Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Welcome!
Whether you're discovering my work for the first time, trying to figure out which book to read next, wondering what exactly the Dunnamverse is, or looking for information about events, media, publishing, or upcoming projects, you've come to the right place.
And yes, there really is a book called I Sharted!
Let's get into it.
About John Erik Dunnam
Who is John Erik Dunnam?
John Erik Dunnam is an award-winning American author whose work spans contemporary and LGBTQ+ fiction, romance, comedy, Southern Gothic mystery, spiritually inspired fiction, and memoir.
Across genres, his stories explore identity, resilience, vulnerability, healing, relationships, found family, reinvention, and the complicated process of becoming who we are.
He is the author of Inheritance of Silence and House of Windows, along with an expanding catalogue of forthcoming and in-development works.
Where are you from?
I was born in Semmes, Alabama, and raised in Birmingham before eventually relocating to Fort Worth, Texas.
The South has had an enormous influence on the way I understand family, identity, community, storytelling, humor, faith, secrets, and the complicated relationships people have with the places they call home.
Those influences appear throughout my work—even when Alabama isn't explicitly part of the story.
Why did you become an author?
I wanted to tell stories that make people feel something.
Sometimes that's heartbreak.
Sometimes it's hope.
Sometimes it's the uncomfortable realization that a character's experience feels remarkably familiar.
And sometimes it's laughing uncontrollably because a fictional man's digestive system has betrayed him at the worst possible moment.
Different stories require different emotions.
But if a reader finishes one of my books feeling understood, entertained, challenged, comforted, or simply a little less alone, then the story has done its job.
What genres do you write?
Apparently, the answer is increasingly:
Whatever genre the story requires.
My work includes contemporary fiction, LGBTQ+ fiction, romance, comedy, Southern Gothic mystery, spiritually inspired fiction, and memoir.
I don't believe every story has to fit inside the same genre simply because the same person wrote it.
What connects my books isn't necessarily genre.
It's people.
I'm fascinated by complicated, imperfect human beings navigating identity, relationships, grief, ambition, embarrassment, love, trauma, hope, reinvention, and change.
The genre changes.
The human questions usually don't.
Are your books autobiographical?
My fiction is fiction.
However, like most writers, I draw inspiration from emotions, observations, places, conversations, experiences, and questions I've encountered throughout my life.
That doesn't mean a character is me or that an event happened exactly as it appears on the page.
My memoir, Burn the Map: Life Beyond What You Were Given, is different. That project directly explores my own experiences and the process of rebuilding, recovering, and choosing a different direction in life.
My Books
What books have you published?
My currently published books are:
Inheritance of Silence
Published April 24, 2026.
House of Windows
Published September 11, 2026.
Additional books and manuscripts are in various stages of development and publishing consideration.
Which book should I read first?
If you're new to my work, Inheritance of Silence is the natural place to begin.
It was my debut novel and introduces many of the themes that continue throughout my writing: identity, healing, grief, found family, resilience, love, and the possibility of breaking cycles.
But if contemporary emotional fiction isn't your thing, don't worry.
There are considerably stranger options coming.
Do your books need to be read in order?
Some do. Some don't.
Most of my books can be approached independently, but several belong to connected storylines.
The Inheritance of Silence story currently follows this chronology:
Chasing Pavements → Inheritance of Silence → Theo & Chase: Happily Ever After
Chasing Pavements explores Theo's life before meeting Chase. Inheritance of Silence brings Theo and Chase together. Theo & Chase: Happily Ever After continues their story afterward.
The I Sharted! books and the larger Dunnamverse are also connected.
When reading order matters, I'll always make that clear on my website.
Where can I buy your published books?
My published books are available through major booksellers and digital retailers.
For the most current purchase options, editions, and retailer links, visit the Books section of this website.
Are your books available as eBooks?
Yes. Digital editions of my published books are available through major eBook retailers.
What about audiobooks?
Audiobook editions are something I hope to explore as my catalogue continues to grow.
Any audiobook announcements will be shared through my website, newsletter, and social media.
The Inheritance of Silence Story
Is Chasing Pavements a sequel to Inheritance of Silence?
No.
Chasing Pavements is a prequel.
It tells Theo Allen's story before the events of Inheritance of Silence and explores the experiences that shaped the man readers eventually meet.
What is Theo & Chase: Happily Ever After?
Theo & Chase: Happily Ever After continues Theo and Chase's story after Inheritance of Silence.
I'm fascinated by what happens after traditional love stories end.
Relationships don't stop when someone says "I love you."
There are careers, families, arguments, bills, routines, sex, forgiveness, bad days, ordinary mornings, unexpected crises—and the repeated decision to keep choosing one another.
That's the territory this book explores.
Burn the Map
What is Burn the Map?
Burn the Map: Life Beyond What You Were Given is my memoir.
It's about what happens when the life you've been living no longer resembles the life you want to keep living.
The book explores identity, trauma, addiction, recovery, failure, survival, reinvention, second chances, and learning that changing direction isn't the same thing as being lost.
Sometimes the map you've been following was never yours to begin with.
When will Burn the Map be released?
Burn the Map is currently planned for 2027.
Publication information will be announced when details are finalized.
The Dunnamverse
Okay. What exactly is the Dunnamverse?
This may require an explanation.
The Dunnamverse is an interconnected collection of contemporary comedy stories about ordinary people experiencing extraordinarily unfortunate encounters with their own humanity.
It grew out of the world surrounding I Sharted! and eventually became something much larger.
The books are funny, inappropriate, occasionally absurd, and intentionally unapologetic.
But underneath the comedy are stories about relationships, confidence, friendship, intimacy, vulnerability, identity, embarrassment, and finding people who still love us after they've witnessed us at our least dignified.
Is I Sharted! actually about someone sharting?
Yes.
We are not engaging in false advertising here.
But that's where the story begins—not where it ends.
Underneath the ridiculous premise, I Sharted! explores humiliation, identity, friendship, authenticity, reinvention, and what happens when the carefully constructed version of yourself you present to the world spectacularly falls apart.
Sometimes embarrassment ruins your day.
Sometimes it changes your life.
Is there really a sequel called I Sharted… Again!?
There really is.
Apparently Martin Plunkett had not suffered enough.
What books are part of the Dunnamverse?
The expanding Dunnamverse includes:
I Sharted!
I Sharted… Again!
I Trusted the Fart
Never Trust a Sneeze
Oops, I Queefed
Additional stories may join the universe as it continues to develop.
At this point, I've learned not to make promises about where this is going.
Do I need to read the Dunnamverse books in order?
The stories are designed to remain accessible individually, but reading the connected books in sequence will provide additional context, recurring connections, and a fuller experience of the universe.
Official reading-order information will be available as the books move toward publication.
Are you seriously building a literary universe around bodily functions?
Apparently.
I had other plans.
The characters disagreed.
Other Books & Upcoming Projects
What is The House on Highland Avenue?
The House on Highland Avenue is a Southern Gothic horror mystery exploring family secrets, memory, faith, generational history, and the supernatural.
At its heart is a question I've always found fascinating:
What if a house remembers what everyone else has tried to forget?
The manuscript is currently under publisher consideration.
What is Friends With Possible Upsides?
Friends With Possible Upsides is a friends-to-lovers romantic comedy about two longtime friends who decide dating other people has become entirely too exhausting.
Their solution?
Each other.
Not dating.
Obviously.
Just friends—with possible upsides.
Naturally, this extremely reasonable arrangement goes exactly according to plan.
Until it doesn't.
What is Lux's Tarot & Spiritual Awakening?
This project explores spirituality, intuition, symbolism, synchronicity, identity, transformation, and learning to trust yourself.
Tarot is part of the story, but the deeper journey is about what happens when someone begins questioning the life they've been living and starts looking inward for answers.
What is Starving Artist & Saviors?
Starving Artist & Saviors explores creativity, ambition, recognition, money, integrity, and the complicated relationship between artists and the people or institutions capable of changing their careers.
It asks a deceptively simple question:
What is the true price of being seen?
How can I learn more about books that haven't been published yet?
Visit Behind the Books.
That's where I share the inspiration, themes, questions, and creative ideas behind both published books and works still in development.
You can also follow the Updates section and subscribe to my newsletter for announcements.
Awards & Recognition
Has your work received literary recognition?
Yes.
Inheritance of Silence has received recognition from multiple literary award programs, including two wins at the 2026 Shakespeare Global Prize Awards and finalist recognition from the 2026 Storytrade Book Awards and 2026 International Impact Book Awards.
Because award results and nominations continue to change, the Awards & Recognition section of my website maintains the most current record.
Where can I find media coverage and interviews?
Visit the Media Coverage section for interviews, features, appearances, publisher coverage, and other media related to my work.
Members of the media may also contact me through the website for interview and appearance inquiries.
Writing & Creative Process
Where do your story ideas come from?
Everywhere.
Conversations.
Places.
Memories.
Relationships.
Questions.
Things that make me angry.
Things that make me laugh.
Things I don't understand yet.
Sometimes a story begins with a serious question about identity, trauma, love, or family.
Sometimes it begins with:
"What if...?"
And occasionally that "what if" leads somewhere nobody—including me—could reasonably have predicted.
Do you outline your books?
Usually.
I like knowing where a story is going before I begin, but I leave enough room for the characters to surprise me.
And they frequently do.
The outline is the map.
It is not the law.
How long does it take you to write a book?
Every book is different.
Some stories arrive almost fully formed. Others require months or years of development, research, drafting, revision, editing, and reconsideration.
I don't believe speed determines the value of a story.
The goal is to give each project the time it needs to become the book it's supposed to be.
Why do your books cover so many different genres?
Because I don't want genre to determine which stories I'm allowed to tell.
Some ideas need contemporary fiction.
Some need romance.
Some need comedy.
Some need Southern Gothic atmosphere.
Some need memoir.
I would rather follow the story than force every story to follow me.
What connects all of your books?
People.
Again and again, I find myself writing about people standing somewhere between who they have been and who they might become.
People searching for home, identity, love, purpose, forgiveness, belonging, healing, authenticity, or permission to begin again.
The circumstances change.
The genre changes.
The central belief doesn't:
The things that happen to us shape our stories. They don't have to write the ending.
Events, Book Clubs & Speaking
Do you participate in book signings and author events?
Absolutely.
I enjoy meeting readers and participating in bookstore events, literary events, festivals, community gatherings, author panels, and other opportunities to discuss books and storytelling.
Upcoming appearances are listed on the Events section of my website.
Are you available for speaking engagements?
Yes.
I'm available for author talks, literary events, conferences, panels, libraries, educational programs, community events, and virtual appearances.
Professional inquiries can be submitted through the Contact page.
Can my book club invite you to a discussion?
Yes!
When scheduling allows, I'm happy to participate in book-club discussions virtually and, when practical, in person.
I especially enjoy the questions readers ask after they've had an opportunity to discuss the story with one another.
Media, Publishing & Professional Inquiries
Are you available for interviews?
Yes.
I welcome interview opportunities related to my books, writing career, literary recognition, publishing journey, and creative work.
Please submit media inquiries through the Contact page.
What about publishing, literary rights, adaptation, or professional inquiries?
Publishers, literary professionals, agents, rights representatives, producers, media organizations, and other industry professionals may contact me through the website.
Please include enough information about the nature of the inquiry so it can be directed appropriately.
Are you open to film or television adaptations?
I'm open to discussing legitimate adaptation opportunities for my work.
Professional film, television, theatrical, or other adaptation inquiries should be submitted through the Contact page.
For Readers
What do you hope readers take away from your books?
That depends on the book.
Some stories are meant to comfort.
Some are meant to challenge.
Some are meant to make us think differently about people whose lives don't look like ours.
Some are simply supposed to make us laugh.
But across all of them, I hope readers encounter characters who feel human.
Imperfect.
Complicated.
Sometimes wounded.
Sometimes ridiculous.
Still worthy of being understood.
How can I support your work?
There are plenty of ways, and many of them cost absolutely nothing.
You can:
- Read my books.
- Leave an honest review.
- Recommend a book to someone who might enjoy it.
- Request my books through your local library.
- Attend an event or signing.
- Follow and engage with me on social media.
- Subscribe to my newsletter.
- Share a post, interview, review, or book announcement.
- Tell someone about a story that meant something to you.
Every review, recommendation, share, and conversation helps another reader discover my work.
And I appreciate every one of them.
Can I contact you?
Absolutely.
I enjoy hearing from readers.
Whether you're writing about a book, asking about an event, sharing what a character meant to you, or simply saying hello, messages are always welcome.
I may not be able to respond immediately, but I appreciate hearing from the people spending time with these stories.
What's the best way to stay updated?
Subscribe to my newsletter and follow me on social media.
You'll receive updates about new releases, works in development, awards, appearances, media coverage, events, and whatever unexpected thing happens next.
You can also use my Link in Bio https://johnerikdunnam.com/link page as a central hub for finding my books, website, social platforms, and latest information.
Just for Fun
Coffee or tea?
Coffee.
Absolutely coffee.
This is not a difficult question.
Where do you like to write?
Anywhere quiet and comfortable enough for me to disappear into the story.
Once the characters start talking, location becomes considerably less important.
Tell us about Christopher Chase.
Christopher Chase is my loyal four-legged writing companion, occasional creative supervisor, and enthusiastic enforcer of mandatory writing breaks.
His responsibilities include sleeping, requesting attention, supervising household activity, appearing adorable at strategically advantageous moments, and reminding me that no manuscript is important enough to delay a walk indefinitely.
His compensation package is excellent.
What is your favorite part of being an author?
The moment a reader tells me a story meant something to them.
Books begin as something incredibly private—one person sitting somewhere creating people and places that don't exist.
Then another human being reads those words and forms an emotional connection with them.
I'll never stop finding that remarkable.
What's next?
More books.
More characters.
More experiments.
More stories that probably shouldn't exist beside one another but somehow do.
And undoubtedly at least a few developments I haven't planned yet.
That's part of the fun.
Still Have a Question?
If you didn't find what you were looking for, visit the Contact page and send me a message.
For deeper looks at the inspiration behind individual projects, visit Behind the Books. https://johnerikdunnam.com/pages/behind-the-books
For releases and works in development, visit Books. https://johnerikdunnam.com/books
For news and announcements, visit Updates. https://johnerikdunnam.com/updates
And if you're brave enough to venture into the interconnected comedy universe...
Welcome to the Dunnamverse. https://johnerikdunnam.com/collections/the-dunnamverse-collection
Thanks for reading, following, laughing, sharing, reviewing, and being part of this increasingly unpredictable journey.
There are many more stories to come.