Lauren Smith

Lauren Smith (they/them) is a trans nonbinary poet and writer based in Oakland, California. Born in Hamilton, Ontario, they moved to California at a young age and have lived most of their life in the Bay Area. They’re currently pursuing their MFA at University of San Francisco. They enjoy writing about queerness, transness, and other forms of questioning and creation. Their work has received support from Vermont Studio Center and can be found in The Coachella Review, Bicoastal Review, Lavender Review, Genau Press, and elsewhere.

Publications:

• The Coachella Review, “Sestina” and “After Top Surgery” (2025)

• Bicoastal Review, “Within and Without” and “Transmasc Manifesto” (2025)

• Genau Press, “Grief” (2024)

• Genau Press, “When we were light” (2023)

• Lavender Review, “Night” (2022)

• Genau Press, “Bones” (2019)