We Mostly Come Out at Night: 15 Queer Tales of Monsters, Angels & Other Creatures

"We Mostly Come Out at Night" is a groundbreaking young adult anthology that gathers 15 original stories from a diverse group of trans and queer authors. Aimed at readers aged 12-18, this collection reimagines classic monster tropes and creatures, from Mothman to gorgons, as metaphors for queer identity and self-discovery. The book emphasizes themes of self-acceptance, resilience, and empowerment, offering a bold and transformative celebration of queerness. It's an excellent choice for parents seeking literature that provides representation, normalizes feelings of being different, and encourages open conversations about identity and belonging. The anthology has received significant recognition, including being a 2025 Lambda Literary Award Finalist and a YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers.

An empowering cross-genre YA anthology that explores what it means to be a monster, exclusively highlighting trans and queer authors who offer new tales and perspectives on classic monster stories and tropes. Winner of the 2025 CNY Book Award for Children's Books A 2025 Lambda Literary Award Finalist A 2025 Locus Award Finalist A 2025 YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers: Fiction A 2024 Bram Stoker Award Finalist A 2024 Cybils Award Finalist A 2024 New York Public Library Best Book for Teens A 2024 Notable Young Adult Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Book by Reactor Magazine A 2024 Recommended Reading List by Locus Magazine A Best of 2024 Young Adult Horror and Dark Fiction by Ginger Nuts of Horror Be not afraid! These monsters, creatures, and beasties are not what they appear. We Mostly Come Out at Night is a YA anthology that reclaims the monstrous for the LGBTQA+ community while exploring how there is freedom and power in embracing the things that make you stand out. Each story centers on both original and familiar monsters and creatures--including Mothman, Carabosse, a girl with thirteen shadows, a living house, werebeasts, gorgons, sirens, angels, and many others--and their stories of love, self-acceptance, resilience, and empowerment. This collection is a bold, transformative celebration of queerness and the creatures that (mostly) go bump in the night. Contributors include editor Rob Costello, Kalynn Bayron, David Bowles, Shae Carys, H.E. Edgmon, Michael Thomas Ford, Val Howlett, Brittany Johnson, Naomi Kanakia, Claire Kann, Jonathan Lenore Kastin, Sarah Maxfield, Sam J. Miller, Alexandra Villasante, and Merc Fenn Wolfmoor.