Carolyn Adams has been active in the literary and visual art communities in Austin, Texas and her native Houston since 1988. Her poetry, fiction, art, and photography have been published or will soon appear in Conspire, Pedestal Magazine, Pierian Springs, Small Spiral Notebook, Taj Mahal Review, Avatar Review, The Lucid Stone, RiverSedge, Poetry Midwest, Branches Quarterly, Sulphur River Literary Review, and Alsop Review, among others. Her collage art 
has been exhibited in local galleries and her poetry has won awards in national contests sponsored by The New Press Literary Quarterly, and Zuzu's Petals Quarterly. She currently co-edits and co-publishes Curbside Review.

Jim Amos is a web designer living in northern Ohio. Originally from England, he is now living the American dream (whatever that is) with his wife, who also happens to be his best friend. He has been published in Pierian Springs, Snow Monkey Press, Ultimate Hallucination and Clean Sheets.

Corrie Ancone writes: "Drawing my inspiration from mythology and nature, my creativity stems from my lust for finding and exploring sympathies between the human body and natural textures. Using the technique of sandwiching stills, where colours and textures collide, I create new visual and emotional dimensions, often painterly and surreal. Abstract landscapes and a pantheon of contemporary mythological beings, charged with sensuality and tinged with more than a hint of eroticism. I studied at the St. Australian School of Art for a Diploma of Fine Arts, and have been exhibiting my work regularly since 1971. I began exhibiting as a painter and moved to the medium of photography in 1977. I have been freelancing now, for over 20 years as a professional photographer in the arts, music, documentary, film, and in some corporate areas here in Sydney, Australia.

Arlene Ang lives in Venice, Italy as a freelance translator and web designer. She is also the editor of the Italian Niederngasse. Her poetry has recently appeared in Poet's Canvas, Fables, Tryst, The Green Tricycle and October Moon.

T.E. Ballard is a professional artist and writer living in the Midwest with her two young daughters. She has been nominated for two Pushcarts; "Seal Island" won second place in the AAUW, American Association of University Women; and, "What I Leave" was a Special Merit Winner in the 2002 Muriel Craft Bailey Memorial Award sponsored by The Comstock Review. Her poem, "Revelation" was cited as one of the best poems in five years by Melic Review. You may find more of her work in The Drunken Boat, The Paumanok Review, The Melic Review, Mandrake Press, Tryst, Three Candles, Gumball Poetry, The Poet's Canvas, Red River Review, Verse Libre and Snow Monkey. She is currently working on her first book of poetry.

T. Birch is 46 years old. Currently disabled, she formerly was an attorney. Married with 2 kids, 1 dog and far too much snow in her life. She's been addicted to poetry since June, 2001.

Gary Blankenship is a retired financial manager whose avocation is writing poetry. His work has appeared in several zines and a few paper mags in the USA and other countries. He edits the poetry pages of Writer's Hood and his home pages at Gardawg. He wonders if he is an editor with a poet rattling around inside or a poet with an editor trying to get out. He has taught, moderated, judged and otherwise likely screwed up his brother and sister poets.

Greg Braquet exists in New Orleans, but like most poets lives in a world of his own making. He describes himself as a young poet in an old container. Greg is married and has three children — Four, if you count his hyperactive muse. His poetry has appeared in such publications as The New Laurel Review, THEMA, The Tap Root Review, Lucid Stone, Desire Street, Sour Grapes, Pedestal Magazine, Pierian Springs, Tryst, Side Reality, Delirium, Junket Review, etc.

Janet Buck is a six-time Pushcart Nominee and the author of four collections of poetry. Her work has recently appeared in Three Candles, Red River Review, Pierian Springs, Stirring, PoetryBay, Poetry Magazine, The American Muse, and hundreds of journals world-wide. In 2002-2003 Buck's poetry and essays are scheduled to appear in Zuzu's Petals Quarterly, Mississippi Review, Artemis, Offcourse, The Montserrat Review, Recursive Angel, The Foliate Oak, Southern Ocean Review, The Pedestal Magazine, Coelacanth, Cordite, CrossConnect, and The Oklahoma Review. 

John Carton is a photographer living in New England. He's written poetry for the past 15 years and has finally decided that his words are beginning to approach the starkness and simplicity of his photographic vision.

Sharon Rothenfluch Cooper has been published in 'lingerings', The Words of a Woman Net Society, Horsethief Journal, Wired Arts from Wired Hearts, Painted Poet Literary and Art Journal, Fluid Ink Press, Ophelia's Muse, Stride Magazine, Poetry Magazine, Vinland Journal, Poetry Niederngasse, Arcanum Cafe, Some Words, Poetic Reflections, Wilmington Blues, In The Eyes Of The Wild, Rustlings Of The Wind, Westlovian Gazette, Erosha Literary Journal, Tamafyhr Mountain Poetry, Creations Journal, Emerging from Twilight - Vol. 2. and Before the Last Shadow Fades, Vol. 3, both A Shadow Poetry Collection, Panda Poetry Magazine, MiPo Battle Stars', Providers in Partnership for Kids, Swan Dive, Wicked Alice, Verse Libre, La Rosa Blanca, Scope Journal, Haiku Hut, WRITE ON!!, Book of Remembrance Poetry Anthology, Vol. 2, Muse Whispers, The Green Fuse, Peshekee River Poetry, The Circle of Addiction, Sound and Silence Magazine, Sol Magazine, Australian Poetic Society, Poetic Voices and many others.

Helyn Davenport expands on her 25 years of award winning photography to include digital manipulation of her work. Combining years of dedication to promoting the industry, the appreciation of the arts, and leadership to art-related societies, Helyn delves into the virtual 
world of the Internet. She is a member of the International Association of Digital Fine Art Printers and the Photography Jury for the Master of 2002 Annual Art Award at BTDesign Art Gallery. She serves as President of Pixiport.

Marisa D'Vari, author of Script Magic and the new book Media Magic: Profit and Promote with a Talk Show Host's Secrets, is a former Hollywood executive. She helps executives and entrepreneurs get new clients and enhance their image through media positioning and 
presentation skills. To engage her to speak to your company or to get an autographed copy of her book, email her at mdvari@deg.com or visit http://www.deg.com.

Apryl Fox has been published or has work forthcoming in the following magazines: Tryst, Snow Monkey Press, Locust Magazine, Erete's Bloom, Muse Apprentice Guild, Laughing Dog, The Blue Fifth Review, Offcourse Magazine, Ariga, Megaera Magazine, and Word Riot. She lives in Michigan where she is currently working on three novels.

Rich Furman, PhD is an assistant professor in the School of Social Work at Colorado State University. His poetry has been published or is soon to be published in: Red Rock Review, Colere, Pearl, Hawaii Review, Black Bear Review, The Journal of Poetry Therapy, Poetry Motel, Penn Review, and well over 100 poems in nearly 100 literary journals. His work has been described as neither street nor beat nor meat nor academic, but an emotionally evocative mix of styles that can be brutally imagistic or powerfully terse. His scholarly writing is concerned with social work ethics, international social work, friendship, social work theory and social work practice. He teaches group and practice courses in the BSW and MSW programs. 

Bren Gentry currently lives in the Midwest with her husband and two daughters. She's had poems published online at Tryst, Amaze the Cinquain, journal, The Writers Hood, Short Stuff and soon in the June issue of Niederngasse. 

Jan Zahler Lebow is an L.A.-based freelance journalist, poet and novelist. Her work has appeared in the Los Angeles Times, the Daily News, The Beat, SunJet Magazine, Tryst, Green Tricycle and WritersHood. Her novel, "Calaveras," resides in a drawer in Ms. Lebow's study.

S.L.Lee was awarded the first prize in the University's Creative Writing Competition (Prose/2002). He is from Singapore and is currently a student in the university majoring in Philosophy and English Literature. He writes in the belief (and hope) that literary works would still be and always be relevant in the centuries to come.

Gary Lehmann teaches short story writing and poetry at Writers & Books in Rochester, NY, the Rochester Institute of Technology, and has been the Writer in Residence at Roberts Wesleyan College. His poetry and short stories are widely published -- about 60 pieces a year. He is the director of the Athenaeum Poetry group. When not writing or teaching, he works on becoming an amateur cabinetmaker.

Chad Lilly [Pending].

Duane Locke, Doctor of Philosophy in English Renaissance literature, Professor Emeritus of the Humanities, was Poet in Residence at the University of Tampa for over 20 years. Has had over 2,000 of his own poems published in over 500 print magazines such as American Poetry Review, Nation, Literary Quarterly, Black Moon, and Bitter Oleander. Is author of 14 print books of poems, the latest print book is WATCHING WISTERIA ( to order write Vida 
Publishing, P.O. Box 12665, Lake, Park, FL. 33405-0665, or Amazon or Barnes and Noble). Since September 1999, he became a cyber poet and started submitting on-line, and has added to his over 2,000 print acceptances with 2,640 acceptances by e zines. 360 more to 
reach having over 5,000 poems published.

Summer Lopez writes "when I am not writing poetry or traveling, I am a consultant for non-governmental organizations in Ghana. I grew up in Southern California and graduated from Harvard in 1999 with a degree in English and American Literature. I taught in Cairo, Egypt for 3 years after graduation and moved to Accra, Ghana last year to work in the field of women's health and girls' education."

Melanie McConnell is a writer living in a small Florida beachside town with her personal performance artist, Misha the cat. Tryst was one of my early discoveries after I was introduced to the world of internet poetry. I have published a book review in the Alsop Review and poetry in Tryst! I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Florida International University. I am a former social worker. My current interest is in an engineer I call Billbert.

Jim McCurry currently resides in Galesburg, Illinois. He received his M.A. in creative writing from Colorado State Univ. Recent publications include Annetna Nepo, Muse Apprentice Guild and Rio. Other publications in Alba, Big City Lit, Cyber Oasis, Drought, Eleven Bulls, Fish Drum, Identity Theory, Tryst, Niederngasse, Poets Against the War, Snow Monkey Press, Zacatecas Review and Zuzu's Petals Quarterly. Earlier credits include Quarterly West and Writer's Forum (Gerard Manley Hopkins Prize, 1999). He's taught at Carl Sandburg College in philosophy and poetry since 1980, and has a PhD from the University of Denver.

Chris Major writes I am 40 and live in Staffordshire, England. Married with two children I work as a support worker for people who suffer with mental illness and learning disabilities. I tend to
write about 'real' issues, 'Splat' is unfortunately one of these issues. My work has appeared widely in the UK print press, and also online at amongst others: STIRRING,3RD MUSE,POETIC VOICES, SNAKESKIN, PULSE, APPLES & ORANGES,POETRY KIT,POETRY MAG.com. etc.

Rochelle Mass is the author of three collections of poetry: Aftertaste (Ride the Wind Press), Where's My Home? (Premier Poets Series); and, her third collection, The Startled Land published by Wind River Press and is available on her website. Her poetry and prose have appeared in numerous publications, including London Magazine, Women's Studies Quarterly, The Jerusalem Review, The Tel Aviv Review, ARC, Canadian Literature, Midstream, Taproot Literary Review, Kimera, Ariga, Gaspareau Review, Ygradsil, and others. 

J.B. Mulligan is married, with three grown children, poems and stories in dozens of magazines, including recently, Outpost Entropy, Curbside Review, Steel Point Quarterly, White Pelican 
Review, Bayou and Numbat, as well as two chapbooks: The Stations of the Cross and THIS WAY TO THE EGRESS (Samisdat Press).

Laurence Overmire is an American actor/director/writer who has worked on stage, film and television. His poetry has been widely published in the U.S. and abroad, including Kimera, Main Street Rag Poetry Journal, Bardo Burner, Lynx: Poetry from Bath, Poetry DownUnder," Cotyledon, Thunder Sandwich, Samsara Quarterly, Jack Magazine, Free Zone Quarterly, Pogonip, Kookamonga Square and many others.

Mark Pashia lives in Mission Viejo, California with his accountant girlfriend Melissa and a Golden Retriever. It seems a far cry from the mean streets of South Central L.A. where he did a lot of
damage. Previously published in Tryst's Premier Issue other publications include: Comrades, Naked Poetry, Aileron, Wired Hearts, Pierian Springs, Moonwart and others.

Dave Ruslander and his wife, Barbara, live on their horse farm in rural Virginia. He has been writing poetry and short stories for about three years. During that time he has been fortunate enough to be published, with many wonderful writers, in both print and e-zine publications. Some of his works have appeared in MIPO, Ella, The Green Tricycle, The Book of Remembrance, The Exquisite Corpse, Snow Monkey Press, Cenotaph Pocket Edition, The Dead Mule, and many others. Dave is currently working on his first novel, the story of a fictional southern town. With over 300 pages completed, he hopes to submit it to various publishers this year.

Maria Santos lives on a subtropical island off the coast of Texas. She spends her days climbing palm trees in search of coconuts, fighting off the cannibalistic Karankawa Indians, and painting her fingernails into mini-Rothkos (by extracting dyes from the berries of indigenous plants). In order to write, she must sacrifice one small furry creature daily so that she might use its blood to scrawl her stories in the form of pictographs on the cave walls of her home. & that's just off the top of my head... But if you want me to be serious, I can try that.

Jessica Schneider is a poet and a novelist working on her second novel and second poetry manuscript. In September, she'll be a guest on the Internet radio show at Omniversica, & will be discussing the sad state of published poetry with Poets and Writers columnist David Alpaugh and poet/critic Frederick Glaysher. More of her poems can be found on her personal site.

Tom Sheehan has been retired 12 years. Two novels issued, one in print and one serialized on Internet. Cited with a 2001 Silver Rose Award for Short Story Excellence by ART. Has many pieces online and in print issues over the years. Nominee for Pushcart, The Zine Yearbook and E-2-Ink, won Eastoftheweb's 2002 nonfiction competition. In 2001 met four comrades he has not seen since 1951 in Korea.

Coleen Shin lives in Dallas Texas with her husband and 12 yr old son. "This year's project is a new coffee shop in downtown Dallas, hopefully a venue that will incorporate my passion for art and poetry and of course, sitting on my butt with a cup of coffee!" Coleen has published poems with MiPo-Zines, Lotus Blooms Journals, Red River Review, Wild Art for Wild Hearts, Mind Caviar and others and is a current Pushcart Nominee. Coleen is an administrator and 
contributing poet at MiPo Zines. 

Cheryl Snell’s work has appeared in journals such as Antietam Review, Petroglyph, Comstock Review, Washington Review and River Oak Review. Her novel Shiva’s Arms won an honorable mention from the Dana Literary Awards and was a finalist for the Omaha Prize.  Her chapbook of poetry entitled Flower Half Blown was published in 2002 by Finishing Line Press and has been nominated for the Ohioana Book Award in Poetry.

john sweet, 35, married, 2 sons, 3 cats. not a believer in poetry, or in god. civil servant by day, righter of minor wrongs by night, weekends and holidays off. literary influences include pollock, tanguy, low, burma, 500, richter. writing is both catharsis and addiction. the need to scrape each moment down to bone. the need to define the world outside, or the one inside. beauty, which can only be defined by the presence of ugliness. which can be destroyed a 
million different ways. the need to remember this.


Lisa Zaran is a poet/essayist living in Arizona. Some past publications include: The Fairfield Review, Maelstrom, Indie Journal, and Unlikely Stories. When not writing, I work for the 
Phoenix branch of a national brokerage house.