John Copenhaver is a bestselling American author, particularly known for his works in historical fiction, crime, and LGBTQ+ literature. He was born and raised in the southwestern region of Virginia, where he developed an early interest in literature and storytelling. Copenhaver pursued his passion for English and writing by earning a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Davidson College. He later went on to obtain a Master of Arts in Literature from the School of English and a Master of Fine Arts in Fiction from George Mason University, where he served as an Editor of the Phoebe magazine.
Copenhaver has gained significant recognition for his literary achievements, particularly with his debut novel, Dodging and Burning, which was published in 2018. This historical crime novel has earned him various accolades, including the 2019 Macavity Award for Best First Mystery Novel. The book also received nominations for Anthony, Strand Critics, Barry, and Lambda Literary Awards. In addition to his successful debut, Copenhaver's second novel, The Savage Kind, won the 2021 Lambda Literary Award for Best LGBTQ Mystery.
Apart from his accomplishments as an author, Copenhaver is a dedicated advocate for LGBTQ+ representation in crime fiction. He is a founding member of Queer Crime Writers and an at-large board member of Mystery Writers of America. Copenhaver currently cohosts on the House of Mystery radio show and is a faculty mentor in the University of Nebraska's low-residency MFA program. He shares his life and creative inspiration with his husband, artist Jeffery Paul, in Richmond, Virginia.
In addition to his writing and teaching, Copenhaver contributes to the literary community by writing a crime fiction review column for Lambda Literary called "Blacklight" and cohosting on the House of Mystery Radio Show. He has been honored with six Artist Fellowships from the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities for his literary work. Through his diverse body of work and commitment to fostering LGBTQ+ representation in the genre, John Copenhaver has solidified his position as an influential and inspiring figure in the world of crime fiction.