Volume 49/76
Spring/Summer 2026
Biannual Online Magazine of SF, Fantasy & Horror
Alex Rowan Black
Diane Callahan
Grace Crouthamel
J.J. Hillard
Colin Kohlhaas
Sara London
Elese Mathis
Donald McCarthy
W.K. Ryan
Morgan Sampson
Rain Sullivan
Ryan T.M.
Maryanne Chappell
Ty Drago
Kelly Ferjutz
Carrie Schweiger
J. E. Taylor
Volume 49/76
Spring/Summer 2026
"Anyone who says writing is easy isn't doing it right." — Amy Joy
Well, here we are again.
Allegory has been publishing for 28 years. 76 issues to date and a total of 773 stories from new and established authors from all over the English-speaking world. We have launched a few careers, my own among them, and have proudly provided a small stepping stone for writers struggling to break into this difficult and often disheartening business.
We accept no advertising. We charge no submission fee. And, despite these facts, we offer our authors compensation, albeit modest, for their efforts and contribution to our ezine. No one at Allegory draws any kind of salary or receives any other sort of financial benefit from the work we do. Instead, all of us are volunteers, doing what we do for the love of the written word, and to provide an audience for our fellow authors who, like most of us, are trying to establish themselves.
What all this means is that our costs are limited to the necessary internet provider fees, a few necessary software subscriptions and, of course, author payments. It also means that our only income stream is crowd sourcing.
Basically, you.
You probably see where I'm going with this...
Right now, we have enough in our coffers for another issue, maybe two. After that...well, I'm writing this in the hopes there will BE an "after that."
So, once again, I'm reaching out humbly and with hat in hand to ask for your help. If you like the stories we offer and the opportunities we provide, then please consider supporting us with whatever you can spare.
Fortunately, we've made doing so crazy easy. Simply click the button below and let PayPal do the rest.
If you've given in the past, as many of you have, then thank for continuing to support us. If, on the other hand, you're visiting us for the first time and are a bit taken aback that the first thing you see in a fundraising pitch, then I beg you the consider a simple truth. Allegory is made up of a small group of dedicated volunteers committed to keeping a proud publishing tradition alive.
I hope and trust you'll help us do that.
Thank you, everyone. Sincerely.
- Ty Drago
Founder, Publisher, and Managing Editor
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 to our newest associate editor, Mary Ann Exler. As it happens, Mary Ann has been a dear friend of mine for more than thirty years. But this marks the first time she's agreed to help us with the avalanche of submissions that Allegory deals with on an issue-by-issue basis. Thanks, Mare! And welcome aboard! Now...when can we come over for another cookout? :)
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