The Buffalo Hunter Hunter

Stephen Graham Jones

Genres: Historical Fiction, Indigenous, Horror

Mainly here just to brag that I got my ARC request approved!

Naturally, I will not give spoilers.

However, I will say that there is something exceptionally compelling about the journals of a priest, a man whose entire profession relies on faith, being met with evidence of the supernal, and struggling to come to terms with it anyway.

Told through the transcribed voice of Good Stab, a Blackfeet vampire, The Buffalo Hunter Hunter releases March 18th, 2025!

Dear Daniel and Crone,

I recently had surgery, getting an organ removed because it decided to go on strike, and, while still very high from the anesthesia, came out to my grandma as bisexual by apparently going into detail about an… incident I had with a girl at my boarding school.

She will no longer look me in the eye.

And I only know I told her things because I saw that she had texted my therapist about it.

She also refuses to talk to me about it.

What do I do?

Medically,

Organ Robbed

Dear Organ Robbed,

While this may not have been the way you wanted to come out of the closet, at least you’ve gotten over the bump!

You didn’t mean to serve (pun intended), but the ball is now in her court.

She may need time to process and deal with her preconceived notions that now apply to her grandchild.

For now, you simply carry on.

When she is ready to talk, she will come to you.

This conversation may not go the way you want it to, but a part of accepting your identity is being secure in it despite nay-sayers.

I also want to confirm that your therapist shouldn’t be disclosing information about your sessions to your family?

Therapist snitches get therapist stitches.

Love,

The Crone

Dear Crone,

I just found out that my ex of 10 years is having another baby w/ someone else after I got my tubes tied because neither of us wanted more kids.

Now I’m pissed and don’t really understand why.

I do know that I’m completely over him so I don't understand these feelings.

Need help getting my head and heart straight.

Confused,

Anonymous

Dear Anon,

You elected to undergo a surgery based on an understanding with your partner, and now that his actions do not align with the prior decision, it’s possible you fear you have made the wrong choice.

Unfortunately, you can do little to reverse your decision, so you will have to sit with these feelings rather than trying to quash them.

Mixed emotions regarding why he made this choice are natural.

This doesn’t mean you aren’t over him, but rather that you’re analyzing the consequences in the long term.

Focus on why you’re no longer together, and ask yourself if you’d want to be the one having another kid, especially with him.

It is normal for permanent decisions to linger in your mind, especially in the context of co-parenting.

Your closure will come from accepting the choice you made.

Encouragingly,

The Crone

Dear Crone and Daniel,

I know you’ve addressed broken friendships before but I’m gonna ask anyway.

My best friend of 10 years “broke up” with me back in December over texts.

She said she wanted to focus on building her family with her new husband, and it really stings because she was my found family for the last 10 years.

It’s been some time but I’m still struggling.

Any tips?

Friendless in Michigan

Dear Michigan,

Unfortunately, your friend has made her decision.

In terms of tips, I recommend a two-pronged approach.

You can go and do things you would normally do with your old friend and reframe it as something for yourself AND/OR you can go and try new interests or hobbies that have no such connection to her.

Essentially, you are working to claim or reclaim space that you used to share.

This was a long, significant relationship. Give yourself the time to grieve it.

Gently,

The Crone

Dear Crone,

How do I stop trying to regulate my family's emotions?

I love my family, but I'm emotionally exhausted and physically exhausted from running around and helping my parents because my siblings are spoiled brats.

Sincerely,

Exhausted Eldest Daughter

Dear EED,

This will require an active effort on your part— you channel the energy you normally would put into regulating your family into stopping yourself.

The habit will be hard to break, and you will find yourself unconsciously repeating your previous behaviors.

When you notice this, you stop and change what you are doing.

It will be a tough cycle to break, but the battle will be more about dealing with the discomfort of not doing anything.

Encouragingly,

The Crone

Dear Crone,

I'm trying to write a novel while taking care of my child who has severe special needs.

I don't seem to have enough time to do both well.

My book doesn't seem important compared to my kid, but I love my story.

Should I quit writing?

Concernedly,

Exhausted

Dear Exhausted,

What is your goal with your writing?

Do you specifically wish to publish, promote, and tour for your novel?

Or do you simply enjoy the act of writing?

Obviously, your circumstances require you to prioritize your child, you’re right for that, but simultaneously, you can allow yourself the joy of writing, even if it is more for the love of your story than a desire to publish it.

I will also point out that a first draft does not need to be done well and will always be infinitely better than a blank sheet.

Don’t allow your fear of an imperfect start to prevent you from writing it in the first place.

You are already making the right choices, and it’s okay if joy is one of them.

Literarily,

The Crone