iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Read Appalachia @readappalachia.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

✨NEW EPISODE!✨ In our second installment of our conversations series, @wesblake.bsky.social and Em J Parsley discuss the process of writing novellas, why they're drawn to short fiction, and the books that inspired them. Have a listen! www.readappalachia.com/blog/ep-56-c...

a graphic with text that reads Read Appalachia the podcast. New Episode! Wes Blake and Em J Parsley. Photos of Wes and Em are featured in the middle of the graphic.]

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Read Appalachia @readappalachia.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

✨NEW EPISODE✨ In our latest episode, @kdwinchester.bsky.social talks to Kentucky author Kayla Rae Whitaker, the author of RETURNS AND EXCHANGES. Have a listen wherever you get your podcasts! 🎧 www.readappalachia.com/blog/ep-55-k...

readappalachia.com

Ep. 55 | Kayla Rae Whitaker: Returns and Exchanges — Read Appalachia

In this episodes of Read Appalachia, Kendra Winchester talks to Kayla Rae Whitaker about her new novel Returns and Exchanges .

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Little Birds @littlebirdslit.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

Last up in our team introductions, @kdwinchester.bsky.social!

A photo of Kendra, a white person with long brown hair. She’s wearing a black t-shirt with the rainbow word South on the front

Kendra Winchester has been working in publishing and book media for 15 years. In 2016, she cofounded Reading Women, a podcast with LitHub Radio, and in 2020, she founded Read Appalachia, an initiative that celebrates Appalachian literature and writing. In her off hours, you can find her posting about her Corgis on Instagram.

Mother Tongue by Sara Nović
On Witness and Respair Jesmyn Ward
Somebody Is Walking on Your Grave by Mariana Enriquez, Translated by Megan McDowell
The Age of Calamities by Senaa Ahmad
Never Whistle at Night: Back for Blood edited by Shane Hawk and Theodore C. Van Alst
Fat Swim by Emma Copley Eisenberg

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Little Birds @littlebirdslit.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

Come meet Little Birds! www.littlebirdsliterary.com

A graphic featuring text that reads instructing Little Birds

Cofounded by Abby Freeland, Davis Shoulders, and Kendra Winchester, Little Birds is an independent literary publicity and consulting agency.

Text that reads We’re Little Birds. We spread the word.

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Read Appalachia @readappalachia.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

✨NEW EPISODE!✨ In the season premiere of Read Appalachia, @kdwinchester.bsky.social talks to Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jayne Anne Phillips about her new memoir SMALL TOWN GIRLS. Have a listen! 🎧 www.readappalachia.com/blog/ep-53-j...

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Read Appalachia @readappalachia.bsky.social · 28/04/2026

Bought this gently used copy of TRIGGER WARNING by Jacinda Townsend and was delighted to discover that it’s signed! Score!

a photo of the book Trigger Warning sitting on Kendra’s lap. The photo is taken from above

A photo of the title page of Trigger Warning featuring Jacinda’s signature

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Read Appalachia @readappalachia.bsky.social · 25/04/2026

What are you currently reading? (Doesn’t have to be Appalachian.) I’m just finishing up PYTHON’S KISS by Louise Erdrich. I’ve never read Erdrich’s short fiction before, and—my goodness—she has such range!

a photo of the book Python’s kiss sitting on a bush

a photo of the green patterned end paper of the book

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Read Appalachia @readappalachia.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

It’s Read Appalachia podcast season, which means I’m currently searching the internet for the latest Appalachian books to feature on the pod. What has been your favorite Appalachian book of the year so far, and what Appalachian books are you most anticipating?

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Read Appalachia @readappalachia.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

Celebrating Poetry Month with Irene McKinney ✨

a photo of Twilight in West Virginia: Sox O’Clock Mine Report

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Read Appalachia @readappalachia.bsky.social · 12/04/2026

Look what just arrived from @minotaurbooks.bsky.social! I loved THE WITCH’S ORCHARD. Hard to believe it’s already time for book two. 😍

A photo of Brimstone Hollow by Archer Sullivan

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Read Appalachia @readappalachia.bsky.social · 11/04/2026

Summer reading season will be here before you know it. I have VERY large TBR planned, but here a few of the Appalachian books I have planned to read soon. What books are on your seasonal TBR?

A stack of the following books:

Kin Folks by Gurney Norman
An American Childhood by Annie Dillard
Joy Is the Justice We Give Ourselves by J. Drew Lanham
Belonging: A Culture of Place by bell hooks
Lullaby for the Grieving by Ashley M/ Jones
Had I a Dove edited by Hilda Downer
Onward edited by Nora Shalaway Carpenter
Once a City Said by Joy Priest
Bloodroot by Bill King
Mother Country by Jacinda Townsend
Fair and Tender Ladies by Lee Smith
Stay and Fight by Madeline Ffitch
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver
This Book Is Free and Yours to Keep edited by Connie Banta, Kristin Devault-Juelfs, Destinee Harper, Katy Ryan, and Ellen Skirvin

A photo of the previously mentioned books

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Hub City Press @hubcitypress.bsky.social · 13/01/2026

Did you know that we distribute issues of the Southern Foodways Alliance's quarterly magazine, Gravy? The new winter issue just dropped, all about the power and pleasure of shared work and of leisure time spent in community. Snag an issue or subscribe for the year! www.hubcity.org/books/gravy/...

hubcity.org

Gravy: Winter 2026 | Gravy | Hub City Writers Project

The stories in the Winter 2026 issue of Gravy speak to the power and pleasure of shared work and of leisure time spent in community.

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Read Appalachia @readappalachia.bsky.social · 08/01/2026

The podcast might be on break until next season, but there are still must-read Appalachian books coming out. What 2026 titles are you most excited for?

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Read Appalachia @readappalachia.bsky.social · 18/12/2025

In the 2025 season finale of the podcast, @kdwinchester.bsky.social talks with @silashouse.bsky.social about his debut poetry collection ALL THESE GHOSTS and his debut murder mystery DEAD MAN BLUES. Have a listen! 🎧 www.readappalachia.com/blog/ep-52-s...

readappalachia.com

Ep. 52 | Silas House — Read Appalachia

Kendra Winchester talks to Silas House, the former Poet Laureate of Kentucky and author of Dead Man Blues and All These Ghosts .

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Read Appalachia @readappalachia.bsky.social · 20/11/2025

NEW PODCAST EPISODE! @kdwinchester.bsky.social talks to Denton Loving about his new poetry collection FELLER. Plus, Denton reads several poems from the collection. Have a listen! www.readappalachia.com/blog/ep-50-d...

readappalachia.com

Ep. 50 | Poetry Corner: Denton Loving — Read Appalachia

In the latest installment of our minisode series, Poetry Corner,  Kendra Winchester is joined by Denton Loving.

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The Red Branch Review @redbranchreview.bsky.social · 03/10/2025

We want to keep making books and @readappalachia.bsky.social wants to help. www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/... — #appalachia #poetry #fiction

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Read Appalachia @readappalachia.bsky.social · 16/05/2025

There will be a new episode of Read Appalachia coming out next week, but over on our newsletter, we're revisiting some backlist episodes. This week we're diving back in to the very first episode, featuring Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle and Melissa Helton. open.substack.com/pub/readappa...

open.substack.com

What Is Appalachian Literature, Anyway?

In between new episodes, I’ll be featuring some backlist episodes of the podcast—enjoy!

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Read Appalachia @readappalachia.bsky.social · 10/05/2025

You may find a sneak peek of my next guest on the pod 👀

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Read Appalachia @readappalachia.bsky.social · 08/05/2025

NEW EPISODE! In the latest installment of our minisode series, Poetry Corner, Kendra Winchester is joined by Raye Hendrix. Have a listen wherever you get your podcasts! www.readappalachia.com/blog/ep-38-p...

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Kendra Winchester @kdwinchester.bsky.social · 26/04/2025

Love hosting poetry corner. Poets, in general, def deserve more love.

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Read Appalachia @readappalachia.bsky.social · 25/04/2025

NEW EPISODE! In the latest installment of our minisode series, Poetry Corner, Kendra Winchester is joined by Jim Minick. Have a listen! www.readappalachia.com/blog/ep-37-p...

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Read Appalachia @readappalachia.bsky.social · 02/04/2025

Happy pub day to TO BELONG HERE edited by Rae Garringer ✨

a photo of To Belong Here: A New Generation of Queer, Trans, and Two-Spirit Appalachian Writers edited by Rae Garringer

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Kendra Winchester @kdwinchester.bsky.social · 31/01/2025

Over the course of the last six months, I’ve been working on being able to write again. Here’s a little behind-the-scenes at what that looks like. open.substack.com/pub/kendrawi...

open.substack.com

Coffee Space

learning to write again after a TBI

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Read Appalachia @readappalachia.bsky.social · 19/01/2025

Hello all from Read Appalachia HQ! RA is still on break for the winter holidays, but we’ll start gearing up again here in a few weeks. I hope y’all are surrounded by stacks of excellent books as we weather through all of these snow storms. Stay safe out there! ❄️

a photo of Gwen, a black and white Cardigan Welsh Corgi, standing in the snow.

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Kendra Winchester @kdwinchester.bsky.social · 10/01/2025

Gwenllian loves the snow. ❄️ [ID: a photo of Gwen, a black and white Cardigan Welsh Corgi, standing in the snow.]

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Kendra Winchester @kdwinchester.bsky.social · 11/01/2025

Finished my first nonfiction book of the year. ✨ [ID: a photo of More, Please: On Food, Fat, Bingeing, Longing, and the Lust for “Enough” by Emma Specter]

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Read Appalachia @readappalachia.bsky.social · 07/01/2025

Happy Pub Day to @browneallover.bsky.social! I’m currently reading and loving his new novel. ✨

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Kendra Winchester @kdwinchester.bsky.social · 15/12/2024

I was on @npr.org to recommend some of my favorite audiobooks of 2024! www.npr.org/2024/12/15/n...

npr.org

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Read Appalachia @readappalachia.bsky.social · 28/11/2024

✨NEW EPISODE✨ In the latest installment of our minisode series, Poetry Corner, Kendra Winchester is joined by Idra Novey. Have a listen! 🎧 www.readappalachia.com/blog/ep-35-p...

readappalachia.com

Ep. 35 | Poetry Corner: Idra Novey — Read Appalachia

In the latest installment of our minisode series, Poetry Corner,  Kendra Winchester is joined by Idra Novey.

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Read Appalachia @readappalachia.bsky.social · 26/11/2024

Hello from Read Appalachia HQ! 👋🏼

A photo of a notebook, pens, and a cup of tea sitting on a cafe table. Little words in the center say oh hi Tuesday!

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Kendra Winchester @kdwinchester.bsky.social · 26/11/2024

We love a library Corg with excellent book taste. 📚 #PembrokeWelshCorgi

A photo of Dylan, a red and white Pembroke Welsh Corgi, sitting on a multicolored rug in front of a bookshelf. He’s looking at the camera and licking his lips.

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Read Appalachia @readappalachia.bsky.social · 25/11/2024

What a speech from Appalachia’s own Barbara Kingsolver. Congrats to her for being awarded this incredible honor. youtu.be/bX8F-q_JRnI?...

youtu.be

National Book Foundation Presents 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award to Barbara Kingsolver.

YouTube video by National Book Foundation

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Catherine Fonseca @cathygoweeee.bsky.social · 25/11/2024

Can't pick a general favorite of the year, but my favorite Appalachia-based read was Sidle Creek. Each story was so connected to nature in a way that felt truly authentic to our region.

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Howard Beale Street Blues @winteron.bsky.social · 25/11/2024

tough call for me. I’d say it’s between Percival Everett’s THE TREES (for its crisp pacing, blend of surrealism and realism, and wicked satire) and JANE EYRE (for the usual reasons). But I’m currently reading Mariana Enriquez’s OUR SHARE OF NIGHT and it could become the favorite!

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Kendra Winchester @kdwinchester.bsky.social · 25/11/2024

No thoughts, just vibes ✨

A photo of Gwen, a black, white, and brindle Cardigan Welsh Corgi, sitting on a multicolored carpet next to two large cushions.

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Christiana Doucette @doucette515.bsky.social · 25/11/2024

Shockingly for me not a verse novel. I loved Simon Sort of Says. The humor of the story and the heartache balanced so well. And its characters were memorable and compelling.

Simon sort of says by Erin Bow

The cover shows a boy and dog tumbling from a brick building toward a house with a peacock on the front lawn.

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Read Appalachia @readappalachia.bsky.social · 25/11/2024

What has been your favorite book that you’ve read this year? What makes it your favorite?

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Read Appalachia @readappalachia.bsky.social · 23/11/2024

When AFFRILACHIA: TESTIMONIES arrived, I gasped out loud—it’s such a beautiful book! On the most recent episode of the podcast I talk to photographer Chris Aluka Berry about his work documenting Black rural communities in Appalachia. The photos are stunning.

Image Description: a photo of the book Affrilachia: Testimonies sitting on a small table.

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Read Appalachia @readappalachia.bsky.social · 19/11/2024

Today’s Appalachian Audiobook ✨🎧

A graphic of the cover of the book Compound Fracture by Andrew Joseph White, narrated by Dani Martineck

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Kendra Winchester @kdwinchester.bsky.social · 19/11/2024

I edit Book Riot's nonfiction newsletter, True Story. I'm looking to feature more new releases by university, indie, and small presses. If you have a ‘25 nonfiction titles that you think I might be interested in covering, please send the info my way!

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Read Appalachia @readappalachia.bsky.social · 19/11/2024

✨NEW EPISODE ✨ In today’s episode of the podcast, Kendra Winchester talks to authors Rae Garringer and Chris Aluka Berry. www.readappalachia.com/blog/ep-34-t...

readappalachia.com

Ep. 34 | Testimonies — Read Appalachia

In today’s episode of the podcast, Kendra Winchester talks to authors Rae Garringer and Chris Aluka Berry.

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