J. Byron Lasko is a published poet and songwriter and has been a professional copywriter for over twenty years.  He began his career during college as Editor in Chief of Sequoya, the St. John’s University literary magazine, and as a songwriter, performing his music in clubs in and around New York City.   When his songs caught the attention of people at Sun Sign Music, it led to a publishing and recording contract, American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers membership, and several years of touring with the group Tryad.  When the group disbanded, he embarked on a career in advertising – first with J. Walter Thompson and then later founding his own advertising agency.  “It was Thirty Something for real”, Lasko remarks, and for a number of years his agency did very well as a “boutique” company for very creative and targeted campaigns. Beauty of Souls is J. Byron Lasko’s first novel.  He says that he was inspired to go back to personal creative writing by his friend and playwright Richard Vetere.  Over drinks after seeing Vetere’s play Safe on Off Broadway, they discussed the passion for writing they both shared years ago in college and that it was time that Lasko re-connected with his inner creative force. “The psychic, spiritual and personal experiences I write about in Beauty of Souls are all real”, Lasko states.  “ So are the people.  I decided to write about what I know, who I know and what I have experienced as a traveler riding on this ball of passion and frenzy and rock and sky – life on earth.  I’ve met some truly amazing people along the way.  People who are highly evolved both spiritually and intellectually and who live and work right in our midst.  What I have learned from them is remarkable, awe inspiring and sometimes frightening.  I felt it was time to share these experiences and these people with others.”  

iUniverse Publisher's Choice Award
National Indie Excellence 2007 Book Awards Finalist.