Shivani Gupta

Hello internet friends. I’m a Chicago-based poet & behavior researcher. Writing poems with surprising syntax is my gentle fight against the robots. I’m usually found thinking, eating & talking about bread.

Now Available: 🌧️ Cumulus 🌧️

Released: August 3, 2026 from Rockwood Press

Order a copy from Rockwood Press

Email to order a signed copy from me

👓 Read excerpts & praise for Cumulus

🎊 my mother is a mixed metaphor 🎊

Released: March 3, 2026 from Rockwood Press

Order a copy from Rockwood Press

Email to order a signed copy from me

👓 Read excerpts & praise

Read the interview in the Chicago Reader:

Kerry Cardoza Shivani Gupta’s debut poetry book centers her relationship with her mother - Chicago Reader

Read the interview in Sixty Inches From Center:

SIFC Administrator my mother is a mixed metaphor: An Interview with Shivani Gupta - Sixty Inches From Center

Read more reviews

Goodreads My mother is a mixed metaphor

Curated Published Work

This is a smorgasbord of recent collections, poems, articles & essays that have been published

See all published writing

my mother is a mixed metaphor | Rockwood Press

www.rockwoodpress.com

3 Hybrid Pieces & Interview | Harpy Hybrid Review

www.harpyhybridreview.org

Dream House / Dear Chicago | Corpus Callosum

www.corpuscallosumpress.com

Papers, please | Epiphany Magazine

www.epiphanymagazine.org

Ssamjanged for seven janams | Pangyrus Lit

www.pangyrus.com

5 Poems & Interview | Baby Teeth

www.babyteethjournal.com

7 poems | Ranger Magazine

www.rangermagazine.net

Cumulus | Rockwood Press

www.rockwoodpress.com

Essay | Honey Literary

www.honeyliterary.com

Apocalypse diary | Moon City Review

www.uapress.com

Upcoming Events

Find me, my work, readings, workshops & events for 2026 below

Jan-Dec	📝 A Year of Walking with our Loss \| Maajhi \| Facilitation, Virtual
August 5	🎤 Read Some Shit \| Featured Poet \| aliveOne, Chicago
August 20	🎤 The Golden Hour \| Featured Poet \| Haibayo, Chicago
August 25	🎤 Roomani \| Featured Poet \| Kimball Arts Center, Chicago
Sept 6	🎤 Chicago Speaks \| Featured Poet \| Unchartered Books, Chicago
Sept 9	🎤 Test Literary Series \| Featured Poet \| The Whistler, Chicago
Sept 11	🎤 Exhibit B \| Pilsen Community Books, Chicago
Sept 17	🎤 New/Next Writers Showcase \| Beat Kitchen, Chicago
October 6	🎤 Tuesday Funk \| Featured Poet \| Hopleaf, Chicago

Press & Media Highlights

A few highlights from coverage over the years

Sixty Inches From Center | Interview | 2026; thanks to Darshita Jain & Jennifer Torwudzo-Stroh

my mother is a mixed metaphor: An Interview with Shivani Gupta - Sixty Inches From Center

An intimate multi-generational conversation about the bonds of motherhood.

sixtyinchesfromcenter.org

my mother is a mixed metaphor: An Interview with Shivani Gupta - Sixty Inches From Center

Chicago Reader | Interview | 2026; thanks to Shivani Kumar & Kerry Cardoza

Shivani Gupta’s debut poetry book centers her relationship with her mother - Chicago Reader

The poetry of Shivani Gupta, drenched in personal memory, masters the delicate craft of creating space for a reader to see themselves

chicagoreader.com

Shivani Gupta’s debut poetry book centers her relationship with her mother - Chicago Reader

Rambler Round-up Chicago | Interview & Reading | 2026; thanks to the Loyola Talk Tv Production Team

Spotlight Episode 3: Community Art in Chicago

Spotlight host Arianna Spruille interviews Chicago Poet Laureate Mayda Del Valle, poet Shivani Gupta and photographer Kenn Cook Jr. about the importance of art to the Chicago community. Plus, enjoy a performance from a local student rapper. Executive Producer: Natalie King Host: Arianna Spruille Reporter: Gianna Perez Editors: Ryhah Rizvi and Jackson Steffens Floor Director: Jimena Torres Segment Producer: Sarah Cunningham