Issue Eight
November 2026
Editor's note
Fear is something we all recognise, but rarely experience in quite the same way. Fear can be immediate and overwhelming, or something that seeps into our everyday life. It appears in both familiar and unexpected places. In this issue, you’ll find fears rooted in mortality, illness, relationships, memory and the body, as well as those found in the strange, supernatural, unsettling and everyday. Some pieces confront fear directly, while others explore the traces it leaves behind. It’s this complexity that made fear such a compelling theme.
Issue 8 has also been slightly different behind the scenes. Underbelly Press has always been an incredibly personal project, and for the most part, every issue has been put together by me. This time, I brought in one of my former university peers, Adam, to help review and curate submissions. I’ll admit that handing over even a small part of something so personal to me isn’t easy, but having another perspective throughout the process has been invaluable. I’m grateful for the time, care and insight Adam has brought to the issue, and for his help in shaping the collection you’re about to read.
Underbelly continues to exist because writers and artists trust us with their work, and that is something I never take for granted. Whether you have appeared in several issues, are joining us for the first time, or continue to read and support the magazine, thank you for being a part of it. I hope you enjoy Issue 8 and the different ways our contributors have explored the things that frighten us.
- Lucy Huddleston, Editor-in-Chief
Contributors
EDITORS - Lucy Huddleston & Adam
COVER IMAGE - Laurie Avadis
INSIDE ARTWORK - Lucy Huddleston
DESIGN - Lucy Huddleston & Ellen Darbyshire
SHORT FICTION - ☆ A.M. ☆ Amy Leacy ☆ Arielle Arbushites (CNF) ☆ Brooksie C. Fontaine ☆ Christopher Moore ☆ Elizabeth Cook ☆ Gordon Brown ☆ Jo Wozencroft ☆ John Storey ☆ Julie Balloo ☆ Katherine Garrison ☆ Linda M. Bayley ☆ Μaggie ☆ Miss Lou ☆ S. M. Rosen ☆ Taylor Young ☆ Tina Wingham ☆ Wanying Zhang ☆
POETRY - ☆ Ashley Mina ☆ Brian Mosher ☆ Carla Schwartz ☆ Harli Cruse ☆ Hestia ☆ Jan Steckel ☆ Jenna V. Wray ☆ Johannah Simon ☆ Lana Salwa ☆ Lisa Borkovich ☆ Mary Poirier ☆ Maureen Egan Riggi ☆ Molly George ☆ Natalie Harveld ☆ Nicole Musillami ☆ Red Rot ☆ Sameen Shakya ☆ simon alderwick ☆ Warren Paul Glover ☆ Wendy Westley ☆
ART & PHOTOGRAPHY - ☆ Adriana Marasz ☆ Aleksandra Konarska ☆ Alexandra Ensor ☆ Andrea Gluckman ☆ Charles Goraterma ☆ D C Nobes ☆ Danny D. Ford ☆ Erin McCluskey ☆ Farebella Design ☆ James Mellor ☆ Laurie Avadis ☆ Maria Winther ☆ p3ftast3ri ☆ Penny Roussel ☆ Ralphi Burgess ☆ Strawbi ☆ Tanya Robles ☆ The Real Michael K ☆