In 1947, Robert Penn Warren was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in fiction for his novel “All the King’s Men.” He was the first Kentuckian to win the award. Warren went on to win two more Pulitzers in 1958 and 1979, both for poetry. He would eventually be named the first poet laureate of the United States in 1986. Three years later, he passed away in Stratton, Vermont, where he moved with his family as an adult, but his story had begun nearly a century before in Guthrie, Kentucky, a small rural town found in the western side of the state. 

Warren was one of the foundational figures of literature in the Bluegrass State, a discipline that has been further developed by countless writers, poets, and novelists in the years since. While not as notably associated with the region as things such as state parks, horse racing, and soybean farms, literature has served as a vital cultural catalyst throughout its history. Today, a bookstore in Hopkinsville, Kentucky is looking to add to that history by placing a greater focus on the region’s modern literary scene via the introduction of a new magazine exclusively featuring the work of writers from Western Kentucky. 

The Book and Bottle Shop, a hybrid bookstore and wine bar located in downtown Hopkinsville, recently announced that their new literary magazine, By the Glass, will launch in spring 2026. The idea for the magazine came about during an open mic poetry night in early 2025, when Rachel Sanders, the shop’s owner and the magazine’s editor, realized there were more local writers in attendance than she had anticipated. This group went on to form Draft & Drink, a writers group that meets monthly at the shop.

“During one of our initial meetings, I asked them what they would most like to get out of our group, and almost all of the members asked for publishing opportunities,” Sanders said. “I am always one that is up for a challenge so rather than just pointing them towards other publishing options, I thought why not start our own magazine?” 

Beyond wanting to offer a publishing opportunity for local writers, Sanders and other members of Draft & Drink, who are assisting with review, advertising, and production processes, are dedicated to bringing more attention to the region’s literary movement. 

“Our goal is simply to celebrate the artistry and creativity of writers in the Western Kentucky region,” Sanders said. “I could say more, but I truly do not want to detract from that simple mission.” 

This Western Kentucky focus is a unique one, despite there being several other literary publications in the region. The Hopkinsville Community College has published the Round Table Literary Journal since 1965, but they accept work from non-local writers. Similarly, Murray State University publishes Notations, an annual collection of art and literature produced by Murray State students. By the Glass, on the other hand, while not as restrictive as limiting submissions to a specific student body, will only accept work from writers from the local community. Still, this does create another publishing opportunity for writers currently studying at one of several universities in the region. 

T.J. Martinson, an assistant professor of English and creative writing at Murray State and a published fiction author, sees By the Glass as not only an opportunity for students to see their work published, but also as a valuable experience in the industry. 

“Regional literary magazines are useful for college students because they already have a metaphorical foot in the door when it comes time to submit,” Martinson said. “Any experience with publishing, especially for college students, is valuable experience, so it’s an opportunity to take advantage of, most certainly.” 

In addition to offering an outlet for writers working in the region, the local focus will also provide a new perspective for readers. In an era when fewer people are reading than ever before, a publication that brings attention to something people care about deeply, such as their home, could drive interest and subsequently, an increase in readership. 

Jeff Osborne, a professor of English at Murray State, shares this opinion and said he believes that regional-based publications are sometimes even more important than their larger, national counterparts. 

“I’ve always felt that region-specific efforts to showcase writers, artists, musicians, etcetera are incredibly important and, in some ways, even more important, than larger scale, national or international efforts because the local is the air we breathe, even if the world is where we live,” Osborne said. 

He also acknowledged that By the Glass could serve an important role for writers from the university. “There are many creative writers on campus–students, faculty, and staff. It could be a good outlet for them,” Osborne said. “And, as a professor in the English department, it would benefit me and my students to know what’s going on around here in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction.” 

The magazine’s submission deadline is April 1, 2026, and there aren’t many restrictions for this submission period, although Sanders says the magazine may be themed in the future. 

“We are encouraging all submitters to choose pieces in their existing (but unpublished) portfolio that represent the very best of their skill and creativity as writers,” Sanders said. “We have very few restrictions, mostly relating to formatting, and we very specifically will be accepting human-authored works only (no AI based submissions). Other than that, we are not censoring or restricting any specific topics at this point.” 

The Book and Bottle Shop is more than a bookstore, wine bar, and now literary publisher. They host monthly book clubs, quarterly trivia nights, after dark shopping experiences, wine pairings, private parties and more. 

“I like to say we throw things at the wall to see what sticks like spaghetti,” Sanders said 

All their events are published on their website, thebookandbottleshop.com, where you can also submit your work for By the Glass.