Speculative Fiction Illustrated, Issue 1

Speculative Fiction Illustrated is dedicated to bringing imaginative, visually rich stories to life-without compromising on values. Every story is carefully curated to be family-friendly: free of graphic violence, explicit content, and offensive language, while still offering compelling plots, vivid worlds, and memorable characters. These are stories you can confidently share with teens, classrooms, and multi-generational readers who love wonder, adventure, and a good story told cleanly.

SFI is also a home for emerging talent. Every story in these pages is the work of an amateur writer, and every one is brought to life with an original, hand-drawn illustration. SFI is open to submissions.

Blue Starlight

Under the terror and confusion of one more battle, a weary captain leads his boarding detail against one more enemy ship. Expecting stiff resistance, he instead encounters something that shows him a war can break a man, even when he thought he was already broken.

Rubik's Cubes

Emily Christensen could solve any Rubik's Cube handed to her. What nobody at her middle school realized was that someone was watching her do it, and they were watching from far beyond Area 51.

The Wind and the Water

In an ancient land of magic, curses, and phantom creatures, one man seeks out a magical talisman of legend. But unbeknownst to him, others seek the same treasure, and they are willing to kill to get it.