Poet William May is expanding the world of his debut chapbook, Blaze Without Burning (Finishing Line Press), with a dynamic and deeply personal audio companion—a collection of 25 original musical compositions written and produced by celebrated artists Denise Marsa and Paul A. Harvey. The soundtrack will be available Friday, June 13, across major streaming platforms. 

Purchase the book via Finishing Line Press: https://www.finishinglinepress.com/product/blaze-without-burning-by-william-may/

Blaze without Burning, William May’s debut collection, offers readers of poetry a deeply personal, intricately structured exploration of resilience, transformation, and human connection. 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.    William May’s Blaze without Burning exemplifies the ways poetry can illuminate and ultimately connect us all.

The audio companion reimagines the chapbook’s structure through a musical “twinning” concept reflecting the twinning concept William May displays in his book: each poem is interpreted with a paired composition—original and “after”—mirroring the emotional arc and thematic tension within the book. The result is a soundscape that fuses ambient instrumentation and sonic narrative, guiding listeners through the book’s raw intimacy and lyrical architecture.

Denise Marsa, founder of Marsa Media and a pioneering voice in creative production, brings her seasoned artistry and producer’s edge to the collaboration. 

Composer and multi-instrumentalist Paul A. Harvey crafts textured layers of guitar, rhythm, and melodic nuance that deepen the listener’s connection to each poem. 

Marsa also represents May through her media company, Marsa Media, handling PR and marketing for his endeavors.  

“This music breathes between the lines,” says May. “It doesn’t just accompany the poems—it expands their meaning and enhances the reader’s experience.”

With 25 short-form compositions, the companion album is both a standalone listening experience and an immersive counterpart to Blaze Without Burning. From acoustic intimacy to electric transformation, the soundtrack honors the emotional pulse and poetic shifts that define May’s celebrated debut.

The Blaze Without Burning audio companion will be released via KeyMedia Group and distributed digitally on Friday, June 13, 2025. Links to all streaming platforms here. 

About the Artists:

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. 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. Find more of his work, links to publications, and social media contact information at WilliamMayWrites.com. 

Denise Marsa is an award-winning singer-songwriter, producer, and founder of Marsa Media.  Known for her work across music, publishing, and creative advocacy, Marsa brings decades of production experience and narrative insight to this collaboration.

Paul A. Harvey is a UK-based composer and musician known for his cinematic guitar compositions and atmospheric sound design. He has written for, toured, and/or recorded with Prefab Sprout, Tom Robinson, and Ellis Beggs & Howard. His work spans solo projects, scoring, and cross-genre collaborations.