.com/product/blaze-without-burning-by-william-may/⁠ 

🔗 Learn more about William: ⁠www.williammaywrites.com⁠  

🎶 Produced by Denise Marsa & Meggie Dimitrova. Mixed & mastered by Paul A. Harvey.

(C) 2025 William May. All Rights Reserved.

In this exciting episode of Argh! Not Another Podcast About Book Publishing, William May shares the behind-the-scenes journey leading up to the presale campaign for his debut poetry chapbook, Blaze Without Burning (Available Now for Presale!). From the emotional highs and lows of preparing for publication to the strategy of finding the right audience and publisher, William pulls back the curtain on what it takes to bring a deeply personal project to life.

Hear his heartfelt gratitude to Finishing Line Press for their leap of faith, and special thanks to the Marsa Media Group - Denise Marsa, Meggie Dimitrova, and Melissa Nastasi - for their incredible support and guidance in making this dream a reality.

Support independent poetry by preordering your copy of Blaze Without Burning today! Presales are open until April, and every order makes a huge difference. Let's keep the art of poetry alive - one book at a time.

About Blaze without Burning: 

Blaze without Burning, William May’s debut collection, offers readers of poetry a deeply personal, intricately structured exploration of resilience, transformation, and human connection. Scheduled for publication in May 2025 from Finishing Line Press, this chapbook stands out for its innovative approach to form: each poem in the first section is paired with a “twin” poem in the second section, two poems sharing a title but presenting distinct perspectives.    

More than a simple stylistic choice, this twinned structure forms the heart of the chapbook, allowing a thematic and emotional resonance that provides an opportunity for the reader to reinterpret and re-experience what has been presented.    

As in life, nothing in these poems is singular or fixed, but every moment, emotion, and choice communicated within this work has its counterpart.  William May’s Blaze without Burning exemplifies the ways poetry can illuminate, and ultimately connect us all.

Order your copy now: https://www.finishinglinepress.com/product/blaze-without-burning-by-william-may/

Tune in, share the journey, and let’s set the world ablaze - without burning!

If you're curious to learn more about me or explore my other literary endeavors, visit ⁠⁠⁠www.williammaywrites.com⁠⁠⁠. Stay connected by following me on social media for updates.

Produced by Denise Marsa & Meggie Dimitrova. Mixed & mastered by Paul A. Harvey. (C) 2025 William May, All Rights Reserved

Get ready for an amusing exploration of poetry with Episode 8 of Argh!, “Just Talking Poetry”. Join William May, your host, and poet, as he sits down with Denise Marsa, along with Meggie Dimitrova from KeyMedia Public Relations for a lively, candid, and fun conversation about some of the poets we really love. In this episode, we dive into the works of Robert Frost, William Shakespeare, Emily Dickinson, Clare Harner, and Gertrude Stein, and an intro to a poem by the brilliant Gwendolyn Brooks. You’ll also discover fun facts, like the first-ever recorded poem, “Au Claire De La Lune.” Balancing the art of poetry with humor and wit, this episode is both inspiring and entertaining, perfect for poetry enthusiasts and curious listeners alike.
Produced by Denise Marsa & Meggie Dimitrova. Mixed & mastered by Paul A. Harvey. (C) 2024 William May, All rights reserved.
#JustTalkingPoetry #ArghPodcast #PoetryLovers #WilliamMayPoetry

Get ready for a thought-provoking dive into the future of creativity with our latest episode, “AI and Other Concerns for Creatives in the 21st Century”! Join William May, host, and poet, as he sits down with Denise Marsa, a multifaceted musician, songwriter, and producer, for a riveting discussion on how artificial intelligence is reshaping the artistic landscape.

In this episode, William and Denise explore the challenges and opportunities that AI presents to artists today. From the ethical implications of machine-generated art to the creative potentials of AI collaboration, they leave no stone unturned. With their trademark blend of wit and wisdom, they navigate through the complexities, offering insights and anecdotes that are both enlightening and inspiring.

Get ready to question the future of creativity and discover how to harness AI in your artistic journey. Whether you’re a musician, writer, or simply a curious soul, this episode promises to spark your imagination and ignite your passion for the arts.

New music for this episode is brought to you by Canva Music.

Listen Now to Denise Marsa's New Album PIVOTAL.

If you're curious to learn more about me or explore my other literary endeavors, visit ⁠⁠⁠www.williammaywrites.com⁠⁠⁠. Stay connected by following me on social media for updates, and remember, this podcast is made possible by the brilliant minds at ⁠⁠⁠KeyMedia Group⁠⁠⁠.

This podcast is produced by Denise Marsa & Meggie Dimitrova, and mixed & mastered by Paul A. Harvey.

(C) 2024 William May, All rights reserved.

Dive into the poetic depths with Episode 6! Join us for a captivating conversation with the quirky personalities of William May, Denise Marsa, and Meggie Dimitrova discussing the journey into William's manuscript process, where the magic of poetry comes alive.

In this episode, listen as William, Denise, and Meggie share their insights, anecdotes, and witty banter while exploring the intricacies of William's manuscript process. From brainstorming sessions to editing marathons, experience the highs and lows of crafting a collection of 100 poems.

Whether you're an aspiring writer seeking guidance or a poetry enthusiast hungry for behind-the-scenes insights, this episode promises to captivate and inspire.

Tune in, and join us for Episode 6: A Peek Inside William's Manuscript Process. Happy listening!

If you're curious to learn more about me or explore my other literary endeavors, visit ⁠⁠www.williammaywrites.com⁠⁠. Stay connected by following me on social media for updates, and remember, this podcast is made possible by the brilliant minds at ⁠⁠KeyMedia Group⁠⁠.

This podcast is produced by Denise Marsa & Meggie Dimitrova, and mixed & mastered by Paul A. Harvey.

(C) 2024 William May, All rights reserved.

Welcome to episode 5 of Argh! Not Another Podcast About Book Publishing. Today's episode is truly special as I dive into my captivating short story The Monster Was Covered With Spaghetti.

In Part 2, I'll be unraveling the grand finale of the story.

Thank you for tuning in. Until next time, happy listening, and brace yourselves for the monster's grand entrance!

If you're curious to learn more about me or explore my other literary endeavors, visit ⁠www.williammaywrites.com⁠. Stay connected by following me on social media for updates, and remember, this podcast is made possible by the brilliant minds at ⁠KeyMedia Group⁠.

This podcast is produced by Denise Marsa & Meggie Dimitrova, and mixed & mastered by Paul A. Harvey.

(C) 2024 William May, All rights reserved.

Welcome to another episode of Argh! Not Another Podcast About Book Publishing. Today's episode is truly special as I dive into my captivating short story The Monster Was Covered With Spaghetti.

In Part 1, I'll be unraveling the layers of this whimsical tale, where mystery meets humor, and a peculiar monster emerges, covered in spaghetti. The story is bound to keep you on the edge of your seat, awaiting the conclusion in Part 2, set to be released in the next couple of weeks.

Stay tuned for more literary twists, turns, and maybe a few noodle-related surprises. Remember to subscribe and catch the thrilling finale of The Monster Was Covered With Spaghetti.

Thank you for tuning in. Until next time, happy listening, and brace yourselves for the monster's grand entrance in Part 2!

If you're curious to learn more about me or explore my other literary endeavors, visit www.williammaywrites.com. Stay connected by following me on social media for updates, and remember, this podcast is made possible by the brilliant minds at KeyMedia Group.

This podcast is produced by Denise Marsa & Meggie Dimitrova, and mixed & mastered by Paul A. Harvey.

(C) 2024 William May, All rights reserved.

Argh! Podcast Episode 3: Unveiling 2023's Poetry Gems

Welcome to bonus Episode 3! Join host William May as he explores the top-rated poems from his 2023 social media journey. We'll delve into the most engaging recited poems, including "Our Plan Did Not Go Well" and "Deadlines Make Me Anxious."

But that's not all! Get an exclusive peek into William's upcoming venture into Flash Fiction with "Time Travel." Finally, discover a brand-new poem and gain insights into William's creative process.

Don't miss this emotive journey through verse and storytelling on Argh! Episode 3. Tune in for an unforgettable poetic experience!

This podcast is produced by Denise Marsa & Meggie Dimitrova (⁠⁠KeyMedia Group⁠⁠). If you want to learn more about William, please visit his website ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.williammaywrites.com⁠⁠⁠⁠, and follow him on social media:

(C) 2023 William May, All rights Reserved