ABOUT THE CHRONICLES
Stories begin with “what if?” We kept asking.
The Chronicles of What?!?!? is an open, peer-reviewed fiction journal built around curiosity, thoughtful feedback, and the belief that authors should remain the authors of their own stories.
For writers and readers. By writers and readers.
The Chronicles visual identity imagines the moment an ordinary thought becomes something unexpected—the familiar opening into possibility.
Visual concept developed for The Chronicles of What?!?!? with generative AI. The concept was inspired by the journal’s focus on curiosity, ordinary moments becoming strange, and the experience of an idea expanding beyond its starting point.
WHY THIS EXISTS
Publishing can be more open, useful, and human.
Writers need readers. Good readers notice things authors cannot always see from inside their own work. But useful feedback should help a writer understand the story more clearly—not replace the writer’s judgment or turn revision into writing by committee.
The Chronicles grew from a simple idea: what if we treated fiction peer review as a form of community rather than a gatekeeping exercise? Authors contribute stories. Reviewers contribute thoughtful reading. Readers eventually receive work shaped by conversation while still belonging unmistakably to its author.
Authors know their stories. Reviewers help them see those stories more clearly.
WHAT WE BELIEVE
A few ideas guide everything we do.
CURIOSITY
Stories often begin when someone notices something ordinary and asks a strange question about it.
AUTHORSHIP
Writers retain ownership of their work and make the final creative decisions.
COMMUNITY
Review is service. Writers, reviewers, and readers all help make the journal possible
ACCESS
Submission should not depend on an author’s ability to pay or navigate unnecessary barriers
THE SPARK
Every story comes from somewhere.
Maybe it began with something overheard in a grocery store. A painting. A walk on the beach. An old memory. A scientific article. A strange dream. A television episode that sent the mind somewhere completely different.
We call that beginning The Spark. When authors submit work to The Chronicles, we invite them to share what started the idea—not as a test of originality, but as a celebration of how creativity grows from experience, influence, curiosity, and connection.
Inspiration is not plagiarism. Acknowledging where ideas begin helps us celebrate the creative journey and give credit where credit is due.
PEER REVIEW, DIFFERENTLY
The reviewer is a reader, not a co-author.
Our reviewers identify strengths, questions, moments of confusion, and opportunities worth considering. Authors decide what feedback fits the story they are trying to tell.
TOOLS & CREATIVITY
Tools can help people create. People remain responsible for what they create.
We do not treat artificial intelligence as inherently good or inherently bad. Writers may use AI and other tools ethically for activities such as brainstorming, feedback, copyediting, or revision support. What matters is human authorship, transparency, and responsibility.
Read our AI & Authorship policy ->
A JOURNAL IN PROGRESS
Issue 0 is where we begin.
The Chronicles of What?!?!? is being built in public. Issue 0 is our founding proof-of-concept: a chance to test the model, learn from authors and reviewers, and create the first published issue together.
The journal may evolve. The principles behind it should not: low barriers, author ownership, thoughtful review, transparency, accessibility, and respect for the people who make the work possible.
This gives us room to grow without pretending everything is already finalized.
COME WONDER WITH US
There is more than one way to be part of The Chronicles.
Write something. Read something. Review something. Support the journal. Ask a strange question and see where it leads.