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John Copenhaver

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John Copenhaver
Alma materDavidson College (B.A.)
Middlebury College (M.A.)
George Mason University (M.F.A.)
OccupationAuthor
Websitehttps://johncopenhaver.com/

John Copenhaver (born May 26, 1974) is an American writer of crime fiction whose works include Dodging and Burning (2018), The Savage Kind (2022), and Hall of Mirrors (2024).

Early life

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John Copenhaver was born in Marion, Virginia.[1] He graduated from Davidson College in 1997.[2] He pursued further education and obtained his MA from Middlebury College's Bread Loaf School of English in 2004[3] and MFA from George Mason University in 2005.[4]

Career

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Since 2015, Copenhaver has written a crime fiction review column for Lambda called "Blacklight" on LGBTQ+ crime fiction[5]. His writing has appeared in CrimeReads[6], Writer’s Digest[7], LitHub[8], Electric Lit[9], PANK magazine[10], New York Journal of Books[11], and Washington Independent Review of Books.[12]

He is a founding member of Queer Crime Writers[13], an organization founded in 2019 to promote community and collaboration among authors of crime fiction who identify as LGBTQIA+ and celebrate the long history of queer writers in the genre[14]. He worked with writer Al Warren on House of Mystery Radio Show, an interview talk show focusing on nonfiction and fiction crime writers[15], and is an at-large board member of Mystery Writers of America[16].

Copenhaver's debut novel, Dodging and Burning, was published by Pegasus Books in 2018[17]. It is a mystery set in a small Virginia town where "three friends—Jay Greenwood, Bunny Prescott, and Ceola Bliss—spend the summer of 1945 trying to solve the apparent murder of a young woman who Jay photographed."[18] Library Journal said, "Copenhaver makes a powerful debut with this unconventional novel that mixes a coming-of-age tale with a puzzling mystery and a haunting portrait of the experiences of the LGBTQ community in the 1940s. Admirers of William Kent Krueger’s Edgar Award–winning stand-alone, Ordinary Grace, may appreciate this candid story."[19]

The Savage Kind: A Mystery (Pegasus Books, 2021), Copenhaver's first novel in the Nightingale series, takes place in 1940s Washington, DC.[20] This novel "follows two teenage girls who grow close while solving a murder mystery and, in the process, discover that they are each more capable of cruelty than they realized."[21] Publishers Weekly said, "Copenhaver’s tale unfolds via breathless diary entries from both girls, strung together by an anonymous narrator in 1963. A profusion of devastating twists complements the pulp-noir tone and keeps readers on tenterhooks, and a tentative romance between Judy and Philippa adds depth.”[22] Library Journal described the book as," jam-packed with noir themes and plot twists. Sure to please fans of queer fiction and twisty mysteries."[23]

The second book in his Nightingale series, Hall of Mirrors: A Novel (Pegasus Books, 2024), continues Philippa and Judy's story in the 1950s during the Lavender Scare[24]. Sarah Weinman of The New York Times said, "[the novel] has haunted me since I've finished it."[25] It was one of Today's 6 must-read books for Pride Month[26], on The Washington Post's 12 Thrillers to Read This Summer[27], and included on Oprah's Book Club's "Sizzling Summer Mysteries."[28]

He is a multiple recipient of Artist Fellowships from the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities[29][30]. In 2015, he was awarded the Larry Neal Writers’ Award for Adult Fiction by the DC Commission[31].

He is passionate about amplifying LGBTQ+ voices through his writing and teaching[32]. He currently teaches at the University of Nebraska MFA in Creative Writing Program in Omaha, NE[33], and Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia[34].

Bibliography

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Titles Authored by John Copenhaver
Year Title Genre Publisher Notes
2018 Dodging and Burning: A Mystery Mystery Pegasus Books Winner of the 2019 Macavity Award for Best First Novel

Nominated for 2019 Barry, Lambda Literary, Strand, and Anthony Awards

2021 The Savage Kind: A Mystery (Nightingale Trilogy, 1) Mystery Pegasus Books Winner of the 2022 Lambda Literary Award for LGBTQ Mystery
2024 Hall of Mirrors: A Novel (A Judy Nightingale and Philippa Watson Mystery) Mystery Pegasus Books A New York Times Best Crime Novel of the Year, Washington Post and TODAY.com must-read book selection

Awards and Recognition

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Copenhaver's debut novel, Dodging and Burning: A Mystery (Pegasus Books, 2018) won the 2019 Macavity Award for Best First Novel[35] and garnered the following nominations: Anthony Award for First Best Novel[36], Strand Critics Award for Best Debut Novel[37], Barry Award for Best First Novel[38][39], and Lambda Award for Best Gay Mystery.[40] This novel also received attention from the literary community in Washington, DC[41][42], and critical attention nationally[43].

The Savage Kind won the Lambda Literary Award for Best LGBTQ Mystery[44] and was nominated for Left Coast Crime's 2022 Best Historical Mystery[45].

The Hall of Mirrors was a New York Times Best Crime Novel of the Year and a Washington Post and TODAY.com must-read book selection[46].

References

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  1. ^ DiGuglielmo, Joey (2018-02-28). "QUEERY: John Copenhaver". www.washingtonblade.com. Retrieved 2024-08-15.
  2. ^ Davidson, North Carolina 28035 USA 704-894-2000. "Fall/Winter 2022 Issue | Davidson". www.davidson.edu. Retrieved 2024-08-15.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  3. ^ "People in the News | Middlebury Bread Loaf School of English". www.middlebury.edu. 2018-10-01. Retrieved 2024-08-15.
  4. ^ "John Copenhaver, MFA '05, Discusses His Award-winning Debut Novel". English. Retrieved 2024-08-15.
  5. ^ "John Copenhaver". Lambda Literary Review. 2024-03-06. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
  6. ^ "The Femme Fatale: Subverting and Complicating a Noir Trope". CrimeReads. 2019-09-13. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
  7. ^ Copenhaver, John (2024-06-07). "Writing Across Difference: Responsibly Writing Characters Different From You". Writer's Digest. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
  8. ^ Copenhaver, John (2024-06-14). "Let Them Be Morally Flawed: In Defense of Queer Villains in Stories". Literary Hub. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
  9. ^ electricliterature (2018-03-05). "10 LGBTQ Crime Fiction Must-Reads". Electric Literature. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
  10. ^ admin (2018-08-29). "[REVIEW] Read by Strangers by Dean Walker". [PANK]. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
  11. ^ "a book review by John Copenhaver: Dead Girls: Essays on Surviving an American Obsession". www.nyjournalofbooks.com. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
  12. ^ "An Interview with Philip Dean Walker | Washington Independent Review of Books". www.washingtonindependentreviewofbooks.com. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
  13. ^ "Members". Queer Crime Writers. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
  14. ^ "Queer Crime Writers". Queer Crime Writers. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
  15. ^ "HOSTS | House of Mystery Radio Show | Alan R. Warren". AlanRWarren. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
  16. ^ "Board of Directors". Mystery Writers of America. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
  17. ^ "Dodging and Burning". pegasusbooks.com. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
  18. ^ "Dodging and Burning". Historical Novel Society. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
  19. ^ John, Copenhaver. "Dodging and Burning". Library Journal. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
  20. ^ "The Savage Kind". pegasusbooks.com. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
  21. ^ Ravas, Zack (2021-10-20). "'The Savage Kind' by John Copenhaver: Seeking Agency By Any Means Possible". ZYZZYVA. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
  22. ^ "The Savage Kind: Book One of the Nightingale Trilogy by John Copenhaver". www.publishersweekly.com. July 23, 2021. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
  23. ^ John, Copenhaver. "The Savage Kind". Library Journal. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
  24. ^ "Hall of Mirrors". pegasusbooks.com. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
  25. ^ "2 Legendary Detectives Take Their Final Cases". The New York Times.
  26. ^ "Six books to read this Pride Month, according to Read With Jenna's Steven Rowley". TODAY.com. 2024-06-14. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
  27. ^ "12 thrillers to read this summer". The Washington Post.
  28. ^ "7 Summer Mysteries to Sizzle This Season". Oprah Daily. 2024-08-12. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
  29. ^ "FY19 Grantees - Arts and Humanities Fellowship Program (AHFP) | dcarts". dcarts.dc.gov. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
  30. ^ "FY20 Grantees - Arts and Humanities Fellowship Program (AHFP) | dcarts". dcarts.dc.gov. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
  31. ^ "33rd Annual Larry Neal Writers' Awards Presentation | dcarts". dcarts.dc.gov. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
  32. ^ Riley, John (2018-08-02). "OutWrite 2018: Every Panel, Reading and Workshop at DC's LGBTQ Literary Festival". Metro Weekly. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
  33. ^ "Faculty Mentors | Writer's Workshop | University of Nebraska Omaha". www.unomaha.edu.
  34. ^ "Copenhaver - English - Virginia Commonwealth University". english.vcu.edu.
  35. ^ "Macavity & Barry Award Winners – The Poisoned Pen Bookstore". 2019-11-03. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
  36. ^ "Announcing the 2019 Anthony Award Winners". CrimeReads. 2019-11-03. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
  37. ^ Gulli, Andrew (2019-05-13). "And the Nominees Are... The Nominees for the 2019 Strand Critics Awards - Strand Magazine". Strand Mag. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
  38. ^ Noble, Barnes &. "2019 Barry Award Nominees, Previous Nominees - Barry Awards, Books". Barnes & Noble. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
  39. ^ "2019 Barry Award Nominees – The Poisoned Pen Bookstore". 2019-01-24. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
  40. ^ "Previous Winners". Lambda Literary. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
  41. ^ DiGuglielmo, Joey (2018-02-28). "QUEERY: John Copenhaver". www.washingtonblade.com. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
  42. ^ "An Interview with John Copenhaver | Washington Independent Review of Books". www.washingtonindependentreviewofbooks.com. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
  43. ^ "'Dodging and Burning' is riveting debut by John Copenhaver". AP News. 2018-03-06. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
  44. ^ "2022 Winners". Lambda Literary. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
  45. ^ "Lefty Award Archives". leftcoastcrime.org. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
  46. ^ "Hall of Mirrors". pegasusbooks.com. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
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