Welcome to Underground Bookshelf!

This website is dedicated to celebrating diversity in literature! If you like to read work by new writers, please visit Short Stories & Poems. To lcheck out book reviews and to learn about the history of exclusion in film, television, literature, and comic books, visit Essays. On the Resources page, you will find a vast array of articles to help you explore new books and new ways of reading as well as a few articles for the writers among us. All are welcome to participate in the monthly writing contests. Visit Writing Contests to find out this month's theme and to find out how to participate. Visit the Submissions page if you would like to submit your work to be featured on this platform. And if you are an indie, self-published, or up-and-coming author or poet, consider contacting me about being featured in one of the Author Q&A posts or for your book to be included in the Book Release Radar. Underground Bookshelf is on Patreon for those who would like to help me keep this project going. You're also welcome to subscribe to the monthly newsletter to receive regular updates. May you find your next favorite book or author! Happy reading!


June 2025 Writing Contest Submissions

Pride in oneself, pride in a friend or family member, pride in standing up for an ideal - June is a time for centering LGBTQ+ Pride, identities, and experiences. Short stories, short memoirs, flash fiction, poems, and first chapters are all welcome! Please let me know if your submission comes with any content warnings. I also ask everyone to refrain from egregious violent or sexual content as I don't put age restrictions on content.

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Spring Arrival (a poem)

Winter snow goin' far awayLike white clouds vanishing in dismayThe air is crisp, the sky is blueLight shines idle and trueGrass grows in radiant twilightThinking of the warming delightSpringtime snickers, happily, to the skyWhile looking down on showery mountain highWinds billow across blue yonder Life rests, effortless, in casual slumber

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May 2025 Writing Contest Awards

Thank you so much to everyone who submitted their work to this year's Poetry Open. I was thrilled to review the work of a large percentage of new participants as well as welcome the poems of some Underground Bookshelf regulars. I'm so happy to see this community grow and develop!

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Second Place Winner (April 2025) "Mountain Stream"

Crystal spring-fed streamFlowing down the mountain sideLike a springtime dreamOver rocks and boulders slide,Gurgles on its wayTo the valley far below.Silver minnows play’Leave behind the frigid snow.Down to sheltered vale,Carries life upon its breastWhere plants and beasts availNew life and on the banks shall rest.

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May Writing Contest Submissions

All forms of poetry are welcome (under 2,000 words). However, I do not put an age restriction on these contests, so I ask everyone to, please, refrain from egregious sexual or violent content and let me know if there is an important content warning.

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April 2025 Writing Contest Awards

Thank you to everyone who participated in the April Flash Fiction and Poetry Contest. I was so excited to welcome some new folks to the contest, as well as our regulars and some folks who returned after several months away.

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