I interview Daniel Bailey about his DRUNK SONNETS.
I think his book and its creation (all poems written while drunk) is actually asking/working a few subversive questions about this thing of alcohol and art. I can speak from teaching a lot of undergrads intoxicated by Bukowksi (not to mention Hem and Faulkner, that crew, oh my…Duras, Dorothy Parker, etc.), that this issue exists in their minds, and I think it is interesting, and large. In its mythology, in its truth, and obvious falsehoods. In its complexity. In its simplicity. In its contradictions.
You will note that Bailey edits these pieces sober.
He is aware of the argument.
Alcohol and art…hmm.
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John Madera is the author of Nervosities (Anti-Oedipus Press, 2024) and Nomad Science (Spuyten Duyvil Press, forthcoming in 2026). His fiction is also published in Conjunctions, Salt Hill, Hobart, The &Now Awards 2: The Best Innovative Writing, and many other journals. His poetry is also published in elimae, Sixth Finch, Contrapuntos, and elsewhere. His criticism is published in American Book Review, Bookforum, The Review of Contemporary Fiction, Rain Taxi: Review of Books, The Believer, The Brooklyn Rail, and many other venues. Recipient of an M.F.A. in Literary Arts from Brown University, two-time New York State Council on the Arts awardee John Madera lives in New York City, where he runs Rhizomatic and manages and edits Big Other.
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