Warsan Shire is a highly acclaimed poet, writer, teacher, and editor. She was born on August 1, 1988, in Kenya to Somali parents. When she was only one year old, her family migrated to the United Kingdom, where she was raised. Shire has four siblings and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Creative Writing.
Shire has made a significant impact on the literary world at a young age. She is a Kenyan-born Somali poet, writer, and educator based in London, where she has been reading her work extensively. Shire has had the opportunity to share her poetry not only throughout Britain but also internationally, including in countries such as South Africa, Italy, Germany, Canada, North America, and Kenya. Her debut book, 'Teaching My Mother How to Give Birth,' was published in 2011, and her poems have been featured in various publications, including Wasafiri, Magma, and Poetry Review. She is also the current poetry editor at SPOOK magazine.
Shire's poetry has gained considerable recognition, and she has received numerous awards and accolades for her work. In 2012, she represented Somalia at the Poetry Parnassus, the festival of the world poets at the Southbank, London. She is also a Complete Works II poet and the unanimous winner of the 2013 Inaugural Brunel University African Poetry Prize. Shire's poetry has been translated into several languages, including Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese, showcasing the global appeal of her work.