A Note from the Founder & Editor-in-Chief

This magazine was built with intention: a space for slow, intelligent horror journalism that values reflection over churn, insight over clickbait. Every piece published here becomes part of that rhythm.

When you contribute to NightTide, you’re joining a curated publication with its own visual language, cadence, and editorial architecture. It’s not a collective blog; it’s a house with its own design. Your words live within that design, and I make sure they find their best possible shape there.

As Editor-in-Chief, I have final approval on all edits, layout, and publication decisions. That’s not about control, it’s about maintaining NightTide’s continuity and voice. Every contributor is fully credited for their work, but the magazine’s integrity is a shared responsibility.

— Mo Moshaty
Founder & Editor-in-Chief, NightTide Magazine

---

Contributor Setup

Before you publish your first article:

Include any relevant website or social links in your author profile.

Update your WordPress profile with a short bio (2–3 sentences) and a headshot or avatar. This automatically appears in your byline.

Check your display name to ensure it’s written exactly how you’d like it shown publicly.

---

​Workflow & Submission

You may choose to work directly in WordPress or submit drafts via Google Docs or Email — but once you’ve chosen your method, please stick with it. Consistency helps me streamline editing, scheduling, and formatting.

When your draft is ready:

Expect editorial feedback or light structural notes within a few days.

Always notify me directly (via email or message) when you upload or submit. I don’t check WordPress daily, so this ensures your work is reviewed promptly.

Leave your post as a Draft or “Submit for Review.”

---

Formatting & Layout Rules

NightTide maintains a clean, uniform style across all issues. To keep that cohesion: Upload text only. No fonts, colors, headers, or custom blocks. Avoid dividers, or stylized quotes, I handle those design choices.

Your draft should include, in order:

• Title
• One-sentence blurb (for social/SEO)
• Body text
• Tags (you can add these via the blocks on the right hand side of the editor)
• Optional pull quote suggestion
• Short author bio (if not in your profile)

Social & SEO Details

When submitting your article:

• Add a one-sentence blurb summarizing your piece.
• Include hashtags that fit the topic and tone (#FolkHorror, #BodyHorror, #WomenInHorror, etc.).
• Keep your URL slug brief — avoid long, decorative titles or full sentences. (Example: nighttidemag.com/2025/02/haunted-domesticity/)
• If referencing previous NightTide articles, link internally where appropriate.

---

Tone & Voice

NightTide thrives in the space between the academic and the poetic. Articles should feel reflective, informed, and emotionally grounded. We value:

• Clarity over jargon
• Depth over speed
• Curiosity over authority

We explore horror not as spectacle, but as mirror; cultural, psychological, and spiritual. Keep your sentences alive, your references thoughtful, and your conclusions earned.

---

Images & Accessibility

When suggesting or providing images:

• Use high-quality, rights-cleared images (press stills, licensed art, or original photos).
• Credit all images properly: title or actor(s), year, studio, or distributor.
• Keep visuals tonally aligned: atmospheric, cinematic, minimal. No collage effects, memes, or busy borders.

If unsure, send options — I’ll finalize image selection to maintain visual flow across the site.

---

Copyright & Editorial Authority

You always retain copyright to your written work.
However, by publishing with NightTide, you grant permission for your piece to be edited, formatted, and presented within the magazine’s visual and editorial framework.

All final editorial decisions rest with me — including structure, imagery, layout, and timing. This ensures that each article upholds NightTide’s tone, quality, and mission.

---

Contributor Conduct & Communication

NightTide values professionalism, communication, and community. Please:

• Respond promptly to editorial queries or revisions.
• Notify me if you anticipate delays or changes in your schedule.
• Respect the editorial process and the tone of the publication.

NightTide is an inclusive, diversity-first platform. We amplify marginalized voices and approach horror as a tool for empathy and examination. Kindness and respect are baseline expectations; in writing and in communication.

---

Closing Note

NightTide is a small but intentional operation, a living archive of horror as reflection, resistance, and ritual. Every contributor helps shape that archive, and I’m deeply grateful for the work you bring into it. But remember: you’re not writing into the void; you’re writing into a house. And this house has a rhythm.

Welcome aboard.

— Mo Moshaty
Founder & Editor-in-Chief, NightTide Magazine