The Things logo printed in UV on the standard edition dust jacket.

This award-winning story is a retelling of The Thing as viewed from the perspective of the alien; lost, alone, and struggling to understand humans.

The Things by Peter Watts

2011 Shirley Jackson Award for Best Short Story
2011 Finalist - Hugo Award for Best Short Story
2011 Finalist - Theodore Sturgeon Memorial Award
2011 Finalist - British Science Fiction Association Award for Best Short Fiction

I’ve selected this story as a companion to my recent edition of Who Goes There? by John W. Campbell, continuing themes of exploration, isolation, ‘fear of the other’, and survival. The Things is a horrifying story about an alien creature, thawed from the ice, who tries to understand the limitations and violent nature of the humans it experiences upon awakening. This creature, a hive-mind and mutable biomass views the universe through a different lens which is why I chose to print its thoughts and struggles in a totally unique way. Throughout the story, the creature is trying to understand its surroundings; by viewing the book with the aid of a UV flashlight you see these thoughts and see the world through the eyes of an alien being.

Limited, hardbound book, available in two elaborate editions, richly illustrated and letterpress printed with custom-made ultraviolet (UV) ink. Each book comes with either a sculpted or standard UV flashlight to experience the surprising layers on the printed page fully. The sculpted saucer is a recreation of the spaceship seen in the early frames of The Thing and later frozen in the ice. It is designed and 3D printed, then individually wired with UV bulbs and replaceable AAA batteries. Finally, it is painted by hand. The sculpture comes in a hand-made box matching the book and includes a display stand.

Afterword features an interview with Peter Watts discussing this story and additional concept illustrations. All designs and illustrations created by Todd Thyberg.

All editions are numbered and signed.

Two versions are available: a luxurious Deluxe edition, quarter-bound in Japanese book cloth with foil stamped logo and blue goatskin spine. This edition comes in a matching slipcase with hidden UV printing inside. A true collector's edition, limited to only fifty copies, this unique book includes either a standard UV flashlight or a limited-edition, custom-designed, 3D-printed, and hand-painted flying saucer flashlight. The saucer flashlight is the spaceship in which the Thing crashed and helps you see its thoughts.

The Standard edition is equally beautiful, quarter-bound in Japanese book cloth with a contrasting blue spine, and comes with a UV-printed and foil-stamped dust jacket. Designed to be an affordable option featuring the same illustrations, high-quality letterpress printing, and hidden UV horrors. This edition is limited to 200 copies.

Both editions are printed with standard and ultraviolet inks. UV light or black light is needed to fully experience the book.