Diabolical Plots
Entry updated 8 April 2024. Tagged: Publication.
US Online Magazine of sf, Fantasy, and horror with a speculative element, devised by David Steffen, who continues to head its team of editors. Monthly, May 2008 to current.
Founded by David Steffen to establish his own writing career, the magazine's early issues featured short stories, reviews, and essays by the editor as well as interviews with him; interviewees include Cat Rambo and Ann Leckie. The humility of its origins can be seen via the heading of "Karl Johanson Will Eat a Mars Bar if 1000 People Read This Interview" (September 2009).
In 2015, Diabolical Plots began its focus on publishing original fiction, achieving wider appeal in the process. Featured authors with entries in this encyclopedia include John Wiswell, whose "Open House on Haunted Hill" (June 2020) won the 2021 Nebula for best short story. Other stories have been reprinted in best-of-year sf and fantasy anthologies.
Diabolical Plots is notable for its down-to-Earth atmosphere. Published stories are often humorous and feature colloquial language. Review topics range from the work of Hugo finalists to video games, musicals, and animated movies. [JM]
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