Looking for a list of magazines to add to your cozy reading nook? Want to read fantasy but don’t have time to commit to a full novel? Here is a curated list of fantasy aesthetic magazines. I’ve focused on titles that are still in active publication and are easy to purchase in either digital or print formats.
Lifestyle
Enchanted Living
My personal favorite on this list. This magazine was formerly Faerie Magazine and remains a quarterly publication that beautifully blends fantasy with everyday life. Inside, you will find whimsical recipes like lavender honey cakes, artist spotlights featuring fairy illustrators, travel features on castles and gardens, original short fiction, and dreamy home decor inspiration filled with florals, antiques, and magical accents. It fully embraces the idea of “magical living.” This magazine comes in both print and digital formats.
Gothic Beauty
Perfect for dark fantasy lovers. While not strictly fantasy, it is a strong source of inspiration for gothic and dark fantasy aesthetics. Content includes editorial fashion spreads with Victorian and vampire influences, interviews with gothic musicians, beauty tutorials with dramatic looks, and coverage of alternative culture events. It is a quarterly magazine and one of the longest-running gothic lifestyle publications. You can purchase it through Zinetastic.
Literary
Clarkesworld Magazine
A monthly magazine known for publishing high-quality fantasy and science fiction. You will find award-winning short stories, thought-provoking speculative fiction, and works by both emerging and established authors. Past issues include imaginative tales about magical worlds, futuristic societies, and philosophical explorations of humanity. Available in print and digital, and also through retailers like Barnes & Noble.
The Literary Fantasy Magazine
Ideal if you enjoy fantasy short fiction and poetry. Each issue includes stories, lyrical poems, and immersive fantasy worlds that feel almost more like a book than a magazine. You might find tales of enchanted forests, mythical creatures, and character-driven journeys. A quarterly publication by The Arcanist, available in print and digital, with free sample issues available.
Dreamforge
A quarterly fantasy and science fiction magazine with a strong focus on immersive storytelling. You will find original short stories ranging from epic fantasy adventures to quiet, emotional speculative fiction, along with occasional poetry and essays. It is free to read online, with print editions available twice a year. You can check out the print editions here on Amazon.
Asimov’s Fantasy & Science Fiction
A long-running magazine featuring short stories, novelettes, poetry, and editorials. While primarily science fiction, it often includes fantasy elements and speculative storytelling. Expect richly built worlds, futuristic concepts, and character-driven narratives that explore technology, space, and imagination.
Uncanny Magazine
A bi-monthly sci-fi and fantasy magazine featuring original fiction, poetry, essays, and interviews. You will find diverse storytelling, behind-the-scenes discussions with authors, and deep dives into genre culture. Stories often explore identity, magic, and speculative futures. Available digitally through major ebook platforms.
Fantasy Magazine (Psychopomp)
A digital-only magazine dedicated entirely to fantasy in all its forms. Expect a wide range of content, including folklore-inspired tales, dark fantasy, supernatural stories, flash fiction, poetry, and author interviews. Issues often feature striking cover art and unique voices in modern fantasy. Psychopomp also publishes The Deadlands, which focuses on death, the afterlife, and eerie speculative themes.
Gaming
Cozy Companion Magazine
A cozy games and fiction magazine published by Snowbright Studio. Along with indie game news and reviews, each issue includes a Steam key for a featured cozy game to add to your Steam Library. You will also find short cozy fantasy stories, developer interviews, recipes, and relaxing game recommendations. Available in both print and digital formats.
Art
ImagineFX
A must-read for fantasy and sci-fi artists. This monthly magazine includes step-by-step digital painting tutorials, professional artist interviews, concept art breakdowns, and software tips. You might learn how to paint dragons, design magical environments, or create glowing spell effects. Available in print and digital.
You might also want to check out Fantasy Art Essentials, a special bookazine series from the same publisher. Focused on both traditional and digital fantasy art, it features curated tutorials, artist showcases, and technique deep dives. Expect content like character design guides, anatomy tips for fantasy creatures, and inspirational galleries.
Fantasy Figures International
A bimonthly UK-based magazine for miniature and tabletop figure enthusiasts. Articles include step-by-step painting guides, sculpting techniques, product reviews, and showcases of fantasy miniatures such as warriors, dragons, and mythical characters.
Movies, TV & Music
SFX Magazine
A monthly magazine covering fantasy, sci-fi, and horror in film, television, and gaming. Inside, you will find exclusive interviews with actors and creators, previews of upcoming fantasy films, behind-the-scenes features, and reviews of the latest releases. Available in both print and digital magazines.
Special Interest
Fortean Times
A magazine dedicated to strange and unexplained phenomena. Content includes investigations into folklore, hauntings, cryptids, witchcraft, and historical oddities. You will also find reviews, reader-submitted stories, and deep research into mysterious events. This is available in both print and digital versions.
Nightmare Magazine
Focused on horror and dark fantasy, this digital magazine features chilling short stories, haunted house tales, poetry, nonfiction essays, and author interviews. Many stories explore psychological horror, supernatural encounters, and eerie atmospheres. Free to read online, with paid ebook editions available.
Honorable Mentions
Dark Realms Magazine
A classic dark fantasy magazine known for its stunning artwork and atmospheric storytelling. I loved reading these growing up, admiring the beautiful Gothic art, and reading supernatural, haunting experiences. No longer in publication, but worth finding through resellers like eBay.
Realms of Fantasy
A beloved fantasy magazine that is no longer in print, but archived issues can be accessed online for free.
Weird Tales Magazine
A historic and influential publication in the fantasy and horror genre. This is where H. P. Lovecraft’s Cthulhu Mythos stories first appeared in 1928. Today, it releases issues occasionally rather than on a strict schedule. Available in print and audiobook formats at libro.fm.
Where to Find These for Less
Before committing to a subscription on the publisher’s website, check for free issues or sample options.
Public Libraries (Free Magazines)
Your local public library is one of the best places to start. Many libraries offer both print and digital magazines, including international titles. With a library card, you can often access digital magazines through third-party apps. Check your library’s website under its resources section to see what they have available. Below are some I’ve used via my local public library.
PressReader
Offers access to over 7,000 magazines and newspapers worldwide. You can download issues and even translate content.
Kono Digital
Features a curated selection of high-quality magazines from Asia.
Libby
Run by OverDrive and connected to your local library. Provides ebooks, audiobooks, and magazines for free with a library card.
Stores
Bookstores like Barnes & Noble and retailers such as Amazon carry popular magazine titles. For niche fantasy magazines, try specialty shops or purchase directly from publishers. Grocery stores may also carry a small selection.
Online Websites
Pocketmags Plus+
A great option for international magazines, especially British titles that are harder to find in the United States.
Zinio
A digital magazine platform where you can buy single issues or subscriptions and read across multiple devices. It is especially useful for accessing niche or international fantasy magazines.
Often offers significant discounts on print subscriptions, mostly compared to buying directly from publishers.
These are just a few places where you can start building your collection. Whether you’re drawn to whimsical fairy worlds, dark gothic aesthetics, or immersive short fiction, fantasy magazines offer a unique way to step deeper into a fantasy-inspired lifestyle. Display them on your coffee table, arrange them along your home library shelves, or incorporate them into a cozy reading nook for both inspiration and visual charm.
