Happiness and Horror
Awards, horror novels, and a bunch of short pieces.
The Yomigaeri Tunnel: Kids and Librarian Favorite
In my last newsletter, I mentioned that The Yomigaeri Tunnel had been selected as a 2026 Kids Favorite. Well… Yomigaeri has also been selected as a 2026 Librarian Favorite. You can see the whole list here, but LOOK:
It’s Yomigaeri. (Screaming.) I even received fun graphics for these awards:
I’m so thankful for librarians, the Children’s Book Council, and the Soho team. I don’t even know what to say.
I also wanted to shout out Pegasus Books for listing The Lost Souls of Benzaiten as a staff pick.
I’m so glad that this book is still getting love, almost two years (TWO YEARS?) after its release.
A New Addition to Your TBR
On September 15, 2026, Soho Teen will be publishing Peace Mbengei’s We Run the Night, a YA horror novel… that I got to read early.
Let’s start with the book’s quick pitch:
An elite, isolated Kenyan boarding school is terrorized by supernatural entities, grotesque maladies, and strange transformations in a chilling YA horror debut inspired by the urban legend of ‘night runners.’
Perfect for fans of She Is a Haunting and White Smoke.
I am so happy to say that I was able to provide an author blurb for this book:
I’m so glad Soho allowed me to ramble about We Run the Night. You can (and should) pre-order it through Penguin Random House here.
New Short Pieces
“And the Band Plays On” in a beautiful issue of wildness. It was wonderful to work with the team, and I love the design of the website.
SCRAPS not only published “The Link,” a story I was afraid would never see the light of day, but also included an interview with some really thought-provoking questions. I was really grateful for the opportunity to reflect on this piece.
I also want to thank Editor Francis Walsh for the beautiful Instagram post here, as well as everyone who worked on the amazing art for the story: Little Ghost, Past + Future Craft Exchange, Amanda Daly, and Wrangler.
I recently got into prose poetry, and Unbroken was kind enough to accept my first piece, “The Celestial Sea,” for its forty-ninth issue.
The Bloomin’ Onion, which previously published another short story, “The Suds,” as a Featured Short Story, included “Ex-Coriation” in its April 2026 issue, Issue Three: Bloom. I love the look of this magazine. The Editor-in-Chief, Daniel Groves, sent along this beautiful image, so I’m including it here.
Pictura Journal very kindly included my story, “Lucky Stars,” in its Issue Six. I get to talk about paper stars and Lizzie McGuire, so I’m happy to see it out in the world. This story touches on consent, or lack of it, so if this affects you in any way, please skip it and know I am with you.
The wonderful team at Full House Literary published “The Laughter Legacy” and asked me to include a reading of the piece. Anyone who knows me understands how bad of a public speaker I am, even when I’m just… reading my own piece, so listen at your own risk.
“Re-Collecting You” has been published in issue five of Yīn Literary. The theme was “Yan-Zi: Love In Renewal.” I’m so happy this short piece found a home.
My long short story (if that makes sense) has been published by failbetter. It’s called “Chirahora,” and I hope you enjoy it. :) This was actually a book at one point, but I think (hope?) it works better in this shorter form.
Eastern Iowa Review very kindly included “Hangers” in its 21st issue. Please be warned that this piece touches on grief and sickness. It’s a short one, but I’m happy that it’s out there.
Twisted Tongue Press included “The Struggle Bus” in its second issue. I love the colors and aesthetics of this magazine, so please check it out. I wish the real Uncle Rex could read it, but I’m glad others can. I’ll never forget him, and I hope you won’t either.
“The Lovebird Elegy” was published in The Orange Rose as part of its fifth issue. Please be warned that this piece touches on the loss of a pet. The whole issue focuses on pet grief, and while it’s a heavy issue, I hope it can also be healing.
The Saturday Evening Post published “Ant Mill” as part of its New Fiction Friday feature. This was probably the fastest a piece has gone from “sitting in my folder” to “published.” I’m really thankful to editor Andy Hollandbeck for picking it up.
Just today, Hotch Potch Literature & Art published “Temporary Animals” in Volume 5, Issue 1. You can see the whole issue as a PDF here or read it in a browser here. "My story is on page 72, but please consider reading the whole issue. Hotch Potch is a wonderfully supportive community of creatives.
I also received a physical copy of phoebe. I posted about my piece, “The Memory Cranes,” before, but you can also purchase the whole issue, Issue 55.1, in print here. It’s a beautiful journal. I’m so glad to be a part of it.
Okay, sorry. This one was long. I had a lot to cover, so if you skimmed, I don’t blame you—though I do hope you will take a look at We Run the Night.
I hope you have been doing well. Thank you for reading. :)