Writers experiencing homelessness face the same challenges as writers anywhere, and then some. In addition to considering questions of voice, plot, and audience, writers living on the streets navigate inadequate supplies, stolen pens, weather-damaged manuscripts, lack of privacy, lack of table space, and a significantly lower likelihood of connections to mainstream publishing opportunities.
While experimenting with line breaks and word choice, poets staying in motel rooms, in cars, and on couches endure societal stigmas that try to “sweep” homelessness and the people experiencing homelessness out of sight. When writers in these conditions publish their work in zines, newsletters, and advocacy-driven newspapers, they insist that their experiences, creativity, and imaginings are important. As readers and writers in any situation, unhoused or otherwise, choosing to read writing from people experiencing homelessness makes possible more complex (and accurate) understanding of US society and a deeper appreciation for how breaking writing conventions can offer beauty and delight.