Lev A.C. Rosen

Lev A. C. Rosen, also known as L. C. Rosen, is an American author.

Life and education Rosen was raised in Manhattan, New York, where he lived with his husband as of June, 2020.

He attended a private high school and came out as gay when he was around 13 years old. In 2006, Rosen received a Master of Fine Arts degree in fiction from Sarah Lawrence College.

When he was younger, Rosen attended a Jewish summer camp in Connecticut for several years, the physical layout of which is represented in his novel Camp. Later, he was a counsellor at the camp. He tried to discuss his sexuality with the children, but was forbidden by superiors from doing so. Booklist referred to it as "resh, sex-positive, and unabashedly entertaining." The Guardian wrote: "Part thriller, part down-to-earth guide, this is humane, sex-positive writing of the funniest, filthiest and most heartening kind." School Library Journal said the book is an “essential addition to library collections that serve teens."

Although the book wasn't explicitly banned in the United States, Rosen has stated it was "silent[ly] banned" because teachers, schools, and library did not place the book on shelves. On November 4, 2021, the book was removed from circulation from Texas's Keller Independent School District. On November 15, a parent from Texas's Katy Independent School District used the book as an example to highlight the "vulgarity" of books available in the district's libraries. The district removed Jack of Hearts from shelves the following day. Kirkus Reviews said: "This novel has the appeal of a rom-com movie-makeover but with more substantive explorations." Booklist noted Rosen's attempt to tackle issues present in the LGBTQ community, such as internal biases and prejudices, and said the book was "n essential pick for teens figuring out who and how to love."

As of 2021, the book is being adapted into a film directed by and starring Billy Porter.

Recognition The Guardian named Jack of Hearts (and Other Parts) one of the Best Books of the Year.

In 2020, Camp was named one of the best young adult books of the year by Hey Alma, Booklist, The Guardian, and School Library Journal.

Publications

Novels

Adult

All Men of Genius (2011) Depth (2015) Lavender House (2022) (Evander Mills #1) The Bell in The Fog (2023) (Evander Mills #2) Rough Pages (2024) (Evander Mills #3) Mirage City (2025) (Evander Mills #4)

Middle grade

Woundabout, illustrated by Ellis Rosen (2015) The Memory Wall (2016)

Young adult

Jack of Hearts (and Other Parts) (2018) Camp (2020) Lion's Legacy (2023) (Tennessee Russo #1) Emmett (2023) King's Legacy (2025) (Tennessee Russo #2) You've Goth My Heart (2025)

Short stories

“Another Word: It Gets Better with SFF (but SFF has to Get Better, Too)” in Clarkesworld Magazine, Issue 74 (2012)

Forthcoming The Disaster Gay Detective Agency'' (June 2026)