Books

Spalding's Week-long Literary Festival Begins Saturday

Erin Keane — Fri, 17 May 2013 17:00:48 +0000

A series of readings by authors affiliated with Spalding University’s Master of Fine Arts in Writing program begins Saturday. The university’s bi-annual Festival of Contemporary Writing is the state’s largest reading series and is an integral part of Spalding’s Master of Fine Arts in Writing Program residency, which the university hosts every spring and fall. This year’s festival runs through May 25.

Kentucky Inducts First African American Poet Laureate

Erin Keane — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 20:35:41 +0000

In the annual Kentucky Writers' Day program at the Capitol, Governor Steve Beshear inducted poet Frank X Walker as the state's new poet laureate. Walker is the first African American to hold the post, and at 53 years old, the University of Kentucky professor is also the youngest.

Unbound Meets Its Funding Goal

Erin Keane — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 20:49:17 +0000

Our new fiction show Unbound met its Kickstarter funding goal. WFPL launched a campaign on the popular creative project crowdfunding platform last month to raise funds for production costs associated with the new show. On Kickstarter, a project only receives pledged funds if the campaign meets its goal; otherwise, no money is collected from backers.

Writers Gone Wild: New Book Examines Literary Rogues

Erin Keane — Sat, 16 Mar 2013 02:49:07 +0000

Nothing secures a literary legacy like an over-sized personality to match the work. On some level, we want our artists to behave badly, feuding with critics and wearing, perhaps, less clothing than appropriate in public. We want to believe that being a talented, successful writer isn’t just another job, like being a plumber or an accountant—it's a lifestyle, or maybe even a curse.

New Fiction Show Launching on WFPL

Erin Keane — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 16:13:09 +0000

We're launching a new show this summer: Unbound is a literary journal for the ears, where we hope you'll discover your next favorite author. In each half-hour episode, two authors will each read a short story on a theme. Our authors are memorable voices writing excellent, engaging, thrilling and heartbreaking stories and novels -- exciting writers creating a buzz on the literary scene.

Frank Bill Follows Acclaimed Debut With a 'Donnybrook' of a Novel

Erin Keane — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 21:46:50 +0000

Jarhead Earl is the best fighter in southeastern Kentucky. He’s also broke with two babies to feed. His ticket out of poverty is winning an annual high-stakes underground bare-knuckle fight tournament held in the wilds of Southern Indiana.

Something in the Water: Talking Kentucky Literature with Frank X Walker

Erin Keane — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 22:12:38 +0000

Danville native Frank X Walker made history last week when Governor Steve Beshear appointed him the next Kentucky poet laureate. Walker is the state’s first African American poet laureate, and at 51, he’s also the youngest.

Reading Series Round-up: Three Upcoming Louisville Literary Events

Erin Keane — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 21:14:54 +0000

Three live, free literary events are scheduled between now and next Monday, each with their own character of place and vibe.

Friday, February 22: Punk Rock Poems & Novel Drinking Games

Frank X Walker Named Kentucky Poet Laureate

Erin Keane — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 16:35:27 +0000

Gov. Steve Beshear appointed poet Frank X Walker the 2013-14 Kentucky Poet Laureate today.

A Few Honest Words: New Book Explores Pop Music in Kentucky

Erin Keane — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 19:07:39 +0000

WFPL's Erin Keane speaks with Kentucky author Jason Howard about his new book, “A Few Honest Words: the Kentucky Roots of Popular Music."

In the book's introduction, Howard quotes songwriter Harlan Howard when he writes, “if there is a creed that defines roots music, it is that it consists of ‘three chords and a truth.’”