Back Draft is an ongoing interview series focused on the revision process. Founded and edited by Ben Purkert, the series provides a window into how early work is transformed into a finished product.

Carl Phillips: “Proof by Morning” / “Is It True All Legends Once Were Rumors”

Victoria Chang: “Obit” / “Obit”

Heather Christle: “Untitled” / “The Spider”

Cynthia Cruz: “Hollywood” / “Nature Mort”

Cedar Sigo: “Man Sitting with Yellow Flowers” / “Man Drowning with Flowers”

Catherine Barnett: “En Route” / “En Route”

Natasha Trethewey: “Pentimento” / “Repentance”

Edward Hirsch: “How Memory Works” / “Stranger by Night”

Martín Espada: “The Bard Shakes the Snow From the Trees” / “The Bard Shakes the Snow From the Trees”

John Murillo: “Mercy, Mercy Me” / “Mercy, Mercy Me”

Emily Wilson: The Odyssey

Miranda Popkey: Topics of Conversation

Rachel Eliza Griffiths: “Mirror”

Emma McMillan: Susanna and the Elders

Danez Smith: “waiting on you to die so I can be myself”