A Slow-Journalism Publication for Horror’s Margins, Mythologies, and Monsters

NightTide is a woman-of-color-led horror magazine dedicated to exploring diverse voices, deep analysis, and the power of slow, intentional storytelling. Our focus is trauma-informed criticism, culturally-aware commentary, and the parts of the genre that haunt—not the ones that chase trends.

This guide exists to help contributors understand our tone, expectations, and editorial process.

Our Editorial Philosophy

NightTide is slow journalism:

• No hot takes
• No rush to review
• No surface-level content
• No content chasing the algorithm

We care about insight, analysis, and perspective.
We prioritize underrepresented voices, global viewpoints, and horror that pushes at the boundaries of genre.

NightTide’s ethos:
Depth over speed. Context over clickbait. Critique with care.

What We Publish

Monthly Macabre

Essays & deep dives on horror subgenres
Word Count: 700–2,000 words
These pieces explore themes, tropes, patterns, or subgenres (e.g., Folk Horror, Cannibal Horror, Feminist Revenge Horror).
Tone: analytical, accessible, slightly playful.

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Sinister Screen

Film & TV criticism rooted in insight, not review
Word Count: 700–2,500 words
These are NOT recaps or “thumbs up/thumbs down” reviews.
They’re thoughtful examinations of films, TV series, or characters.

Focus:

• Why it matters
• What it reflects
• How it resonates with culture, identity, or trauma

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Morbid Minds

Academic reflections on horror culture, mythology, and trauma
Word Count: 2,000–4,000 words
These are our scholarly pieces.
Expect citations, theory, cultural analysis, or deep historical research.
Dense and intellectual, yet readable.

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Stranger Than Fiction

Spotlighting indie horror authors, comic artists, poets, or creators
Profiles, interviews, or craft-focused features highlighting overlooked creatives.

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Indie Film Focus

Features on indie horror filmmakers, actors, curators, and film festivals
Often interview-based or behind-the-scenes reflections.
We uplift the artists building horror’s future from the fringes.

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What We Don’t Accept

NightTide will not publish:

• Racism, sexism, ableism, homophobia, transphobia, or ageism
• Essays that punch down at marginalized creators or communities
• Purely gratuitous violence, shock value, or gore-for-gore’s sake
• AI-written content (we can tell…trust us)
• Surface-level takes with no new insight
• SEO-driven “listicle energy” without substance

NightTide honors horror as a site of transformation, not exploitation.

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Writing Style & Formatting Rules

These rules keep our magazine voice clean, modern, and consistent.

Tone

• Confident but welcoming
• Smart, not snobbish
• Insightful with a hint of dark humor
• No gatekeeping
• No punching down
• No mean-spirited takedowns

Grammar & Style

• Write decades as: the 90s, not 90’s
• Film titles: italicize
• Book titles: italicize
• Character names: Natural text
• Actor names after characters: italicized
  • Example: Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis)
• Avoid double spacing after periods.
• Use short paragraphs and clear breaks for readability. White space is good for the eye!

Quotes

• If quoting dialogue, keep it minimal and relevant.
• For long block quotes, ensure they serve your analysis.

Sources

• Hyperlink your sources when possible.
• Academic sources should be cited clearly (no strict format required, just clarity).

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Structure: How to Build a NightTide Article

All NightTide pieces follow a loose structure:

1. Hook

A vivid scene, a provocative question, or an emotional anchor.

2. Context

What film/series/subgenre/creator you’re discussing, and why it matters.

3. Analysis

Your thesis, argument, or interpretation.
This is the heart of the essay.

4. Cultural/Trauma/Identity Lens

NightTide’s signature:

• representation studies
• trauma framing
• folklore
• identity
• metaphor
• psychoanalysis
• genre history

5. Conclusion

Poetic but grounded.
We like endings that echo, not endings that explain.

Avoid:

• “In conclusion…”
• Summaries that restate the whole essay

Lean toward:

• emotional resonance; we’re people, not machines, and horror holds emotional relevance for all of us…let that show.
• final insight
• imagery
• open-ended questions

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Capsule Reviews (What They Are & Aren’t)

A capsule review is a short, punchy reflection (250–500 words): not a full analysis.

Used primarily for festival coverage, short films, or anthology segments.

Guidelines:

• No spoilers (unless it’s hard to do a true critique without them – in that case, places “Spoilers below, beware!” ahead of article)
• Focus on vibe, strength, and unique elements
• Keep it tight and impressionistic
• Not a plot summary

Tone example:
“A grotesque little gem that knows exactly how long it should linger, and when to twist the knife.”….or something

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After Your Pitch Is Accepted (Contributor Workflow)

1. Draft in ONE of two places

Option A: WordPress

• Accept the WordPress invite immediately.
• Create your draft in the correct category.
• Alert Mo when you start your draft so she can monitor progress.

Option B: Word or Google Doc

• Draft externally.
• Email your finished piece to nighttidemag@gmail.com.
• Mo will import, edit, and format your article.

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2. Create Your Author Bio (Required)

In WordPress, create a profile with:

• 150 words or fewer bio
• Social links (optional, these are good for us to have when we release your article, but not a necessity for you to share it)
• Pronouns encouraged

Your bio appears on every NightTide article you publish.

Failure to complete the author bio delays publication.

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3. Formatting Rules

Please do NOT:

• add images
• adjust fonts, sizes, colors
• use special headings
• embed media (TikToks, YouTube (just let us know if it’s a trailer you’d like attached), Tweets)
• add emojis to the article body
• use multiple font styles

NightTide will format the article according to our house style.

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4. Editing Timeline

• Initial edit: 7–12 days
• You may receive revision notes
• Significant changes require a 72-hour author turnaround

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5. Publication

• Once finalized, your piece is scheduled
• You’ll be notified of the release date
• NightTide handles all social posting and marketing tags, and we will share the link with you on pub day for you to share far and wide

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Our Community Principles

NightTide’s mission is to uplift and explore the voices most often erased in horror:
Creators of Color, LGBTQIA+ voices, disabled and neurodivergent creatives, women, trans and nonbinary writers, older artists, and global storytellers.

We ask contributors to embody:

• Responsibility
• Curiosity
• Generosity
• Empathy
• Accountability
• Cultural mindfulness
• Trauma-informed understanding

We critique art fiercely — never the humanity of the artist.

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Final Notes for Contributors

• NightTide is NOT a constant horror churn. We take our time.
• We value your voice and perspective.
• Your insights help reshape horror.
• You are part of a community of weirdos, scholars, witches, critics, and dreamers.

Welcome to the tide.
Let’s make something that haunts.

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