Argh! Not Another Podcast About Book Publishing
William May
Recent Episodes
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
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🔗 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