Welcome to Inner Worlds issue eight, which marks an incredible two years since the magazine launched! Thank you to everyone who has trusted us with their work, who has read and shared our stories, and who has supported us in any way up til now. None of this would be possible without you.

Inside this issue you’ll find fourteen speculative stories, drawing on science fiction, fantasy, and horror to explore our internal landscapes; our thoughts, feelings, and other strange experiences. Many of the stories explore the theme of bodies and our relationships with them, and the issue features a larger-than-usual number of doubles and ghosts.

This time our cover features “Mindscape of the Unreal" by Victoria Ilemobayo Ojo, whose glitchy textures and acid colours give the work a cyberpunk flavour.

Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoy these stories as much as I have. If anything here strikes a note with you, please share it and do let the author know too! And if you aren't already a subscriber, please consider joining us so that we can keep publishing superb, striking works like these.

Sarah Jackson, August 2025

Table of contents

Cover artwork

Our cover for this issue is Mindscape of the Unreal by Victoria Ojo.

“In 'Mindscape of the Unreal,' a lady navigates the ambiguity of a new environment. Through digital imagery, I capture her uncertainty to blend into the new world. This work explores the interplay of emotion, perception, and the unease of stepping into the unknown.”

Victoria Ilemobayo Ojo is a Nigerian literary enthusiast and smartphone photographer whose work has been featured in various publications, including Christian Century, Christian Courier, Ake Review, and MAAR Review, among others. Her writing and photography have appeared in numerous online literary platforms, showcasing her talent and versatility.

X: @ilemobayo- ojo IG: @ilemoba-joy