Help Apex Magazine Bring More Dark Speculative Fiction in 2026
Apex Magazine has officially launched its 2026 Kickstarter, setting a $20,000 goal to fund four issues of the award-winning dark speculative fiction zine. With stretch goals, the editorial team hopes to bring back a bi-monthly publishing schedule and expand the magazine’s reach with even more fiction, nonfiction, and reader engagement.
The Kickstarter is live now: Apex Magazine 2026 Kickstarter.
Funding the Dark and the Strange
Editor-in-chief Lesley Conner and managing editor Rebecca E. Treasure are once again steering the project. The base goal will cover four issues of Apex Magazine in 2026, with each issue featuring 20,000 words of original short fiction, flash fiction, essays, reprints, and interviews with authors and artists. If stretch goals are unlocked, two additional issues will be added, plus a range of other bonuses.
Those stretch goals include:
- A drabble submission period curated by editor Kai Delmas
- A special “unpublished authors” issue guest edited by Treasure
- A new installment in Marissa van Uden’s Strange microfiction anthology series (Strange Oceans)
- Increased word counts per issue
- Honorariums for Apex’s dedicated first readers
Milestone Celebrations
To keep things lively along the way, Conner and Treasure have planned milestone events tied to Kickstarter progress. Backers will unlock early access to upcoming Apex stories, live readings of fan-favorite tales (yes, with Lesley likely crying on camera), interactive Q&As, and even a live horror movie watch-along with the editors.
Supporting Workers’ Rights
Apex has also chosen to highlight the efforts of Kickstarter United (OPEIU Local 153), the union advocating for fair wages and working conditions for Kickstarter staff. Backers who also donate to Kickstarter United’s GoFundMe can claim a free digital copy of Apex Magazine 2021 by forwarding their receipts to the Apex team.
Rewards for Backers
The campaign offers a wide selection of rewards: from $1 “show your support” pledges, to annual subscriptions, to anthology bundles, author marketing graphic packs, and even critiques from editors. There are also unique opportunities, like sponsoring flash fiction themes or dedicating an issue of Apex Magazine to a friend.
A Legacy of Dark Speculative Fiction
Founded in 2005, Apex Magazine has become a cornerstone in the world of dark speculative fiction, publishing its 150th issue in 2025. Known for showcasing diverse voices and strange, surreal storytelling, the magazine continues to pay pro rates to its contributors and strives to provide a platform for both emerging and established authors.
The team at Apex has “big dreams for 2026” and with the help of backers, those dreams can take shape.
Support the campaign here: Apex Magazine 2026 Kickstarter.
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