Wes Blake

I’ll be signing copies of the ole Pineville Trace this Saturday at the always supportive Joseph-Beth Bookstore in Lex, 1-3 pm. I’m appreciative to the judges that have recognized this book (and allowed me to cover it with all these cool award stickers like my Trapper Keeper when I was a kid). 💙📚

Had fun signing books at Wildside Winery, just down the road in Nonesuch, KY #PinevilleTrace

This is one of the most impactful and stunning books I’ve read. From the unforgettable opening prose poem “Allegiance” to the closing consciousness-mirroring “Shattered Jewel,” this is a soulful, visceral and urgent work brimming with clarity, honesty, sadness, humor, and beauty. Read it.

Hope to see you out there! Learn more at wesblake.com/events #writingcommunity

Throwback Thursday! David Domine talked with me and Erik Rust at @carmichaels.bsky.social a while back. Tonight MURDER IN GLITTERBALL CITY, a new documentary based on his awesome book premieres on HBO Max. Watch it! #truecrime

Excited to be part of the 2026 Appalachian Writers Workshop faculty alongside these talented writers and teachers. You won’t find a better workshop or writing community. Join us! Applications are open until March 1st. Apply at hindman.org/workshop

#AWW26 #AppalachianWritersWorkshop #WritingWorkshop

Check out my new story “To Bury” in the brand new UNTELLING Issue 4 | Winter ‘25 issue. I workshopped the story this summer at Appalachian Writers Workshop at @hindmanschool.bsky.social . I worked on the final sentence every day for three weeks!

Order your copy at hindman.org/untelling/

Loved this book. One of the best Jim Harrison books, and it surprises me how high quality most are. This is a story about grief, life, death, the UP, Chippewa religious ideas, bears, our connection with animals and the spirit world, and how our stories and the stories of our ancestors carry on. 💙📚

Honored to be included in the new UNTELLING Issue 4 | Winter ‘25 issue alongside so many writers/poets/artists I admire. Thanks to editor Melissa Helton and Hindman Settlement School.

Order your copy at hindman.org/untelling/

A sad day in our country that should deeply concern every American.

Honored to be a finalist and look forward to writing in James Still’s cabin soon! Congrats to the winners and other finalists, and thanks to the judges!

#OakLedgeResidencyContest #JamesStill #Contest #WritingRetreat #appalachianwriter

The new @publisherswkly.bsky.social print edition features PINEVILLE TRACE and highlights how artist Erik Rust worked with Etchings Press and designer Abigail Bailey to create the NIEA award-winning cover! #publishersweekly @booklife.bsky.social
#booklife #coverart #collage #pinevilletrace 💙📚

Love that. That’s one of my favorite books!

Congrats!

PINEVILLE TRACE is a 2026 Independent Press Award Distinguished Favorite for both the literary fiction AND audiobook categories! Thanks to Etchings Press and narrator Michael Mau!

www.independentpressaward.com/2026-favorites

#2026IPA #GabbyBookAwards #bookaward #literaryfiction #audiobook 📚💙🐱

Congrats!!

Honored to be included among these fine writers in FLASH FICTION WRITING TIPS—the #1 Amazon New Release in Reference! a.co/d/bNL4N1W

Featuring luminaries of the form like Meg Pokras, Sherrie Flick, Grant Faulkner, Stuart Dybek, Dinty Moore, Etgar Keret, @nodghosh.bsky.social

Sign the Petition Preserve Woodford County Farmland

Help protect nature and farmland! If you live in Woodford County, sign and share this petition to protect rural farms from being developed and subdivided. After signing, contact county magistrates and come to the meeting Tuesday, Jan. 13th at Woodford Fiscal Court at 5:30. c.org/MYrx4H28jQ

I need to re-read it. Did you see the movie version yet?

My favorite reads of 2025! 💙📚

Me and Pig

Winter Solstice. Orion through Pines

Some highlights about my debut book PINEVILLE TRACE from Etchings Press, Univ. of Indianapolis. Available at your local bookstore or library, bookshop.org, and all the usual online places. Learn more at wesblake.com

Audiobook Sale! $1.99 now through Dec. 31!

It’s been so nice listening to stories about Gurney Norman over the last couple days. I feel lucky to have had him as a teacher. Thelonius Monk said that “a genius is the one most like himself.” Gurney was always completely himself. Listen to Gurney read “Allegiance”: youtu.be/Zk8nRWujzu4?...

New interview at Southern Review of Book ! I got to talk with Julie Hensley about her new book FIVE OAKS, memory, secrets, form, autofiction, and the importance of place. Read here: southernreviewofbooks.com/2025/12/05/f...

Thanks to @publisherswkly.bsky.social & @booklife.bsky.social for featuring PINEVILLE TRACE in their “Cover Crush” article! Read about how the cover came to be, then check out the original artwork by Erik Rust on display at Paul Sawyier Library in Frankfort, KY.
booklife.com/news/create/...

Get signed copies of PINEVILLE TRACE at Joseph-Beth Bookstore in Lexington! Signed books make great gifts! Joseph-Beth can ship signed copies, too. Thanks so much to the folks at Joseph-Beth like Randy, Gary, Sam, Liz (who took this photo!), and many others. 💙📚

Great culture can save lives. Literally.

Amazing letter in today’s @thetimes.com about Tom Stoppard

Get signed copies of PINEVILLE TRACE at Fireside Reads Bookshop! Signed books by local authors make great gifts. This cool new bookstore is just past the Fayette County line in Jessamine County, on Harrodsburg Road. #shoplocal #indiesfirst