Picture a Baltimore storyteller who weaves dystopian worlds with unflinching queer and trans perspectives—meet K.M. Szpara! This award-nominated novelist burst onto the speculative fiction scene with their debut novel, Docile, a provocative exploration of consent, privilege, and debt in a near-future America. With a knack for blending raw emotion, sharp social commentary, and unapologetic queerness, Szpara’s work challenges readers to rethink society and identity.
Known for pushing boundaries, Szpara’s stories aren’t just tales—they’re conversations. From novels to novelettes, their speculative fiction tackles heavy themes with a light, engaging touch, earning them a devoted following and critical acclaim. Let’s dive into the life, works, and impact of this trailblazing author.
The Making of K.M. Szpara
Born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, K.M. Szpara’s journey to authorship was anything but conventional. Holding a Master’s in Theological Studies from Harvard Divinity School, Szpara brings a unique lens to their storytelling, informed by deep reflections on ethics and identity. By day, they work as a paralegal, a role they humorously claim benefits from their academic background. Szpara’s writing began as a way to explore male perspectives before they fully embraced their trans identity, a shift that now infuses their work with authentic, lived experience.
Their early forays into fanfiction and short stories laid the groundwork for a bold career. Szpara’s participation in the Viable Paradise workshop and their role as editor of Transcendent: The Year’s Best Transgender Speculative Fiction honed their craft, setting the stage for their rise in speculative fiction.
K.M. Szpara’s Unforgettable Stories
Szpara’s debut novel, Docile (2020), is a tour de force of dystopian fiction. Set in a near-future America where debt forces people into contractual servitude, the story follows Elisha Wilder, who refuses a mind-altering drug to serve his trillionaire owner, Alex Bishop. The novel’s exploration of consent, power dynamics, and capitalism’s dark side is both seductive and unsettling, earning praise for its “really gay” vibrancy and sharp social critique.
Their follow-up, First, Become Ashes (2021), dives into a cult’s collapse, following Lark, a man raised to believe pain is magic. This standalone adventure blends trauma, self-discovery, and a queer road trip, showcasing Szpara’s ability to balance heavy themes with hope. Szpara’s Hugo- and Nebula-nominated novelette, Small Changes Over Long Periods of Time, introduces Finley Hall, a gay trans vampire grappling with his body and desires—a character set to return in a future novel.
Szpara’s style is fearless, blending explicit queerness, kinky dynamics, and speculative elements. Their short fiction and essays, published in outlets like Uncanny, Lightspeed, and Tor.com, often explore transformation and identity, making every story a political and personal act. Whether tackling debt, cults, or vampires, Szpara’s work is always about feelings, characters, and, as they cheekily note, “definitely, butts.”
Why K.M. Szpara Matters
K.M. Szpara’s impact lies in their unapologetic representation of queer and trans experiences in speculative fiction. By centering marginalized voices in dystopian and fantastical settings, they challenge readers to confront real-world issues like systemic inequality and bodily autonomy. Their work resonates with those who’ve rarely seen themselves in genre fiction, while their candid discussions of sex and identity push the boundaries of what speculative fiction can be.
As a Hugo and Nebula finalist, Szpara has carved a space for authentic, transformative storytelling. Their influence extends beyond books, inspiring a new generation of writers to embrace their truths. In a genre often dominated by predictable narratives, Szpara’s voice is a vital, vibrant force.
- Key Works: Docile (2020), First, Become Ashes (2021), Small Changes Over Long Periods of Time (novelette)
- Awards: Hugo and Nebula finalist, Otherwise Award longlist
- Hometown: Baltimore, Maryland
- Fun Fact: Szpara loves whiskey cocktails and thinks pants are overrated!
Snag Docile or First, Become Ashes and dive into K.M. Szpara’s thrilling, queer speculative worlds!