We recently connected with Leo Sparx and have shared our conversation below.

Leo, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

I’ve always been a huge fan of Edgar Allan Poe. His gothic style and complex characters inspired me to reimagine his stories with a queer lens. In 2020, I began publishing with 4 Horsemen Publications, and my first project was The Fall of the House of Otter, a steamy romance inspired by The Fall of the House of Usher. It tells the story of a young man named Alexander, exploring themes of isolation and longing with just a touch of dark humor.

What started as a single story has now grown into an entire collection and grown from there. I’ve reimagined The Cask of Amontillado as The Case of Armando, The Tell-Tale Heart as The Tell-Tail Art, and The Masque of the Red Death as The Masc of the Pink Death. These stories, will be part of a second novel-length collection called The Murders in the Dude Morgue, inspired by Poe’s detective tales.

This project is deeply meaningful because it combines my love for gothic literature with a mission to put LGBTQ+ characters and relationships at the forefront of classic storytelling. It’s dark, steamy, humorous, and filled with heart—everything I want my readers to enjoy and connect with.

Leo, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m Leo Sparx, an author of steamy queer romances inspired by Edgar Allan Poe. My stories blend gothic mystery, dark humor, and unapologetic heat, making them accessible to both fans of Poe and anyone looking for a unique romance.

I started publishing in 2020 with 4 Horsemen Publications, where I began exploring a dream project: reimagining Poe’s works with queer characters at the center. My novels take familiar gothic tales and give them a fresh, modern twist. From high-art pup play in The Tell-Tail Art to social media satire in The Masc of the Pink Death, my work is packed with humor and heart while honoring the master of the macabre.

Beyond writing, I’m also a digital artist. I’ve created designs inspired by my books, which are available on platforms like TeePublic. Readers can have these designs printed on T-shirts, mugs, stickers, magnets, or anything they like. It’s a fun way to bring the stories to life, and I love hearing from fans who say wearing these designs sparks conversations. It’s become a unique way to connect with readers and extend the worlds I’ve created beyond the page.

In 2024, my short story Pant Based Parmesan won the Seattle Erotic Arts Festival Foundation Award for Short Works, which was a proud moment. It validated my commitment to bold, authentic storytelling and pushed me to continue blending heat, humor, and heart in my work.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Representation is at the core of everything I write. I want to put queer characters front and center in stories that explore their lives in complex, meaningful, and entertaining ways.

For so long, LGBTQ+ representation in literature was limited or relegated to subtext. By writing unapologetically gay and trans-inclusive romances inspired by gothic classics, I aim to change that narrative. My goal is for readers—queer or not—to see themselves in these stories and walk away feeling entertained, moved, and maybe even inspired.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

It’s knowing that my stories resonate with readers. Whether it’s a heartfelt review or a message saying my book made them laugh or blush, it means the world to me to know someone connected with my work.

I strive to weave humor, darkness, and complex emotion into every story I write. At the end of the day, I want readers to feel like they’ve gone on a journey—one that leaves them thinking about the characters and situations they find themselves in long after they’ve closed the book.

Hearing that my designs inspired by these books ignite conversations is just as rewarding. It’s a joy to know my art brings the stories to life in another way and creates connections among readers. These moments remind me why I love doing what I do.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.leosparx.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorleosparx
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorleosparx/
• Twitter: https://x.com/authorleosparx
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@leosparx
  https://www.teepublic.com/user/leo-sparx-designs