Mechanics Institute Library of San Francisco
MI Quarterly July-September 2022
Member Profile
Sheryl Bize-Boutte
"Libraries have been a part of Sheryl Bize-Boutte’s life since childhood,
when she would frequently visit her elementary school’s library.
She has been writing since she was twelve years old, prompting her
parents to gift her a Smith-Corona typewriter for her stories.
Since retiring, Sheryl has been focusing more and more on
her writing, embarking on a second career as a writer. She has
published multiple poems, short stories, and one long-form novel
titled Betrayal on the Bayou. Her poetry collection, No Poetry No
Peace, is the namesake of the Institute’s new biannual poetry event,
inaugurated in April of 2021. She lets her story ideas – and whether
they are written as poetry, short stories, or long-form novels – flow
naturally from her muse.
Sheryl appreciates the Institute for its history and commitment to
welcoming all to the stacks, at events, and in classes. She credits
the Mechanics’ Institute with being a boon to her throughout the
pandemic. The Institute's quick pivot from in-person to virtual events
helped Sheryl enhance her art, storytelling, and teaching practices.
Her work with Mechanics' Institute has caught the attention of
other institutions who have begun requesting her presence as a
speaker and storyteller. Sheryl has taught and presented lectures
on the craft of writing at the San Francisco Writers Conference, the
American Association of Writers and Writing Programs Conference,
and Toastmasters. She is currently working on her second novel
and is a well-regarded teacher of writing who has received much
positive feedback from individuals who have attended her classes
at Mechanics' Institute.
Look for upcoming writing classes at the Institute taught by Sheryl
Bize-Boutte. We appreciate her commitment to the art and craft
of writing, and are working to continue building a community of
writers whose work, like Sheryl's, makes great impact on the Bay
Area and beyond!"
Read the entire July-August Mechanics Institute Quarterly at:
Books and more information at:
