"Where I'm Coming From: My Life in Verse," is a book of forty-six poems that is a kind of memoir written in poems. The author covers the beginning of his life in East Texas, going to college, to the Navy, back to graduate school, and finally settling in a South Suburb of Chicago. The author came from humble beginnings, but was able to attend college, and have a wonderful family. He describes all these scenarios in his poems. It has not always been easy, but then life is not easy for anyone. There are always ups and downs in life.

Jay Thomas Willis graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University with a B.S. degree in sociology. He also graduated from Texas Southern University with a M.Ed. in counseling, in addition to receiving a MSW in social work from the University of Houston. Willis has held numerous social work positions and has now turned to freelance writing. He has written forty-nine books, fifteen professional journal articles, several consumer articles; has written Op-Ed Commentaries for the "Chicago Defender," "Dallas Examiner," "East Side Daily News" of Cleveland, "Mid-South Tribune and Black Information Highway," as well as an occasional "Guest Column" for the "Final Call" Newspaper.