FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nora Gupta, a promising young poet and student at the Bronx High School of Science, invites readers to embark on a profound journey of self-discovery in her debut chapbook, Decipher the Smoke. This collection of poetry peels back the layers of girlhood, revealing the vibrant yet often painful tapestry that accompanies this pivotal stage of life.
In Decipher the Smoke, Gupta employs her keen poetic voice to explore the juxtaposition of youthful exuberance and the shadows of grief. With a striking metaphorical palette, she writes, “scratch[ing] through the pretty pink, the hot pink, the girly-girl pink universe” to expose the often unacknowledged struggles beneath the surface. The chapbook draws on Gupta’s personal experiences, including the devastating loss of a beloved family member and her navigation into womanhood, to challenge sanitized narratives surrounding girlhood
The poems in Decipher the Smoke resonate particularly with teen girls, capturing the raw emotions and societal pressures they face. Gupta's exploration of everyday moments, against the backdrop of escalating personal and global turmoil, invites readers to reckon with their own identities. The collection is a testament to the complexity of growing up in a world that often imposes rigid expectations on young women.
Nora Gupta is no stranger to the literary world; her work has been featured in esteemed publications such as Girls Right the World, Glassworks, and Notre Dame Review. She has received accolades from prestigious organizations including the National Scholastic Art & Writing Awards and the National YoungArts Foundation. As the editor-in-chief of Double Yolk, a publication highlighting poets of color, Gupta is dedicated to amplifying diverse voices in literature.
Decipher the Smoke is more than just a collection of poems; it is an invitation for readers to confront their own narratives and embrace the complexities of girlhood. With its heartfelt explorations and poignant insights, this chapbook promises to be a valuable addition to contemporary poetry.
Decipher the Smoke will be available for purchase on November 5, 2024, through Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and other online retailers. Join Nora Gupta in her quest to illuminate the shades of girlhood, grief, and growth.
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