bonita lee penn, was born and raised in Sewickley, PA where she graduated from the Quaker Valley School District. She now resides in Pittsburgh's historic neighborhood, Manchester, where she raised her three daughters. Her journey as a writer began with encouraging words from Mrs. Kaplan, her Jr. High English teacher, who after reading one of Bonita's poems commented that she has a natural writing talent and should consider developing it into a career.  Bonita jokingly calls herself a late, late bloomer.  As a working full-time and raising a family, she was often torn between being a dutiful mother versus searching for her niche in the world. Her restless inner spirit led her to lead a carefree gypsy life, making decisions on a whim with little thought to the unknown or consequences.

During these years of aimless and disappointing soul searching she could always found comfort in her writings. Surrounding herself with excellent support groups that includes The DeGriot Writers Space and RealSista Writers Group, she began to proceed to take the steps necessary to develop her craft.  She is a member of Crossing Limits, a Pittsburgh based African-American and Jewish-American writers group. Bonita's poem "To Every Man Who Looks Upon me" was chosen to be included in the "Crossing Limits African American and American Jews Poetry From Pittsburgh" poetry anthology. Bonita facilitated a poetry workshop at Westinghouse High School resulting in the students creating powerful pieces reflecting their views on family and society.

Presently she is starting her Junior year at Carlow University, enrolled in the Professional Writing major. She is also works as the Editor /Coordinator/Writer of the Writers Block page on the award winning online eNewsletter The Soul Pitt.  Working with The Soul Pitt she has interviewed local and national entertainers, Lamar Rucker, Shanice Wilson, Jewell Parker Rhodes, Montae Russell, Will Feagins, Q, Jonathan Winbush and others.  Her mission has been to offer a venue where writers of all genres could find a place to share their written works, to network with others in the literary circle. Her goal is to create a place where writers, publishers, editors, and the reading public can come together and discuss the important part they each play in today's world of literature and to give others the opportunities she was given.

She is also the organizer and host of three successful Meet the Authors events. An event where publishers, editors share information on their services and authors share passages from their books. Events such as these give the reading public an opportunity to hear first hand from authors about new releases and the chance to purchase books along with a meet and greet. This is a venue where authors and those involved in the literary business are able to network.

Some of Bonits's poetry have been published in the Taj Mahal Review, The Eintouist and other online venues. She has a book of poetry, "Visiting Rooms," and a chapbook "Hot Flashes and Other Verses of Lust and Love." Her second book of poetry Enter the Lion's Den will be released in late 2009.