Nightmare Magazine

ADVERT: The Time Traveler's Passport, curated by John Joseph Adams, published by Amazon Original Stories. Six short stories. Infinite possibilities. Stories by John Scalzi, R.F. Kuang, Olivie Blake, Kaliane Bradley, P. Djèlí Clark, and Peng Shepherd. Illustration of A multicolored mobius strip with folds and angles to it, with the silhouette of a person walking on one side of it.

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Fiction

Asking for It

by Kristi DeMeester

The first and last time Calvin asks me about ghosts is on our fourth date. He wears green because I told him it was my favorite color. His hair is freshly cut, and his jaw still bleeding from a hurried shave. I smile at these small things he’s placing before me as an offering.

In July 2025 (Issue 154)

Poetry

Wet Dollars

by Daniel Oluremi

Money rituals are inhumane practices carried out by different traditional religions in Nigeria. They, unfortunately, contribute to and are influenced by the kidnapping problem in the country.

In June 2025 (Issue 153)

Fiction

Edgar Addison, the Author of Dévorer (1862-1933)

by Ben Peek

Author spotlight

For such an infamous book, the original edition Dévorer is decidedly ordinary. It is a small, clothbound book, written in French. It is one hundred and forty-seven pages long. It was privately printed by its author, Edgar Addison, in the final years of his life.

In June 2025 (Issue 153)

Fiction

Eleven Songs for Another Lover

by V.H. Chen

Every once in a while I am lucky enough to disgorge a story almost fully formed from the get go. This one was born from a stew of rising fury with ambient misogyny, irritation with discourse about the declining art of music playlist design.

In June 2025 (Issue 153)

Fiction

Here I Go Again

by Lindz McLeod

Author spotlight

This woman—walking alone, at night—is going to be killed. Here I go again. Watch my finger. See how the passive voice takes you by the hand? See how it leads you to understand the object and the verb? The trouble is, it leaves out the deliverer of the sentence.

In June 2025 (Issue 153)

Poetry

Exorcism

by Cassandra Khaw

In many ways, this poem is about an excruciatingly difficult childhood, but it is also about my found family, about the people who have helped me realize that the past is something you can leave behind, that you can exorcise, put away because there are better things to do than stay haunted by the dark.

In May 2025 (Issue 152)

Fiction

Notes from the Graft Failure

by R. Diego Martinez

Author spotlight

Important Note About Kindle Periodicals/Unlimited Subscriptions Nightmare is withdrawing from the Kindle Periodicals Program on Kindle Unlimited due to the draconian terms and conditions. If you’re a subscriber via Kindle Unlimited and wish to continue your subscription (and we really hope you will!), you can subscribe directly via our website or via Weightless Books; all […]

In May 2025 (Issue 152)

Fiction

Blood of the Idugan

by Lilia Zhang

What do the wicked stepmother and the innocent princess have in common? In this retelling, a lot more than you might think. I love a good fairy tale retelling, especially those that subvert the narrative in unexpected ways, and it’s high time for the jealous villainess archetype to be rewritten.

In May 2025 (Issue 152)

Fiction

Beak

by Ian Muneshwar

Author spotlight

The landlord requires proof of the infestation, and proof—per clause twelve, subsection three of the lease—must come in the form of a living specimen, safely contained. A dead specimen is insufficient, he has repeatedly explained.

In May 2025 (Issue 152)

Poetry

Old Brooklyn Magic

by Ian Li

I wanted to paint an eerie portrait of the Brooklyn Bridge area as I first experienced it, capturing both a feeling of wonder and unease, for any place with enough character and history can feel like it has an undercurrent of old magic that may ensnare you.

In Apr. 2025 (Issue 151)

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