If you love writing horror or dark fantasy, Nightmare is one of the top-paying and most respected magazines you can submit to.
With a rich publication history and an inclusive approach to storytelling, they’re actively seeking bold, boundary-pushing work that will chill, haunt, and linger —
The kind of content that will make you say: “I can still feel it crawling under my skin.”
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to get your work published in Nightmare.
Let’s get started.
What is Nightmare?
Nightmare is a leading digital magazine that specializes in horror and dark fantasy.
With a mission to showcase spine-tingling, thought-provoking, and emotionally resonant dark fiction, it has carved out a space for stories that push the boundaries of genre and form.
Launched as part of the Lightspeed family of publications, Nightmare releases monthly issues packed with original fiction, flash pieces, poetry, nonfiction essays, interviews, and critical columns like The H Word.
Their motto — “Horror is for everyone” — reflects their commitment to diversity, inclusion, and publishing work that reflects a broad range of voices and experiences.
Under the direction of editor Wendy N. Wagner, a two-time Locus Award-nominated editor and award-nominated writer, the magazine has consistently produced pieces that earn acclaim.
Nightmare has published numerous stories that went on to win or be nominated for prestigious honors like the Hugo, Nebula, Stoker, World Fantasy, Shirley Jackson, and Locus awards.
Whether you’re into ghost stories, body horror, psychological dread, supernatural suspense, or eerie experimental tales, Nightmare delivers fresh, powerful content month after month.
Its platform not only entertains but helps shape the ongoing evolution of horror literature.
What kind of content do they accept?
Nightmare welcomes a broad range of horror and dark fantasy writing that spans traditional, experimental, psychological, supernatural, and speculative themes.
Original short fiction
These are the backbone of the magazine.
- Length: 1500–7500 words (with a preference for pieces under 5000)
- Themes: All kinds of horror — gothic, psychological, supernatural, body horror, surreal, etc.
- Style: Character-driven, unsettling, atmospheric, or emotionally resonant
- Encouraged: Stories that take risks and push narrative boundaries
Flash fiction
Flash fiction appears frequently in The Horror Lab and is a great way to deliver horror in a compact form.
- Length: Under 1500 words
- Purpose: Short, sharp, and powerful horror or dark fantasy
- Style: Can be experimental or traditional
Poetry
Nightmare accepts horror-themed poetry in all forms and styles, but formatting must follow digital guidelines.
- Up to 5 poems per submission
- Total word count: Under 1500 words
- Format: Left-aligned only, no tabs or indentation
- Theme: Horror, dread, the uncanny, the grotesque, or emotionally disturbing
Experimental works (The Horror Lab)
The Horror Lab is a special section for work that explores the edges of genre.
- Types: Flash fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction
- Focus: Experimental storytelling, format-breaking work, blending tropes and genres
- Encouragement: Writers are invited to play with structure, style, and voice
Creative nonfiction
Also submitted via The Horror Lab, this includes real-life horror experiences or personal reflections.
- Length: Under 1500 words
- Examples: Memoirs, true crime vignettes, dark folklore, unsettling travelogues
- Style: Personal, immersive, emotionally raw or thought-provoking
Note: Strong sexual themes are acceptable, but explicit erotica is not.
Fan fiction or media-based stories (e.g., in the universes of Buffy or Game of Thrones) are not permitted, even if written well.
All nonfiction outside of The Horror Lab, such as reviews, interviews, and editorial columns, is assigned internally and not open to unsolicited submissions.
What are their writing guidelines?
Here’s what you need to know:
For short fiction
- Format: Any standard manuscript format with 12-point font
- File types: .RTF, .DOC, or .DOCX
- Length: 1500–7500 words (under 5000 preferred)
For The Horror Lab
- Poetry: Submit up to 5 poems in one document
- Flash fiction & nonfiction: Keep total word count under 1500
- Format: Left-aligned only (no tabs or indentation due to ebook limitations)
AI-generated content
They do not accept submissions written by or assisted with AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT). Only human-generated work is allowed.
Who can write for them?
Nightmare is open to everyone, around the world.
They especially encourage submissions from:
- BIPOC writers
- LGBTQIA+ writers
- Women and nonbinary authors
- Disabled and older writers
- Writers from underrepresented communities
You don’t need previous publication credits —
they care about the strength of your story, not your resume.
They also welcome English-language translations of stories that have never been published in English before.
How much do they pay?
| Type of Submission | Payment |
|---|---|
| Short fiction (1500–7500 words) | 8 cents per word ($120–$600) |
| Poetry | $40 per accepted poem |
| Flash/Nonfiction (under 1500 words) | 8 cents per word |
| Essays (nonfiction) | $75 flat rate |
All payment processing fees (e.g., PayPal, Western Union, Wise) are covered by Nightmare, so you receive the full amount.
Nightmare buys first English-language serial rights.
This means they publish your work first, and then the rights revert back to you. You’re free to resell or republish it later, as long as you credit Nightmare as the original place of publication.
Note:
You do not get paid just for submitting.
You get paid if your piece is accepted and published.
Why should I write for them?
Nightmare Magazine is more than a paying outlet —
it’s a platform that values boundary-pushing voices and imaginative risks.
They champion a diverse range of perspectives and are committed to uplifting marginalized writers, making it an especially welcoming space for storytellers who’ve felt overlooked elsewhere.
Their editorial team has a proven track record of turning powerful concepts into unforgettable, polished pieces.
Stories published in Nightmare often go on to receive major literary recognition, including Nebula, Hugo, Shirley Jackson, and Stoker awards.
That kind of exposure can open doors —
not just for future publications, but for your long-term writing career.
Whether you’re an emerging voice or an experienced author looking to sharpen your craft, Nightmare has something rare to offer.
You’ll find editorial excellence, fair pay, creative freedom, and a dedicated audience that truly appreciates horror in all its forms.
How do I get started?
- Read the magazine to get a feel for their voice, style, and tone
- Prepare your story or poems according to their guidelines
- Submit via their online Moksha submission system — do not email
- Include a short cover letter (optional) with your name, story length, any relevant background, and a brief bio if applicable
Expect a response time of around 100 days.
Rejections are usually form letters, but if they say “send more,” they mean it.
Before you submit:
Paid writing opportunities like these are limited — and they exist because editors are still willing to accept unsolicited submissions from writers around the world. To help keep these opportunities open, don’t submit AI-generated content or low-effort work clearly intended as spam. It wastes the editors’ time and takes away chances from real writers who care about the craft. Respect the opportunity. Respect the process. And respect the people reading your work.
Ready to submit your story?
Head over to their website to get started.
Final thoughts
If you’re drawn to horror that explores the full range of human fear — from creeping dread to gut-wrenching terror — Nightmare Magazine offers not just a platform, but a community.
With its inclusive mission, diverse editorial team, and high standards of storytelling, this is a space where your voice can find a home.
Publishing with Nightmare means being part of a legacy of genre-bending, award-winning work that challenges the boundaries of horror and dark fantasy.
It means being read by a passionate audience of fans, editors, and fellow writers.
And it means getting paid fairly for your creative labor.
So if you’ve got something strange lurking in your mind — a ghost, a monster, a memory that won’t let go — now’s the time to shape it into a story.
Nightmare is waiting.
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START A BLOG ➤Looking for more sites that pay you to write?
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You’ll find magazines, websites, and platforms in all kinds of niches, from poetry, fiction, and greeting cards to travel, lifestyle, parenting, and more.
Each site includes everything you need to know — from the type of content they’re looking for, to how much they pay, to how to submit your work — so you can confidently land your next paid writing gig.
SEE THE FULL LIST ➤
