Button Poetry Update 7/21/2016
Hey Button fans!
We’re here to give you an update on some of the exciting stuff that’s been happening in the last few months at Button, as well as what you can look forward to in the near future.

First of all, we’re thrilled to announce that alongside this year’s 5th Annual Button Poetry / Exploding Pinecone Chapbook Contest, we’re launching the first ever Button Poetry video contest, where anyone can submit their own video for a chance to be run by Button! Over the last year, we’ve increasingly realized the limited nature of our film work: we can only really film poets in specific physical spaces where we’re present each year. We intend for this to be the first of many opportunities for people around the world to get on the ever-larger digital stage for poetry. Both contests are now open for submission; you can check out all the details here.
Contest Title Bar 2

Button Poetry Live has been running strong, packing out CAMP Bar in Saint Paul every single month (we had to turn away over 50 people at our last show, so if you’re in the Twin Cities, get your tickets EARLY for the July 29th team send-off show). We’re so thankful to all the supporters who helped fund our Kickstarter Campaign last year to get the matching grant from Knight Foundation. In addition to the amazing poems we’ve been filming and running on the Button channel, we’ve also been livestreaming the show to thousands of viewers each month. Keep an eye out on our social media (or sign up for our mailing list) to stay up to date on the next one!

Speaking of Button Poetry Live, we’ve been churning out new audio albums over at the Button Poetry Bandcamp! Our “Best of Button” series highlights the top poems from YouTube each month, while the “Button Poetry Live” series offers exclusive tracks and live material available only on the album. Check it all out here, and subscribe to get our full back catalog and all new releases, as well as exclusive subscriber-only content.

Finally, in June and July we’re celebrating two major book releases, with Jacqui Germain’s chapbook When the Ghosts Come Ashore released June 7th, and Hanif Willis Abdurraqib’s full-length debut, The Crown Ain’t Worth Much, released earlier this week. Hanif’s book has already reached the #2 spot on the Small Press Distribution bestsellers list (you can find some other familiar titles there as well!) and #1 in new literature on Amazon!
Hanif Title Bar

That’s all for now. We hope you’re enjoying your summer, and we can’t wait to share some more big news with you all soon.
-The Button Team

Performing at CUPSI 2016.

“Because no one wants to clean for a living, but they do want to live.”

Don’t miss this powerful poem from Jonathan Mendoza & Joaquina Mertz, performing for Berklee College of Music as part of the “Best of the Rest” on finals stage at the College Unions Poetry Slam Invitational. Subscribe to us on YouTube to stay up to date on all these amazing performances.
While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including Button t-shirts in both female and unisex cuts, and books and more by many of your favorite Button artists.

Performing at CUPSI 2016.

“My body is selfish, it knows only how to take and never gives.”

Don’t miss this beautiful poem from Kate Hao, performing for Washington University during semifinals at the 2016 College Unions Poetry Slam. Subscribe to us on YouTube to stay up to date on all these amazing performances.
While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including Button t-shirts in both female and unisex cuts, and books and more by many of your favorite Button artists.

Performing at AWP 2016.

“And just because we know how the story goes
doesn’t mean I won’t say the words.”

Don’t miss this beautiful poem from Button author Cam Awkward-Rich (whose book is available here), performing during the Button Poetry/YesYes Books showcase at the 2016 Association of Writers and Writing Programs conference. Subscribe to us on YouTube to stay up to date on all these amazing performances.
While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including Button t-shirts in both female and unisex cuts, and books and more by many of your favorite Button artists.

“How can you even enjoy the tender caress of a young maiden when you can’t even brush against her without your ashy nipples igniting a fire in her baby hairs?”

Congratulations to Kai Davis on topping 100,000 views on this hilarious poem! Check out another great video featuring Kai here.
And while you’re here, make sure to check out our books and merch as well, including our awesome t-shirts and poster and new books by Jacqui Germain and Hanif Abdurraqib!

Performing at WOWPS 2016.

“Forget about walking a mile in my shoes, your ass wouldn’t last one step outside the front door in my skin.”

Don’t miss this great poem from iCon, performing at the 2016 Women of the World Poetry Slam, where she placed 4th overall. Subscribe to us on YouTube to stay up to date on all these amazing performances.
While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including Button t-shirts in both female and unisex cuts, and books and more by many of your favorite Button artists.

Performing at Button Poetry Live.

“I feel its snarl down my throat, recite the list of rules I use to keep the beast at bay.”

Don’t miss this excellent poem from Greg Harries, performing at Button Poetry Live, May 2016. Subscribe to us on YouTube to stay up to date on all these amazing performances.
While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including Button t-shirts in both female and unisex cuts, and books and more by many of your favorite Button artists.

Performing at WOWPS 2016.

“I’m not here because I want to die. I’m here hoping to remember what it’s like to be held without exploding.”

Don’t miss this vital poem from Casandra Faith, performing at the 2016 Women of the World Poetry Slam. Subscribe to us on YouTube to stay up to date on all these amazing performances.
While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including Button t-shirts in both female and unisex cuts, and books and more by many of your favorite Button artists.

Featuring at Button Poetry Live, May 2016.

“I have given everything I have over to a juke, in hopes it would cough up one of your songs the way it was meant to be heard.”

Don’t miss this incredible tribute from Button author Hanif Abdurraqib (whose debut book is available here!), featuring at Button Poetry Live. Make sure to subscribe to us on YouTube to stay up to date on all these amazing performances.
While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including Button t-shirts in both female and unisex cuts, and books and more by many of your favorite Button artists.