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When I wrote Inheritance of Silence, I thought I was writing a novel about healing.

When I wrote House of Windows, I thought I was writing a story about a mysterious house where every window revealed a different truth.

When I wrote Burn the Map: Life Beyond What You Were Given, I believed I was simply telling my own story.

Looking back now, I realize I was writing the same journey from three different perspectives.

Every one of these books asks the same question:

Who do we become after life breaks...

There are moments in every author's journey that feel less like checking off another task and more like standing at the edge of a cliff before taking a leap of faith.

Today is one of those moments.

I'm excited to share that Burn The Map: Life Beyond What You Were Given has officially been submitted to publishers for consideration.

Unlike my novels, Burn The Map is deeply personal. It tells the story behind the stories—the experiences, hardships, victories, and defining moments that shaped not...

When I became an author, my dream was never simply to publish books. My dream was to create stories that would stay with people long after they turned the final page. Stories that reminded readers they weren't alone. Stories that sparked conversations, inspired hope, and helped people feel seen.

Over the past few months, something unexpected has happened.

Many of you have reached out asking if I planned to create merchandise inspired by my books. Some...

People often ask why I decided to become an author.

The answer isn't because I wanted my name on a book cover or because I dreamed of seeing my novels on bookstore shelves. Those moments are incredibly meaningful, but they were never the reason I started writing.

I became an author because I wanted to connect with people.

Books have always possessed a remarkable ability to reach places that ordinary conversations often cannot. A story has the power to slip past our defenses, sit beside us in our...

When people think about success, they often imagine the big moments.

The award ceremony.

The bestseller list.

The standing ovation.

The headline.

Those moments matter. They deserve to be celebrated. But I've learned something over the last year:

Most success is quiet.

It's answering one more email when you're exhausted.

It's continuing to write after receiving your first rejection.

It's showing up for a book signing not knowing if anyone will come—and discovering that even one meaningful conversation...

Denver Welcomed

Inheritance of Silence

with Open Arms

There are moments in an author’s journey that stay with you forever. My book signing at Barnes & Noble Denver West Village was one of those moments.

Traveling from Texas to Colorado wasn’t simply another stop on a calendar—it was an opportunity to meet readers face-to-face, hear their stories, sign copies of Inheritance of Silence, and witness firsthand the incredible power that books have to connect complete strangers.

Throughout the...

There are moments in every author's journey that feel especially significant. Today is one of those moments.

I am thrilled to officially announce that my second novel, House of Windows, is scheduled for publication on September 11, 2026.

After months of writing, revisions, production discussions, and anticipation, having a confirmed publication date makes this project feel more real than ever. While Inheritance of Silence introduced readers to my voice as an author, House of Windows represents...

There are moments in every author's journey that feel surreal.

For years, writing was a deeply personal endeavor for me. It was a way to process experiences, examine difficult truths, and tell stories that deserved to be heard. I never could have imagined that those quiet hours spent writing would eventually lead to national and international recognition.

Today, I am honored and humbled to share that Inheritance of Silence is entering its first major award...

When I released Inheritance of Silence on April 24, 2026, I knew I was sharing a deeply personal story with the world. What I did not know was how quickly this journey would begin opening doors, creating connections, and reminding me why stories matter.

The past several months have been filled with experiences that I will never forget. From meeting readers at book signings and Pride events to participating in interviews, podcasts, and community conversations, I have had the privilege of...

When people hear the phrase "LGBTQ+ fiction," they often assume the story is solely about sexuality or identity. While those elements may certainly be present, the reality is far more nuanced. LGBTQ+ contemporary fiction is not simply about who a character loves—it's about who they are, how they navigate the world, and the experiences that shape their lives.

As both a reader and a writer, I believe the most impactful stories are those that reveal the humanity behind the labels.

For...

Every once in a while, there are moments that make you pause and realize just how far you've come.

Recently, I had the privilege of working with Park Hill Fine Art Photography for a professional author photo session, and what began as a simple photo shoot quickly became something much more meaningful.

As an author, photographs become part of your story. They appear on book jackets, websites, media interviews, event programs, press materials, and countless other places throughout your career....

Denver, Colorado — I'll Be Signing Copies of Inheritance of Silence at Barnes & Noble on June 26

I am excited to officially announce my next author event!

On Friday, June 26, 2026, I will be appearing at Barnes & Noble Denver West Village in Lakewood, Colorado, for a book signing and meet-and-greet celebrating my debut novel, Inheritance of Silence.

Event Details

Author Book Signing: John Erik Dunnam

Book: Inheritance of Silence

Date: Friday, June 26,...

This past weekend was one that I will carry with me for a very long time.

As an author, there are moments you dream about—seeing your book in readers' hands, signing copies, hearing how your words connected with someone else's life. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, there are also moments that remind you why visibility, representation, and community matter. This weekend brought both of those worlds together in a way that was truly special.

Author Launch Reception at B&A Warehouse

On...

When I first sat down to write Inheritance of Silence, I never imagined the journey it would take me on.

What began as a deeply personal story has grown into something much larger than I ever expected. Readers have embraced the novel, reviewers have shared thoughtful feedback, and literary organizations across the country have recognized the work in ways that continue to leave me humbled and grateful.

As we move further into 2026, Inheritance of Silence enters one of the most exciting seasons...

Tonight, I had the incredible privilege of marching in the Dallas Pride Parade, and I am still trying to find the words to fully capture what the experience meant to me.

Standing among thousands of people, surrounded by a community built on love, resilience, acceptance, and authenticity, was nothing short of inspiring. The energy throughout the evening was electric. Every cheer, every smile, every wave from the crowd served as a reminder that Pride is so much more than a celebration—it is a...

One of the questions writers hear most often is, “Where do you get your ideas?”

The answer is both simple and complicated.

Ideas are everywhere.

They're in snippets of conversation overheard at a coffee shop. They're in the tired expression of a cashier at the end of a long shift. They're in the couple sitting silently across from each other at a restaurant, each wondering whether the other is thinking the same thing.

Stories don't always begin with dramatic events. More often, they begin with...

There is a dangerous misconception about writing humanity-driven stories. People assume the process begins with inspiration. In truth, it begins with observation.

When I sit down to write a manuscript centered around human struggle, grief, resilience, identity, addiction, trauma, love, survival, or redemption, I am not simply creating characters. I am excavating emotional truth. Humanity-driven storytelling demands far more than imagination — it requires emotional honesty, psychological...

Some stories are written to entertain.

Others are written because they refuse to let go.

House of Windows is one of those stories.

Following the emotionally resonant debut of Inheritance of Silence, I am incredibly excited to officially begin sharing the next chapter of this literary journey with readers around the world.

Coming soon, House of Windows will continue exploring the emotional landscapes that have become central to my work — identity, grief, resilience, healing, memory, survival,...

There are moments in life that feel impossible to fully articulate — moments where gratitude, disbelief, emotion, and reflection all collide at once. Today is one of those moments.

I am deeply honored to announce that Inheritance of Silence has officially received two nominations from the American Writing Awards:

LGBTQ Fiction

Book of the Year

When I first began writing Inheritance of Silence, I never imagined the journey this story would take. What started as an intensely personal and...

Some books are planned.

Others show up like a reckoning.

Burn The Map: Life Beyond What You Were Given became the second kind.

I didn’t sit down one day with a perfectly outlined framework and a polished message ready to go. The book came together through years of tension, rebuilding, questioning, and finally deciding that the life handed to you is not always the life you are supposed to keep.

That idea sounds simple until it becomes personal.

Most people inherit a map before they ever make a...