"When the delectable flavor of words leaves you salivating at the mouth and every sound they utter entice your tastebuds, when your fingers crave the sensation of tendon against pen, then you will know…you will know you are a writer."
Bio
CURRICULUM VITAE (CV)
DEGREES:
Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing, Non-fiction/Poetry Concentration, National University, 2016
Thesis: “A Pale Shade of Color”
Creative Advisor: Frank Montesonti, Lead Faculty
Bachelor of Arts in English/Management Concentration, University of Phoenix, 2014
Graduate Certificate – E-learning and Teaching – Scheduled for Fall 2018
PUBLISHED WORKS:
Books:
Black Silk, IUniverse, Fall 2012
The Narcissist’s Playbook – Anthology -2018
Poems:
"Three Tines," The Voices Project, October 2, 2018 Issue
"Metronome," The Voices Project, Scheduled for February 4, 2019 Issue
“Early Riser,” Literary Mama, Accepted August 2018 - for Upcoming June 2019 Issue
“Early Riser,” The GNU Journal, January 2017
“The Problem with Getting Flowers” and “Denial” – The Narcissist Playbook - - March 2017
“Bird Feeding,” Entropy Magazine, Bird Series, December 23, 2016
“Denial,” Silver Birch Press, Beach and Pool Memories Series, 2016
“Playing Dress Up,” Mothers Always Write Magazine (MAW), July 15, 2016
“Home,” Write Now, 2010
“The Pianist,” Black Cat Poetry, 2010
“Miss Emma’s Cookin,” Hillsborough County Library Cooperative, 2005 (First Place Winner)
“Blackberry Succulence “Writing Poetry, May 2014
Non-Fiction Essays:
“Forever Recorded in Infamy – The Terri Schiavo Case,” Tampa Tribune, April 1, 2005 (Letter of the Day Winner)
“When the Computers Go Down,” The Secretary Magazine, June/July Issue, 1997
“Twenty Two or Two,” Chips off the Writer’s Block, 1992
“Pennies from Heaven,” New Writer’s Magazine, 1991
INTERVIEWS:
“Poets Pen Is As Smooth As Silk,” Write Approach Media, August, 2013.
LITERARY AWARDS:
Trailblazer Award - The World of Wonder in the Voice of A Pen, Westcoast Center for Human Development , 2017
First Place Winner, Lit Wit Poetry Contest, Hillsborough County Library Cooperative, 2005 - "Miss Emma's Cookin"
Letter of the Day Winner, Tampa Tribune, April 2005
PERFORMANCE VENUES:
Featured Poet - WEDU Radio, Tampa Florida
Plant City – Black History Breakfast – Plant City, Florida
Westcoast Center for Human Development – Sarasota, Florida
Featured Poet - Town & Country Public Library – Tampa, Florida
Featured Poet - Ruskin Public Library, Ruskin, Florida – Ruskin, Florida
Featured Poet - Robert B. Saunders Public Library – Tampa, Florida
Main Street Book Store, Sarasota, Florida
TEACHING EXPERIENCE:
Adult Tutor, Hillsborough County Literacy Council, 2013 – Present
Online Facilitator, Liberal Arts and Studies Club, Saint Leo University, 2015-Present
LINKS TO ONLINE PUBLISHED WORKS:
Poem - Three Tines -
Poem – Bird Feeding - http://entropymag.org/the-birds-bird-feeding/
Poem – Denial https://silverbirchpress.wordpress.com/2016/07/23/denial-poem-by-shay-cook-beach-and-pool-memories-poetry-and-prose-series/
Poem – Playing Dress Up http://mothersalwayswrite.com/playing-dress-up/
Poem – Home - http://wendytownley.com/2012/07/write-now-home/
Poem - Early Riser - Page 45 - first published in the Winter Poetry Issue of The GNU Journal - 2017 https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_YtltMQCjfhWkpYWjFuUjR2LVE/view
Poetry Book – Black Silk - https://www.amazon.com/Black-Silk-Shay-Cook/dp/1475940610
In the Press
They pack a punch, but not devastingly so. They tell us that things happen to us that are not okay, but we can survive.Poetry is how some of us survive.
Bryan Pritchford,
MFA
I finally figured your writing out. You write with an unexpected twist at the end. Just when I think I know where you are going, you always surprise your audience. I like that!
Audience Member,
Recent Poetry Event
The writings are easy to dissect and to identify subtleties. Ms. Cook definitely rose to the challenge of mixing words with the right rhythms, metaphors, allegories, imageries, and personfications to relate to her audience...Ms. Cook's creative and eloquent use of words and phrases remind me of well-known writers like Maya Angelou and Toni Morrison.
Gail Moore, Ed.D.
News & Events
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