I’m Evan J. Peterson.

Perhaps you are, too.

I’m an author of Weird fiction, particularly dark fantasy and humorous horror. I also write games and perform.

My first novel, Better Living Through Alchemy, won the Small Spec Book Award for best fantasy novel in 2025. It’s an occult noir mystery about a private investigator with a psychic sense of smell. It’s bizarre and delicious and you’ll love it.

In 2026, I’ve released POSTHUMAN: Guardians vs PSION, my latest RPG from Choice of Games. It’s about superheroes this time, but writing superheroes and writing drag queens is virtually the same thing.‍ ‍

My writing can be found in Weird Tales, Queers Destroy Horror, Nightmare Magazine, Best Gay Stories, and many anthologies. I’m especially proud of my first RPG, Drag Star!, the world’s first drag performance competition simulator. Try it. It’s a queer utopia and no one in the story gets hurt (except of course for their feelings, but whatever. Have another cocktail, Francesca).

Next up: writing a sequel to Better Living Through Alchemy!

XO, Evan

Photograph by Ailisa Newhall of Pinehurst Photography