Another giant in the realm of digest magazines, Fate, is now under new ownership and editorial direction. The magazine’s stalwart leader, Phyllis Galde, who led Fate for nearly four decades has stepped back but not aside. In her farewell editorial she wrote, “While I may be stepping away from the editor’s desk, you have not heard the last from me. I will continue to consult and remain involved with the magazine I love. I’ll also spend time caring for the critters on the farm [where she lives in North Carolina], reviving Species Link Journal, and running Galde Press.”

During the transition, Fate HQ has moved to Traverse City, Michigan, where new editor-in-chief Matthew Kibbey resides. No doubt the past few months have been busy for the magazine’s new director, his enthusiasm and influence emanate throughout the pages of his inaugural issue. The fact that Galde will continue to support his efforts bodes well for Fate’s devoted readership, while his energy and unique style will guide the magazine into its next chapter. He intends to increase the frequency from its recent annual publication; a cause to celebrate and support his efforts.

This issue continues the magazine’s long tradition of exploring a wide range of supernatural and strange topics, everything from NDEs to Sasquatch, from timeslips to runestones, and moon bases to crytids. A new feature “Historical High Strangeness” reprints vintage newspaper reports of Fortean activity circa the 1800s. The facsimiles can be a bit hard on senior eyes like mine, but Fate’s staff has wisely summarized each one in clear, concise sidebars.

Kibbey is the former owner/editor of The Observer a digital and print publication in the Fate realm. When he announced the acquisition early in June he encouraged his readers to subscribe to the print edition of Fate and launched The Fate Files, a new companion newsletter on the Substack platform.