I am honored to announce that Inheritance of Silence has been nominated for the 2026 American Fiction Awards in LGBTQ+ Fiction.

This recognition marks another exciting milestone in the journey of a story that began as a deeply personal exploration of identity, family, resilience, and the courage required to break cycles of silence. To see the novel continue to resonate with readers, reviewers, and literary organizations is both humbling and inspiring.

Since its release, Inheritance of Silence has continued to gain momentum, earning multiple award nominations and recognition from literary organizations across the country. Each nomination serves as a reminder that stories centered on authentic human experiences have the power to connect people across different backgrounds and perspectives.

As an independent voice in contemporary fiction, I never imagined the incredible reception this novel would receive. What started as a manuscript written from the heart has grown into a book that is now being recognized alongside works from talented authors throughout the literary community.

I am grateful to every reader who has purchased a copy, shared a review, attended an event, recommended the book to a friend, or followed my journey as an author. Your support has helped make opportunities like this possible.

The American Fiction Awards nomination joins a growing list of honors for Inheritance of Silence, including nominations from the Storytrade Book Awards, the American Writing Awards, and recognition from the International Impact Book Awards.

This nomination is not only a celebration of the book itself, but also of the importance of LGBTQ+ stories and the readers who continue to champion them.

Thank you for being part of this journey. I look forward to sharing more exciting updates as they become available.

— John Erik Dunnam

Inheritance of Silence is available through major booksellers, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple Books, and through Austin Macauley Publishers.