My Kentucky Authors
This is my list of Kentucky authors and my list of books for each author. I had to limit myself to no more than 4 books per author - at least until I read from most every author on my list.
I have not read all the books in my list. But I will. I have my retirement years ahead to read them all, and more.
Read here how I chose my Kentucky authors and here how I chose their books.
Books I have read are marked with a [R] symbol. Books on my shelf waiting to be read are denoted with a [=] symbol. The rolling tally of my library is here.
These are some suggestions on where to find old editions.
I have two more lists of Kentucky Authors; those I am waiting to add to my list on this page.
Latest Update: April 2024
Am I missing a Kentucky author or a book?
My Kentucky Authors
(Arranged alphabetically)
..…..::::: A :::::……
James Lane Allen (1849-1925) One of Kentucky's finest genteel fiction writers
The Choir Invisible (1897/361p.) [=]
A Kentucky Cardinal and Aftermath (1900/147p.) [R]
The Mettle of the Pasture (1903/448p.) [=]
The Landmark (1925/200p.) [=]
Nancy K. Allen (1949-) Fiction writer for all ages, especially children
Amazing Grace - A Kentucky Girl with Gumption during World War II (2014/160p.) [R]
Hiram's Gift (2106/34p.)
Joseph Altshelter (1862-1919) Journalist, novelist, short stories
The Young Trailers: A Story of Early Kentucky (1907/252p.) [=]
The Forest Runners: A Story of the Great War Trail (1908/124p.)
The Keepers of the Trail: A Story of the Great Woods (1916/164p.)
Harriett S. Arnow (1908-1986) Kentucky trilogy and social history writer
The Hunter's Horn (1949/412p.) [R]
The Dollmaker (1954/549p.) [=]
.…..::::: B :::::……
Garry Barker (1943-) Fictional short stories of Appalachia
Fire on the Mountain (1983/133p.) [=]
Copperhead Summer (1985/233p.)
Mountain Passage (1986/250p.) [R]
Wendell E. Berry (1934-) Novelist, poet, storyteller. Port William series
The Memory of Old Jack (1999/176p.) [R]
Nathan Coulter: A Novel (2008/128p.) [=]
A Place in Time: Twenty Stories of the Port William Membership (2013/256p.) [=]
Sallie Bingham (1937-) Fictional novelist, poet, playwright
Matron of Honor (1994/186p.)
Hallee Bridgeman (1974-) Romantic fiction, Red Blood and Bluegrass Series
Blizzard in the Bluegrass (2019/132p.)
Black Belt, White Dress (2022/154p.)
William W. Brown (1814-1884) Autobiography as a fugitive slave
Narrative of William W. Brown, a Fugitive Slave (1847/58p.)
Joyce E. Bowling (1965-) Poet, short story writer about mountains she calls home
Kentucky...The Mountains I Call Home (2007/192p.)
Faces from the Mountains (2011/180p.)
Charles N. Buck (1879-1930) Short stories, novelist about Kentucky mountains
The Code of the Mountains (1915/303p.) [R]
A Pagan of the Hills (1919/178p.) [=]
Ben L. Burman (1895-1984) River novelist / Catfish bend series
The Four Lives of Mundy Tolliver (1953/262p.) [R]
.…..::::: C :::::……
Tim Callahan (1954-) Kentucky Summers series, other fiction stories
The Cave, The Cabin, & The Tattoo Man (2007/286p.)
Dark Days in Morgan County (2009/307p.) [=]
Harry M. Caudill (1922-1990) Fiction and nonfiction, voice of southern mountains
Night comes to the Cumberlands (1963/394p.) [R]
The Mountain, the Miner and the Lord (1980/177p.)
Slender is the Thread (1987/173p.) [=]
Rebecca Caudill (1899-1985) Highly awarded children's author
Tree of Freedom (1949/279p.) [R]
House of Fifers (1954/184p.)
A Pocketful of Crickets (1964/48p.) [R]
Lillie D. Chaffin (1925-1993) Appalachian fiction and poetry for all ages
Bear Weather (1969/56p.)
John Henry McCoy (1971/169p.)
Billy C. Clark (1928-2009) Fiction, poet and autobiography around Big Sandy River
Trail of the Hunter’s Horn (1957/95p.) [R]
A Long Row to Hoe (1960/233p.)
To Leave My Heart at Catlettsburg (1999/80p.)
Thomas D. Clark (1903-2005) Kentucky's premier, awe-inspiring historian
Pills, Petticoats and Plows: The Southern Country Store (1944/359p.) [=]
Irvin S. Cobb (1876-1944) Journalist, humorist, storyteller of his beloved Kentucky
Old Judge Priest (1916/401p.) [R]
Speaking of Operations (1915/64p.)
Snake Doctor (1923/343p.)
Steven R. Cope (1949-) Poetry, short fiction, and drama writer
Sassafras (2002/213p.) [=]
Book of Saws (2003/140p.)
Angela Correll (1966-) Writer of "May Hollow" trilogy
Grounded (2013/276p.) [=]
Guarded (2015/332p.)
Granted (2017/315p.)
Byron Crawford (1945-) Journalist, author and story teller
Kentucky Stories (1994/214p.) [R]
Kentucky Footnotes (2010/272p.)
Joe Creason (1919-1974) Journalist and humorist known all over Kentucky
Crossroads and Coffee Trees (1975/256p.) [R]
Tony Crunk (1956-) Poet and writer of children's books
Living in the Resurrection (1995/55p.)
New Covenant Bound (2010/98p.) [=]
.…..::::: D / E / F :::::……
Gwen L. Davenport (1910-2002) Humorous, folksy fiction writer
Belvedere (1947/247p.)
Family Fortunes (1949/278p.)
Maria T. Daviess (1872-1924) Artist and novelist of optimistic short stories
The Melting of Molly (1912/200p.)
Jude Deveraux (1947-) Historical romances
The Blessing (1999/336p.)
David Dick (1930-2010) CBS Correspondent turned writer, novelist
The View from Plum Lick (1992/227p.) [R]
The Quiet Kentuckians (1996/250p.) [=]
Marilyn Dungan (1955?-) Laney McVey mystery series
Snakebird (1999/247p.)
The Tape (1999/246p.)
Richard G. Edwards (1940-) Retired engineer, writer of "Anchor Cross" novels
The Anchor Cross (2014/310p.) [R]
The Pelle Anchor Cross (2015/305p.) [R]
Bill Ellis (1940-) Historian, Professor, journal writer
Dog Days and Other Stories (1996/149p.) [R]
The Kentucky River (2003/226p.)
Michael Embry (1948-) Journalist and editor, "John Ross Boomer" series
Old Ways and New Days (2015/350p.)
Reunion of Familiar Strangers (2021/222p.)
John Fox, Jr. (1862-1919) Fiction and nonfiction early writer of Appalachia
A Mountain Europa (1899/191p.) [R]
A Cumberland Vendetta (1900/180p.) [R]
Trail of the Lonesome Pine (1908/421p.) [R]
The Heart of the Hills (1913/396p.) [=]
Lucy Furman (1869-1958) Fiction of Eastern Kentucky
Mothering on Perilous (1913/310p.)
The Quare Woman (1923/219p.)
.…..::::: G :::::……
Ann H. Gabhart (1947-) Historical fiction, romance and mystery writer
Angel Sister (2010/416p.)
The Scent of Lilacs (2005/352p.)
Janice H. Giles (1909-1979) Novelist of the Kentucky mountains. Piney Ridge trilogy
The Enduring Hills (1950/256p.) [=]
Miss Willie (1951/272p.)
40 Acres and No Mule (1952/239p.) [R]
Johnny Osage (1960/288p.) [=]
Gera Jones (1966-) Fiction novelist. Gunpowder series.
Painted Windows (2021/356p.) [=]
Fernlee (2022/324p.)
The Bridge (2023/383p.)
Caroline Gordon (1895-1981) Fiction novelist and short story writer
Pehally (1931/282p.)
Old Red and Other Stories (1963/256p.)
Sarah Gorham (1954-) Poet of award
The Tension Zone (1996/84p.)
Don’t Go Back to Sleep (2002/51p.)
Cordia Greer-Petrie (1872-1964) Humorous fiction writer. Angeline series
Angeline at the Seelbach (1920/25p.)
Angeline Steppin’ Out (1922/22p.)
.…..::::: H :::::……
Eliza C. Hall (1856-1935) Folksy fiction of Pennyrile area. Aunt Jane series.
(Pseudonym of Eliza C. Obenchain)
Aunt Jane of Kentucky (1907/283p.) [R]
The Land of Long Ago (1909/295p.)
James B. Hall (1935-2009) Photographer turned poet and novelist
Stopping on the Edge to Wave (1988/80p.)
Wade H. Hall (1934-2015) Poet, historian, novelist. Author of The Anthology.
Passing for Black: The Life and Careers of Mae Street Kidd (1997/208p.)
A Song in Native Pastures: Randy Atcher's Life in Country Music (2002/172p.)
Heather Henson (1966-) Playwrite and author of young adult books
That Book Woman (2008/40p.)
Lift your Light a Little Higher (2016/32p.)
Chris Holbrook (1961-) Historic and fiction writer from eastern Kentucky
Hell and Ohio: Stories of Southern Appalachia (1995/140p.)
Upheaval: Stories (2009/151p.)
Bruce Hopkins (1946-) Writer of Pike County trilogy
Spirits in the Field (2003/236p.) [R]
Bright Wings to Fly (2006/212p.)
Hearts in Zion: Steel, Coal, and an Appalachian Family (2009/220p.)
Silas House (1971-) Noted fiction writer of the coal community trilogy
Clay’s Quilt (2001/292p.) [R]
A Parchment of Leaves (2002/278p.) [=]
A Coal Tattoo (2004/341p.)
Harlan Hubbard (1900-1988) Artist, naturalist, reclusive writer
Shantyboat: A River Way of Life (1953/368p.) [R]
Payne Hollow Journal (1974/167p.)
.…..::::: I / J / K :::::……
Willard R. Jillson (1890-1975) Historian and geologist of Kentucky
Big Bone Lick: an Outline of its History (1936/164p.)
Songs and Satires: A Chronology of Youthful Rhymes and Verse (2017/74p.)
Annie F. Johnston (1863-1931) Children’s story teller. Little Colonel series.
The Little Colonel (1896/102p.) [R]
Two Little Knights of Kentucky (1899/168p.)
Loyal Jones (1928-) Appalachian culture, particularly the humorous side.
Laughter in Appalachia: A Festival of Southern Mountain Humor (2005/160p.)
Curing the Cross-Eyed Mule: Appalachian Mountain Humor (2005/212p.) [=]
Abigail Keam (1956-) Detective and murder fiction mysteries. Honeybee series.
Death by a Honeybee (2010/223p.)[R]
Death by Drowning (2011/268p.)
Christopher Kelder (1962-) Inspirational writer, poet, children story teller, film maker.
The Secrets of Cobb Creek (2012/128p.)
Eleanor M. Kelly (1880-1968) Romantic fiction writer
Kildares of a Storm (1916/235p.)
The Mansion House (1925/339p.)
Barbara Kingsolver (1955-) Novelist, essayist and poet
Prodigal Summer (2001/464p.) [R]
.…..::::: L :::::……
Edwin C. Litsey (1874-1970) Poet and banker in Louisville.
The Man from Jericho (1911/134p.)
Stones for Bread (1940/284p.)
John Uri Lloyd (1849-1936) Folksy fiction writer of N. Kentucky. Stringtown series.
Etidorhpa (1895/376p.) [A must read, even though not about Kentucky]
Stringtown on the Pike (1901/414p.) [R]
Felix Moses: The Beloved Jew of Stringtown on the Pike (1930/354p.)
George Ella Lyon (1949-) Poetic voice of Appalachians, novelist, children’s tales
Catalpa (1993/61p.)
With a Hammer for my Heart (1997/213p.) [R]
Don't You Remember? (2007/220p.)
.…..::::: M :::::……
Maurice Manning (1966-) Distinguished Danville poet
Lawrence Booth's Book of Visions (2001/96p.)
Bulcolics (2008/128p.)
George M. Martin (1866-1946) Early Kentucky fiction.
Pen name for Atwood R. Martin
Emmy Lou, Her Book and Heart (1902/279p.) [R]
Bobbie Ann Mason (1940-) Well known western Kentucky short story writer
Shiloh and Other Stories (1982/247p.) [R]
In Country (1985/247p.) [=]
Spence and Lila (1988/176p.) [=]
Mark Mattmiller (1955?-) Short stories of central Kentucky
Neighboring (2013/148p.) [R]
There I Shall Be (2014/156p.) [=]
Ed McClanahan (1932-) Spirited short story writer
The Natural Man (1983/229p.) [0]
Clark McMeekin. Pen name for Dorothy Clark (1899-1983) and Isabel McMeekin (1895-1973)
Show Me a Land (1940/441p.)
Reckon With the River (1941/392p.)
Tyrone of Kentucky (1954/310p.) [R]
Thomas Merton (1915-1968) Trappist monk turned spiritualist poet, novelist
The Seven Storied Mountain (1948/429p.) [R]
Seeds of Contemplation (1949/201p.)
F. J. Messina (1952-) Writer of the murder mysteries "Bluegrass Files"
Down the Rabbit Hole (2016/342p.) [R]
The Bourbon Brotherhood (2019/319p.)
Jim W. Miller (1936-1996) Poet of Appalachia
The Mountains Have Come Closer (1980/64p.)
Newfound (1989/213p.)
His First, Best Country (1993/216p.)
Marie and Rebecca Mitchell Sisters, historic fiction, non-fiction for young adults
Road to Pleasant Hill (2009/92p.)
Tree of Life (2012/108p.)
William L. Montell (1931-) Writer of ghostly folklore and tales
Ghosts Along the Cumberland: Deathlore in the Kentucky Foothills (1987/272p.) [=]
Ghosts Across Kentucky (2000/258p.) [=]
Tales from Kentucky One-Room School Teachers (2016/300p.)
C.E. Morgan (1976-) Modern fiction writer
All The Living (2009/199p.)
Ronald D. Mullins (19??-) From his memories of Appalachia
The Laurel Spur (2012/340p.)
Aunt Beck (2016/375p.)
.…..::::: N / O :::::……
James T. Cotton Noe (1869-1953) Lawyer, professor, first poet laureate in Kentucky
The Blood of Rachel and Other Poems (1916/150p.)
Tip Sams of Kentucky (1926/270p.)
Gurney Norman (1937-) Novelist, teacher
Kinfolks: The Wilgus Story (1977/118p.)
Chris Offutt (1958-) Fiction short story writer of Appalachia topics
Kentucky Straight (1992/167p.)
Out of the Woods (1999/172p.)
No Heroes (2002/268p.) [R]
.…..::::: P :::::……
John Ed Pearce (1917-2006) Kentucky’s best newspaper writer
Seasons (1983/195p.)
Days of Darkness: The Feuds of Eastern Kentucky (1994/227p.)
The Ohio River (1989/187p.)
Robert A. Powell (1940?) Artist, writer, sketcher of Kentucky and Appalachia
Demon at Clear Creek (2004/148p.)
My Kentucky Sketchbook (2015/140p.)
Joe Powlas (1927-2016) Pastor, writer from Cow Creek
The Church with the Golden Roof (1988/239p.)
The Bishop of Stinking Creek Hollow (1992/270p.)
Shepherd of the Dust ( 2002/167p.) [R]
.…..::::: R :::::……
Alice H. Rice (1870-1942) AKA Alice C. Hegan, Novelist and story teller
Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch (1901/153p.) [R]
A Romance of Billy-Goat Hill (1912/404p.)
Kim M. Richardson (1960s-), Historical fiction centered in eastern Kentucky
The Unbreakable Child (2009/216p.)
Liar's Bench (2015/255p.) [R]
The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek (2019/2302p.)
Jean Ritchie (1922-2015) Dulcimer player, “The Mother of Folk” song writer, story teller
Singing Family of the Cumberlands (1955/282p.)
Karen Robards (1957-) Fiction suspense writer
Hunter’s Moon (1996/425p.)
Paradise County (2000/370p.)
Elizabeth M. Roberts (1881-1941) Fiction, poetry set in central Kentucky
The Time of Man (1926/382p.)
The Great Meadow (1930/338p.)
A Buried Treasure (1931/296p.)
Leonard W. Roberts (1912-1983) Story collector, poet, writer
South from Hell-fer-Sartin (1964/287p.) [R]
Up Cutshin and Down Greasy (1988/176p.) [=]
Gwyn H. Rubio (1949-) Fiction writer
Icy Sparks (1998/336p.)
.…..::::: S / T :::::……
Charles Semones (1937-2015) Poet, novelist of central KY. Sabbath Country series
Afternoon in the Country of Summer (2003/160p.)
And All the Layered Light (2007/144p.)
James Sherburne (1926-2011) Historical fiction, suspense writer
Hacey Miller (2000/324p.)
Stand Like Men (1973/268p.)
Verna Mae Slone (1914-2009) Appalachian writer, craftswoman, quilter, dollmaker
What My Heart Wants to Tell (1979/143p.) [=]
Rennie's Way (1994/232p.)
Martha B. Stiles (1934-) Central Kentucky writer
Kate of Still Waters (1994/232p.) [R]
Lonesome Road (1998/275p.)
James Still (1906-2001) Poet, novelist, folktales, short stories about Appalachia
River of Earth (1940/245p.) [R]
The Run for the Elbertas (1953/144p.) [R]
Rusties and Riddles and Gee-Haw Whimmy-Diddles (1989/112p.)
The Hills Remember (2012/416p.)
Jesse Stuart (1906-1984) Exceptional and admired Kentucky writer
Man With The Bull-Tongue Plow (1934/384p.)
Taps for Private Tussie (1943/253p.)
A Thread That Runs So True (1949/293p.)
The Rightful Owner (1960/110p.) [=]
Hollis Summers (1916-1987) Poetry and fiction short stories writer
Brighten the Corner (1952/217p.)
John O. Allen Tate (1899-1979) Traditional poet
The Fathers (1938/306p.)
Jean B. Thomas (1882-1982) “Traipsin’ Woman” folk writer, musician, photographer
Devil's Ditties: Stories and Songs of the Kentucky Mountain People (1931/188p.)
The Singin' Fiddler of Lost Hope Hollow (1938/242p.)
.…..::::: U / V / W :::::……
Jane Gentry Vance (1941-2014) Poet laureate, professor.
A Garden in Kentucky (1995/85p.)
Frank X. Walker (1961-) Poet laureate, educator
Affrilachia (2000/112p.)
Robert P. Warren (1905-1989) Prominent Kentucky poet, short story, novel writer
Night Rider (1939/460p.) [R]
World Enough and Time (1950/512p.)
Crystal E. Wilkinson (1962-) Fiction and biography writer
Blackberries, Blackberries (2000/180p.) [=]