I am thrilled to share that the Closet Haikus collaborative poetry collection is now available. This LGBTQ Poetry collection is the first of its kind, sharing dozens of coming out stories in an approachable form: haikus.
What Inspired Closet Haikus? 
I’ve never sought out to write a poetry collection about being a member of the LGBTQ community. It happened because I began processing and exploring my own coming out experience using haikus.
I enjoy the form because its simplicity encourages “snapshots” as opposed to a long-winded narrative (I mean, I’ve been coming out for nearly 15 years, people. No one needs to hear a story that is that long.) I was really appreciating the memories that were popping up, and even more so the haikus that were created out of these memories.
As I was writing, I thought to myself: There are so many coming out stories. Millions. How can I tell the stories of others too?
This inspired the launch of a Kickstarter campaign in the spring of 2019. Over 50 backers funded the project and shared their stories with me, which I sought to turn into haikus and publish as a collection.
What Does Closet Haikus Achieve?
For me, the most important part of this project was to cover as many stories as possible. I wanted stories from every identity and gender within the LGBTQ+ community.
I sought this variety for a few reasons.
There are misconceptions among members of the LGBTQ+ community about the coming out process. Haikus are a great way to share these experiences in an approachable way.
Second, not many people outside of the LGBTQ+ community might seek out an LGBTQ poetry book. That being said, EVERYONE loves haikus. Using the haiku form helps to bridge this gap, and makes learning about the coming out experiences of different communities less complex.
Where Can I Find Closet Haikus?
You can find the collection on Amazon in the LGBT Poetry Section! Remember, 25% of proceeds will be donated to LGBTQ+ nonprofit organizations around the world.
If you purchase the book, be sure to tag and share it with me online, especially on Twitter and Instagram. The more we share this project with others, the more good it will do!
How Do I Share my Coming Out Story with You?
I am hoping that this is just the beginning of Closet Haikus. If we share this project, who knows how many stories we’ll get and editions I’ll be able to help create!
If you have a coming out story you want to share, or a story as an ally, please email it to me at ClosetHaikus@gmail.com. Be sure to let me know how you’d like your name shared, be it anonymous, a nickname, or your full name.
Are You Going to Write More LGBTQ Poetry Collections?
Like I said, I’m hoping that there will be multiple editions of Closet Haikus (send me your stories!!!).
I have considered writing a collection of LGBTQ poetry, but don’t have an outline or anything specific in mind just yet. If you want to see one, please let me know! What themes / ideas would you like to see explored in an LGBT poetry collection from me?
As always, thank you for your support. I appreciate everything this writing and reading community has done for me, as well as the overwhelming acceptance of my identity. From the bottom of my heart, thank you!
Love,
Rachel