David Jackson Ambrose
David's debut novel, State of the Nation, was a finalist for the 2018 Lambda Literary Award.
His second novel, A Blind Eye was named Best Contemporary Gay Fiction for the 2020-2021 Rainbow Award, and runner up for Best Gay Book.
His third novel, Unlawful DISorder, explores the intersections of race, class, sexuality and mental illness in interactions with psychiatric treatment and the prison industrial complex.
His area of focus is creating worlds that highlight marginalized voices.
B.A. Africana Studies - University of Pennsylvania
M.A. Writing Studies - Saint Joseph's University
MFA Creative Writing - Temple University
www.davidjacksonambrose.com
@Djacksonambrose
instagram: davidjrhd
Works

Unlawful DISorder
A tale of self-determination in a world that refuses to listen.
Bowie doesn’t intend to kill his mother—he just wants to collect his social security check from her. But when she throws around words like hallucinating and tells him he’s “hearing things,” his fear is triggered, and he takes action. This event, coupled with a history of reported psychotic episodes, a gambling addiction, his sexual preference for other men, and a shimmer that whispers vile things to him, sets Bowie on a collision course with mental health professionals, the police, and the prison system.
"The shimmer seemed to follow him wherever he went. Before, he only saw it when he was 'sick', coiled in the corner of his bedroom, or standing tall and murky in a dark corner of the house, or watching him from a window when he approached. It no longer seemed to be tied to the house. It now hovered in the periphery of his sight, visible only when he cocked his head a certain way. But he could feel it there, even when he didn't see it, sometimes gold, sometimes purple, always black..."
A Blind Eye
State of the Nation
Awards and Recognition
- 2018 Lambda Literary Award - Finalist
Press and Media Mentions
- "characters are richly drawn and the themes intelligently evoked. The writing swings between a poetically lyrical narrative and grittily authentic dialogue... A mesmerizing tale of racial inequality and sexual discovery." Kirkus Reviews
- "This is one serious writer who really needs to reach a wider audience" "Its a well -written book, worth reading" "Brave and beautiful"