Steven Willis – “The Dead Unarmed Black Man the Police Shot Last Week Had a Funeral Today”

Performed by Steven Willis

“I’m not the right’s monster, I’m not the left’s martyr. I’m just dead.”

Don’t miss this powerful poem from Steven Willis, performing for #theoneactseries.

Get Steven’s phenomenal book, A Socially Acceptable Breakdown.

While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including books by Rudy Francisco, Neil Hilborn, Dave Harris, Porsha Olayiwola, Blythe Baird, Andrea Gibson, and our newest release from Topaz Winters!

IBPA – Publishing University

Button Poetry attended the Independent Book Publishers Association’s (IBPA) Publishing University last month in Orlando, FL. It was our first time at the conference (though we attended virtually last year). The team found great value in the Ask the Experts one-on-ones and industry panels, while making lasting connections during network sessions. 

The conference’s keynote by Stephen Green, the Chief Operations Officer of A Kids Company About, was a particular high note for the Button team. The organization is a unique player in the publishing industry and one that shares many of the same goals and brand promises that Button does. If you haven’t heard of them and their exciting work in kids books check them out here!

We wanted to show the folks at IBPA our appreciation for the hard work they do supporting independent publishers so we brought them all swag bags of our favorite Button merch (who doesn’t want a tote?).

Turns out we’re better at literature than at math and miscalculated the number of folks on IBPA’s team. No problem though they gave the bags out to some other conference goers! One of whom was already a Button fan, check out her press here 

There is nothing better to help break the ice – after spending a few years not gathering – like giving stuff away for free. After meeting some of the great people who received our extra swag bags we went on to get to know folks from across the spectrum of independent publishing.

One of the most exciting takeaways from the conference for us was learning about the numerous strategies independent publishers use to get their books into the libraries.

Thank you so much to the incredible IBPA staff for putting on such an insightful, community-driven event. As members, Button receives remarkable support from each and every IBPA staff to push our company and the industry as a whole forward. We can’t wait to attend and connect with everyone again in 2023.

P.S. The team also bonded over watching game six of the NBA playoffs (even though the Timberwolves lost).

Photos c/o Independent Book Publishers Association. Used with permission.

Phil Kaye – “Teeth”

Performing at Gray Area

“Fear of joy is the darkest of captivities.”

Don’t miss this incredible poem from Phil Kaye, performing at Gray Area in San Francisco, CA.

Get your copy of Phil’s debut book, DATE & TIME, now available!

While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including books by Natasha T. Miller, Ollie Schminkey, Rudy Francisco, L.E. Bowman, Akosua Zimba Afiriyie-Hwedie, and our newest release from Topaz Winters!

Best of Button Week 368

“We can talk about guns, we can talk about access to mental health, but why aren’t we talking about men?”

Don’t miss this week’s Best of Button playlist, featuring the top-viewed recent videos on the Button YouTube Channel. Today’s addition: Kyle “Guante” Tran Myhre! Congrats Poet!

Submit a cover of your favorite poem to our 2021 Button Poetry Cover Contest! Open NOW – May 16, 2022. More info and full guidelines here!

While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including books by Andrea Gibson, Andrea Gibson, Natasha T. Miller, Porsha Olayiwola, L.E. Bowman, Rudy Francisco, Rachel Wiley, and our newest release from Steven Willis!

Daniel – “Thanksgiving Dinner with Your Host, Bulimia”

Performing at Park Square Theatre

“Recovery is a choice. It is one you have to believe you can make for yourself. It is not sink or swim. It is getting out of the water.”

Don’t miss this powerful poem from Daniel, performing at Park Square Theatre in Saint Paul, MN

Submit a cover of your favorite poem to our 2021 Button Poetry Cover Contest! Open NOW – May 16, 2022. More info and full guidelines here!

While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including books by Rudy Francisco, Rachel Wiley, Dave Harris, Porsha Olayiwola, Ebony Stewart, Andrea Gibson, and our newest release from Steven Willis!

Ebony Stewart – “Burnt Sugar”

Performed at the Button Studio

“Is darkness only ever thought of as sinister? Or is my villain origin story placed in an idea that I should still have to save a world that excludes or refuses to choose me?”

Don’t miss this awesome poem from Ebony Stewart, performed at the Button Studio in Minneapolis, MN.

Ebony’s spectacular books, BloodFresh and Home.Girl.Hood. are now available!

Submit a cover of your favorite poem to our 2021 Button Poetry Cover Contest! Open NOW – May 16, 2022. More info and full guidelines here!

While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including books by Rudy Francisco, Rachel Wiley, Dave Harris, Porsha Olayiwola, Blythe Baird, Andrea Gibson, and our newest release from Steven Willis!

Tonya Ingram – Thirteen (1M Views!)

“The first said: you must be a man, as much as you want it. Then offered a glass of water, which is to say, ‘have I not baptized you enough?’”

Congratulations to Tonya Ingram for topping 1,000,000 views on this stunning poem! Watch more from Tonya here and here.

While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including books by Ollie Schminkey, Neil Hilborn, Dave Harris, Rachel Wiley, Ebony Stewart, Andrea Gibson, and our newest release from Steven Willis!

Patrick Roche – “Canonization”

Performed by Patrick Roche

“Saint of the quiet anxiety / Of the off-brand panic attack / Saint of attacking”

Don’t miss this great poem from Patrick Roche, performed and recorded in his home.

Get Patrick’s incredible book, A Socially Acceptable Breakdown.

Submit a cover of your favorite poem to our 2021 Button Poetry Cover Contest! Open NOW – May 16, 2022. More info and full guidelines here!

While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including books by Adam Falkner, Rachel Wiley, Dave Harris, Porsha Olayiwola, Blythe Baird, Ebony Stewart, and our newest release from Steven Willis!

Best of Button Week 367

“This is war by Copaganda. Turn your favorite Black radical into Officer Friendly. Give them a seat in middle-class America with a budget the size of a buddy cop film.”

Don’t miss this week’s Best of Button playlist, featuring the top-viewed recent videos on the Button YouTube Channel. Today’s addition: Steven Willis! Congrats Poet!

Submit a cover of your favorite poem to our 2021 Button Poetry Cover Contest! Open NOW – May 16, 2022. More info and full guidelines here!

While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including books by Andrea Gibson, Andrea Gibson, Natasha T. Miller, Porsha Olayiwola, L.E. Bowman, Rudy Francisco, Rachel Wiley, and our newest release from Steven Willis!

TaneshaNicole – “Calling in Black”

Performing at Park Square Theatre

“When I call into a job, it’s usually because I have a fever, cold, the flu, feel so fatigued it hurts to move. I cannot tell my boss that I am sick of being Black. Can’t tell her I won’t be in today because there’s another Trayvon, Charleston, Ferguson in my newsfeed.”

Don’t miss this great poem from Tanesha Nicole, performing Park Square Theatre in Saint Paul, MN.

Submit a cover of your favorite poem to our 2021 Button Poetry Cover Contest! Open NOW – May 16, 2022. More info and full guidelines here!

While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including books by Rudy Francisco, Rachel Wiley, Dave Harris, Porsha Olayiwola, Ebony Stewart, Andrea Gibson, and our newest release from Steven Willis!