Join us for an exciting night with local author,

Eman Quotah, as she discusses

The Night is Not for You,

with writer Vera Kurian

To be held at Solid State Books on H St. NE

Tickets with, AND without a book are available here!

"[A] wonderfully chilling and entirely immersive feminist horror story." —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

When her sense of safety is shattered, a young girl realizes she must become something untamable—even otherworldly—to find freedom, in this visceral coming-of-age horror debut.

A man’s body is found viciously murdered behind a neighborhood corner store, sending shockwaves through the tight-knit community. All the victim’s family and bystanders want is to make sense of this brutal crime and move on with their lives.

All seven-year-old Layla wants is a pet donkey. To her, a donkey is the epitome of freedom—the ability to think for herself, go anywhere by herself, and live an independent life.

The killings continue, and rumors fly of supposed hoofprints and a woman with hair like black silk. The ambiguous messages in lipstick and sweet smell of perfume at the crime scenes causes the men to suspect the women around them. As Layla’s world unravels, she realizes she must grow into the type of woman she’s always dreamed of becoming. A woman with sharp instincts. A woman who cannot be tamed.

The night is not for you. It has always belonged to her.

Eman Quotah's debut novel, Bride of the Sea, won the Arab American Book Award for fiction. Her writing has appeared in the Washington Post, USA Today, and many other publications.

Vera Kurian is a writer and scientist based in Washington DC. Her debut novel, NEVER SAW ME COMING (Park Row Books, 2021) was an Edgar Award nominee and was named one of the New York Times’ Best Thrillers of 2021. Her second novel, A STEP PAST DARKNESS, was published in 2024, and you can find her at verakurian.substack.com