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'I was losing my mind': Rupi Kaur on the pressures of following up a successful debut book

Canadian poet Rupi Kaur opens up about her quick rise to fame, the critical and commercial success of her debut book and her follow-up to that, The Sun and Her Flowers.
Canadian poet Rupi Kaur with host Tom Power in the q studio in Toronto, Ont. (Melody Lau/CBC)

Originally published on Nov. 27, 2017

In 2014, Rupi Kaur self-published a book of poetry called Milk and Honey. Its indie roots would quickly be upended, though, when its success led to a publishing company picking up the book. Now, the book has sold over one million copies, making it a number one book on the New York Times bestsellers list. 

This year, the Canadian poet returned with a second book, The Sun and Her Flowers, which has so far been just as big of a critical and commercial hit. Today, Kaur joins host Tom Power to discuss her rise up the ranks and the process of putting together a sophomore release.

— Produced by Elaine Chau