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Quest is a new online magazine publishing literary, visual, and critical work that uses sci-fi and fantasy to reflect the world around us.

Quest is a space for readers to explore and contributors to experiment.

Issue NO.01
“Thresholds”

We’re currently inviting early collaborators to help shape the launch of Quest by submitting work or signing up to be part of our artist roster. Submissions are open until September, 15th 2025.

In this issue, we want stories, essays, comics, poems, art, and criticism that explore our take on “Thresholds”: moments of inflection, tipping points, etc.

What we like

  • Stories that engage with the idea of Thresholds.
  • Experimentation.
  • Work that questions the familiar — Imaginative Speculation.
  • “What if” stories that reveal truths about our world.
  • New ideas that transform known society.
  • Secondary worlds that explore ethical or existential questions.
  • A balance of respect and irreverence.
  • The unexpected. The surprising.
  • Stories that are true to you.

What we don’t like

  • AI-generated written work: The text must be human-written.
  • Fully AI-generated artwork: Must include meaningful human authorship.
  • Gratuitous violence: Especially involving children or sexual violence.
  • Casual or blatant discrimination: misogyny, homophobia, transphobia, racism.
  • “Speculative” stories where non-marginalized groups imagine marginalization.
  • Reprints.

How to Submit

Please send all submissions to: submissions.read.quest@gmail.com with the subject line formatted exactly as: SUBMISSION: YourLastName – Name of Piece

Short stories, Serialized Fiction, Poetry, Creative Nonfiction

Submit a single piece in PDF or Word (standard manuscript format). In your email body, include a brief bio listing any past publications—don’t worry if you’re unpublished. Reprints are not eligible.

Artwork, Comics, Illustrations, Music, and Artist Roster

Artwork: PDF, TIFF, PNG, or PSD

Music: MP3 file or streaming link

Artist Roster (for commissioned work): attach portfolio or link to your site

Payment

For writing

  • Short Stories: US $25-$100 per accepted submission. Min 2,000 words.
  • Serial Stories: US $25-$100 per installment. Min 1,500 words per installment.
  • Poetry: US $12.00-$25 per accepted submission.
  • Essays + Creative Non-Fiction: US $25-$100 per accepted submission. Min 1,000 words.

For comic, illustrations

  • Comic: US $25-$100 per page
  • Illustration: US $50-$200 per piece
  • Key Art: US $50-$200 per piece

For playlist, custom mix

  • Custom playlists: US $10-$25 per accepted submission

Process

Jul. 01 – Sept. 15: Submission Window

Oct. 06: Acceptance & Revision Requests

Oct. 06 – Oct. 23: Design & Proofing

October 24: Final Sign-Off

October 31: Issue 01 Launch