First Draft 12th Anniversary Best Of - Ross Gay

First Draft 12th Anniversary Best Of - Ross Gay

From First Draft: A Dialogue on Writing by Mitzi Rapkin

May 29, 2026 · 1h 3m

About this episode

In this episode, Mitzi Rapkin interviews poet and essayist Ross Gay, discussing his works and literary achievements.

Ross Gay is the author of four books of poetry: Against Which; Bringing the Shovel Down; Be Holding, winner of the PEN American Literary Jean Stein Award; and Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude, winner of the 2015 National Book Critics Circle Award and the 2016 Kingsley Tufts Poetry Award. His first collection of essays, The Book of Delights, was released in 2019 and was a New York Times bestseller. His new collection of essays is called Inciting Joy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

People in this episode

Host: Mitzi Rapkin

Guest: Ross Gay

Topics covered

  • poetry
  • essays
  • literary awards
  • writing
  • author interview

Keywords

  • Ross Gay
  • poetry
  • essays
  • literary awards
  • The Book of Delights
  • Inciting Joy
  • National Book Critics Circle Award
  • PEN American Literary Jean Stein Award

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Against Which, Bringing the Shovel Down, Be Holding, Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude, The Book of Delights, Inciting Joy

More episodes of First Draft: A Dialogue on Writing

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the First Draft: A Dialogue on Writing podcast page.