diff --git a/lib/index.js b/lib/index.js
index 8901aed..13f8363 100644
--- a/lib/index.js
+++ b/lib/index.js
@@ -135,6 +135,18 @@ class WebpackPluginServe extends EventEmitter {
     return result;
   }
 
+  // #138. handle emitted events that don't have a listener registered so they can be sent via WebSocket
+  emit(eventName, ...args) {
+    const listeners = this.eventNames();
+
+    if (listeners.includes(eventName)) {
+      super.emit(eventName, ...args);
+    } else {
+      const [data] = args;
+      super.emit('unhandled', { eventName, data });
+    }
+  }
+
   hook(compiler) {
     const { done, invalid, watchClose, watchRun } = compiler.hooks;
 
diff --git a/lib/routes.js b/lib/routes.js
index d47079c..6d78eda 100644
--- a/lib/routes.js
+++ b/lib/routes.js
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ const setupRoutes = function setupRoutes() {
 
       socket.invalid = (filePath = '<unknown>', compiler) => {
         const context = compiler.context || compiler.options.context || process.cwd();
-        const fileName = filePath.replace && filePath.replace(context, '') || filePath;
+        const fileName = (filePath.replace && filePath.replace(context, '')) || filePath;
         const { wpsId } = compiler;
 
         send(prep({ action: 'invalid', data: { fileName, wpsId } }));
@@ -97,6 +97,10 @@ const setupRoutes = function setupRoutes() {
         });
       }
 
+      // #138. handle emitted events that don't have a listener registered, and forward the message
+      // onto the client via the socket
+      this.on('unhandled', ({ eventName, data }) => send(prep({ action: eventName, data })));
+
       send(prep({ action: 'connected' }));
     }
   };
diff --git a/recipes/watch-static-content.md b/recipes/watch-static-content.md
index 78da016..b792ff7 100644
--- a/recipes/watch-static-content.md
+++ b/recipes/watch-static-content.md
@@ -69,7 +69,9 @@ serve.on('listening', () => {
 });
 ```
 
-The important change there is `serve.emit('reload')`. We're including some sugar data there so that any listeners know where the event originated. That could be useful in an app that has multiple instruction points calling for reloads.
+The important change there is `serve.emit('reload')`. The `reload` event isn't actually handled by the `WebpackPluginServe` instance, but the plugin _does_ forward on unhandled, emitted events to all connected `WebSocket`s. The `reload` event is already handled in the client scripts as part of the `liveReload` option, so we can utilize that `WebSocket` message to reload the page. Alternatively, you might choose to connect your own `WebSocket`, use a different action (such as `static-change`), and add more magic than a plain old `window.location.reload()`.
+
+We're also including some sugar data there in `{source: 'config' }` so that any listeners know where the event originated. That could be useful in an app that has multiple instruction points calling for reloads.
 
 ### 🍰 Dessert