A Home in Her Own Words: Meet Kaniz Hossain
There’s a certain magic in hearing someone speak about their art like it’s an extension of themselves, like every line they write is just another heartbeat. Kaniz Hossain doesn’t just write poetry—she lives in it. Her words are a place to belong, a space where she can be as bold or as quiet as she wants, where identity isn’t something imposed but something explored.
“As a Bengali-American daughter of immigrants, my cultural background is an inherently present theme that I explore in my work,” she says. “My first collection of poetry was an exploration of identity, and growing up as a part of several marginalized communities shaped a lot of my early experiences. There is no way for me to perceive the world without looking through the lens of a South Asian woman from a Muslim household.”
Poetry became that lens—one that allowed her to make sense of the contradictions, the intersections, and the quiet battles that come with moving between cultures. She writes about the things that are whispered, the things that are supposed to be kept inside, and in doing so, she gives herself—and others—permission to be loud.
She found the courage to step onto an open mic stage nearly fourteen years ago, drawn in by the cadence of storytelling, the way words could shape an entire moment. She saw herself reflected in poets like Sarah Kay, Sabrina Benaim, Olivia Gatwood, and Andrea Gibson—writers who made her feel seen not just in their words but in their existence.
“For me, every new poet I found felt like a reaffirmation for me—something tangible for me to hold to my chest and realize that there are people out there who feel the way I do, and so bravely and beautifully tell the world about their feelings.”
It wasn’t just about what they said, but how they said it—the rhythm, the rawness, the way spoken word can turn vulnerability into strength. And then she saw Sarah Kay’s TED Talk, If I Should Have A Daughter… and something clicked.
“Before this poem, I had a misconception that poetry (whether it’s written or spoken) had to be something complex, something theatrical. But when I experienced Sarah’s work for the first time, I was blown away by how… easy she made it seem, the flow that she carried her words in.”
That moment shifted everything. Poetry wasn’t about performing a certain way or meeting some unspoken standard—it was about honesty, about creating something that felt true. It was about giving herself the space to be exactly who she was, without hesitation or compromise.
Her poetry is deeply personal, but it’s never just for her. The conversations she sparks through her work are urgent, and necessary.
“I want women who look and feel like I do to know that it is okay to address the things that are considered taboo in our culture. It is okay to be loud and bold and unapologetic about our struggles with mental health, with relationships, with God, and cosmic understandings. We are expected to keep so much to ourselves at the risk of losing our voices, and I want future generations of women like me to reclaim that right for themselves.”
There’s a responsibility in that—a weight that comes with speaking out when silence is the expectation. But for Kaniz, poetry is both refuge and rebellion. It is where she doesn’t have to be anything other than exactly who she is.
“My writing belongs to me until I decide to share it, and in that knowledge, there is freedom to play. I can allow myself to be a lover girl, to get as sad as possible, as quirky as possible, as weird and honest as possible.”
Poetry lets her be everything at once. It gives her the courage to step onto stages she never imagined herself approaching, to create spaces where others can find their own voices. That drive to build community—to make sure others don’t feel alone in their stories—is what led to House of Khaos, her creative platform that exists to cultivate confidence and connection. Through open mics, workshops, and showcases, she is making sure that poetry isn’t just something people consume—it’s something they can step into, something they can live in, too.
Looking back, she sees how far she’s come. What once felt like an impossible dream—publishing her own poetry—became a reality.
“I remember sitting in my Intro to Creative Writing class and sharing my poetry in the writing circle with my peers. One particular classmate spoke about her own self-published poetry book and how she spent her time sharing her work within the community. I remember how awe-struck I was—here was a girl not too far from my own age, with a real tangible book of her dreams in hand. I remember thinking what a faraway dream it felt like for myself.”
That was in 2017, maybe 2018. Fast forward to 2022, and Kaniz had already self-published not one, but two poetry collections. The girl who once saw publishing as an unattainable goal had become the woman making it happen—not just for herself, but for an entire community of artists who needed someone to show them that it was possible.
Her story is one of writing as both a sanctuary and bridge—of poetry as a place to belong, a way to push back against silence, and a way to say, without apology, I am here. I am speaking. I am listening, too.
About Kaniz Hossain:
Kaniz Hossain is a Brooklyn-born, Bengali-American self-published poet, visual artist, and community curator. Her work explores third culture identity, the struggle with faith in a modern society, and the need for community to navigate both as a woman of color. Kaniz has been published in several anthology collections and has also self-published two collections of poetry, Plucking Petals of Poetry and Blooming Beyond the Boundaries.
Through her creative platform, House of Khaos, Kaniz curates and cultivates spaces for emerging and established artists to find confidence in their craft and kinship in each other. She stays engaged with her community through monthly newsletters, craft workshops, and open mics + showcases, which she hosts independently and in collaboration with other platforms throughout the city. When she’s taking a breath from her love of poetry, you can find her in bookstores with her friends, watering any one of her twelve plants, or enjoying morning walks throughout her favorite parts of New York City.
For those in the tri-state area, House of Khaos community events can be found on their Eventbrite page.
About Beyond the Narrative:
Beyond the Narrative is a new blog series by Our Galaxy Publishing where we highlight and amplify the personal stories and creative journeys of badass women writers who are forging their own paths and making an impact with their voices.
This series aims to explore how identity, cultural background, and lived experiences shape your writing, highlighting the unique contributions you bring to art, literature, and community. We want to uncover the heart behind the stories and celebrate the power of diverse voices in shaping the future of books. Learn more about Beyond the Narrative on our blog,An Interview Series Amplifying the Voices of Women Writers, and read more of our interviews here.
Our Galaxy Publishing is an educational and service-based platform that helps writers navigate the publishing industry with clarity, confidence, and creative control. Whether you’re self-publishing, seeking a literary agent, or still figuring out W T F you’re doing, we provide the tools, resources, and support to make your writing and publishing journey intentional, strategic, and powerful.