Shay Cook has been writing professionally for over twenty years. When she received her first check from New Writers Magazine in 1991, the acceptance letter from George Haborak, Editor and Publisher, affirmed her as a proficient writer, placing her among literary contemporaries. Since that time, Shay has harvested bylines in both small presses and national publications. Among her literary credits are non-fiction articles and poetry published in The Quill, Prominent Voices in Poetry, Writer’s World, Office Professional Magazine, Chips Off the Writer’s Block, Black Cat Poetry, Yesterday’s Magazette, Shadow Poetry, and numerous Poetry Anthologies.

Shay Cook is the recipient of the Tampa Tribune Letter of the Day Editorial Award, The Hillsborough County Library Cooperative Lit Wit Poetry Award, and the Circle of Poets Award. As Featured Poet of WMNF Radio, The Westcoast Center for Human Development, the Plant City Urban League, and other regional and national venues, Shay has performed her work to hundreds receiving standing ovations, literary accolades, and invitations for reappearances.

Shay Cook is currently matriculating at the University of Phoenix where she is pursuing her Bachelors of Arts in Literature with a Minor in Management. She plans to continue to the Master’s and Doctorate programs.

Shay pays her literary talents forward by teaching children and adults to read and write, as well as hosting creative writing workshops.