Volume 47/74
Spring/Summer 2025
Biannual Online Magazine of SF, Fantasy & Horror
Robert Nazar Arjoyan
Lori Sambol Brody
Julie Brydon
Robin Cassini
Bri Castagnozzi
Russell Giles
M.F. Higgs
Michelle Koubek
Sandra Skalski
Christian Fiachra Stevens
Richard Zwicker
Maryanne Chappell
Ty Drago
Kelly Ferjutz
Carrie Schweiger
J. E. Taylor
Volume 47/74
Spring/Summer 2025
"The scariest moment is always just before you start." — Stephen King
FUNDRAISING TARGET: $2500
RECEIVED SO FAR: $965
We're hanging in there.
Since our very first issue in June 1998, ALLEGORY has presented quality speculative fiction from authors all around the world, absolutely free. We accept no advertising and charge no subscription. Oh, and we actually *pay* our authors, albeit not much.
Our staff, myself included, are all volunteers who do the work of putting this ezine together twice a year out of nothing more than the love of the written word and a sincere desire to promote the work of new authors in a publishing world that often overlooks and outright dismisses them. After just shy of 27 years, we are justly proud of this "old lady of the internet," and we want to keep doing it.
Six years ago, ALLEGORY changed to what the industry calls a “donations model,” meaning that all our funding is crowd-sourced. Prior to that, everything related to the ezine (now 26 years old and counting!), including author compensation, IP costs, and much more, was paid for out of my own pocket. But since I retired in 2018 and have devoted myself to writing and publishing full-time, that’s no longer an option.
That leaves our future entirely in your hands.
We are currenly holding an ambitious fundraiser with a goal of $2500, enough to keep us going for the next three years. As I've stated before, the cost of each issue is currently about $400, every bit of it crowdsourced by a readership that currently exceeds 30,000. So far, as indicated above, we've raised close to $900.
So, if you’ve enjoyed this ezine over the past quarter century, please consider contributing.
Doing so is easy. Simply click the button below and PayPal will do the rest. Please bear in mind that ALLEGORY, while "not for profit" is not "non-profit" and, as such, donations are not tax deductible.
On behalf of myself, our staff of volunteers, our authors and, of course, our readership, thank you for your support of ALLEGORY!
With deepest gratitude,
Ty Drago, Publisher
ALLEGORY
Allegory deals with submissions in the way that, as far as I know, remains fairly unique in the publishing world. Each story is individually reviewed and, if considered publishable, is placed in our "Maybe" pile. At the end of each submission period, these "Maybes" are reviewed, and the best twelve chosen to appear in the next issue. This final cut is made on the basis of issue balance, and does NOT reflect the overall quality of these stories.
That said, here—in no particular order—are the "Maybes" who just missed publication in Allegory. Each one is a fine tale that we would have been proud to publish. Remember these names, friends and fellows. You'll be hearing from them in the future. I guarantee it!
Note: Explicit permission was secured from each author before either their name or the title of their story was included in this list.
This issue’s Name in Lights goes out to two of our editors who have, after years of support and effort, decided to move on.
James Miller has worked as a senior editor at Allegory for more than a decade, supporting this ezine though hard work and dedication. His exceptional generosity has gone a long way to keep us going. I consider him a friend and wish him all the best as he moves forward.
Christine Fiero joined Allegory in 2012 as an associate editor and has been a staple ever since, reading more slush than I can honestly count and providing feedback to authors from around the world. She and I have been friends for a long time, having worked together once upon a time, and I'm sure wonderful things await her!
You will both be sorely missed!
With love and respect,
Ty
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