William May’s "Blaze Without Burning" Comes Alive in Sound

Poet William May is expanding the creative universe of his debut chapbook, Blaze Without Burning (Finishing Line Press), with the release of a deeply resonant and personal audio companion—a 25-track collection of original compositions crafted by acclaimed artists Denise Marsa and Paul A. Harvey. The project, set for release on Friday, June 13, 2025, across all major streaming platforms via KeyMedia Group, offers a wholly immersive experience for poetry lovers and music enthusiasts alike.

Purchase "Blaze Without Burning"

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

Blaze Without Burning is already a standout debut in the world of contemporary poetry. With its elegant structure and rich emotional layers, the chapbook explores the complexities of resilience, transformation, and the enduring search for connection. May’s innovative poetic form is central to the collection’s power: each poem in the first section is mirrored by a “twin” poem in the second section. Though these paired poems share titles, they diverge in voice, tone, or focus—often casting light on alternate facets of a singular experience. It’s a stylistic decision that invites readers to consider how perspective shapes meaning, and how identity can be both fixed and fluid.

The newly released audio companion continues and deepens that artistic dialogue by interpreting each poetic pair through music. Instead of simply scoring the poems, the album reflects the book’s structure through a kind of musical “twinning.” Each composition is presented in two movements: an original piece and an “after” piece, echoing the thematic and emotional shifts found in the written word. This approach creates a dynamic sonic architecture that mirrors the book’s introspective rhythms and emotional contours.

Composed and produced in collaboration with Denise Marsa and Paul A. Harvey, the album doesn’t seek to simplify the poems or serve as a traditional soundtrack. Instead, it acts as an extension of May’s lyrical world, inviting the listener to journey through layers of feeling, reflection, and revelation. The result is a moving, multidimensional interpretation of May’s poetic vision—music that offers both companionship and contrast.

Marsa, a trailblazing producer and founder of Marsa Media, is known for her sharp instincts and genre-spanning career in the arts. Her role in this project is both creative and strategic. Not only does she co-produce the album with May and Harvey, she also manages May’s publicity and promotion through her company. Her contributions reflect a deep commitment to championing voices that break boundaries and tell stories in fresh, compelling ways.

On the musical side, Paul A. Harvey brings a distinct and emotionally charged sensibility to the compositions. A British composer and multi-instrumentalist with a cinematic touch, Harvey builds atmospheric textures that thread each poem with sound, mood, and space. His intuitive arrangements move effortlessly between delicate acoustic moments and expansive, layered soundscapes, offering a broad emotional palette that mirrors May’s introspective prose.

The resulting album is both a standalone musical experience and a richly layered companion to the chapbook. Each track invites the listener to feel the pulse of the poetry in a new way—whether through haunting guitar motifs, ambient textures, or subtly shifting melodies. The music doesn’t just accompany the text; it expands it. As May puts it, “This music breathes between the lines. It doesn’t just accompany the poems—it expands their meaning and enhances the reader’s experience.”

Blaze Without Burning—both the chapbook and its audio companion—represents a new model for interdisciplinary storytelling. By pairing deeply personal poetry with carefully crafted compositions, May and his collaborators offer audiences a way to connect with language and emotion on multiple sensory levels.

About the Artists:

William May, a fourth-generation native of New York’s Greenwich Village, refers to himself as a “Neurodiverse Language Wizard.” He began writing poetry at the age of nine while attending The Stephen Gaynor School, which specializes in individualized education. That foundation allowed him to thrive, eventually graduating from the Collegiate School, Sarah Lawrence College, and the University of North Carolina’s MFA program in creative writing. His poetry has appeared in SoFloPoJo, Chameleon Chimera: An Anthology of Florida Poets, and The Centifictionist. May continues to share his writing through readings, newsletters, and his podcast, Argh! Not Another Podcast About Book Publishing. More information can be found at WilliamMayWrites.com.

Listen to the audio companion here:

https://open.spotify.com/album/7k7lQ6J0HYL5HOKBT2U72n?referral=labelaffiliate&utm_source=1100lAtDTV6S&utm_medium=Indie_Distrokid&utm_campaign=labelaffiliate

Denise Marsa is an award-winning singer-songwriter and producer with a career spanning multiple decades and disciplines. Through Marsa Media, she develops and promotes creative talent, providing a platform for unique and impactful voices.

Paul A. Harvey is a UK-based composer and multi-instrumentalist celebrated for his lush, cinematic sound. He has toured or recorded with artists such as Prefab Sprout, Tom Robinson, and Ellis Beggs & Howard, and his cross-genre collaborations continue to blur the lines between music, mood, and storytelling.

Together, this trio has crafted a project that’s more than just poetry or music—it’s an experience in emotional resonance, creative innovation, and human connection.