Written by Elliott, staff person, Halifax Central Library
Need something new to read that will take your mind out of this world? These online magazines offer free science fiction and fantasy short stories to anyone looking to escape.
1. Apex Magazine, opens a new window
Apex is a prose and poetry magazine that publishes established speculative authors like Jeff VanderMeer, Forrest Aguirre, and Saladin Ahmed, as well as up-and-coming writers.
We suggest: “The Days of Flaming Motorcycles” by Catherynne M. Valente, opens a new window
2. Beneath Ceaseless Skies
This magazine is dedicated to fantasy stories, published bi-weekly. If you loved Game of Thrones, this is the site for you!
We suggest: “The Mermaid Astronaut” by Yoon Ha Lee
3. Clarkesworld Magazine
This Hugo Award-winning magazine science fiction and fantasy magazine offers fiction, non-fiction, interviews, and audio.
We suggest: “Annotated Setlist of the Mikaela Cole Jazz Quintet” by Catherine George
4. Daily Science Fiction
A site that publishes new speculative flash fiction pieces daily. Browse the stories by genre and subject, or subscribe to their mailing list and get a selection of stories in your inbox every day!
We suggest: “Mercy” by Mari Ness
5. The Dark
This fantasy magazine skews towards work that is darker in tone, including fantasy-horror.
We suggest: “Tiger, Tiger Bright” by Benjamin Sriduangkaew
6. Interfictions
This journal specializes in work that blurs the line between genre and literary fiction.
We suggest: “Mothers” by Carmen Maria Machado
7. Lightspeed Magazine
This digital magazine has published a whole host of award-winning SFF authors over the years, including N.K. Jemisin, George R.R. Martin, and Neil Gaiman.
We suggest: “Patient Zero” by Tananarive Due
8. PodCastle
Want to hear a story but don’t have time to read? PodCastle posts audio versions of fantasy stories for you to download and listen to on the go! (For science fiction or horror, see sister sites EscapePod and PseudoPod.)
We suggest: “Field Reports from the Department of Monster Resettlement” by L. Chan
9. Strange Horizons
Founded in 2000, this famous SFF weekly magazine has launched the careers of many speculative writers.
We suggest: “Fisherman” by Nalo Hopkinson
10. Uncanny Magazine
A bi-monthly magazine that also publishes in ebook format, Uncanny specializes in provocative and experimental stories that challenge conventions of form and genre.
We suggest: “Braid of Day and Wake of Night,” by E. Lily Yu
Happy adventures!
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