Lois Bassen is a book reviewer [poetry/fiction] for The Rumpus & others, a published author, prize-winning playwright, and Fiction Editor for Prick of the Spindle. She can be found here.

Mike Stanko is a lifelong Long Islander who began painting and showing his work over 20 years ago. His paintings have been exhibited throughout the tri-state area, including shows at the Elaine Benson Gallery in Bridgehampton and the Empire State Building in New York City. He has been interviewed numerous times on TV and has donated his artwork to many causes over the years such as Breast Cancer walks, Art for ALS, and The Waterkeeper Alliance. He's been commissioned to do album covers for Caroline Doctorow, and Dan's Papers in East Hampton featured him in an Aug. '13 cover story. You can find him here.