Kentucky author Wes Blake to visit Murray State University for Reading Series
By Baden Grubbs | Oct 16, 2026
MURRAY, Ky. — Wes Blake, author of the award-winning Southern Gothic novella Pineville Trace, will visit Murray State University for a reading of his work on Monday, Oct. 26 at 7:30 p.m. in Faculty Hall room 208.
The Murray State Reading Series is sponsored by the Department of English and Philosophy. All events are free and open to the public.
Blake has been a finalist of the Next Generation Indie Book Award for First Novel, Eric Hoffer Book Award for Fiction Category, Feathered Quill Book Award for Debut Author and National Indie Excellence Award for Book Cover Design. He is also the recipient of the Etchings Press Novella Prize, along with being the Editor’s Pick for Publisher’s Weekly BookLife.
Pineville Trace follows Frank, a former preacher and escaped inmate from a Kentucky prison, as he travels through North America pursuing a cat named Buffalo. The novella handles themes of redemption, transformation and escape.
Blake is also the author of the forthcoming nonfiction essay collection Hazelgreen and Other Haunts, which functions as a narrative memoir detailing obscure locations throughout Kentucky, along with Blake’s personal anecdotes. The collection is set to be released in 2027 by West Virginia University Press.
When asked about the fiction that he admires, Blake said that many of his inspirations have likely come to influence his writing.
“Christopher Chambers flash collection Delta 88, Sandra Cisneros’ novella-in-flash The House on Mango Street, Flannery O’Connor’s Wiseblood, Gurney Norman’s Kinfolks, Denis Johnson’s Train Dreams, Leonard Gardner’s Fat City, Leslie Marmon Silko’s Ceremony, William Kennedy’s Ironweed, Breece D’J Pancake’s stories, Richard Brautigan’s short novels, Ron Rash’s Nothing Gold Can Stay, and James Salters’ novels have been influential on my work, and I admire them very much,” Blake said. “I’m sure there are elements of my influences that have impacted my work, even if it’s just my own sensibility inspired by what (and how) their work achieves.”
During the event, Blake will read excerpts from both Pineville Trace and Hazelgreen and Other Haunts. Copies of the novella will be sold and signed following the reading.
Blake will also visit Dr. Gwendolyn Paradice’s advanced creative nonfiction class and Dr. Trevor Martinson’s advanced fiction class during his time in Murray, to talk to students about his respective works and the writing life.
Reflecting on his time in western Kentucky, Blake said that he is excited to return: “When I was a kid I lived near Murray, in Morganfield, Kentucky, and am looking forward to being back in western Kentucky!”
To find out more about this event or the Murray State Reading Series, contact Dr. Gwen Paradice, coordinator of the creative writing program, at gparadice@murraystate.edu or follow the program on Instagram and Facebook at @murraystatecreativewriting. Visit murraystate.edu/english for more information about the Department of English and Philosophy. To learn more about Wes Blake and his work, visit wesblake.com.