Stories bring us together, reveal truths about the world, and help us see different perspectives. Science fiction stories have a long history of inspiring dreamers and using the written word to examine our present while looking to the future.

Matter of the Imagination (MoTI) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit registered in the state of Montana dedicated to providing a physical magazine for science fiction and fantasy authors, artists, and enthusiasts. Sci-fi’s popularity accelerated into the mainstream with the ready availability of science fiction magazines that provided both affordable access to these stories and a way for artists to get paid for their work. Today, the increasing popularity of physical media across genres shows a revival in art forms that you can hold. MoTI embraces the return of physical media and gives a voice to local authors and artists, promotes literature and illustration as art forms and entertainment, and uplifts science fiction & fantasy creators and enthusiasts across Montana.

We can better understand the world we live in by engaging with these imaginary realms as readers, as artists, and as citizens of Montana. We invite you to join us in imaging brighter futures and new ideas. As we work to publish our 2nd and 3rd issues in 2026, we are looking for sponsors, donors, and subscribers that share our belief in the power of the imagination and the value of good art. We are currently looking for in-magazine sponsors, printing support, and general operating funds to ensure these first issues are only the start of MoTI’s work uplifting Montana’s artists and bringing these stories to our readers. With your support, these stories will land in the hands of dreamers and readers across Montana who dare to find real truths in these imagined realms. As Ursula LeGuin said, the truth is a matter of the imagination.

The first edition was published in December 2025, and the second will follow in June 2026. Issues are available as physical copies, as well as viewable in their entirety on this website for free

FIND ISSUE #2  STARTING JUNE 5th AT:

Missoula:

• Last Best Books
• Fact and Fiction
• The Book Exchange
• The Vespiary
• Shakespeare & Co.

Bozeman:

• Isle of Books
• Studio Wheelhouse
• American Computer & Robotics Museum

Billings: 

• Dragon Egg Games
• Barjon’s Books
• A Few Books More

Kalispell:

• Blacktail Mountain Books
• Steam Mountain Games

Butte:

• Isle of Books

Hamiltion:

• Chapter One Bookstore

Helena:

• Montana Book Company

Whitefish:

• Bookworths of Whitefish

Whitehall:

• Montana Western Legacy Center

WE ARE INTERESTED IN PUBLISHING:

• Visual artwork (Cover art as well as internal art)
• Short stories under 10,000 words
• Relevant photography
• Essays related to SFF
• SFF poetry
• Interviews with authors, directors, artists, bookstores, publishers, etc. 

All submissions must be related in some way to Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Science, or a related genre (e.g. cosmic horror)

If your work does not fall under these categories but you think we might be interested, submit it anyways and include your reasoning in a note