E. Laurence Bake is among the most widely “collected” poets in recent history.  In excess of 10 thousand author-signed collections of his poetic works are privately owned by individuals in 14 countries around the world. “These collections exist,” he once wrote, “because as a young writer I made it part of my life’s work to disassociate my writings from the world of traditional agents and publishers. It was a personal decision, a campaign I continued to work on as an artist.  So I had no choice but to be creative. I had to live by my decision.”  

 

From that day many years ago to this day Laurence has held true to that commitment.  He remained dedicated to discovering how he  and other writers and poets could prosper without depending on big publishing companies' control over the life and future of the artists' works.  To this end he pioneered a host of new and innovative ways of sharing his works with others.

A glance at the names of a just few of his private collectors is like an adventure around the world through the eyes of a poet.  From the homes of Land Barons in Mexico to the minimum wage earner in the ghettos of Detroit city, from the waitress in an all-night diner on a desolate country road to the multimillionaire’s private estate in Hollywood, Scotland, Canada and more – it has been said of him, “His poetic works touch the lives of paupers and Kings alike.”

 

 

“A poet walks, talks and ultimately lives among the people” he once wrote.  “That is where one finds the needs, the wants, the sorrow, the joys and the reasons to celebrate life in song.  Man, woman, child, rich and poor, that is where the poet learns – serve the people and you eat.  Stop creating for them - writing for them – to them! And you will go hungry.”

 

These were the personal convictions that gave birth to "The Poet And the Princess: Treasures."  Over the years it took to craft its poetic pages, artistic paintings and imaginative innovations it was first and foremost an act of giving something to The People.  

 

"Treasures is a Gift Book about Prosperity, Wealth and Total Economic Freedom".  

 

“The reason Treasures is what it is today,” the author explains, “is because it was what people wanted.  When people trust you enough to let you in, open their hearts and thoughts to you, as they seem willing to do with writers at times, you discover a common thread running through their personal life stories.  People want To Be Free from the burdens of debt, obligation and just “getting by.”  The rich man wants more time for loved ones; the poor man wants the pain associated with a lack of abundance to go away. 

 

Modern society can make a financial slave out of a good and decent person – rich or poor alike.  That is contrary to one's actual desires.  As individuals, we want to be productive, respected and appreciated for the work we do and be prosperous enough to live life with grace and dignity.  We want to be free to rise to greater heights. And as it happens that is a very good thing to want.

 

Treasures is the first in the "Poet and the Princess" series of 3 books.  "The Poet and the Princess: INFINITELY" is the second.  The third and final book, which he is currently working on, “is about real people” he says with a smile.  

 

Years ago his skills as a seasoned musician began to open doors to stages and a whole new audience for his written works in Europe, the United States and Canada.  Music was his first professional art form as a child and he lived and worked through his earliest years as a professional musician.  That he continues his musical journey sometimes surprises his fans as a writer.

 

Surprise aside, the live stage performances of his poetic writings, backed with full musical arrangements are, as one fan puts it “Legendary by every definition of the word.  See E. Laurence Bake in concert just once and you will know you did when you are 90 years old.  It is simply unforgettable.” 

 

Having performed with jazz, country, pop, and rock legends at different times throughout his career Laurence continues to do 10 -12 concerts per year.  Sometimes for a good cause or charity, sometimes for his fans - they are always memorable events.

 

Today Laurence lives in St Petersburg, Florida.  He enjoys staying close to the white sandy beaches that once sparked his imagination, inspiring images like “The Sea of Awareness” in the "Poet and the Princess" series.  He continues to write, adding to the thousands of individual pieces of poetry he has written throughout his life to date - continuing to grow as a fine art digital painter - serving as Founder and honorary CEO of the “Treasures Network. COM” (the company that Treasures built) establishing the budding, Treasures Network sponsored, E. Laurence Bake Charitable Foundation" and creating music in his private recording studio.