The purpose of this study is to investigate how publishing students' writing in the community affects their attitudes toward writing. Participants were 19 sixth-grade language arts students from an urban upper elementary school. Results from student attitude surveys indicate that using publishing is an effective method of connecting students to the community. It also serves to expand their understanding of purpose and audience in writing and positively affects their attitudes toward writing. Characteristically unmotivated and motivated students alike were proud to have their pieces on display at a popular community bookstore. This opportunity to share personal poetry with friends, family, and community members motivated students to work hard, and generated a deeper appreciation for writing in general. (Contains 11 references. Appendixes contain lesson plans, excerpts from poetry, survey instruments, and a table of data.) (Author/RS)