Kahlil Gibran: full Arabic name Gibran Khalil Gibran, (January 6, 1883 – April 10, 1931) was a Lebanese-American artist, poet, and writer of the New York Pen League.

Kahlil Gibran was born in the town of Bsharri in the Mount Lebanon Mutasarrifate, Ottoman Empire (north of modern-day Lebanon), to Khalil Gibran and Kamila Gibran(Rahmeh). As a young man Kahlil emigrated with his family to the United States, where he studied art and began his literary career, writing in English and Arabic. In the Arab world, Gibran is regarded as a literary and political rebel. His romantic style was at the heart of a renaissance in modern Arabic literature, especially prose poetry, breaking away from the classical school. In Lebanon, he is still celebrated as a literary hero.

He is chiefly known in the English-speaking world for his 1923 book The Prophet, an early example of inspirational fiction including a series of philosophical essays written in poetic English prose. The book sold well despite a cool critical reception, gaining popularity in the 1930s and again, especially in the 1960s counterculture. Gibran is the third best-selling poet of all time, behind Shakespeare and Laozi.

Bio from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Photo by unknown [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons.

Mark began writing on an old algae-encrusted backyard hammock. He was already in his mid-forties and the thought of becoming an author had never crossed his mind before that moment. Many believe the thought has still never occurred to him. His zany imagination and utter laziness prodded him toward fiction, where although he has five published books, his apparent lack of talent enables him to enjoy absolute obscurity to this day.

Mark’s second passion is music. He attended Florida State university sometime during the late 1800’s, receiving a Master Degree in Trumpet Performance. He performed professionally for five years before entering the business world. Nowadays, Mark finds listening to music while writing the nexus of focus and inspiration.

Mark loves God, beer, and his many two and four legged pets.

Visit markwritesfiction.com for information about his books as well as links to his short stories online.

Paintings and sculptures by artist BARRY NOVIS feature in galleries and private collections around the world. His art collectors include the band Coldplay, Joanna Lumley, rugby star Victor Ubogu, Hit & Run Music, HMV Music, and the National Trust UK. Novis has also created his own illustrated version of Kahlil Gibran's The Prophet featuring Gibran's poetic prose along with 28 colorful and evocative Novis images.

Born in Brighton England in the mid 1940s, Barry Novis later studied art in the vibrant architectural city of Bath UK which led him to a successful career as a professional artist. In 2006 he moved permanently to Australia, living initially in Sydney and later on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast where he now lives and works.

Barry Novis is a Listed Artist, his work having sold in the secondary market through auction houses Christie's and Bonhams in London.