My guest is Eileen Myles, whose works of poetry, fiction and criticism have profoundly impacted a generation of writers thinking about narrative, sexuality, and feminism. Eileen came to New York in the early 70’s and became associated with the St. Marks Poetry Project, of which they would eventually be named director. Their iconic 1994 novel Chelsea Girls reflects on this time and, in the process, redefined both the queer novel and autobiographical fiction. They are the recipients of both a Creative Capital Grant and a Guggenheim Fellowship and have published over 20 volumes of poetry and writing.

I spoke to Eileen one morning at her house in Marfa, Texas. You can hear the birds in the background. We made a photograph there and you can find it at williamjesslaird.com/imageculture or on Instagram @william.jess.laird

I’d like to thank Eileen Myles, Mary Farley, as well as Caitlin Murray and Tim Johnson of Marfa Book Company.