First Issue is Available !
The first issue of our new journal Epic Threads is now live.
Epic Threads is a student-led creative journal at the University of Waterloo that dares to reimagine the ancient world through fiction, poetry, drama, art, and experimental writing.
At its core, Epic Threads is a project of imagination grounded in scholarship. We believe that the Classical world — from Greece and Rome to the ancient Near East — is not a relic to be preserved behind glass. It is a living, breathing landscape of human stories, still relevant, still raw, still echoing in our collective memory. Through creative re-engagement, we seek to draw the past into the present — and invite it to speak anew.
Founded by two students and a professor passionate about both scholarship and creative expression, Epic Threads celebrates the space where historical inquiry and literary craft meet. Our writers do not merely imagine — they investigate. They dive into primary texts, inscriptions, and archaeological records, and emerge with voices, emotions, and narratives that traditional essays often overlook. We invite work that is not only compelling in form, but meaningful in its connection to the classical tradition.
We are building a journal that challenges conventions — one where ancient women break their silence, emperors doubt their decisions, gods falter when they're needed most, and the footnotes of history rise to center stage.
We welcome bold, beautiful, and deeply considered writing inspired by:
Greek, Roman, and Near Eastern antiquity
Classical literature, philosophy, mythology, and material culture
Real and imagined figures from the ancient world
Thematic echoes between past and present
We publish:
Short stories, poetic monologues, dramatic scenes, creative nonfiction
Poetry and hybrid works that stretch form and tradition
Historically grounded speculative fiction
Reviews and critical essays on contemporary creative works (novels, films, plays, games) that reimagine antiquity
Whether you’re writing a lost dialogue of Socrates, imagining a letter from Dido, or reviewing Troy through a scholarly lens — Epic Threads offers a space for those who bring the past into dialogue with the present, not just creatively, but critically and rigorously.
We value:
Historical depth: Submissions that engage seriously with primary sources and scholarship
Literary craft: Work that is evocative, original, and intentional in its language
Creative risk: Inventive structures, bold interpretations, and fresh voices
Dialogue across time: Connections between ancient stories and modern experiences
Each submission is read by our editorial board — a team of students and scholars — with attention to both creative strength and historical insight.
Epic Threads is a fully open access journal. We believe the ancient world belongs to everyone, and our issues are free to read and share without paywalls or subscriptions.
Authors retain full copyright of their work. By publishing with us, you grant us the right to distribute your work, but your intellectual property remains yours.
Epic Threads is affiliated with the Department of Classical Studies at the University of Waterloo and operates with mentorship from faculty members. While we receive support from the department, our editorial voice is largely student-driven, and our vision is independent, passionate, and ever-evolving.
We are committed to protecting the privacy of our contributors and readers. All personal data submitted through our site is handled responsibly and ethically. We are also proud to foster an inclusive, anti-discriminatory space where all voices are welcomed, respected, and celebrated.
The ancient world is not finished speaking — and it’s not finished being rewritten.
At Epic Threads, we invite you to listen closely, write boldly, and thread your voice into the timeless tapestry.
The first issue of our new journal Epic Threads is now live.