A new collection of eerie tales set against the familiar backdrop of Mackinac Island is set to hit shelves this spring, blending local legend with psychological horror.

Detroit native Jim Bolone will release his debut short story collection, Zombie Seagulls and 13 Other Bite-Sized Nightmares, on May 27 through Mission Point Press. The book marks his first major foray into the horror genre after co-authoring the young adult series The Dockporter. 

The collection features 14 short stories centered on teens navigating a darker version of Mackinac Island, one filled with ghostly sailors, cursed creatures, and unsettling folklore. From a sinister clown spirit lurking near the cliffs to strange, mythic forces embedded in the landscape, Bolone’s stories reimagine the island as a place where the past refuses to stay buried.

But the book goes beyond traditional scares. Bolone explores deeper emotional themes, including fear of being forgotten, the weight of memory, and the tension between youthful innocence and ancient forces. 

“I love to write YA fiction and atmospheric horror rooted in real places,” Bolone said in the release. He described the book as transforming “a real American vacation landmark into an ancient, living mythos,” treating horror less as shock value and more as a natural ecosystem. 

Bolone draws heavily from his background as a creative writing teacher and his own upbringing. The youngest of seven children, he credits his artistic family and varied life experiences, from working service jobs to performing music, with fueling his storytelling. 

Early reviews suggest the collection delivers on its promise of compact but impactful storytelling. Glen Young of Walloon Writers Review praised the stories as “knockout punches,” while author Laura Kemp described them as a “dark and foggy path” filled with suspense and jump scares. 

Set in one of Michigan’s most recognizable destinations, the book also raises a haunting question: what existed in these places before they became tourist landmarks, and what warnings might have been lost along the way?

Zombie Seagulls and 13 Other Bite-Sized Nightmares will be available for preorder ahead of its late May release, with copies expected to be sold through major online retailers and bookstores nationwide.