Lev A. C. Rosen

Lev A. C. Rosen, also known as L. C. Rosen, is an American author.

Life and education

Rosen was raised in Manhattan, New York, where he lived with his husband as of June, 2020.[1][2]

He attended a private high school[3] and came out as gay when he was around 13 years old.[4] In 2006, Rosen received a Master of Fine Arts degree in fiction from Sarah Lawrence College.[5]

When he was younger, Rosen attended a Jewish summer camp in Connecticut for several years,[6] the physical layout of which is represented in his novel Camp.[1] Later, he was a counsellor at the camp. He tried to discuss his sexuality with the children, but was forbidden by superiors from doing so.[6]

Career

Jack of Hearts (2018)

'His book Jack of Hearts (and Other Parts) is a young adult novel published October 30, 2018 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. The book follows Jack, a gay teenager who is the center of gossip at his high school. After he starts writing an advice column in his friend's blog, he begins receiving messages from a stalker, making his life worse.

The book was generally well received by critics, with Gay Times saying it "might be the most important queer novel of the decade."[3] Kirkus Reviews called the book a "sex-positive and thoughtful romp with humor and heart."[7] Booklist referred to it as "[f]resh, sex-positive, and unabashedly entertaining."[8] The Guardian wrote: "Part thriller, part down-to-earth guide, this is humane, sex-positive writing of the funniest, filthiest and most heartening kind."[9] School Library Journal said the book is an “essential addition to library collections that serve teens."[10]

Although the book wasn't explicitly banned in the United States, Rosen has stated it was "silent[ly] banned" because teachers, schools, and library did not place the book on shelves.[11] On November 4, 2021, the book was removed from circulation from Texas's Keller Independent School District.[12] On November 15, a parent from Texas's Katy Independent School District used the book as an example to highlight the "vulgarity" of books available in the district's libraries. The district removed Jack of Hearts from shelves the following day.[10] Rosen has responded to the book challenges, saying the passages used to justify the bans were taken out of context. He stated that "[a]ll of the questions answered in Jack’s advice column were submitted by real students" and he "consulted with sex education experts to write Jack’s responses, with the goal of providing LGBTQ teens with practical information that’s often omitted from sex ed classes."[10]

Camp (2020)

Main article: Camp (novel)

Camp is a young adult novel published by May 26, 2020, by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. The book tells the story of Randall Kapplehoff, a gay teen who goes every year to a queer summer camp and is finally ready to start a relationship with his crush.

Publishers Weekly called the book a "fun, inclusive story that's sex-, romance-, and LGBTQ-positive."[13] Kirkus Reviews said: "This novel has the appeal of a rom-com movie-makeover but with more substantive explorations."[14] Booklist noted Rosen's attempt to tackle issues present in the LGBTQ community, such as internal biases and prejudices, and said the book was "[a]n essential pick for teens figuring out who and how to love."[15]

As of 2021, the book is being adapted into a film directed by and starring Billy Porter.[16]

Recognition

The Guardian named Jack of Hearts (and Other Parts) one of the Best Books of the Year.[9][17]

In 2020, Camp was named one of the best young adult books of the year by Hey Alma,[18] Booklist,[19] Elle,[20] The Guardian,[9] Today,[21] and School Library Journal.[22]

Year Title Award Result Ref.
2011 All Men of Genius James Tiptree Jr. Award Longlist [23]
2013 Audie Award for Fantasy Finalist [24]
2016 Depth Shamus Award for Best First Private Eye Novel Finalist [25]
2019 Jack of Hearts (and Other Parts) American Library Association Rainbow Book List Top 10 [26]
2020 Camp Booklist Best Romance Fiction for Youth Top 10 [27]
Booklist Editors' Choice Books for Youth Selection [19]
2021 American Library Association Rainbow Book List Top 10 [28]
Lambda Literary Award for LGBTQ Young Adult Finalist [29]
2022 Lavender House BuzzFeed Best Book of the Year, Historical Top 2 [30]
Bookpage: Best Mystery and Suspense Top 10 [31]
Amazon Best Mystery and Suspense Top 20 [32]
2023 Macavity Awards Sue Feder Memorial Award for Historical Mystery Winner [33]
Anthony Award for Best Historical Mystery Finalist [34]
Lambda Literary Award for Mystery Finalist [35]
The Bell in the Fog Crimereads Best Historical Fiction Top 10 [36]
Amazon Best Mystery and Suspense – New and Continuing Series Top 20 [37]
Lion's Legacy New York Public Library Best Books for Teens Top 50 [38]
Booklist Editors' Choice Books for Youth Selection [39]
Emmett Kirkus Best Young Adult Books of the Year Selection [40]
Amazon Best Teen and Young Adult Books Top 20 [41]
2024 Lion's Legacy Mythopoeic Award for Young Adult Fantasy Finalist [42]
Rough Pages Autostraddle Best Mystery/Thriller of the Year Selection [43]
2025 Lambda Literary Award for Mystery Finalist [44]
Audie Award for Mystery Finalist [45]
Joseph Hansen Award Finalist [46]

Publications

Novels

Adult

  • All Men of Genius (2011)
  • Depth (2015)
  • Lavender House (2022) (Evander Mills #1)
  • The Bell in The Fog (2023) (Evander Mills #2)
  • Rough Pages (2024) (Evander Mills #3)
  • Mirage City (2025) (Evander Mills #4)

Middle grade

  • Woundabout, illustrated by Ellis Rosen (2015)
  • The Memory Wall (2016)

Young adult

  • Jack of Hearts (and Other Parts) (2018)
  • Camp (2020)
  • Lion's Legacy (2023) (Tennessee Russo #1)
  • Emmett (2023)
  • King's Legacy (2025) (Tennessee Russo #2)
  • You've Goth My Heart (2025)

Short stories

  • “Another Word: It Gets Better with SFF (but SFF has to Get Better, Too)” in Clarkesworld Magazine, Issue 74 (2012)

Forthcoming

  • The Disaster Gay Detective Agency (June 2026)

References

  1. ^ a b "Alex Sanchez and L.C. Rosen: Coming Out, Superpowers and Camp". Shelf Awareness. 2020-06-26. Retrieved 2022-08-20.
  2. ^ Tome, Maša (2020-05-20). "Q&A: L.C. Rosen, Author of 'Camp'". The Nerd Daily. Retrieved 2022-08-20.
  3. ^ a b Megarry, Daniel (2019-02-08). "Jack of Hearts provides the queer sex education you never got at school". Gay Times. Retrieved 2022-08-20.
  4. ^ Rosen, Lev (2019-02-02). "Why are we so coy about sex education for gay teens?". the Guardian. Retrieved 2022-08-20.
  5. ^ "Recent Books by Our Alumni". Sarah Lawrence College. Retrieved 2022-08-20.
  6. ^ a b "Interview with L. C. Rosen". Utopia State of Mind. 2020-06-01. Retrieved 2026-02-18.
  7. ^ "Jack of Hearts (and Other Parts)". Kirkus Reviews. 2018-07-17. Retrieved 2022-08-19.
  8. ^ Reagan, Maggie (2018-09-15). "Jack of Hearts (and Other Parts)". Booklist Online. Retrieved 2026-02-18.
  9. ^ a b c Williams, Imogen Russell (2019-01-26). "Children's and teens roundup: the best new picture books and novels". The Guardian. Retrieved 2022-08-20.
  10. ^ a b c Hixenbaugh, Mike (2022-02-01). "Books on race and sexuality are disappearing from Texas schools". TODAY.com. Retrieved 2022-08-20.
  11. ^ "LC Rosen on 'Camp' and writing YA fiction for LGBTQ+ teens". Penguin. 2020-06-08. Archived from the original on 2022-08-20.
  12. ^ "Keller, Texas, School District Censors Library Books in Violation of Policy". National Coalition Against Censorship. 2021-12-03. Retrieved 2026-02-18.
  13. ^ "Camp". Publishers Weekly. 2020-04-02. Retrieved 2021-08-16.
  14. ^ "CAMP". Kirkus Reviews. 2020-02-08. Retrieved 2021-08-16.
  15. ^ Reagan, Maggie (2020-04-01). "Camp". The Booklist. 116 (15): 74.
  16. ^ Fernández, Alexia (2021-10-26). "Billy Porter to Direct and Star in Film Adaptation of the YA Novel Camp for HBO Max". People. Retrieved 2022-08-20.
  17. ^ "Best books of 2019 so far". The Guardian. 2019-06-05. Retrieved 2022-08-20.
  18. ^ Silverman, Laura (2020-03-23). "All the Jewish YA to Read in 2020". Hey Alma. Retrieved 2022-08-20.
  19. ^ a b "Booklist Editors' Choice: Books for Youth, 2020". Booklist Online. 2021-01-01. Retrieved 2026-02-18.
  20. ^ "The 63 Best Books of 2020". ELLE. 2020-12-31. Retrieved 2022-08-20.
  21. ^ Tolin, Lisa (2020-12-11). "25 of our favorite books for kids, tweens and teens in 2020". TODAY.com. Retrieved 2022-08-20.
  22. ^ Goldstein, Susannah; Hershberger, Katy; Knapp, Maggie; Leffel, Ashley; Riemer, Carla (2020-11-23). "Best Young Adult Books 2020 | SLJ Best Books". School Library Journal. Retrieved 2022-08-20.
  23. ^ Mandelo, Lee (2012-03-10). "2011 Tiptree Award Winners and Honorees Announced". Tor.com. Retrieved 2022-08-20.
  24. ^ "Audie Award Finalists and Winners". AudioFile Magazine. Retrieved 2026-02-18.
  25. ^ "2016 Shamus Award Winners". Crimespree Magazine. 2016-09-17. Retrieved 2022-08-20.
  26. ^ "Rainbow List: 2019". Booklist Online. 2019-03-15. Retrieved 2026-02-18.
  27. ^ Smith, Julia (2020-09-01). "Top 10 Romance Fiction for Youth: 2020". Booklist Online. Retrieved 2026-02-18.
  28. ^ "Rainbow List: 2021". Booklist Online. 2021-03-15. Retrieved 2026-02-18.
  29. ^ Anderson, Porter (2021-03-15). "The US-Based Lambda Literary Awards Program Names Its 2021 Finalists". Publishing Perspectives. Retrieved 2022-08-20.
  30. ^ "Here are the Best Books of 2022, According to Buzzfeed". Bookriot. 2022-12-05.
  31. ^ "Best Mystery & Suspense of 2022". BookPage. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  32. ^ "Best Mysteries, Thrillers and Suspense Books". Amazon. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  33. ^ "Macavity Awards". Mystery Readers International. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  34. ^ Williams, Brandon. "2023 Anthony Awards Finalists Announced". Book Notification. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  35. ^ Upadhyaya, Kayla Kumari (2023-03-15). "Congratulations to the 2023 Lambda Literary Award Finalists!". Autostraddle. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  36. ^ Odintz, Molly (2023-12-20). "The Best Historical Fiction of 2023". Crimereads. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  37. ^ "Best Mysteries, Thrillers and Suspense Books of 2022". Amazon. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  38. ^ "Best Books for Teens 2023". New York Public Library. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  39. ^ "Booklist Editors' Choice: Books for Youth, 2023". Booklist. 2023-12-01. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  40. ^ "Best Young Adult Books of the Year". Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  41. ^ "Best Teen and Young Adult Books". Amazon. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  42. ^ "Mythopoeic Awards - 2024". Mythopoeic Society. Retrieved 21 December 2025.
  43. ^ Stepaniuk, Casey (2024-12-18). "The Best Queer Books of 2024". Autostraddle. Retrieved 21 December 2025.
  44. ^ "2025 Lammy Award Finalist Titles". Lambda Literary. Retrieved 21 December 2025.
  45. ^ "2025 Audie Awards® FINALISTS". Audio Publishers Association. Retrieved 21 December 2025.
  46. ^ "The Joseph Hansen Award for LGBTQ Crime Writing". Publishing Triangle. Retrieved 21 December 2025.
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