The Author: Eduardo Martínez-Leyva
The Book: Cowboy Park (University of Wisconsin Press, 2024)
The Elevator Pitch: Cowboy Park explores toxic masculinity, grief, trauma, self-discovery, and the immigrant experience living in El Paso, TX.
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The Rumpus: Where did the idea of your book come from?
Eduardo Martínez-Leyva: Cowboy Park originated during my final year in graduate school, inspired by a need to explore the community and stories that shaped my identity as a queer Latinx man in El Paso, TX. Situated on the US–Mexico border, this city, often misrepresented by the media, became central to my work as I addressed the violence and rhetoric around the topic of immigration. The book reflects the complex reality of the border region, hoping to challenge stereotypes and broaden understanding of marginalized communities.
A sequence of poems focuses on my brother’s detainment and deportation. Initially, this sequence and my journey of self-discovery were the driving forces of the collection. While drafting several of these poems, the trauma of what happened to my mother in the 2019 Walmart mass shooting kept appearing in my writing. Ultimately, the collection shows the violence and discrimination that gets imposed upon BIPOC bodies, particularly those in my communities.
Rumpus: How long did it take to write the book?
Martínez-Leyva: This question is a bit tricky. I began writing Cowboy Park after completing my MFA program. In total, the entire process took nine years. However, the actual time writing it out, completing it, and adding finishing touches took about two years during a writing residency that allowed me to write without any concerns or distractions.
Rumpus: Is this the first book you’ve written? If not, what made it the first to be published?
Martínez-Leyva: Cowboy Park is my first publication. It was selected by Amaud Jamaul Johnson for the 2024 Felix Pollak Prize in Poetry.
Rumpus: In submitting the book, how many no’s did you get before your yes?
Martínez-Leyva: I had the fortunate opportunity of having my manuscript picked up by the University of Wisconsin Press when I first submitted my work for publication. It was my first time compiling a manuscript, and I was a little reluctant to submit it anywhere, but I felt encouraged by friends to take a risk and build a bit thicker skin.
Rumpus: Which authors/writers buoyed you along the way? How?
Martínez-Leyva: There are too many writers to mention. However, I couldn’t have completed Cowboy Park without the help and guidance of writers like Lucie Brock-Broido, L.A. Johnson, Benjamin Garcia, Juan Luis Guzmán, Eduardo C. Corral, Timothy Donnelly, Mark Wunderlich, and Lynn Melnick. These individuals were my initial readers and teachers, and they were the forces who believed in and fostered my work. They challenged me to become a better writer. With their encouragement, I began exploring my lived experience as a queer man of color. As a result, I became bolder and more honest in my poetry.
Rumpus: How did your book change over the course of working on it?
Martínez-Leyva: Writing Cowboy Park involved many turns and pivots. Initially, it was a response to the rhetoric around immigration, especially after my brother’s detainment and deportation. I also aimed to explore my self-acceptance while growing up on the US-Mexico border. These two narratives formed the foundation of the collection. Then, several losses deeply impacted me and those around me, influencing the direction of my work.
After my mom survived the 2019 mass shooting in my hometown, I began exploring how all of these narratives came together—how violence often gets imposed on BIPOC bodies. Initially, it was difficult to write about what happened to my mother because it didn’t feel like my story to tell. However, that day and the impact it had and continues to have on my family became an undeniable part of my life. Without realizing it, in those years when I wasn’t actively writing, I reflected, processed, grieved, and learned to be kind to myself. Writing about these experiences with honesty helped me process and understand my trauma and grief. In the end, the movements the collection took allowed me to honor those figures and experiences that shaped me.
Rumpus: Before your first book, where has your work been published?
Martínez-Leyva: Several of my poems appeared in Poetry magazine, The Adroit Journal, The Journal, The Boston Review, The Hopkins Review, Apogee, The Cincinnati Review and other publications.
Rumpus: What is the best advice someone gave you about publishing?
Martínez-Leyva: The best advice I received about publishing was to recognize that submitting your work for publication is a significant achievement in itself. It’s important to be proud of taking this step because it represents a huge milestone in sharing your voice with the world. Don’t let fear hold you back, as it often stems from ego and the worry of how your work will be received. Instead, focus on the courage it takes to put your words out there. Embrace the process and remember that every submission is a valuable opportunity to grow and connect with others through your writing.
Rumpus: Who’s the reader you’re writing to—or tell us about your target audience and how you cultivated or found it?
Martínez-Leyva: I am writing for individuals who resonate with my work, particularly those who have felt othered. However, I’m also writing for those who might not share these experiences. I hope my readers gain insight into the stories and voices of those who are unfairly marginalized. I want them to understand that despite the hate speech, hate crimes, and diatribes against both the LGBTQ and BIPOC communities, these groups are strong, resilient, and beautiful.
Rumpus: What is one completely unexpected thing that surprised you about the process of getting your book published?
Martínez-Leyva: Since this process is entirely new to me, almost everything feels unexpected—from having my manuscript picked up and being invited to reading events to coordinating these events while juggling a full-time job. Having people read and enjoy my collection is also surprising, and I am incredibly grateful for it all.
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Author photograph courtesy of Eduardo Martínez-Leyva
