Colleen Alles

Colleen Alles is a writer, former librarian, and Michigan girl for life. The author of several books of fiction and poetry, Colleen currently works for a small press as a developmental editor. She earned her bachelor’s degree in English from Michigan State University and her MLIS from Wayne State University. Colleen is also an MFA candidate at Spalding University (Louisville, KY). Her debut short fiction collection, Close to a Flame, was a 2025 National Indie Excellence Award Finalist; it was also named one of Lit Hub’s 100 Notable Small Press Books (2025). Colleen is represented by Jenna Satterthwaite (Storm Literary Agency).

When she isn’t reading or writing, Colleen enjoys distance running and spending time with her family, including her kiddos and a well-loved beagle, Charlie. You can find her online at www.colleenalles.com.

The Hound of
Thornfield High

COMING SOON!

Warned by a soothsayer at a traveling fair that something evil is about to come to Maryneal, sixteen-year-old Delah Nix chalks it up to carnie theatrics and ignores the woman’s suggestion to leave before dark. But then her sister savagely is attacked on their way home and her murder leaves the small farming community stunned. The authorities scramble to place the blame on a deranged man, the carnival workers, and even the nearby Indigenous community. 

Delah, however, starts to suspect that something supernatural is afoot when a childhood friend, bitten in an attempt to save Delah’s sister, gains powers and a thirst for the county’s livestock. As much as he is enjoying his super speed and perfect hearing, Delah senses there will come a point of no return and begins to desperately search for a way to save her friend before he hurts himself or the girl they both love. With the full moon approaching and no salvation in sight, Delah is faced with an unconscionable decision: If she can’t find a cure, she’ll have to kill the boy next door.