Up-and-Coming Women Poets
Poetry is evolving, and so are the voices that shape it. In 2025, a wave of emerging women poets redefined the landscape with their unique perspectives and compelling narratives. Here are some poets to watch, along with where to find their works.
1. Cindy Juyoung Ok
Winner of the 2023 Yale Younger Poets Prize, Cindy Juyoung Ok's debut collection, Ward Toward, delves into her Korean American identity and the legacy of the Korean War. Her poignant verses offer a fresh perspective on history and personal identity.
Where to Find It: Available at Yale University Press and major bookstores.
2. Camille Ralphs
An English poet and critic, Camille Ralphs' debut collection, After You Were, I Am, published by Faber & Faber, has garnered critical acclaim for its contemporary approach to metaphysical poetry. Ralphs is also the first woman to serve as poetry editor at The Times Literary Supplement.
Where to Find It: Available at Faber & Faber and major bookstores.
3. Sarah Lyn Rogers
Known for her dazzling wit and emotional depth, Sarah Lyn Rogers' collection, Cosmic Tantrum, explores themes of rage, reinvention, and pop culture. Her work challenges traditional narratives with a raw and radiant voice.
Where to Find It: Available at major bookstores and online retailers.
4. Lauren K. Watel
In her collection, Book of Potions, Lauren K. Watel blends prose poetry with surreal intensity, navigating dreamscapes and medical rooms to unravel the limits of language. Her work is a spellbinding journey through the surreal and the real.
Where to Find It: Available at major bookstores and online retailers.
5. Grace Yee
Following her award-winning debut, Chinese Fish, Grace Yee's new collection, Joss: A History, honors Chinese sojourners buried in unmarked graves across Australia and New Zealand. Her poems reflect on cultural memory, colonialism, and resilience.
Where to Find It: Available at major bookstores and online retailers.
The literary world is rich with diverse voices, and these emerging women poets are at the forefront of a poetic renaissance. By exploring their works, readers can gain insight into contemporary themes and narratives that shape our world. Support these poets by purchasing their books and engaging with their art.