Where new voices find their first breath and old-world craftsmanship gives them lasting form, Mountain Jay Books is devoted to elevating literature in every sense.
Today, through our weekly online literary journal, we champion emerging authors, publishing bold, imaginative short stories that deserve to be discovered. Soon we will add to our operations by publishing a quarterly printed journal and annual anthology in which we share the talent of writers in all stages of their careers. At that time, we will also open our doors to full-length manuscripts to be published in e-book format.
However, our most tactile mission is to introduce these contemporary stories and revive bygone classics by creating one-of-a-kind hand-bound volumes using our years of training in the ancient techniques of traditional bookbinding. Our passion for the craft will make our work shine, soaring far above the mass-produced paperbacks that flood shelves and shops worldwide.
United, these efforts reflect our commitment to a literary ecosystem that uplifts emerging talent, safeguards timeless works, and celebrates the enduring artistry of the book as both vessel and craft.
The Mountain Jay
Bold, brilliant, and impossible to ignore, the Steller’s Jay—affectionately known throughout the Rockies as the Mountain Jay—has long been a symbol of curiosity and intelligence in the high country forests it calls home. Draped in deep cobalt and ink-black plumage, crowned with a striking crest, this watchful bird is renowned for its remarkable memory, capable of hiding thousands of seeds and recalling their locations months later. It is both mimic and messenger, able to imitate hawks, squirrels, even human-made sounds, its voice echoing sharply through pine and aspen groves. Fiercely protective of its territory yet endlessly inquisitive, the Mountain Jay thrives at elevation, where resilience and adaptability are essential.
In many ways, it is the perfect namesake: a creature of keen perception and bold presence, carrying stories across the mountains—reminding us that what is carefully gathered, thoughtfully kept, and skillfully crafted can long endure.
Mountain Jay Books 