Shershenevich began writing poetry while still in secondary school and published his first book at age eighteen. This work was strongly influenced by works of Konstantin Bal'mont. His second book, "Carmina" reflected his enthusiasm for Alexander Blok. It was praised by Nikolai Gumilev: "Vadim Shershenevich's book makes an excellent impression. The well-polished verse (the rare roughnesses hardly shows itself), the unassuming, but adjusted style, the interesting constructions - all make one glad at its verses". In the same year Shershenevich turned from Symbolism to Futurism. He founded the "Mezzanine of Poetry", a group inspired by the Egofuturists, a group formed by Graal Arel'sky, L. Zak, Ryurik Ivnev, Igor Severyanin, and others.