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

“Rob Costello's editorial debut unites queer and trans authors in a gloriously layered collection celebrating richly voiced and refreshingly diverse LGBTQ+ teens facing frightening yet freeing entities from without and within. Here, monstrousness and magic parallel that which society fears - queerness, asexuality, trans lives - and through transformations both tiny and tremendous, teens enduring discrimination show how amazing they can be.”

- Shelf Awareness, *Starred Review*

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 original and familiar 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 2024 Bram Stoker Award Finalist

  • A 2025 Locus Award Finalist

  • A 2024 CYBILS Award Finalist

  • Named a Best Book for Teens 2024 by the New York Public Library

  • Named a Best of 2024 Young Adult Horror and Dark Fiction by Ginger Nuts of Horror

  • Named to the 2024 Recommended Reading List by Locus Magazine

  • Featured in the 2024 Anthologies & Collections Showcase by PseudoPod

  • Named a Notable Young Adult Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Book of 2024 by Reactor Magazine

  • Starred Review from Shelf Awareness

Illustrations by James Fenner / Design by Frances Soo Ping Chow

  • "Teens of all genders and orientations will find magic, chills, and plenty to ponder in this spellbinding anthology... The authors explore elements of queer identity through fantasy and metaphor, weaving stories that inspire, unsettle, and linger in the imagination like the very best folktales."

    -Caroline Carlson, Literary Hub

  • “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

  • "An ambitious anthology centering queer monstrosity in all its forms. Each entry opens with a stunning black-and-white chapter illustration, whetting readers’ appetites for the tale to follow. Stories range from ethereal fairy-tale retellings to dystopian quests of teens seeking love and acceptance in dust-soaked, drowned-out Earths…a solid collection of speculative queer YA.”

    –School Library Journal

  • "If you are queer and have that sharp sense of Otherness, whether because you were the only Brown kid at your school or you just didn’t know anyone who saw gender the way you did or any number of other things, you’ll find stories written for you. In We Mostly Come Out At Night you’ll find kinship, joy, your experiences and fantasies finally coming to life in stories. And perhaps better than that, you’ll feel a sense of community and belonging."

    –Arley Sorg, Lightspeed Magazine

  • "This anthology reminds young adults that their teeth are sharp and their claws are long. They aren’t helpless or bad or wrong. They are monsters in the best way."

    —Locus Magazine

  • "Ultimately this is a terrific book about acceptance and how there is freedom and power in embracing the things that make you stand out."

    —Ginger Nuts of Horror

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