Twelve Midnight

Kewayne Wadley (born November 5, 1987, in Groton, Connecticut) hails from the soulful city of Memphis, Tennessee. A poetic storyteller at heart, Kewayne’s mission is to spread love and inspiration through the power of words. Though he first drew breath in Connecticut, much of his childhood unfolded in the Deep South in Birmingham, Alabama, Soperton, Georgia and even farther south in Central America.

Known for his distinctly amorous lines and sultry undertones, Kewayne’s poetry paints vivid portraits of whirlwind romances and love as steady as placid lakes. The unwavering support of his loved ones, especially his grandmother, continues to be a driving force behind his work. His innate ability to view life through an unconventional lens is evident in his innovative approach to writing.

Notably, his books Listening to Songs at Midnight, More Songs to Listen to at Midnight, The Memorandum: An Ode to the Workplace or Something Like That, and Mumbo Jumbo... I Love You have all been cataloged in the Library of Congress, a prestigious honor underscoring his contributions to the arts. His poem Community Garden was featured as an epigraph in Katherine H. Brown’s book A Sweet Folly of Hope.

In addition to his literary accomplishments, Kewayne has contributed to the creative world as a producer. Through crowdfunding support, he earned associate producer credits for Good Neighbours (IMDb, 2024), Réservée (IMDb, 2025), and was also credited for Eddie’s Rage and Lost in the Fog in Stanislav Puzdriak’s Silent Hill: A Letter to James (IMDb, 2025). His support has also earned him various acknowledgments and shoutouts in the special thanks sections of films, books, music albums, and websites.

In 2025, he sponsored the poem Stranger by Vivian Estelle McMeekin in Strange Horizons, marking his first public contribution to the speculative poetry community through Kickstarter support. Also in 2025, his poem Pisces was included and was 1st place winner in "Ink Without Borders" by Wingless Dreamer.

Throughout his career, Kewayne’s poems have appeared in a wide range of anthologies and zines, including Collected Whispers (2006), For This Cause Writers Unite (2012), The Poetic Bond IX (2019), The Porter Gulch Review: 36th Edition (2020), and Mingled Voices 6 (2021). His haiku Full of Posies earned him 3rd Place in Dreamers Magazine (2022), and his poem Love Sometimes received Honorable Mention in The Poetic Bond X (2020). He was featured in Blavity’s “Love Poems by Black Poets” slideshow for his poem New Year Comes Twice A Year, celebrating Black voices in poetry. He was also mentioned for submitting a group of poems for Mingled Voices 9 (International Proverse Poetry Prize Anthology, 2024).

Kewayne’s creative process is deeply influenced by his diverse upbringing. Growing up in various cultural settings gifted him a unique perspective, infusing his work with rich imagery and emotional depth. Whether drawing from memory, emotion, or environment, he finds beauty in both the mundane and the extraordinary.

His writing process blends spontaneity with discipline. Though he doesn’t follow a rigid routine, he remains committed to his craft, allowing ideas to arrive naturally. He believes in the power of words to heal and connect sometimes to reconnect. He often revisits older works to refine or transform them, a process he calls “sampling himself.” This editing often gives birth to entirely new pieces.

Through his writing, Kewayne hopes to leave a lasting impact encouraging others to embrace their unique voices and share their stories. He believes every person carries a narrative worth telling.

When he isn’t jotting down romantic free verse on whatever surface is nearby, this multi passionate creative can be found drawing, painting, listening to an eclectic range of music, or tending to his plants.

Anthologies & Magazines

•Collected Whispers (2006)

•For This Cause Writers Unite: A SteamyT Pub Young Writer's Flow Project (2012)

•Where the Mind Dwells (2015)

•The Poetic Bond V – Willowdown Books (2015)

•The Poetic Bond VIII – Willowdown Books (2018)

•Best of 2019: 4th Edition (2019)

•The Poetic Bond IX – Willowdown Books (2019)

•The Poetic Bond X – Willowdown Books (2020) — Honorable Mention for “Love Sometimes”

•Best Poets of 2020: Quarantine Edition (2020)

•Porter Gulch Review – 36th Edition (2020)

•Poet’s Choice: Desires (2021)

•Human to Human – Willowdown Books (2021)

•Who’s Who in American Poetry (2021)

•DRIP 05/06 – Coffee People Zine (Double Issue, 2021)

•Mingled Voices 6 – International Proverse Poetry Prize Anthology (2021)

•Dreamers Haiku Contest – 3rd Place Winner for “Full of Posies” (Dreamers Magazine, 2022)

•Mingled Voices 7 – International Proverse Poetry Prize Anthology (2022)

•Looking In, Looking Out – Willowdown Books (2023)

•Poet’s Choice: Ace of Spades (2023)

•Mingled Voices 8 – International Proverse Poetry Prize Anthology (2023) — Awarded placement(s)

•Radiant Verses: A Journey Through Inspiring Poetry – Poetry Soup (2024)

•Opening Words, Closing Lines – Willowdown Books (2024)

•Mingled Voices 9 – International Proverse Poetry Prize Anthology (2024) — Specifically mentioned for a group of poems

•Swept Away in February – Wingless Dreamer Publishing (2025)

•Poet’s Choice: A Village with a Poem – Rural Poetry (2025)

•WILDsound Writing Festival (2025) — Five poems accepted:

Roses in Traffic (Love)

A Match That Forgot How to Breathe (Dramatic Monologue)

Towards the Storm (Nature)

Human Teddy Bear (Allegory)

Where Dreams Sit and They Soak (Romance)

•Ink Without Borders – Wingless Dreamer Publishing (2025) — 1st Place Winner for “Pisces”

•Presence – Willowdown Books (2025)

•Spillwords Press (2025) — “She Did Good (Father of the Bride)”

Self-Published Books

•Listening to Songs at Midnight (2020)

•More Songs to Listen to at Midnight (2022)

•The Memorandum: An Ode to the Workplace or Something Like That (2023)

•Late Nights on Venus (2023)

•Mumbo Jumbo... I Love You (2023)

•Vibing With You (2023)

•A Minute to Yourself (2023)

•ISLAND BAEcation (2023)

•Let’s Get Out and Do Something (2023)

•Twelve Midnight (2024)

A wordsmith hailing from the soulful streets of Memphis, Tennessee, Jeremy Allen weaves his intricate tapestries of emotion through his poetry. His verses delve into the realm of human experience, exploring themes of love, loss, reflection, and growth with profound sincerity.

Jeremy generously shares his poetic creations across various social media platforms, inviting others to join him on his journey of introspection and discovery.

Music pulses through his veins, infusing his writing with rhythm and melody. Influenced by the haunting melodies of The Weeknd and the timeless prose of Edgar Allan Poe, his work resonates of modernity and tradition.

In the heart of the blues capital, Allen's words echo soulful melodies of his hometown, captivating audiences with raw honesty and lyrical grace.

Eli Ray is a multifaceted individual hailing from the picturesque landscapes of New Zealand. With a robust background in both literature and healthcare, Eli seamlessly intertwines her passion for writing with her dedication to physiotherapy.

Her journey began with a profound love for the English language, evident in her eloquent prose and technical prowess. Whether crafting captivating narratives or delving into the intricacies of medical documentation, Eli's writing exhibits a rare blend of creativity and precision.

Punctual, motivated, and hardworking, Eli's commitment to excellence has been a guiding force throughout her career. This dedication culminated in the prestigious BNZ Literary Award bestowed upon her in 2013, a testament to her literary prowess.

Beyond her writing accolades, Eli possesses a diverse skill set that includes proficiency in Microsoft Word, expertise in English language instruction, and a knack for creative and content writing. Her linguistic abilities extend beyond English, as she comfortably engages in conversational French.

With a passion for both words and wellness, Eli Ray continues to inspire through her writing and healing touch, leaving an indelible mark on both the literary and healthcare landscape.