Press Kit
High res cover image and author headshot at bottom of page.
Interviews
Prompt to Page Podcast (A podcast from Jessamine County Public Library & Carnegie Center for Literacy & Learning): Discussion with Carrie Green
Woodford County Library Hometown Highlights Podcast
Everyday Writers Podcast: Discussion with Crystal McQueen and Jordan S. Keller
Heavy Feather Review: “Spirit Rock”: Matthew Sidney Parsons talks with Wes Blake about his book Pineville Trace
X-R-A-Y Lit Mag: “An Interview with Wes Blake about ‘Pineville Trace’” by Rebecca Gransden
Deep South Magazine: “Finding the Pure Heart: An interview with Pineville Trace author Wes Blake” by Joseph Webb
Woodford Sun Newspaper: “Nonesuch Author Wes Blake finds “a good home” to Publish his Debut” by Bob Vlach (Dec. 19, 2024)
Accents Podcast on WUKY: Discussion with Katerina Stoykova
Kentucky Writers Roundtable on RadioLex WLXU 93.9 FM: Discussion of Pineville Trace with Kevin Nance and Jay McCoy
Turning the Page: A Lexington Public Library Podcast: Discussion with Mariam Addarrat
Wes Blake in Conversation with Teresa Brock & Kevin Nance – Zoom Event (Feb. 20, 2025)
Rbzeen: “Literary Fiction Spotlight: An Interview with Wes Blake” by Poppy McDonald
Live on WRFL 88.1 Radio Free Lexington and Facebook Live | Trivial Thursdays with Mick Jeffries
In Conversation with Christopher Chambers at Mystery to Me Books
Words, Images, & Worlds Podcast: In Conversation with Jason DeHart
Now, Appalachia Podcast: Interview with Eliot Parker
Appalachian Firesides Podcast: Interview with T.J. Hensley
The Authors Show: Airs August 27, 2024 on Channel 4
Reviews
Publishers Weekly Book Life Review (Oct. 27, 2025 Publishers Weekly Best Books Issue)
SmokeLong Quarterly Review by A W Earl
Heavy Feather Fiction Review: Mia Carroll Reads Wes Blake’s Novella-in-Flash Pineville Trace
Kentucky Living Magazine: “Ex-Preacher and His Cat” Review by Penny Woods (July 2025 issue)
Southern Literary Review of Pineville Trace by Cheyanne Hensley
Frank Magazine: “Pineville Trace by Wes Blake” — Review by Megan Pickett, Paul Sawyier Public Library (November 2025 issue)
Fully Booked in Kentucky Review by Teresa Brock
Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine Review by Laurel Flores Fantauzzo
Nick Jones Reads Books’ Review
Bianco the Bibliophile’s Review (forthcoming)
North of Oxford Review by Lynette G. Esposito
Netgalley Reviews (Print) (Audiobook)
More Coming Soon!
Misc.
Deep South Magazine’s Fall/Winter Reading List (featuring PINEVILLE TRACE)
ANTENNA named a semifinalist for Sundress Publications Prose Contest
Electric Literature: “8 Brilliant Flash Fiction Books That Pack a Quick Punch“
Largehearted Boy: “Wes Blake’s Playlist for his Novella-in-Flash, Pineville Trace“
A Blind Play Podcast: Pineville Trace Audiobook Excerpt
JMWW: “How to Write A Novella-In-Flash”
Shepherd: “The Best Books that Capture How It Feels to be an Outsider”
State Journal Newspaper: “Wes Blake to Discuss new novel ‘Pineville Trace’ at PSPL” (Jan. 23, 2025)
The Mountain Advocate Newspaper: “‘Shelf Life’ Brings Literacy Wherever it’s Needed” by Kasey Morris Floyd (April 2, 2025)
Middlesboro News: “Award-Winning Novel Inspired by Pineville, KY” by Jay Compton
Publishers Weekly BookLife: Cover Crush: Indie Book Covers That Jump Off the Screen (December 1, 2025)
Book Club Kit
Below is a discussion guide for book clubs. Please visit the contact page, and reach out if you’d like the author to visit your book club (in-person or virtually, depending on location).
Teaching Guide
Below are some writing prompts and discussion questions for use in your classroom, workshop, or writers’ group. Visit the contact page, and reach out if you’d like the author to visit your classroom, writing workshop, or conference.
Creative Writing: On Obsessions & Close Attention
Below is a creative writing lesson I created that contains what’s most helpful and important in my own process as a writer. I recently visited a creative writing course at Eastern Kentucky University and guided students through these ideas and processes, why they’re important, and how they might apply them to their own writing. I would be happy to visit your creative writing course or conference, too, either virtually or in person.
Book Cover (credit: cover art by Erik Rust; cover design by Abigail Bailey)
Author Headshot 1: (credit: Ben Keeling)
Author Headshot 2: (credit: Ben Keeling)
Author Headshot 3: (credit: Ben Keeling)
Author Headshot 4: (credit: Ben Keeling)
Publicity Contact:
Emily Keough: emily@mindbuckmedia.com