Steve Berman

Steve Berman is an accomplished American editor, novelist, and short story writer, best known for his groundbreaking work in queer speculative fiction. Born in Philadelphia and raised in South Jersey, he pursued his passion for literature by earning a bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Tulane University, followed by a master’s in Liberal Studies from Rutgers University-Camden in 2006.

In 2001, Berman founded Lethe Press, a publishing house dedicated to bringing LGBT speculative fiction to a wider audience. He also launched and edited Icarus, the Magazine of Gay Speculative Fiction from 2009 to 2013. His editorial projects include a number of anthologies, such as Charmed Lives: Gay Spirit in Storytelling and So Fey: Queer Fairy Fiction, underscoring his commitment to inclusive storytelling within the genre.

As a writer, Berman’s work often delves into themes of identity and belonging. His novel Vintage: A Ghost Story (2007) was nominated for the Andre Norton Award, while his short story collection Trysts (2004) explores complex emotional and psychological landscapes. His editorial achievements have garnered multiple Lambda Literary Award nominations, with a win in 2018 for His Seed.

In addition to his literary contributions, Berman has a long-standing academic career. Since 1989, he has served as the Executive Editor of The Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety and holds a master’s degree in psychology. His work continues to intersect the worlds of literature and academia, exploring the ways identity shapes narrative.