About bookclub@ket/How It Works
What is the bookclub?
bookclub@ket is a television series showcasing Kentucky literature, produced by KET. In one new program each month, host Bill Goodman and a panel of readers discuss a book by a Kentucky writer or about Kentucky—including both contemporary and classic fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Past programs from the series, which premiered in January 1999, air between showings of the new discussion; see the TV schedule for a list of upcoming broadcasts.
Books to be discussed on the program are chosen (according to the selection criteria outlined below) for a year at a time, with a list of the new year’s selections announced in October or November. We encourage bookstores, libraries, existing book clubs, teachers, and individual readers to use this list to read along with us. Our goal is to get people across Kentucky talking about the state’s rich literary heritage and vibrant contemporary writing scene.
For e-mail reminders of the bookclub@ket selections and other literary news, you can sign up for our monthly newsletter. And we’d love to hear how your book group is participating—and what you think of the show! E-mail your comments and suggestions to .
How are the books chosen?
Each year, in the summer, KET compiles a list of possible books for the upcoming year, collecting suggestions from in-state publishers, book reviews, and audience members. Then our bookclub team members read as many of the books as possible to compile a list of “semi-finalists.” This list is posted on the bookclub@ket web site in early fall, and audience members are invited to vote on those books they would most like to see included on the final list.
Once the votes are in and tallied, the KET team uses the following selection criteria to come up with the final 12 books:
- BY OR ABOUT KENTUCKY: Only books by a Kentuckian (a current resident or an author who was born here, spent a significant portion of time here, etc.) or about Kentucky are considered.
- DIVERSITY: Our goal is to come up with a book list that is diverse in every sense of the word. That includes
- a mix of genres (fiction—novels, short stories; poetry; nonfiction—history, essays, biography, memoirs, etc.; and other—cookbooks, humor, travel, etc.)
- a mix of writers from various parts of the state or books about various regions
- a range of experience, from well-known writers to those just getting started
- a balance of male/female writers, as well as diversity in terms of ethnicity and cultural background
- a mix of classic and contemporary works
- IN PRINT OR READILY AVAILABLE: We want as many people to be able to “read along” as possible.
AUDIENCE INPUT is also a very important factor! You can help us by e-mailing your book suggestions in the spring/summer and then watching the bookclub@ket web site for your chance to vote on the finalists in the fall.
How do I submit a book for consideration?
Each book that appears on the “semi-finalist” list—the list posted online in the fall for voting by our viewers, from which the final selections are made—has been read by at least one bookclub@ket team member. If you would like to submit a book to our panel of readers, please follow these guidelines:
- Although KET accepts books for consideration at any time during the year, we prefer to receive books early in the summer preceding the year for which we are selecting books—between May and August.
- KET does not accept unpublished manuscripts.
- Publisher’s proof copies may be submitted for consideration. However, the book must be published and available to readers no later than September 15. If your book will be published later in the year, we recommend that you submit it for consideration the following year.
- Please provide complete contact information so we can let you know the status of your book.
- KET is not responsible for returning books submitted for consideration. However, if you include a self-addressed envelope with a request for the book’s return, we will make every effort to return the book.
- Final decisions are usually made by November 1, and we will contact writers or publishers in December. If you do not hear from us by the end of the year, please feel free to e-mail us at for information.
- Books selected for the “semi-finalist” list must meet the criteria listed under How are books chosen? above. Keep in mind that books selected need to be readily available throughout the state—either through a reputable bookstore or publisher or in the library—so that our reading audience will have easy access to them.
Mail books for consideration to
- bookclub@ket
KET, The Kentucky Network
600 Cooper Drive
Lexington, KY 40502-2296
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