His first book of poems "Trovas" was published in 1917. It was followed by "Cantigas de Saudade" (1918), "Cantares" (1919) and "Canções do Sul" (1920). "Canções" (Songs) was published in 1921 and went unnoticed. Only after Fernando Pessoa published its 2nd edition, through his publishing house "Olisipo", emerged a public scandal amongst the Lisbon society which granted Botto a lifelong notoriety: the author dared to write about same-sex love and in a very nonchalant and romantic way. Besides that, it featured a photograph of Botto in a camp, languid pose showing his bare shoulders.