Image by Mark Hilringhouse.
Jeffery Renard Allen is a Chicago-based writer who has published six books of fiction and poetry. Among many other accomplishments, he is a recipient of the Chicago Triibune’s Heartland Prize for Fiction, the Ernest J Gaines Award for Literary Excellence, and a Guggenheim fellowship. His newest book is titled Fat Time and Other Stories. While in residence at Azule, Jeffery is working on expanding his essay, Mother-Wit into a memoir.
In our conversation, Jeffery discusses the most influential writers on his work, his most challenging project, and the themes of mental health and fluidity in his work.
Please see our recorded conversation below.