In the mid 19th century, Emily Dickinson was writing prolifically and in a passionate romantic relationship with her sister-in-law, yet she is still popularly believed to be a frigid recluse. Informed by Dickenson's private letters, this film is a light-hearted, humorous and bold take on the American poet who found herself facing male literacy gatekeepers too confused by her genius to take her work seriously, and instead attracts the attention of an ambitious female editor, named Mabel, who also sees Emily as a convenient cover for her bizarre love triangle.