Portents of a Dark Tomorrow
Oct 23, 2025 Today, we release Issue 05; the very first "themed" issue of The Interocitor, where our focus is on "dystopia" (stories that predict dark futures for the world due to societal collapse, wars, big brother governments, science-gone-wrong, cataclysmic natural events, or some other cause). There's some amazing storytelling, plus a feature article that discusses what prompted the rise of dystopian themes in science fiction during the 20th Century. Also in Issue 05, we've optimized file size to about 1/7th of what it has been in the past, and gone with a much faster server, so expect your issue to download like lightning!
We notify our readers of each new issue through our Facebook page so be sure to join up over there! That way, word will reach you about new issues without your having to constantly keep checking the website.
Two Ways to Download
Hit the "Download the Current Issue" button on this page to get our most recent release. If you want to peruse and download back issues as well (always free), go to the DOWNLOAD link at the top of every page here.
WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT
What Prompted its Creation
In 2023, the popular retro sci-fi Facebook group, Keep Watching the Skies launched a "Salute to Pulp," to celebrate the creative storytelling in the pulp sci-fi magazines of the Golden Age. While researching for the feature, KWTS Founder Dane Scott noticed that, while many of them were in the public domain, they were only available as scans of magazine pages, making them challenging to actually read and enjoy. That prompted him to envision a fresh new publication that presented the stories in a clear, easy-to-read format. The Interocitor was born.
The "Golden Era" Revisited
Each issue of The Interociter takes readers on a time machine trip back to science fiction's "Golden Age," presenting a curated collection of the very best short stories by classic authors like Ray Bradbury, Arthur C. Clarke, and Isaac Asimov. We dig deep into the archives of mid-20th-Century magazines such as Galaxy and Amazing Stories, gathering up public domain master works and offering them to our readers in a fresh, easy-to-read format.
Alongside the classic stories, The Interocitor also brings you modern-day science fiction writers whose storytelling styles blend well with the classics.
What Makes "The Interocitor" Different
In our current age, science fiction has become increasingly sensationalized and explicit. We provide an alternative. We assure our stories are free of sexual content and foul language, so your children (or grandchildren) can enjoy them right along with you. Consider giving your family members their own free subscriptions by just pointing them to our website. And…since we want both men and women to enjoy our magazine, we have made a point of not using any of the "exploitative" illustrations that were common in the mid-20th-Century "pulps."
Solved.
The old short story digest magazines had small print, and were the wrong shape and size for comfortable on-screen reading.
Curated.
We've done the research. No need to wade through hundreds of old magazine issues to find the best stories by the top authors.
The Legends.
Get stories by the masters of 20th Century sci-fi, like Bradbury, Clarke, Leiber, Heinlein, Wells, Norton, Pohl, and many others.
Optimized.
Our page layout and PDF file format make reading a joy on digital devices like tablets, ebook readers, and computer screens.
The Old, and the New.
The Interocitor blends the old with the new. We feature short stories by the famous authors of the past, as well as new ones by current-day writers whose storytelling styles blend well with the classics. And, while we employ modern design techniques, the stories themselves are laid out with classic simplicity (using old style text and black-and-white illustrations). Even the ads in the magazine, while talking about current products, have a fun, retro look to them.
Nothing Lost, Something Gained.
The problems posed by small, fuzzy type, set in multiple columns on yellowed pages have all been addressed in The Interocitor. With those obstacles out of the way, you can put your full attention on the story. Enjoy an undistracted, immersive reading experience.
The Interocitor is a free publication, created by volunteer writers and staff for the pure pleasure of working on it. We'd like to thank the talented people who contribute their writing, artistry, and expertise. The one compensation volunteers receive is an opportunity to advertise their works (books, artwork, and other products) in the issues where they have participated.
Maybe you'd like to be a part of our effort. In addition to writers, we need help with proofreading, research, publicity, and circulation. Hit this button if you might like to learn more. You're not obligating yourself, just expressing an interest.
THE INTEROCITOR