Nickolas Butler is having an amazing 2014. Released in March, his debut novel, Shotgun Lovesongs, has already become a national best-seller and the source of major critical acclaim. But as the year comes to a close, it’s only right the author announces the release of his next project. Beneath the Bonfire, a series of 10 short stories, is set to be released next May. Each piece colors a different scenario of Midwestern lifestyle while still incorporating a little thrill. These range from cutting down trees for firewood or spending the weekend hunting for wild mushrooms to the qualms of a disgruntled environmentalist or seeking justice against a man who’s done wrong. Award-winning author Josh Weil said the true pleasure in reading Shotgun Lovesongs and now Beneath the Bonfire was how Butler is able to portray “a place and its people with such love that you’ll find yourself falling for them, too.”