Blog

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...

There are moments in life that feel almost impossible to put into words — moments where gratitude, disbelief, excitement, and reflection all collide at once.

Today is one of those moments.

I am incredibly honored to announce that my debut novel, Inheritance of Silence, has officially been nominated for two Storytrade Book Awards:

• Contemporary Fiction
• Storytrade Book Prodigy Award for Best Debut

As a first-time novelist, this recognition means more to me than I can adequately express.

Inheritance...

There are moments in life that feel impossible to explain while you are living through them. Moments where survival becomes the only goal. Moments where the world grows unbearably quiet, and yet somehow unbearably loud at the same time. For years, I carried those moments in silence.

I never imagined they would one day become a novel.

What started as fragmented thoughts, painful memories, late-night reflections, and unfinished pages slowly evolved into something much larger than myself. ...

There are moments in life when you realize something you once dreamed about quietly became real while you were busy surviving long enough to create it.

Over the past several months, this journey has transformed in ways I never could have fully anticipated. What started as a deeply personal manuscript written in moments of reflection, heartbreak, healing, and hope has evolved into something much larger — a growing literary platform, a community of readers, and the beginning of a career...