A poet & writer known for her electrifying performances, Colemans MERCUROCHROME (new poems), published in May 2001 by Black Sparrow Press, not only received a starred review in Publishers Weekly and a rave in Black Issues, but made her a finalist in the National Book Awards, the jurors stating: Wanda Colemans poetry stings, stains and ultimately helps heal wounds like the old-fashioned mercurochrome of her brilliant title. No easy remedy for the lacerating American concerns of racism and gender bias, Colemans poetry transforms pain into empathy.

John Olson
Author of three chapbooks, Swarm of Edges (poetry) from bcc press, Eggs & Mirrors (poetry & short fiction) from Wood Works Press and Logo Lagoon (prose poems) from Paper Brain Press. Echo Regime, (Black Square Press). Literary criticism has appeared in the American Book Review, Rain Taxi, Sulfur, First Intensity and the Stranger.

Marion Kimes
Born in Texas, at home in Seattle, Marion reads in all events where her foot can catch the door. Part of nine muses books collective, she's often found at Red Sky Poetry Theatre, & works at Horizon Books.

Mary Lou Sanelli Raised in Connecticut, educated in Boston, and now lives and works in Port Townsend and in Seattle's vibrant Belltown district. Previous collections include Close at Hand (High Plains Press), Long Streaks of Flashing Daylight (Blue Begonia Press), and Lineage (Empty Bowl Press).

Shawn Vines Shawn V. is a veteran of Desert Storm, holds degrees in Business and Broadcast Journalism, and is a true rising star. Less than one year after reading his first poem at the Slam, Shawn went on to become a favorite of Seattle audiences and win Seattles Grand Slam Championship!

Wanda Coleman will participate in the SPLAB! seasons first Living Room, Thursday, January 31 at 7PM and will conduct a lecture at Auburn High Friday, February 1 at 8:45AM. FOR EVEN MORE INFORMATION CALL SPLAB! TODAY 253.735.MEAT - 1.888.735.MEAT SPLAB! is village-building project of It Plays in Peoria Productions www.inpeoria.org Co-sponsored by The King County Arts Commission, Allen Foundation for the Arts, Breneman Jaech Foundation, Auburn Arts Commission & Comfort Inn.