W. Blake Martin is a writer and licensed clinical psychologist. His writing has recently appeared in The New York Times' Modern Love column and is forthcoming in The Sun.
He works as a trauma psychologist at a major medical center and is the founder of a private psychotherapy practice.
His academic research on traumatic stress, psycho-oncology, and suicide prevention has been published in peer-reviewed journals.
Disassembly Instructions is his first book.
About the Book
"Disassembly Instructions shows us in clear-eyed and confident prose what it means to move through calamity with heart, grace, and tenderness. This is, simply put, a beautiful and moving read." — Elizabeth Crane, author of This Story Will Change
As a clinical psychologist, Blake Martin was used to suffering — just not his own. Then, the day after learning he was going to be a father, he was diagnosed with a progressive, incurable illness.
Disassembly Instructions is a memoir about being a dual citizen—both doctor and patient—and being a father. Moving between intimate addresses to his children and wider reflections on mortality, caregiving, and belonging, the book chronicles his first three years of fatherhood as his illness grows alongside his young son and daughter. It is a book about meaning amid suffering, faith amid silence, and the terrible, wonderful beauty of loving what we cannot keep.
An adapted excerpt from the book was recently featured in The New York Times’ Modern Love Column for Father’s Day. You can read it here.
Disassembly Instructions is currently seeking a publishing home. To be notified when it's available and to receive updates on new writing, please fill out the form at the bottom of this page.
Bio
W. Blake Martin earned his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and holds additional degrees from the University of Texas at Austin and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. In a past life, he taught middle school in Detroit, Michigan with Teach for America.
He lives with his wife and two young children in Texas.
Contact
For inquiries about Disassembly Instructions, other writing, or to get in touch—email: blake@wblakemartin.com
Literary Representation
Allison Devereux & Allison Malecha | Trellis Literary Management