J.M. VESPER writes speculative tales and poetry from his home in Phoenix. Though a relative newcomer to publishing, his work has earned notable recognition: "The Second Death of Wallace Porter" received a Pushcart Prize nomination, and "Glass Eyes" was nominated for the Shirley Jackson Award. His writing has appeared in Variant Literature, Intrepidus Ink, Not One of Us, and elsewhere. His poetry was recently shortlisted for Chestnut Review's Summer 2025 Issue.

Behind the fiction stands someone who has lived several professional lives: high school English teacher across three states (Utah, New York, Arizona), a brief detour into Special Collections librarianship, and a return to the classroom where he belongs. He holds a B.A. in Creative Writing and an M.A. in Teaching.

Weekends find him hiking desert trails with his wife and two dogs, losing track of time in video games, or planted in front of the television during football season. Through it all, books remain the one constant.