Poetry Jumps Off the Shelf

is a program launched in 2004 by Shoshauna Shy in Madison, Wisconsin, with the mission of bringing poetry out of the libraries, bookstores and classrooms into the public arena. Calls for submissions are always nationwide and conducted via cyber word-of-mouth.

Poetry Jumps Off the Shelf Projects

Since this program began, the work of nearly 100 poets from the U.S., Canada, England, Wales, Spain, Australia, and China have appeared on over 2500 java jackets, over 4000 postcards, 1000 bookmarks, and in hand-sized books.

2008—"No Direct Route Home"—surprising detours paired with the artwork of Sarah Spencer were produced as postcards and as part of the National Poetry Month displays at four Madison public library locations, and distributed at the Milward Farrell Fine Arts Gallery, Ma Cha Teahouse & Gallery, Absolutely Art, Bungalow Gallery, Java Joint Escape Coffeehouse & Gallery, Zu Zu Cafe & Market, and Avol's Bookstore.

2005—"Postage Due"—modes of written communication published on java jackets and bookmarks were made available at Michelangelo's and Fair Trade coffeehouses, A Room of One's Own and Avol's bookstores, and at the annual Wisconsin Book Festival in downtown Madison, Wisconsin. The poems were also featured in a literary periodical called A Cup of Poems and a Side of Prose, and on WisconsinPoet.com.

2004— Poems related to biking, walking and an appreciation for nature, and were distributed by two different companies, Community Car and Budget Bicycles in palm-sized vinyl-covered books tucked inside the glove compartments, and on laminated bookmarks attached to the handle bars.

Sample Images

Questions? shoshaunashy@yahoo.com