The advent of blogging was a big boon for struggling writers who did not have a platform to share their work. Soon after, it was Instagram that had all the writers’ attention — closeted poets took to it like fish to water, using the medium to share their work, slowly garnering a following as impressive as their poems. Some names like Rupi Kaur, Nikita Gill and Atticus catapulted straight into popularity and even transitioned into successful authors — Rupi’s first book Milk and Honey went on to become a #1 New York Times bestseller.
So before you dismiss Instagram as just another millenial social medium, take note of these 5 poets who have created a ripple in the writing industry with their Instagram profiles.
1. Rupi Kaur
Rupi is a Toronto-based author and illustrator who shot to success with her first book, a compilation of heart-warming poems and prose titled Milk And Honey, which sold over a million copies. She also travels internationally to perform her spoken word poetry. Her work explores topics of love, loss, trauma, healing, femininity, migration and revolution. The 25-year-old has just released her second collection of poems called The Sun and Her Flowers. Read 5 things you didn’t know about Rupi here.
2. Nikita Gill
This 28-year-old London-based poet and graphic designer’s work was repeatedly rejected by publishers. Today, she is an Instagram celebrity with no less than two books to her name, Your Soul is a River and the newly-released Wild Embers. Her poems embrace the topics of femininity, empowerment and personal growth.
3. Atticus
This storyteller and young writer who calls California his home shot to fame on Instagram through his writings that explore the highs and lows of life and love. He has recently published his first collection of poetry called Love Her Wild, which captures raw and relatable moments and experiences through delicate words that will pierce your soul.
Tyler’s first book Chasers Of The Light was his experiment with words written using a vintage typewriter that proved to be a catalyst for his success — the book, featuring insightful poems about life complete with photographs, went on to become a bestseller. Since then, Tyler has released two more books: All The Words Are Yours and Wildly Into The Dark.
If you’ve ever been in love — or anything close to it — then Christopher’s poems will resonate deep within you. His words emanate warmth and carry power. The Florida-based poet has published two books so far: Naked Human and Lavender. The former explores humanity at its finest and its worst, and the latter looks at love in all its forms and phases.
