The second issue of The Phantom Pulse concludes our first year as a serialized horror publication. We received over 2200 story submissions in total, a number we didn’t dream was possible. The greatest challenge of operating a magazine is the story decision making process. In the end, we published 11 stories, and we couldn’t be prouder of these authors and their fantastic works.
Issue #2 leans into the mysteries of nature and the consequences of human choice. What horrors wait in the shadows between the trees? What happens to us when we succumb to desperation? When does who we want to be betray who we really are? The stories from the minds of H. Marin, J.A. Espersmyth, Sarah Fannon, and A. Katherine Black answers these questions. We are excited for you to love these stories like we do.
So much of our work as editors has been about defining what The Phantom Pulse needs to be in the speculative fiction community. We’ve worked hard to blend the weird with the traditional horror. The dark fantasy with the haunting science fiction. More than anything, we want this magazine to be a home for thought-provoking writing. Stories that hurt yet leave you better than you were before. Something deliciously dark and quiet.
But what’s next?
We are going to continue to grow The Phantom Pulse. In January, we will publish our first print volume, a collection of the stories we published throughout the year (with some killer new story art). Also, we are increasing the number of issues we will publish annually. Starting in 2027, we will publish four issues of The Phantom Pulse a year rather than two. We have a few more exciting pieces of news to announce in the future as well, so keep your eyes peeled!
With that, it is our immense pleasure to introduce The Phantom Pulse: Issue #2. We hope you enjoy it.
Mike, Jess, and Kat