ISSUE 0 · THE FOUNDING ISSUE
Fiction deserves thoughtful readers
The Chronicles of What?!?!? is a peer-reviewed fiction journal built by writers and readers. We believe feedback should help authors see their work more clearly—not turn stories into writing by committee.
Issue 0 is our proof-of-concept founding issue. No submission fees. Authors retain their rights. Honest peer review. A community built around making good stories stronger.
SUPPORT
Help us build a journal that can eventually pay its authors.
WHY THIS JOURNAL EXISTS
Writes deserve useful feedback. Readers deserve good stories
Authors know their stories. Reviewers help them see those stories more clearly.
The Chronicles of What?!?!? exists because publishing fiction can be more open, more useful, and more human. We want writers to receive thoughtful feedback without surrendering ownership of their stories or being asked to write by committee. We want reviewers to see peer review as service to a creative community. And we want readers to discover work that has been strengthened through conversation, reflection, and care.
There are no submission fees. Authors retain ownership of their work. Reviewers support the author rather than rewrite the story for them. The goal is not to make every story the same. The goal is to help each story become more fully itself.
HOW PEER REVIEW WORKS
Thoughtful feedback without writing by committee.
01- Submit
Send your story and basic information.
02 – Review
Reviewers offer useful, respectful feedback.
03 – Revise
You decide what feedback strengthens your story
04 – Publish
Accepted work becomes part of an issue of The Chronicles.
ISSUE 0
Help build the first issue
Issue 0 is the founding proof-of-concept issue of The Chronicles of What?!?!?. It is where we test the model, build the community, and create the first body of published work together.
FOUNDING AUTHORS
Writers whose work is accepted and published in Issue 0 will be permanently recognized as Founding Authors of The Chronicles of What?!?!?
FOUNDING REVIEWERS
People who complete peer reviews for Issue 0 will be permanently recognized as Founding Reviewers of The Chronicles of What?!?!?
Some people will be both. Together, they are our Founding Contributors.
Issue 0 is an unfunded proof-of-concept, so authors will not receive monetary compensation for this issue. Future funded issues are intended to provide modest author honoraria.
ISSUE 0 IS OPENING SOON
Ready to help build Issue 0?
Join us as an author, a reviewer, or both. Issue 0 will become the foundation of what The Chronicles of What?!?!? grows into.
No submission fees. Authors retain ownership. Thoughtful review.