Supernatural beings seem to have it easy: their purpose in life (or life after death) is clear and their mission to frighten or eat humans should be simple enough. But the creatures in Day Shift Werewolf (3-Day Books) suffer from the same self-doubt, career troubles and bureaucratic nightmares as the rest of us. Jan Underwood shines the spotlight on the slackers, loners and misfits of the supernatural world in this collection of linked stories, the winner of the 28th Annual International 3-Day Novel Contest. The unusual citizens of the fictional town of Stevens’ Ferry include a vegetable-loving werewolf, a sasquatch who wants to be ballerina and a Norwegian gnome seeking political asylum. Stevens’ Ferry has room for everyone, though, including zombies and barnacle men, if they are willing to do a little soul searching and work within the system. These funny and believable characters sparkle without being obvious or overwritten and their individual tales remind us of the value of all creatures.