ILLUMINATIONS OF THE FANTASTIC
ONLINE MAGAZINE
A Journal of Imaginative Fiction & Essay
Fantasy · Science Fiction · Mystery · Poetry · Essays · Film Criticism
ISSUE NO.19
Release Date: May 16th 2026
Stories—
In this edition of Illuminations of the Fantastic (Issue 19), we are transported to a severe technological future with a tender center in Bethan Meyer’s Window-Struck; we inhabit a village in Ireland during the first world war in Samuel J. Stephens’ The Last Boy of the Village; we join in a fraught corporate thriller in Scott Hamilton’s The Collector; and we take flight across the canvas of space in Philip J. Palacios’ The Skyseeker. Finally, in The Book Corner, Nathan Gilmore reviews a trio of histories as well as Sigrid Undset’s 1928 Nobel-prize winning novel Kristen Lavransdattar.
Art Design by Sam Stephens
ISSUE NO.18
Release Date: February 2026
Stories—
In this edition of Illuminations of the Fantastic, visit a strange wood inhabited by fauns and monks, a strange post-war town, and a strange university library holding a truly strange secret. Then read about the films of David Lean, a few of which are strangely neglected; and in Film Filings movies by Christopher Nolan (a weird one), and three oddball Academy Award-winners from the 1980s reviewed by Nathan Gilmore.
Art Design by Sam Stephens
THE SONNET CORNER
SONNET CORNER | EDITION NO. 2 · OCT 2025
edited by Samuel J. Stephens & Nathan Gilmore
Theme: The Golden Hour. Poems by Timothy E.G. Bartel, Sölvör Bjarna, Michael Helsem, Arthur Malory, Thomas Mixon, Sarah Reardon, and Royal Rhodes.
···see page for submission instructions···
THE BOOK CORNER
edited by Samuel J. Stephens & Nathan Gilmore
Second edition. Three reviews on Pakistan’s Partition. Undset’s Lavransdattar — Nathan Gilmore.
··· interested in submitting a book review? contact us at illuminationsfantastic (at) gmail (dot) com ···
ARCHIVE
THE ARCHIVES ARE OPEN DAY AND NIGHT!
Archive of past issues and series. A great place to browse and bookmark for a rainy day.
MOVIE BALCONY
A movie blog for new and classic films. Monthly review editions for our ‘Film Filings’ series. Also includes rankings, essays, news, and opportunities to contribute.
chief editor:
SAM STEPHENS
managing editor:
PHILIP J. PALACIOS
associate editor:
NATHAN GILMORE
associate editor:
DIANA MASSENGALE
art consultant:
EVANGELINA STEPHENS
published by:
ILLUMINATIONS OF THE FANTASTIC
founders:
SAM STEPHENS & PHILIP J. PALACIOS
city location:
NASHVILLE, TN
publishing years:
2020-present
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