ILLUMINATIONS

OF THE FANTASTIC
A Journal of Imaginative Fiction & Essay
FEATURES

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


EPIC POETRY III

edited by Samuel J. Stephens & Nathan Gilmore

SIR GAWAIN & THE GREEN KNIGHT | Paul Douglas Deane

FORGOTTEN GROUND REGAINED | The Poets of the Modern Alliterative Revival

OLIVER CROMWELL | William G. Carpenter

THE EPIC BOOK OF SAMUEL PART III | Nathan Gilmore

THE EPIC ACTS OF THE APOSTLES PART IV | Alicia Joy Taylor

‡ FROM ARTHURIAN LEGEND | Samuel J. Stephens - available soon

In this third issue of epic poetry (Issue #17) we welcome the poets of the modern alliterative revival, including Adam Bolivar, Solvor Bjarna, Paul Douglas Deane, Rahul Gupta, Michael Helsem, J.W. Laurel, and Thomas Sudell. Continuing her book-length epic is Part 4 of Alicia Joy Taylor’s The Epic Acts of the Apostles; Paul Douglas Deane gives us peek at a passage from his upcoming Sir Gawain translation; Nathan Gilmore offers the newest addition to his Epic Book of Samuel chronicling King David’s rise to power; William G. Carpenter portrays Oliver Cromwell, one of British history’s most vivid figures; finally Sam Stephens’ Scenes From Arthurian Legend drops us into the world of King Arthur and the quest for the Holy Grail.


ISSUE 16

edited by Samuel J. Stephens & Philip J. Palacios

Stories:

A SHADOWED SOUL | Matthew R. Briggs

MARNEY AND THE BAD EGG | Philip J. Palacios

ISHRYA’S OUTCASTS | Diana Massengale

THE SONNET CORNER | Short Poetry III

THE BOOK CORNER | Inaugural Edition

FILM FILINGS | May Edition

In this issue, debut writer Matthew R. Briggs takes us into a wintery fantasy world; Philip J. Palacios and Diana Massengale offer humorous tales of mythical creatures. Also debuting: The Sonnet Corner featuring new IF contributors, and The Book Corner featuring three reviews of historical reads; and the May edition of Film Filings.

Artwork design by Sam Stephens

THE SONNET CORNER

SHORT POETRY VOLUME III · APRIL 2025

edited by Samuel J. Stephens & Nathan Gilmore

Debut Edition of The Sonnet Corner. Poems by Timothy E.G. Bartel, Solvor Bjarna, Daniel Cooper, Sarah Cline, Lee Evans, Daniel Fitzpatrick, Janice Katz, and Stefanie Kate M. Watchorna.

···includes new submission information···

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.

THE ARCHIVES

OPEN ALL DAY AND NIGHT

Library of all 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
***
***