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

Coming May 21, 2024 from Running Press Teens!

Luminous Wings, Pure Hearts, Sharp Teeth . . .

Bringing fresh blood to traditional monster stories, We Mostly Come Out at Night: 15 Queer Tales of Monsters, Angels & Other Creatures is a cross-genre YA anthology that reclaims the monstrous for the LGBTQA+ community, offering bold, transformative queer tales of exploration, first love, resilience, and empowerment.

Featuring familiar and original beasties from myth, folklore, and urban legend, and written exclusively by queer and trans authors, each creepy and compelling story highlights a different creature — including Mothman, Carabosse, a girl with thirteen shadows, a living house, werebeasts, gorgons, sirens, angels, and many others — to celebrate queerness and the things that (mostly) go bump in the night!

A creepy forest scene at night. The silhouettes of two girls with glowing eyes holding hands. The title reads WE MOSTLY COME OUT AT NIGHT: 15 QUEER TALES OF MONSTERS, ANGELS & OTHER CREATURES edited by Rob Costello

Illustrations by James Fenner / Design by Frances Soo Ping Chow

Watch this space for more information and pre-order links coming soon!

  • “As varied, creative, heartfelt, and fun as the community of writers who conjured it, We Mostly Come Out at Night is the narrative bestiary you need.”

    —Elana K. Arnold, National Book Award finalist, Printz Award honoree, and author of DAMSEL, RED HOOD, and WHAT GIRLS ARE MADE OF

  • “A surefire hit for the monster (or monster-lover) in your life, We Mostly Come Out At Night has tales that are romantic, terrifying, bittersweet, and unexpected...  A must-read for anyone who's been intrigued by shadows on the wall or things that go bump in the night!”

    —Alex Brown, author of DAMNED IF YOU DO, and co-contributing editor of NIGHT OF THE LIVING QUEERS

  • "Monstrously delicious, absolutely captivating, & wholly necessary. This collection's exploration of otherness & self acceptance grips the heart in its clawed hand. At times unwavering in its rawness & often triumphant in its queer joy, this book belongs on every shelf. Sharpen your teeth & read on."

    —Rocky Callen, author of A Breath Too Late & co-contributing editor of Ab(solutely) Normal: Sixteen Stories that Smash Mental Health Stereotypes

  • "I could not get enough of this book! Compulsively readable, We Only Come Out At Night reclaims the power of otherness from a queer perspective, introducing readers to monsters we not only understand, but maybe want to be (or already are). A gorgeous and stunning triumph."

    —Nora Shalaway Carpenter, author of Fault Lines & co-contributing editor of Ab(solutely) Normal: Sixteen Stories that Smash Mental Health Stereotypes

  • “These monster stories positively pulse with humanity. Not only are they gripping and suspenseful, but they have such depth, meaning, and stand as powerful testaments to the fierceness and fabulosity of the queer experience.”

    —Dan Clay (aka, Carrie Dragshaw), author of BECOMING A QUEEN

  • "Charming or creepy, rousing or unsettling, or maybe a combination of all of those—there’s an odd, eerie flavor for everyone in this stunner of an anthology. If you don't recognize that reference, dive into this queer fantasia and find out for yourself. My fave read this year!"

    —Saundra Mitchell, award-winning editor of ALL OUT and author of ALL THE THINGS WE DO IN THE DARK

  • “The collection as a whole is compelling and rich with fascinating beasties that provide new twists on monster lore…worthwhile for its strong queer-affirming stance and thought-provoking depictions of monsters.”

    -Kirkus Reviews

With Stories By