NEVER WHISTLE AT NIGHT

A bold, clever, and sublimely sinister collection that dares to ask the question: “Are you ready to be un-settled?”

26 Indigenous-authored spooky stories.

Available in trade paperback, ebook, and audiobook.

Large print edition coming May 2024 from Thorndike Press: preorder here.

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Click the story titles below to reveal content warnings

NWAN CONTENT WARNINGS

1. "Kushtuka" by Mathilda Zeller

Blood, death, gore, racism, use of firearm, vomiting

2. "White Hills" by Rebecca Roanhorse

Alcohol, blood, forced miscarriage (implied), racism, vomiting

3. "Navajos Don't Wear Elk Teeth" by Conley Lyons

Blood, death, LGBTQIA2S+ hate crimes (brief mention), sex, toxic relationship

4. "Wingless" by Marcie R. Rendon

Blood, child abuse, death of animal, vomiting (off-page)

5. "Quantum" by Nick Medina

Alcohol, blood, child neglect, theme of blood quantum

6. "Hunger" by Phoenix Boudreau

Alcohol, drugs

7. "Tick Talk" by Cherie Dimaline

Blood, bugs, graphic injury, loss of parents

8. "The Ones Who Killed Us" by Brandon Hobson

Alcohol, death, theme of MMIWG2S, vomiting (brief)

9. "Snakes Are Born in the Dark" by D.H. Trujillo

Blood, body horror, death of animal, gore, graphic injuries, racism, vomiting

10. "Before I Go" by Norris Black

Alcoholism (mentioned), blood, body horror, loss of parent, loss of partner

11. "Night in the Chrysalis" by Tiffany Morris

Blood, bugs, depression (implied), miscarriage (brief mention)

12. "Behind Colin's Eyes" by Shane Hawk

Blood, bugs, gore, death of animal(s), Indian boarding schools topic (brief mention), use of firearm, vomiting - [the dog lives!]

13. "Heart-Shaped Box" by Kelli Jo Ford

Addiction, alcohol, blood, death, domestic abuse (brief mention), drug use, suicidal ideation (brief mention), vomiting

14. "Scariest Story. Ever." by Richard Van Camp

Blood, death of animal (graphic)

15. "Human Eaters" by Royce K. Young Wolf

Gore (brief), theme of Indian boarding schools

16. "The Longest Street in the World" by Theodore C. Van Alst Jr.

Alcohol, assault (mentioned), disembodiment, use of firearm

17. "Dead Owls" by Mona Susan Power

Blood, racism

18. "The Prepper" by Morgan Talty

Addiction (drugs), blood, death, loss of a parent, self-harm (brief mention), theme of mental illness, use of firearm

19. "Uncle Robert Rides the Lightning" by Kate Hart

Alcohol, death, divorce (brief mention), suicidal ideation (brief mention)

20. "Sundays" by David Heska Wanbli Weiden

Alcohol, assault (graphic), death, loss of partner, pedophilia, PTSD, rape scene (graphic), suicide (brief mention), theme of Indian boarding schools, use of firearm, vehicular accident (brief mention)

21. "Eulogy of a Brother, Resurrected" by Carson Faust

Blood, death, gun violence (mentioned), LGBTQIA2S+ hate crimes (brief mention), loss of a sibling

22. "Night Moves" by Andrea L. Rogers

Alcohol, blood, death, loss of sibling (brief mention), racism, vomiting

23. "Capgras" by Tommy Orange

Alcohol, racism

24. "The Scientist's Horror Story" by Darcie Little Badger

Alcohol

25. "Collections" by Amber Blaeser-Wardzala

Death, theme of human hunting

26. "Limbs" by Waubgeshig Rice

Alcohol, blood, death, disembodiment, racism

PRAISE

“A revelation.” —Ron Charles, The Washington Post

“[The editors’] taste is extraordinary, and they’ve put together a wonderful book. . . . Get this book because it showcases some truly exceptional writing. If you love short fiction, you really shouldn’t miss it.” —Arley Sorg, Lightspeed Magazine

“A satisfying mix of unsettling horror stories written by an array of notable Native authors [...] This volume is a must [...] and will be devoured by speculative fiction fans who enjoy a sprinkle of social commentary within their scary books.” —Verónica N. Rodríguez, Booklist (starred review)

“Mining rich strata of poisoned history and blood-soaked land, the writers summon an exhaustive array of ghosts, wolves, Wendigo spirits, human eaters, conjure women, and petroglyphs willing to exact revenge if you scratch them with your car keys. Throughout the 26 stories, contemporary American life is a threadbare bandage soaked through with the gore of the wound it never truly covers or heals.” —Alan Scherstuhl, Scientific American

“A heavy-hitting arrangement of 26 twisted tales from established and emerging Indigenous North American authors [...] Lifting up an exciting array of authors, this anthology will be a treat for horror fans.” Publishers Weekly

“Story to story, Never Whistle at Night never failed to surprise, delight, and shock me. I’m a big fan of stories that make you feel like you’re standing at the edge of a cliff with a stranger’s fingers on the tip of your spine—and this anthology has that ungoverned, go-for-broke aesthetic that I love.” —Nick Cutter, author of Little Heaven and The Troop

“The stories in Never Whistle at Night go for broke and then keep on going. If it’s over the top horror you want, you’ll find it. If subtle and restrained scares are more to your taste, you find them, too. No matter the story, though, you’re in for fierce, fine writing that leaves its mark deep in the folds of your brain. Shane Hawk and Theodore Van Alst have put together a powerhouse of a book; I’m privileged to have read it.” —John Langan, author of Corpsemouth and Other Autobiographies

Never Whistle at Night is all I’ve ever wanted in an Indigenous horror anthology. From doubles, to Empty People, to story theft, to zombies, this anthology explores the horror that lives in colonial violence, generational love and trauma, and our everyday lives. It’s a joy to see such a diverse representation of experience, background, and style in this carefully-curated and terrifying collection.” —Jessica Johns, author of Bad Cree

“This groundbreaking anthology showcases to the world that Indigenous horror has many faces, and these powerful stories are a horror lover’s dream: each one singular and heartfelt, carving new storytelling pathways that feel both unique and universal, haunting and healing. It’s impossible to guess what’s coming next, and that unpredictability is so central to why horror is such a powerful genre as we all confront life’s terrors.”
—Tananarive Due, author of The Reformatory

“I’ve increasingly come to suspect that the best work in contemporary Horror is being written by Indigenous writers, and Never Whistle at Night makes me certain of this. Consisting of more than two dozen stories by turns fierce and strange—sometimes about storytelling, sometimes political, sometimes just very, very unsettling—this is a deeply satisfying anthology.” —Brian Evenson, author of The Glassy, Burning Floor of Hell

“The combination of folklore and the travails of contemporary life is potent. Hard-edged and dread-inducing, Never Whistle at Night showcases major horror talent.”
—Laird Barron, author of The Wind Began to Howl

“An extensive collection of Indigenous stories ranging from the humorous to the terrifying, this anthology is a must-read for everyone. Your new favorite author is absolutely in this book.” —Amina Akhtar, author of Kismet

“Melodious, haunting, and visceral, Never Whistle at Night enchants from the very start with fiery confidence and merciless ghosts. These are stories that dig their fingers inside you and carve something truly special. An absolute must-read.” —Hailey Piper, Bram Stoker Award-winning author of Queen of Teeth

“Can you draw power from the spirit of a story? If the twenty-six tales in the essential Never Whistle at Night anthology are any indication, the answer is an emphatic yes. The title itself provides its own warning, but I’ll go one step further: Never read this collection of spine-chilling stories alone at night. You just might not make it to morning.”
—Clay McLeod Chapman, author of Ghost Eaters