ILLUMINATIONS

OF THE FANTASTIC
A Journal of Imaginative Fiction & Essay
STORIES

Announcements and updates can be found on the About page here.


ISSUE NO.18

Release Date: February 2026

Stories—

  1. An Inhabited House | Philip J. Palacios

  2. A Faun in the Monastery | Nathan Gilmore

  3. The Astrolators | Samuel J. Stephens

  4. Essay— The Films of David Lean | Samuel J. Stephens

  5. Feature— Film Filings: February 2026

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 films by Nolan (strange), and three oddball award-winners from the 1980s.


FEATURES

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

Debut edition. Three reviews by Nathan Gilmore. A biography about King and about a king; a history of WWII.

···interested in submitting a book review? contact us at illuminationsfantastic (at) gmail (dot) com···


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.

PAST ISSUES

THE ARCHIVES ARE OPEN DAY AND NIGHT!

Archive of previous issues and series. A great place to browse and bookmark for a rainy day.

MASTHEAD
 

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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