Shout Them from the MountainTops: Promoting Poetry

by Kathleen McKenzie
Second Vice President, Georgia Council of Teachers of English

In 2003, the Georgia Council of Teachers of English (GCTE) agreed to sponsor the publication of a non-profit book of poetry.  This collection, entitled Shout Them from the Mountain Tops:  Georgia Poems, is a compilation of poems and artwork from 64 poets and four artists and was published in celebration of the declaration that April 2003-April 2004 would be designated as “The Year of the Poem.”

Georgia poets and artists contributed their work to Shout, as did all editors, composers, and others working on this publication.  Remarkable writers, some published and others first time published poets, represent all areas of Georgia—from the mountains to the sea—and occupations from doctors, lawyers, artists, teachers, college students, computer technicians, and retired folks, to others working in the private sector in banks and various other jobs.

Poets paid no fee for their submissions of original, never-before-published works.  The eight members of the Editorial Board Selection Committee, headed by Dr. Tom Liner, an educator and writer himself (co-author of all editions of Inside Out), volunteered their services to read and select poems to be published in Shout. In the meantime, the four editors who had initiated the poetry project kept poets informed of the process and planned readings and signings to follow publication.

The production of this book has been a celebration in the making with the sincere hope that more readers and writers will recognize the pleasure which can be found in reading and writing poetry.  The inaugural reading and signing was November 2003 at Barnes and Noble in Columbus, Georgia where nearly 200 copies were sold in a couple of hours.  Several other events held throughout the state were also successful.  In addition, GCTE has sponsored a table at its annual conferences in February for the past three years to promote the book. 

Copies are available by contacting Dr. Jean Copland, 5603 Ventura Drive, Columbus, GA  31909.  Please include your shipping information and a check payable to GCTE for $12.00 (which includes shipping costs) for each copy.  Contact Jean at jcopland(at)mchsi.com for more information.