Kelly
From four poems to a number one best seller
Kelly writes and performs poetry from a queer, late-in-life lesbian and van-life perspective; her first collection, Carabiner, hit number one in Amazon's British Poetry category.
Midway through the MA in Creative Practice, Kelly Peters has just published her first poetry collection, Carabiner.
It is a huge moment in a creative journey that has moved quickly. Last November, Kelly had written only four poems and had never performed them to anyone. The idea of stepping onto a stage felt impossible. Now, less than a year later, she is performing, travelling the country in her van, visiting queer bookshops, and her first book: Carabiner, just hit the number one best seller spot in Amazon’s British Poetry Category.
Kelly writes from a queer, late-in-life lesbian and van life perspective. At first, she thought the poems were the main thing she had to offer. More recently, she has realised that people are also interested in the life and story around them. That has changed how she shares her work. Through videos, live performance and conversations on the road, Kelly is helping people connect with the poems through the experiences that shaped them.
Carabiner
The publication of Carabiner marks a major step for Kelly.
The collection brings together work that has grown out of a period of huge personal and creative change. It carries the voice she has been developing through open mics, pop-up performances and life on the road.
Through collaboration with another Make Happeneur @Michelle Gordon, the lifelong dream of having a poetry collection published has become real. The book is now available to buy, and Kelly has already begun taking it directly to the communities most likely to connect with it.
As she travels around the country in her van, she has visited several queer bookshops and asked if they would stock the book - and they said yes! It is a simple but powerful example of something that has shaped Kelly’s recent progress: “make the request.”
Pop-Up Poet
One of Kelly’s boldest recent moments happened in Brighton.
She spent a day wearing a sandwich board that said Pop-Up Poet, with a QR code inviting people to follow her on social media. She stood in the street and performed her poems to passers-by.
Even though Kelly is now used to being on stage, this felt different. It was public, unpredictable and well outside her comfort zone. She was terrified beforehand, but once she started, people stopped and listened. Some spoke to her afterwards.
The day helped Kelly understand more about who is drawn to her story, and what happens when she brings the work directly to people.
What Comes Next
Kelly is continuing to travel around the country in her van, visiting LGBTQIA and poetry communities as she shares Carabiner with new audiences.
At the end of August, she will perform at Victorious Festival in Portsmouth, a secret dream when she first started going to open mics last November. On 5th September, she will also be performing and selling books at Oban Lesbian Weekend, another opportunity that came from making a request.
She is also beginning to plan a poetry tour for late autumn!
Find Out More
People can follow Kelly on Instagram at @kellypeterspoetry.
You can support her by following, sharing her work, buying the book, or looking out for Carabiner in queer bookshops.
Buy the book here: Mybook.to/carabiner
